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Podcasts Take Two
Bridging the Digital Divide in California, the Future of Carbon Vacuums to Fight Climate Change, Race in LA
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May 4, 2021
Listen • 52:15
Bridging the Digital Divide in California, the Future of Carbon Vacuums to Fight Climate Change, Race in LA

Legislation in Works to Bridge Digital Divide, How Carbon Vacuums Could Combat Climate Change, Race in LA: Being 'Black Enough'
A journalist looks at the new Google logo at his work station in Washington, DC on September 1, 2015. Google on Tuesday refreshed its logo to better suit mobile devices that are supplanting desktop computers when it comes to modern Internet lifestyles. Google's logo keeps its four-color scheme but shifts to a soft sans-serif font. The company is also replacing the well-known blue lower case "g" icone with an upper-case "G" combining blue, green, red and yellow colors. The 17-year-old Internet company is keen to follow users of its online products onto new generations of Internet-linked devices such as smartphones, tablets, and watches.AFP PHOTO / EVA HAMBACH (Photo credit should read EVA HAMBACH/AFP/Getty Images)
The pandemic put the spotlight on how wide the digital divide is in the U.S. This year, though, could be the year we provide more high speed internet access to more people in California.
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EVA HAMBACH/AFP/Getty Images
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Bridging the Digital Divide in California

If one thing became clear during the pandemic, its that the digital divide in this country is worse thane we though. It became most evident as kids tried to zoom to school and millions of Americans had to figure out how to sign up online to get a vaccine. Expanding internet access has long been a cause that California lawmakers have been happy to support, regardless of party. This year, though, something might actually get done.

Guest:
 

  • Ben Christopher, Political Reporter for CalMatters

Early Earthquake Warning System Available Along West Coast

Smartphones are always buzzing with app alerts but one notification could save your life. For the first time, the earthquake early warning system, ShakeAlert can send phone notifications up and down the entire west coast. We talk about what that means for surviving “the big one.”

Guest:

  • Robert de Groot, ShakeAlerts National Coordinator for Communication, Education, and Outreach for the US Geological Survey 

The Future of Carbon Vacuums to Fight Climate Change

Is it time to introduce giant carbon vacuums to California? As the threat of climate change looms, industrial-scale carbon removal might be up for consideration in the Golden State, though it's no small feat.

Guest: 

  • L.A. Times national reporter Evan Halper 

Race in LA: Being 'Black Enough'

We bring you the latest installment in our Race in L.A. series, in which we ask Angelenos how race and identity shape their day-to-day lives. The hope is that these stories fuel meaningful, authentic conversations about our lived experiences as a certain race or ethnicity. This week, contributor Laurel Davis shares parts of her essay titled "Black Enough?' Mixed Musings On My Skin Color, Hair, and Heritage."

Hot Pod: Nick Quah on Big Moves in Podcasting

It’s been busy in the podcast world with some of the heaviest hitting names making big moves, and now that the world is getting vaccinated, content creators are talking about holding live events again.

Guest:

  • Nick Quah, podcast industry analyst who pens the Hot Pod column for Vulture.