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10.11.16: Anti-Drone Arms Race, Kids and Politics, & Maker Book

Andrew Turner via flickr Creative Commons
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https://flic.kr/p/pU5n2J

There’s a new wrinkle in the universal law: "What goes up, must come down." As attempts to regulate drones grow, a new arms race is afoot to develop technology that can land or destroy non-compliant or wayward drones.

And whether it's attending a rally with a parent, or absorbed through TV commercials and yard signs, kids get exposed to the unseemly side of American politics. So, how and when, should parents encourage, shape, or inform civic engagement? A teacher and a blogger weigh in on how to navigate the murky waters of this election cycle.

Listen to the full show: 

Anti-Drone Arms Race

The Federal Aviation Administration says it's received an average of 2000 new drone registration requests a day since new rules on commercial drone use went into effect this past January. But as the old saying goes, "What goes up, must come down."

With the growing popularity of drones, a new arms race is afoot to develop technology that can land or destroy non-compliant or wayward drones. Steven Melendez is a writer and contributor to Fast Company, where he wrote about the anti-drone arms race among tech companies. 

Related: The Anti-Drone Arms Race is Taking Off

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Anti-Drone Arms Race

How To Talk To Your Kids About Politics

Talking about politics is a tough subject even for adults, never mind the kids. During an election cycle that at times has been not safe for work or home, how do you broach the subject? Joining us to discuss are: 

Jess Laheyis an educator and author of The Gift of Failure.

KJ Dell'Antoniais lead writer and editor for the “Well Family Page” at The New York Times.

They also host the #AmWriting podcast. 

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How To Talk To Your Kids About Politics

Family Projects for Smart Objects

John Keefe heads up WNYC's data news team. They turn numbers into visual tools to illustrate what is--and isn't--happening in and around New York City. Whether it's mapping stop & frisk searches, tracking school performance, or the heat in subway stations in real time, their work has become a model for data-driven investigative reporting.

After work, John is a father who committed himself to making one playful, useful, "smart object" each week for a year. With all that under his belt, he's out with a new guide to making simple, sensory circuits that can be assembled at a kitchen table.

Related: Family Projects for Smart Objects

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Family Projects for Smart Objects

Ricky's Diary: What if God...

Robert Sherman is an atheist activist. Going so far as taking his local boy scout troop to court and driving around with "atheist" as his license plate. His teenage son, Ricky is attempting to navigate the daily grind of adolescence--which for him includes struggling with faith. This story, from Teenage Diaries and produced by Joe Richman, follows Ricky on his search for something to believe in.

You can listen to this story again at PRX.

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