2024.03.18: Wind Powered Podcast

Dive into the intricacies of modern warfare with "The Daily," as Sabrina Tavernise and Christiaan Triebert meticulously dissect Ukraine's groundbreaking and secretive drone program. As Russian drones, supported by Iranian technology, menace the skies, Ukraine retorts by forging its own path in aerial combat without the direct aid of Western nations. The episode unfurls a narrative of defiance, where Ukrainian government collaboration with private sectors has spurred the modification of reconnaissance drones for offensive tasks, setting in motion an indigenous evolution of drone technology.

Witness through the powerful testimonies of Ukrainian figures like Serhiy Prytula—a celebrity transformed into an emblem of national defense—how a nation mobilizes its civilian populace to counter external aggression. The podcast sheds light on the remarkable collective effort to fund and enhance a crucial component of Ukraine's defensive strategy, maintaining a strategic focus to cripple infrastructure rather than harm individuals. This insightful episode from "The Daily" also scales beyond the battlefield, touching upon President Zelensky's international relations and a hint of what's next in global politics—all while expressing gratitude towards the podcast's dedicated production team.

In "Rachel Maddow Presents: Déjà News," a captivating episode tracks the historical and ongoing struggle against voter suppression in the United States. Rachel Maddow along with a lineup of noted speakers including Lyndon Johnson, Jen Psaki, Rick Perlstein, and more explore unsettling chapters of right-wing tactics aimed at dissuading Black and minority communities from exercising their voting rights. Maddow and guests delve into the details of the 1964 election, uncovering not only intimidation tactics used by factions, but further revealing the establishment of Operation Eagle Eye - a methodically orchestrated attempt to suppress votes.

In this insightful dialogue, the legacy of influential figures like William Rehnquist in Operation Eagle Eye are dissected, shedding light on their roles and how today's political environment continues to grapple with their unsettling legacy. Connecting these historical skirmishes with present-day conflicts, the podcast explores how racial bias and voter suppression have been reignited post the 2020 elections. Throughout the discussion, Maddow and speakers champion various measures including public awareness campaigns, legal battles, and legislative action as essential strategies to secure and uphold voting rights for every citizen.

In Blowout, journalist and MSNBC commentator Rachel Maddow aims to expose the corruption and exploitation underlying the oil and gas industry. Pointing the finger primarily at Russian politicians like Vladimir Putin and American energy magnates like former ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson, Maddow contends that over the past 40 years, the industry has wreaked havoc on the environment, developing economies in the third world, and international relations, especially in Eastern Europe. Ultimately, she argues that only full transparency and strict environmental regulation can protect the planet from devastating accidents and corporate greed.

In this guide, we’ll discuss her evidence for how a handful of companies and politicians have exploited oil and gas reserves worldwide, both for profit and to serve dangerous political ends. We’ll also elaborate on how oil and gas have damaged the environment (perhaps permanently), how American energy policy continued to evolve under the Trump and Biden presidencies, and how Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 further destabilized the international energy market.

In Weapons of Math Destruction, data scientist Cathy O’Neil details the insidious ways mathematical models are being used to determine everything from interest rates to prison sentences. She contends that while mathematical models—simulations of real-world events—can efficiently sort through vast amounts of information, they can produce dangerous results when used broadly, opaquely, and without incorporating feedback. Specifically, O’Neil argues that dangerous mathematical models treat poor people worse than rich people, reinforce bias by lumping people into groups, and produce judgments that become self-fulfilling prophecies.

In our guide, we’ll explore the difference between benign mathematical models and dangerous ones and describe the negative effects that dangerous mathematical models produce. Then, we’ll consider O’Neil’s recommendations for how to rein in dangerous mathematical models. We’ll also discuss other research and perspectives on data science and digital ethics.

The EU recently enacted two laws, the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and the Digital Services Act (DSA), each intended to make the internet safer and more equitable for both end-users and service providers. But analysts are divided on whether the new laws will have the intended effect.

President Biden issued a sweeping executive order in October to oversee artificial intelligence technologies, establishing new guidelines for safety, security, and privacy. The order has received mixed responses from various stakeholders, who praise the initiative to promote responsible AI practices but also raise doubts about the order’s feasibility and effectiveness.

When we travel, we’re supposed to “leave nothing but footprints,” but our carbon footprints can wreak havoc on the planet. In this article, we’ll give some tips for seeing the world without harming it in the process.

Saving the planet won’t be as easy as replacing fossil fuels with renewables or recycling more products, as each of these solutions brings with it problems as serious as what they're intended to solve. Renewable technologies generate trash, particularly spent solar panels and discarded wind turbines. And recycling programs can sometimes use more resources than manufacturing from virgin materials.

Have you ever wondered how we calculate happiness levels among different countries or the amount of fossil fuels it would take to switch to renewable energy? Have you considered what unemployment numbers and infant mortality rates say about a population? In Numbers Don’t Lie, scientist and economist Vaclav Smil wants to help you understand the world by understanding numbers and statistics. Numbers can help you see the world more clearly, but only if you know what they’re actually saying.

Smil examines commonly used metrics like GDP, vaccination rates, and fertility rates and asks what they say about countries like the US, China, and Japan. He also reviews humanity’s impact on the planet through the energy, transportation, and food sectors. In our guide, we’ll go over these numbers, metrics, and statistics and provide additional scientific and historical context to help you understand the world around you even better.

Investigations continue after an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 was forced to make an emergency landing when part of the aircraft's fuselage blew off. This latest safety issue could cause further reputational damage to Boeing, already burdened by past financial settlements and a drop in stock prices.

In a timely episode of NPR News Now, speakers Louise Schiavone, Lauren Frayer, Windsor Johnston, Steve Hobbs, and Jennifer Homendy dive deep into several pressing global and domestic issues. The discussion begins with the dire situation in Gaza, where Secretary of State Antony Blinken, from New Delhi, expresses grave concerns over the loss of Palestinian lives and the dire need for humanitarian aid. The episode paints a stark picture of the conflict, emphasizing the importance of civilian safety as Israeli forces push into populated areas, and the temporary ceasefire that offers a slight reprieve in the face of adversity.

Back on U.S. soil, the podcast shifts its focus to address internal threats — the disturbing trend of fentanyl-laced threats to election officials and the concerning string of near-misses on U.S. runways. Washington's Secretary of State Steve Hobbs sheds light on a dual threat: physical harm and the undermining of democratic stability, highlighting the urgent need for security in electoral processes. Aviation safety is thrust into the conversation as Johnston and Homendy discuss recent disconcerting events and the contribution of understaffing among air traffic controllers to these dangers. This episode of NPR News Now provides a seamless connection between the turbulence abroad and the undercurrents of risk within America's own borders, calling attention to critical matters that need immediate and focused consideration.

In an emotionally charged episode of "Rotten Mango," Stephanie Soo and her co-host take listeners through the heart-wrenching details of the Sewol ferry disaster, where over 300 people, mostly high school students, tragically lost their lives on a trip to Jeju Island. The podcast examines the chronological events that lead to the ship's sinking, the failure of cargo securement due to overloading, and the consequent tipping point that set the stage for disaster. They discuss the immediate reactions, heroic acts of bravery, and the chilling farewell messages from students to their loved ones, painting a vivid and heartbreaking picture of the tragedy.

Beyond the recounting of that ill-fated day, "Rotten Mango" explores the depths of human error and systemic failures responsible for the calamity. The episode dissects the negligence of companies prioritizing profit over safety, the inadequate crisis response from authorities, and the incidents of regulatory lapses that contributed to the chaos amidst the crisis. With a focus on the psychological toll on survivors and the national mourning that followed, the podcast offers a profound reflection on accountability and the resilience of the human spirit. As they discuss the aftermath and the cultural response to the disaster, Stephanie Soo and her co-host challenge listeners to contemplate the societal behavior and leadership actions that can either hinder or help in moments of dire need.