S7 Episode 3: Begged and Borrowed
Ways & Means
Large technology companies are so powerful they now threaten democracy. They are too big to sue, and current regulations are not holding them responsible for their actions or outcomes. What can be done when a large tech company is doing something that is harmful to society? How can the technology companies that want to differentiate themselves demonstrate they are behaving responsibly? Well – this isn’t the first time the U.S. has been faced with a large, runaway industry that needed effective government oversight. We’ll look closely at the governance frameworks that are used for big...
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S7 Episode 2: What Hasn't Worked
Ways & Means
Very large tech companies fit into a special tech category called “platforms.” Companies like Facebook, Google, Twitter, and Amazon are so big – it’s like they are on a raised on a platform at a country fair, and can be heard all over the fairgrounds. The platform gives them an advantage; because they can be heard by more people, their technology can have a more impactful reach. These companies have a lot of money, and power. But what if society becomes convinced one of these tools is hurting kids, or failing democracy, or polluting the environment, or stealing? Since they are so big...
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S7 Episode 1: Too Big to Sue
Ways & Means
It’s critical to understand just how hard it is to tell big tech companies what to do. The United States’ legal system is set up for a fair fight, but in practice tech firms are often able to act as their own judge and jury. They control everything from what apps we see, to what data they collect about us to whether or not misinformation and hate speech circulate widely online. This episode is the first of a three-part series, , a collaboration between Ways & Means and the Debugger podcast. The series is produced with support from the Cyber Policy Program at Duke University’s Sanford...
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Season 7 is coming
Ways & Means
Season 7 launches Wednesday March 2 with a series: "Defending Democracy (And Us!) From Big Tech." The three-part series explores how powerful big tech companies are, and what governments can do to keep them accountable. The series is hosted by journalist Bob Sullivan, and is a collaboration with the Debugger podcast. Thanks to the Cyber Policy program at Duke University's Sanford School of Public Policy, and Duke's Kenan Institute for Ethics. Promo music: Footsteps on Alden and the Corner Office. .
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S6 Episode 6: A Conversation About Reparations
Ways & Means
Throughout history, the U.S. and other countries have paid reparations to a wide range of people and groups, for a variety of wrongs. But reparations to African Americans have not been paid to date.
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S6 Episode 5: White Brutality
Ways & Means
Throughout the nation’s history, time and again, promising signs of African American progress have been shattered by acts of violence serving the interests of white supremacy. The extent of that violence is widespread and ongoing.
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Upcoming Episodes
Ways & Means
Episode 5 premieres April 7. It will explore white violence against Black people through the decades.
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S6 Episode 4: Whitening the Middle Class
Ways & Means
In this episode: The GI Bill was a conveyor belt into the middle class for millions of white WWII veterans, but many African American veterans were excluded. Subsequent generations continue to feel the effects.
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S6 Episode 3: A Tale of Two Cities
Ways & Means
In this episode: how the federal government promoted housing segregation and thwarted African American home ownership.
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S6 Episode 2: This Land is My Land
Ways & Means
A tale of two promises made by the U.S. government – one kept, one broken. What happened, and what does this have to do with the existing wealth gap between African Americans and white Americans?
info_outlineLive event for Duke Energy Week 2020. Guests:
Hilton Kelley, Goldman Environmental Prize winner. A former Hollywood stuntman, Kelley returned home to Port Arthur, Texas to battle for environmental justice.
Karen Torrent of The National Whistleblower Center and Duke Prof. Tim Profeta discuss the new Climate Risk Disclosure Lab initiative.
Co-hosts: Journalist Lindsay Foster Thomas; Prof. Deondra Rose of Polis: Duke Center for Politics; Duke Master of Public Policy student Raffi Wineburg.