The Week Unwrapped podcast: Weather, Afrophobia and online shaming

Why are some countries better at predicting weather than others? Is South Africa becoming more intolerant? And is online shaming ever ok?

View of the 'rope' or decay stage of tornado seen during 'Sound Chase,' a joint project of NSSL and Mississippi State University in Cordell, Oklahoma May 22, 1981. (Photo by NOAA Photo Librar
(Image credit: SpaceX)

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days.

In this week’s episode, we discuss:

Weather

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With Donald Trump allegedly manipulating hurricane forecasts with a Sharpie to save embarrassment, it’s clear that the world needs a weather prediction system that cannot be questioned or disputed - so could machine learning be the answer?

Afrophobia

A wave of xenophobic attacks in South Africa has left businesses destroyed and 12 people dead, sparking protests in other African countries and a repatriation effort by Nigeria. Is the nation becoming the pariah of the continent? And what is motivating the hatred against migrants?

Online shaming

The suicide of a game designer accused of abuse online has raised the thorny subject of how the MeToo movement intersects with our increasing sensitivity to mental health. What is the line between giving victims freedom to tell their stories and expose predators, and indulging in online "shaming" of alleged wrongdoers, potentially with unpredictable ramifications?

You can subscribe to The Week Unwrapped on the Global Player, Apple podcasts, SoundCloud or wherever you get your podcasts. It is produced by Sarah Myles and the music is by Tom Mawby.

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