Shooting Breezes

With the trivia game finding a winner last episode, Jacqui and Brad end the season with two hypotheticals. There are mythical creatures, and the evolution of dinosaurs, there’s bigfoot and the loch ness monster, and how to win caveman friends. It’s the usual craziness you’ve come to expect, with deep discussion on silly topics.Jacqui’s news is the U.S. Supreme Court’s surprise decision on State abortion bans. With the court bench stacked at 5/4 to conservatives, how are liberal decisions getting through? Brad and Jacqui discuss the check and balances provided by the U.S. court system, the politicized nature of appointments and confirmations, and how judges can change their mind.Brad has Facebook in his crosshairs (again). After mounting pressure from users and advertisers alike, Facebook has begun to soften on their stance on hate speech on the platform. Is the change of heart all due to pulled advertisements affecting the bottom line? How is the Facebook journey on free speech similar and different to other social media platforms?Finally! The very last blue sky thinking. And it’s a doozy. Jacqui wants to talk about things coming to an end. Lockdown coming to an end. This podcast season’s coming to an end. And now, somehow, kids are expecting to have 12 different careers in their lifetime. How and why? Brad, ever the cynical creature, thinks its due to shortening attention spans. Jacqui, ever the silly optimist, thinks its something to do with bringing your whole self to work. They agree to disagree, and disagree again on the intrinsic value of putting content out into the world. May as well end it there, hey!Today was good, today was fun. Tomorrow is another one. This one was for the listeners – we heart you. We don’t know when the next season will be, but love hearing from all of you until then. Catch us on Twitter @shootinbreezes.https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-06-30/split-high-court-throws-out-louisiana-abortion-clinic-law/12405998https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/30/technology/facebook-advertising-boycott.html

The Shooting Breezes podcast follows Brad and Jacqui as they discuss what news piqued their interest this week, and the final to end all finals in their weekly trivia competition.Jacqui has a question for Brad: what does he have a 100% success record on? If you think it would be kill shots, you’d be dead wrong. The answer has something to do the last two years of fatherhood, and it makes Jacqui one happy human. Brad serves up some sports trivia this week – can you guess which sport these ‘moves’ belong to? It’s a Sal Chow of a game, and a winner is finally announced.Brad wants to stay away from any negative news this week and looks to the ‘space’ space. NASA has revealed plans to fly an unmanned helicopter on Mars. The ‘Ingenuity’ (great name!) is planned for deployment in 2021 from the Perseverance rover as part of the Mars 2020 mission. It’s just the next small step (flight) for man (unmanned robot).Jacqui doesn’t stay way from negative news this week and wants to discuss Brazil’s response to the Corona virus, and the effect it’s having on its indigenous populations. With communities losing their “living libraries” to the pandemic, its only one instance of how the virus disproportionately affects different communities and populations.And at last, blue-sky thinking. Brad, inspired by an old episode of the Netflix TV series Black Mirror, wants to talk about video surveillance technology invading every moment of our lives, and whether life will indeed imitate fiction. The two hosts discuss the Amazon Ring, Google glasses, and the advent of smart cities on their journey to discovering whether any privacy will remain for citizens in the future.This was the penultimate episode for Season 3 of the Shooting Breezes podcast, and what a season it has been. Join us for the last episode next week and until then, catch us on Twitter @shootinbreezes.https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/jun/21/brazil-losing-generation-indigenous-leaders-covid-19 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/23/science/mars-helicopter-nasa.html

Let’s mellow out to David Bowie and think about ch ch ch changes in our world today, whether it be terrorism, entertainment viewing, or support for global movements. Brad and Jacqui have you covered this week.Brad has a question for Jacqui, who is unabashedly addicted to her smart phone. If she could only use one app for a week, which one would she choose? Jacqui uses several important applications in her life, but she happily throws them out the window for some scrolling pleasure. Brad’s on the hot seat for this week’s trivia, which is simply, what came first? Test yourself against Jacqui’s questions.Jacqui’s news comes from northern Africa, where French forces have mounted a successful operation to kill Al Qaeda North Africa chief, Abdelmalek Droukel. She and Brad discuss France’s war with Islamic militants in Mali, and the enduring nature of terrorism. The hosts contrast the threat of terrorism to other threats, such as pandemics.Brad wants to discuss HBO Max, a new subscription on demand streaming service. There’s now a complicated landscape of streaming services, including under the HBO banner. Has the ultimate disrupter in entertainment finally succumbed to previous models? And what does this mean for Australian viewers?Finally, in this week’s blue-sky thinking segment, Jacqui wants to know what brings about substantial change in the world. The Black Lives Matter movement has seen public opinion move incredibly fast over the last two weeks, and the two hosts wrestle with what has preceded and brought about this change, when change had not occurred before. Does change have to come with a great tidal wave of movement, or can it be affected by a small group of willing people? As with blue-sky thinking segments, there are rarely any answers, and lots of questions to dissect.As always, send us some love on Twitter @shootinbreezes. And tell us what ch ch ch changes you are seeing in your community. Until next week!

Brad and Jacqui cannot believe what continues to come out of 2020, after you thought things couldn’t get worse. Apparently even the sun is also trying to destroy the Earth.Jacqui has a hypothetical for Brad this week, after having two encounters with average Joes who have famous names. It must be the most annoying thing in the world to share a name with a celebrity. Whose name would Brad choose? And it’s trivia time again. Brad keeps the movie theme to test Jacqui on ‘villain narratives’. Can Jacqui guess these movies, as told from the antagonist’s point of view?Brad has actually found good news this week. He wants to talk about the successful SpaceX launch, with its ‘reusable Falcon booster’ and two astronauts now in the International Space Station. It’s the next exciting step in commercial space exploration, and he tells the podcast what’s to come.Jacqui wants to talk all things G7, with President Trump recently announcing he is postponing the summit and is inviting a few other countries to attend. The invitation to Russia has waggled a few eyebrows, and Jacqui talks about the power of advanced nations discussing macroeconomic policy in the time of looming recession.Finally, after teasing it the whole episode, Brad and Jacqui want to address the current US protests in this week’s ‘Blue Sky Thinking’ segment. It’s a hard topic to discuss, but important to them to acknowledge the institutionalized racism which Black people experience every day, and the pain and anger of the protesters. Brad talks through some of the protest demands to address police brutality, and Jacqui notes the importance of taking action to address some of the wrongs we are now only seeing thanks to cameras and video.More than any other podcast episode, we want you to tell us if and how you disagreed with us. We want to learn and do better. Hit us up on Twitter @shootinbreezes.https://news.cgtn.com/news/2020-05-31/Trump-says-he-will-postpone-G7-summit-until-September--QVTnSJnZ60/index.html https://www.theverge.com/2020/5/30/21269703/spacex-launch-crew-dragon-nasa-orbit-successful

The Shooting Breezes podcast, with your hosts Brad and Jacqui, are discussing all things social media this week, with Twitter and Facebook in the cross hairs, as well as the outdated model of the working week.To get things rolling, Brad keeps up the space theme from previous weeks, asking Jacqui what personal item she would take on a 3-year journey to Mars. Here’s the key question: can you access the cloud from Mars? Then its trivia time (current score: Brad 1; Jacqui 1), and Jacqui wants to test Brad on “twin movies” – that phenomena of two separate movies with eerily similar plots being released in the same year. It’s a rollercoaster of twin action movies, thrillers, and romantic comedies. Can you name them all?Jacqui has news this week. It’s about a Grandma in Norway who has been court ordered to take photos of her grandchild off social media platforms. This story brings up salient topics of online privacy for the digital native generation, and what the EU General Data Protection Regulation is trying to achieve.Brad’s news is fresh off the press, or fresh off the Twitter feed. President Trump’s tweets, for the first time, have been flagged by Twitter with a fact checking warning. Is it a good move from Twitter? What responsibility do these social media giants have to fight misinformation of their platforms? Brad and Jacqui take a stab at answering those questions and more.In this week’s ‘Blue Sky Thinking’ segment, Jacqui wants to revisit the working week, and wonders if it is finally time to revamp it. Does the 9-5, 5-day working week still make sense in this technological age? How does movement to greater flexibility in working conditions occur? New Zealand and Canada may start showing us the way, and we want to follow.If you feel it is necessary, please flag us for fact checking on Twitter @shootinbreezes. Or just let us know what you thought of this week’s episode!https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-52758787https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-49808208https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/26/technology/twitter-trump-mail-in-ballots.html

Jacqui and Brad serve up a mixed bag of news items this week on the Shooting Breezes podcast, discussing everything from international rules in space exploration, to an unfortunate sex doll incident. Jacqui wants to know what Brad, the secret kiwi, likes best about being a (fake) Australian. What does he like the most about the Australian identity, and what does he dislike most? In round two of Brad and Jacqui’s trivia game, Brad dishes a quick fire of ten famous quotes and wants to see if Jacqui can identity who said them. Hint: even with copious amounts of hints, Jacqui embarrasses herself. Brad’s news comes from a South Korean soccer league which is starting to play games again but without spectators. The idea is to put life-size dolls in the stands as a stand-in crowd. The execution leaves little to the imagination. Jacqui wants to talk about NASA releasing the Artemis Accords – a new set of guidelines for international space agencies and private companies to abide by in space. Both Brad and Jacqui nerd out for at least 10 minutes on space talk and discuss everything from the privatization of space exploration to colonies on the moon. In this week’s ‘Blue Sky Thinking’ segment, Brad discusses the pressure on universities during the COVID-19 crisis, and the need to move instruction online. He asks Jacqui about her recent experience learning on campus and online, and wonders whether the campus experience can truly be replicated. The hosts delve into what makes university learning special, and how this may change in the future. Let us know what you thought of the episode on Twitter @shootinbreezes. We will be back next week (and provide an update on Brad’s test results!) https://www.sciencealert.com/nasa-has-just-released-the-artemis-accords-a-rule-book-on-how-we-re-all-gonna-behave-on-the-moon https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/18/world/asia/south-korea-sex-dolls-soccer.html

In the fifth episode of this Shooting Breezes season, brought to you by COVID-19, Brad and Jacqui want to know what is next for global citizens who have cancelled all their international trips and are now used to working from home. First up, Jacqui wants to do something different this week and tests Brad on his brand recognition. Can you name companies from their slogans alone? Some are easy, but some are harder than you think. Brad wants to know what children’s character would make the worst friend. Jacqui’s answer comes from the fairy tale books she’s been reading to their daughter, which feature some terrible, awful human beings. Jacqui’s news comes from one of the only sport competitions still running during Corona – chess comps. There’s a young new grandmaster challenging the reigning champion, and Jacqui can’t figure out how a 16-year-old can possibly be the best. She talks playing chess against the real champions: computers. Brad turns their attention to working post corona virus, and companies projecting to continue remote working arrangements regardless of government efforts to ‘open up’. He talks about electronic surveillance of employees in the home setting, and productivity hacks. In this week’s ‘Blue Sky Thinking’ segment, Jacqui wants to talk international travel. For two people who travel a lot for personal and professional reasons, they discuss what the “new normal” might be once borders start re-opening, and when airlines (if still operating) start selling tickets. Will the Australian identity, which prides itself on seeing the world, change? Will the global citizen start turning inward now that the fragility of global supply chains has hurt so many? Hit us up on Twitter @shootinbreezes for your thoughts on this episode. Do you agree with how Brad and Jacqui are analysing the world’s next steps? Did you hate the chess segment? We welcome all feedback – until next time! https://edition.cnn.com/2020/04/17/sport/alireza-firouzja-beat-magnus-carlsen-iran-chess-spt-intl/index.html https://www.nytimes.com/section/technology https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/06/technology/employee-monitoring-work-from-home-virus.html How to achieve checkmate in three moves: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrND3VVx3ZM Music by Cullah

Brad and Jacqui’s soft Australian accents are in your ears and in your homes again this week, discussing North Korea, genetic selection and everything in between. Ice breaker question time. Brad wants to know what amount of cash would make Jacqui give up hot showers and hot baths forever. Jacqui wonders if there really is enough money in the world to make that deal, but then rethinks things (Hugh Jackman makes an appearance). Building on the apocalyptic theme of last week, Jacqui wants to know what valuable but impractical object Brad would take at the end of the world. Jacqui was thinking priceless art, but Brad has alcohol on the mind. Brad’s news this week is about countries rethinking the benefits of Universal Basic Income in the time of Corona. Brad introduces listeners to what UBI is, and why is it a good idea. Apparently, it’s not as expensive as you would think. Jacqui wants to talk about the ‘other’ big news from the past few weeks – whatever is happening in North Korea. They talk about the Supreme Leader’s health and the ongoing war with South Korea. Both Brad and Jacqui reminiscence about their visit to the Demilitarized Zone separating the two counties. In their ‘Blue Sky Thinking’ segment, Brad brings genetic selection to the discussion table. The making of ‘designer babies’ could be scientifically possible, at least for the rich, in the next few years. What are the moral implications? What would parents be willing to do to eliminate undesirable traits from their offspring? And would it make a difference if everyone else was doing it? Brad and Jacqui tackle the deep stuff this week but have more questions than answers. We want to hear your thoughts on making your own designer baby, or any of the topics discussed here. Until next week’s episode, catch us on Twitter @shootinbreezes. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/02/world/asia/South-Korea-North-Gunfire-DMZ.html Dramatic Video Shows North Korean Soldier Escape https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2gbTKzkDJE Music by Cullah

Brad and Jacqui are on a roll, with the third episode of season three. There’s a distinct apocalyptic theme to this week’s podcast, as these two hosts tackle the week’s news.Jacqui thinks of all the end of world scenarios, corona is a bit of a bore. She asks Brad which brand of apocalypse he would rather – zombies, aliens, meteor crashes, solar flares…there’s just so many good options to choose from. Brad asks Jacqui which role she would take in the ‘plane crash survival’ scenario. Jacqui has something in mind, and it is definitely not leadership.Jacqui wants to focus on the impacts of COVID-19 on the animal kingdom. From Wuhan’s wet market, to the infected Tiger at a New York Zoo; goats roaming Scottish villages to poached rhinos, there’s a lot to unpack. One thing is clear: there are animal winners and animal losers in the time of Corona.Brad miraculously finds a non-Corona related news item. A successful study on the effects of magic mushroom dosing on depression. He delves into the history of why mushrooms became taboo for psychiatric treatment, and what this study could signal in the future.In their final segment, spontaneously named ‘Blue Sky Thinking’, Jacqui wants to talk about adult friendships. Whether you made friends easily or not as a child, making friends as an adult is another beast entirely. Brad and Jacqui break down how many friends is just enough, and the etiquette of maintaining friendships using social media. As always, Brad and Jacqui want to hear what you thought about any of the topics discussed. If Twitter is your thing, check us out on @shootinbreezes. Catch you again next week

It’s a much a surprise to them as to their listeners, but Brad and Jacqui made it back for the second week in season three. In this podcast they try (and fail) to avoid COVID-19 related news but keep things light with their signature wry banter.Brad draws inspiration from the movie “Yesterday”, in which a struggling musician discovers only he has any memory of the band the Beatles and their songs. Brad asks Jacqui if she could “Yesterday” something, what would it be? Jacqui doesn’t think she has the talent to pull someone else’s brilliance off as her own, and struggles to name something. Jacqui asks Brad what outrageous, no expense limit thing he would build into his own house, and Brad can’t go past stale popcorn and new releases.Brad’s corona virus related news story (what news story isn’t related to the virus at the moment?) is Amazon firing workers trying to organize a protest due to Amazon’s handling of social distancing restrictions. They discuss Amazon’s motives, its reputational hit, and the obscene wealth of its founder, Jeff Bezos.Jacqui wants to talk about the unprecedent drop in oil prices, and how the value of oil can actually go below zero. They tackle the oil price war between Russia and Saudi Arabia, the OPEC group, and potential implications for the climate change debate.Finally, Brad wants to continue on the ‘failure’ theme by discussing their ‘anti-superpowers’ – what are you terrible at doing, but proud of it? Brad has names on his mind, and rubbish on the ground. Jacqui has a bed to get to, and is dribbling water down her chin. Can they take any positives away from the things they are so terribly bad at? Listen in to find out.Thank you all for the support for this new season of Shooting Breezes. Give us a shout about anything discussed in this episode @shootinbreezes. We will (hopefully) be back next week for some more news related COVID shenanigans.

We couldn’t remember the Season 2 format, so we are back to old classics with crazy hypotheticals, news stories from the week, and a new segment.Brad asks Jacqui a “would you rather” question which involves a tortured artist and erotic fan fiction. Brad reveals he has read some fan fiction (for research purposes only). Jacqui talks about social distancing restrictions due to COVID-19 and asks Brad with which celebrity he would like to quarantine. The answer involves Canada, controversy, and weed.Jacqui chooses a Corona Virus related news story about Apple and Google teaming up to work on fighting the pandemic. She and Brad navigate though the technology, health, and privacy implications.Brad wants to talk about the 5G conspiracy theories flourishing in the COVID-19 infodemic. He takes the fight to those crazies burning 5G cell towers with evidence of why 5G could not possibly have anything to do with the pandemic. A discussion on access to good information and bots follows.Finally, Jacqui wants to talk about failure. How to think about it, how to use it, and how to beat it. The world is in a place right now that we never expected it could be, and there are a lot of people down and feeling life has stagnated for them. Should we lower our expectations for happiness? Does Michael Jordan have the answer?It feels great to be back. Get in touch @shootinbreezes on twitter with your thoughts on Brad and Jacqui using the Corona Virus as an excuse to revive their dead podcast, and everything discussed in this episode.https://www.cnbc.com/2020/04/10/apple-google-team-up-to-track-coronavirus-spread-using-iphone-android.htmlhttps://www.theverge.com/2020/4/5/21208956/youtube-suppress-false-5g-coronavirus-conspiracyhttps://www.dw.com/en/5g-protesters-sabotage-dutch-phone-towers/a-53094033Music is Moonlove Funk by Cullah.

Brad and Jacqui are back with Season 2 of Shooting Breezes, with new segments and fresh news items to keep you going for the week. In the first episode of this season, they talk about affirmative action in America’s elite universities, and scientific study results on the decline of animal numbers on Earth.Brad and Jacqui share stories from their week. Jacqui has recently returned to work and has had difficulty identifying who is senior to her. Brad has heard a new word spoken in Canberra’s cafes that he wants to bring into his lexicon.Jacqui’s news this week is court case Students for Fair Admissions v Harvard, currently being heard in America. Jacqui discusses the genesis of the case and its implications for admissions processes for universities in America. Brad and Jacqui discuss how to ensure universities maintain diverse classrooms.Brad’s news is on a recent scientific study which found 60% of the Earth’s animals have disappeared since the 1970’s. It’s a sobering look at the decline in the number of the world’s fauna, and the inaction from governments. The hosts discuss what it might take to get action.In a new segment for Season 2, Jacqui brings to listeners everything they need to know about the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. In this comprehensive summary, Jacqui presents two competing narratives of what happened to Khashoggi. The hosts also tackle potential implications should sanctions result against Saudi Arabia.In the final new segment for this season, tentatively titled Did You See?, Brad asks Jacqui if she’s seen the announcements on The Simpson’s character Apu (of the Kwik-E-Mart). Some think the character is racist and needs to be retired. What do you think?Get in touch @shootinbreezes on twitter with your thoughts on Brad and Jacqui continuing the podcast with Season 2, and everything discussed in this episode.https://www.vox.com/2018/10/18/17984108/harvard-asian-americans-affirmative-action-racial-discriminationhttps://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-45812399https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/30/humanity-wiped-out-animals-since-1970-major-report-findshttps://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/is-the-simpsons-retiring-apuMusic is Moonlove Funk by Cullah.

Jacqui got things going this week with the first hypothetical: would Brad rather be famous for having a super power and be a sham, or instead actually have a super power but have no one believe him?Brad’s hypothetical to Jacqui is: would you rather permanently go 50 years into the past or 50 years into the future?Onto the news stories of the week. Brad’s news comes from wild fire country in America, at which Australian firefighters were shot at by hunters who were hunting bears. Jacqui questions the veracity of the story, but Brad breaks down what happened and thinks this could be a malicious attack.Jacqui has a small news story from Mexico City, which involved an assassination by hitmen disguised as a Mariachi band. Jacqui then takes Brad through some of the most unusual successful assassination attempts, using the most unlikely weapons.Like a lot of people this week, Brad has been kept up by President Trump’s nomination for the next Supreme Court Justice, Judge Kavanaugh. Brad discusses what Kavanaugh could influence from the bench, including a potential role back of landmark abortion decision Roe v Wade. Brad tackles potential implications, and Jacqui calls for greater interest in Australia on judicial nominations.Jacqui’s own nomination for comeback is the humble home office, and all its ergonomic glory. Listen as Jacqui tries, and fails spectacularly, to convince Brad that having a dedicated space for computers in the home and classroom may be a good thing, despite increasing the inconvenience.Hit us up at @shootinbreezes on twitter with your thoughts on everything discussed in this episode.https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-45532673https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/australian-firefighters-shot-at-while-battling-us-wildfire-20180910-p502x6.html

Brad’s ice breaker question to Jacqui is: which would she rather, a third arm or a third leg? Jacqui finds both scenarios equally unappealing.Jacqui wants to know, who would be Brad’s first guest if he had a nightly talk show? She’s thinking Brad will choose one of today’s great thinkers, but Brad has other ideas.And what’s piqued their interest this week?Brad discusses Nike’s controversial new advertisement featuring former NFL player Colin Kaepernick. The ad has earned backlash from several places, including President Donald Trump’s Twitter account, but what about Nike’s bottom line? Brad and Jacqui breakdown the controversy and give their thoughts on Kaepernick’s lasting message.Jacqui picks another space topic, this time the mystery of the 2mm hole found in the International Space Station. Although no danger was posed to the astronauts living at the ISS, where did this hole originate? Was it a tiny meteor, was it an innocent mistake, or was it something more nefarious?Jacqui is furious about corporate turn arounds on public announcements, and it’s keeping her up at night. Specifically, Australian supermarket giant Coles succumbing to complaints about environmental policies on single use plastic bags, and the Oscars recently backing down on the largely ridiculed “most popular” category. Brad wants to know why Jacqui is so upset by these “take-backsies”, and Jacqui tries to explain why backing down so easily in the face of negative public opinion has her worried about corporate identities.Finally, Brad wants to lift his game on the comeback stakes, as Jacqui has been beating him on this segment lately. Brad boldly claims that public shaming needs to make a comeback, taking inspiration from that episode of Game of Thrones, when Cersei Lannister is forced to atone by making the walk of shame. Brad wonders if a little public shaming may tick all the boxes for criminal deterrence whilst avoiding the problems of the prison system. Brad ends up convincing himself in the process, but Jacqui wants to put some conditions on how we shame offenders.Let us know what you think about the topics discussed on this episode at @shootinbreezes on twitter.https://www.space.com/41738-soyuz-spacecraft-air-leak-hole-origin-report.htmlhttps://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/06/movies/popular-oscar-category-killed.html?action=click&module=Editors%20Picks&pgtype=Homepage

In this Shooting Breezes episode Brad and Jacqui discuss a recent decision at the US open which has widely been viewed as sexist, and the launch of the Ocean Cleanup project

First, Jacqui and Brad tackle some hypotheticals, which are getting more complex each week. Brad asks Jacqui what inanimate object she would turn into if she was part of the Beauty and the Beast household.Jacqui asks Brad to put himself in the shoes of a news editor and pick which of two amazing stories should hit the front page.Jacqui’s chosen news story this week is Google’s project ‘Dragonfly’, which is about re-entering China and complying with the State’s censorship laws on internet searches. After leaving in 2010 on principle, should Google look to re-enter China, which represents one fifth of the globe’s population? And do Google’s employees have the right to petition Google leadership on the issue?Brad has chosen a story from Germany, where one restauranteur has instituted a no children policy. Jacqui and Brad contrast their views as new parents, and whether they think this is discriminatory… or are children fair game? The topic of bad parenting comes up, and the hosts put their own parenting skills under the microscope.The labelling of Rainbow Trout as Salmon has Jacqui worried about food fraud, and she is being kept up at night thinking about all the lies in the grocery aisle. She thinks she has the answer, but it involves discussing a topic she promised herself never to touch on this podcast. Her resolve lasted all the way to episode 4. Find out what this taboo topic is, and make up your own mind.Finally, although he’s not totally convinced himself, Brad wants to bring more drinking into the workplace. He wants a drinks tray and bottle of scotch in the corner of his office, waiting to be used at any moment. He probably needs an office first though.Keep the conversation going at @shootinbreezes on twitter.News stories are athttps://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/16/technology/google-employees-protest-search-censored-china.htmlhttps://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-45178638

To kick things off, Jacqui and Brad pose two movie themed hypotheticals to each other. Brad asked Jacqui what weapon she would choose if entering the Colosseum (think: Russell Crowe in Gladiator), but Jacqui is doubting whether a weapon would help her non-existent fighting skills.Jacqui wonders if Brad would visit Jurassic Park if it opened next week. So starts the discussion on the likelihood of getting eaten by a dinosaur in the Park’s opening weekend.Brad’s news story is about US President Trump’s recent tweet doubling US sanctions against Turkey, following a breakdown in negotiations over the release of a US citizen in Turkey’s custody. Trump’s move has Brad surprised, but not for the reason you think.Jacqui’s news story is about the attempted assassination attempt on President Maduro of Venezuela, which used explosives strapped to two drones. Brad and Jacqui get stuck into the context of the Venezuelan economic crisis and applications of drone technology.Science denial has been keeping Brad up at night, and he and Jacqui talk climate change and anti-vaccinations, and the science which gets ignored along the way. They come to some interesting insights on the intersection between religion and science.Jacqui is super excited about this week’s comeback, and it’s all about being able to eat the food she likes without the shame attached. But Brad has no idea what she is talking about, and never felt ashamed of eating it in the first place.News stories can be found at:www.nytimes.com/2018/08/10/world/…deo-analysis.htmlwww.nytimes.com/2018/08/10/busine…type=sectionfrontKeep the conversation going at @shootinbreezes on twitter.

To kick things off, Jacqui and Brad pose two movie themed hypotheticals to each other. Brad asked Jacqui what weapon she would choose if entering the Colosseum (think: Russell Crowe in Gladiator), but Jacqui is doubting whether a weapon would help her non-existent fighting skills.Jacqui wonders if Brad would visit Jurassic Park if it opened next week. So starts the discussion on the likelihood of getting eaten by a dinosaur in the Park’s opening weekend.Brad’s news story is about US President Trump’s recent tweet doubling US sanctions against Turkey, following a breakdown in negotiations over the release of a US citizen in Turkey’s custody. Trump’s move has Brad surprised, but not for the reason you think.Jacqui’s news story is about the attempted assassination attempt on President Maduro of Venezuela, which used explosives strapped to two drones. Brad and Jacqui get stuck into the context of the Venezuelan economic crisis and applications of drone technology.Science denial has been keeping Brad up at night, and he and Jacqui talk climate change and anti-vaccinations, and the science which gets ignored along the way. They come to some interesting insights on the intersection between religion and science.Jacqui is super excited about this week’s comeback, and it’s all about being able to eat the food she likes without the shame attached. But Brad has no idea what she is talking about, and never felt ashamed of eating it in the first place.News stories can be found at:www.nytimes.com/2018/08/10/world/…deo-analysis.htmlwww.nytimes.com/2018/08/10/busine…type=sectionfrontKeep the conversation going at @shootinbreezes on twitter.

In our second episode we tackle Apple’s USD1 trillion recent market value and the rise of violence against journalists.Jacqui asks Brad what skill he would get “Matrix downloaded” into his brain. What’s more useful: kung fu or a second language?Brad asks Jacqui what fictional creature she would like to see in modern day Earth. Jacqui comes up with a creepy answer.Jacqui’s news story is about US mega company Apple reaching the milestone market value of USD1 trillion. We discuss what the rise of the super firm means, and regulation of these companies.Brad’s news story is about three Russian journalists killed in the Central African Republic. Is there a rise in violence against journalists worldwide? And should journalists be expected to put their lives on the line at all?Empty job titles have been keeping Jacqui up at night. What do consultants actually do anyway? Do economists make it up as they go along? Jacqui challenges Brad to guess what the people behind these fancy job titles actually do.Finally, Brad wants to bring honour back, and he’s trying to convince you that bringing a particular brand of justice back into this community is a good idea. Who has the courage, and a ‘second’ to take him up?Keep the conversation going at @shootinbreezes on twitter.News Stories:https://www.reuters.com/article/us-apple-stocks-trillion/apple-hits-1-trillion-stock-market-valuation-idUSKBN1KN2BEhttps://www.npr.org/2018/08/02/635046238/3-russian-journalists-killed-while-probing-reports-of-mercenaries-in-africaDonate to the Committee to Protect Journalists:https://cpj.org/Music is Moonlove Funk by Cullah.