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The Brian Lehrer Show

Tuesday, June 03, 2008
  • You Are What You Buy

    Think technological advances like TiVo and the internet have left you immune to marketing? Think again. Writer Rob Walker argues that marketing has become murkier than ever, and the result is that we’re more brand-crazy than ever before. Also: a new report calls for a renaissance in New York’s vocational schools, and we take a look at the safety of construction zones.

Crane Drain

Louis Coletti, President of the Building Trade Employers' Association and Joel Shufro, Executive Director of the New York Committee for Occupational Safety, talk about construction safety in light of the recent crane collapse and if we should expect more of the same during the current construction boom.

Community College Credit Crunch

The New York Times reports that banks are starting to limit student loans, particularly to community colleges. Anya Kamenetz, Yahoo Finance columnist and the author of Generation Debt: Why Now Is A Terrible Time to Be Young discusses the credit crunch and what it means for students.

Anya Kamenetz' blog
"Student Loans Start to Bypass 2-Year Colleges" (NYT, 6/2/2008)

Not Your Father's Vocational Schools

A recent report from the Center for an Urban Future argues that today's career and technical education (CTE) high schools fill an vital niche in New York's education system. The report's author, David Jason Fischer and John Widlund, principal of George Westinghouse High School in Brooklyn, talk about the schools.

"Schools That Work" (pdf)

I Buy Therefore I Am

Rob Walker, New York Times Magazine "Consumed" columnist and author of Buying In: The Secret Dialogue Between What We Buy and Who We Are (Random House, 2008), talks about "murketing" -- the murky marketing that is changing advertising and branding.

Read Rob Walker's blog

Labels of Love

Speaking of the brand obsessed...anyone see the Sex and the City movie? Slate film critic Dana Stevens (who has) joins Rob Walker (who hasn't) to talk about the SATC effect on consumer culture. But fear not: this is a spoiler-free zone.

Open Phones: Defending Bad Behavior

Do you grunt at the gym? Hold lengthy cell phone conversations while on the bus? Push your way into a subway car before everyone has exited? Call in to confess and/or defend yourself....or comment below!

Is This the End?

Ben Smith, blogger and columnist at politico.com, discusses the status of Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign.

Michael Moore on Brian's 20th Anniversary

The Brian Lehrer Show

Live from the Greene Space: Michael Moore talks about his new documentary, Capitalism: A Love Story and Brian celebrates the 20 year anniversary of the show with a 20 year news quiz.

Happy 150th Birthday, Evolution!

The Brian Lehrer Show

Richard Dawkins, biologist, professor of the Public Understanding of Science at Oxford University, and author of many books on science, most recently, The Greatest Show on Earth: The Evidence for Evolution, talks about Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species, which was published on 24 November 1859.

What's Next for the Movement?

The Brian Lehrer Show

In the aftermath of President Obama's campaign, Kevin Powell, Brooklyn-based community activist has written a new book, Open Letters to America: Essays by Kevin Powell, outlining his thoughts about political engagement, particularly among African-American youth.

No Logo: One Decade Later

The Brian Lehrer Show

Journalist and activist Naomi Klein discusses the ten-year anniversary of the release of her landmark book NO LOGO: Taking Aim at the Brand Bullies.

Uncommon Indicators

The Brian Lehrer Show

The Brian Lehrer Show wants to hear how the economy is affecting the little things in your daily life. Share your stories and photos of the downturn.

Help us map abandoned lots, stalled construction and unsold condos.

Video Picks

The Brian Lehrer Show

Check out some recent video clips of interviews with guests and Brian Lehrer's weekly Web video picks.