While many small, neighborhood stores are fighting to keep their doors open, e-commerce giants like Amazon are seeing staggering growth. In fact, 2020 was the most successful year-to-date for the company. The pandemic has forced millions to buy more items online or through curbside pick-up. So, how has this shift in shopping habits changed the retail game for good? Business journalist Lawrence Ingrassia joins Viewpoints this week to break down the evolving e-commerce landscape.
21-02 Segment 1: The Sketch That Solves The Crime
You’ve probably seen a black and white portrait of a suspect displayed online, broadcasted on TV or even printed in a newspaper back in the day. But how exactly does a forensic sketch artist create such a detailed and accurate profile based off a single, hour-long witness interview? Lois Gibson, a longtime police sketch artist in Houston, joins Viewpoints this week.
21-01 Segment 1: The Psychopath Inside
Who do you think of when you read or hear the word, psychopath? Rarely does anyone think of the mild-mannered neuroscientist next door. We speak to two experts about what the term actually means in the medical world, how it’s tested for in various people and why many people who have psychopathic tendencies are able to function in a non-violent, productive manner.
20-52 Segment 1: The On- And Off-Stage Benefits Of Practicing Improv
Getting on a stage in front of a crowd can be extremely daunting. But, taking a risk and trying something new may not only lead you to a new hobby but a renewed perspective on life. Improv comedy forces you to connect on a deeper level with others, as well as yourself through the collaboration, communication and confidence the performance art requires.
20-51 Segment 1: The Unending Toll Of Discrimination
Segregation not only divides cities but leads to divided people as well. It fuels biases against people who may look or act different than us, leading to generations of inequity and discrimination. Viewpoints speaks with social justice activist, Tonika Johnson about the many impacts’ segregation has had on the city of Chicago.
20-50 Segment 1: The Modern Diamond Business
The northwestern coast of South Africa & Namibia has been a mining hub for diamonds since the 1900’s. Local workers labor through long shifts and hazardous working conditions in order to feed their families. The pay? Roughly five cents per carat of rough diamonds found. While some may argue that the industry stimulates the local economy, once a company deems an area to be over-mined, it pulls out, leaving behind nothing for locals except ravaged land.
20-49 Segment 1: Becoming Steve Jobs
Apple co-founder, Steve Jobs, was hailed as a genius and master innovator during his lifetime, but his career wasn’t always a smooth, upward trajectory. He failed many times and was eventually sidelined at Apple. We speak with one of his biographers about how Jobs changed his ways during this turbulent time, and how his experiences working with NeXt Computer and Pixar helped develop him into a savvier, more understanding leader.
20-48 Segment 1: The Early American Diet
Throughout history - war, famine, economic instability has affected what we choose to buy at the grocery store. Even today, the pandemic has shifted our grocery shopping and eating habits. This week, we rewind back to the Great Depression, which forced millions of Americans to find new recipes and get creative with the limited number of ingredients they could afford.
20-47 Segment 1: Surviving Parkland: The Perspective Of One Teacher
The 2018 massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High in Parkland, Florida was the deadliest high school shooting in U.S. history. A teen gunman opened fire killing 17 students and faculty and injuring 17 others. Viewpoints speaks with high school teacher Jeff Foster who was there that day and is still an active voice in ending gun violence.
20-46 Segment 1: The History of Football as the NFL Celebrates its 100th Anniversary
The National Football League was founded in 1920 – and it’s no surprise that a lot has changed since then. Viewpoints speaks with three sports experts about the evolution of the football industry, its humble beginnings and why the NFL is still so pervasive and popular in American culture.
20-45 Segment 1: The State Of Climate Science In The U.S.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere leading to a warmer planet. The largest source of greenhouse gas emissions due to human activities is from burning fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas for electricity, heat and transportation. In recent years, the increasingly dry and warm climate in the U.S. has led to extreme fires, record drought and more severe hurricanes. So, what can be done to alter the path we’re currently on and make renewable energy (that results in less emissions) widely accessible for everyone?
20-44 Segment 1: The Native American Vote: A Group Plagued By Voter Marginalization
There are more than 5.2 million Native Americans living in the U.S., yet only a small fraction cast a ballot each election cycle. What factors lead to this low turnout? Viewpoints speaks with two experts about how historical bias feels into the current challenges facing this group.
20-30 Segment 1: A Shift Towards Sustainable Construction & Design
Glass, wood, stone. These are some of the natural materials that are on the forefront of construction. Today, a greater number of architects and developers are not only thinking about profit and supply, but the additional - sometimes invisible - factors at play when it comes to new buildouts. These include the true benefits to humans, the environmental toll and the most practical designs that are symbiotic with nature. We uncover the modern perspective of ‘conscious construction’ this week on Viewpoints.
20-29 Segment 1: The Many Faces Of Homelessness
On a single night in the U.S. there are more than 550,000 people homeless – and this number is only set to rise as COVID-19 has put millions out of work and shattered the stability of the U.S. economy. As a child or teen who has to deal with homelessness at a young age, it can be a tough road of shifting from temporary housing to another shelter. Giselle Burgess and her five kids were in this position in New York City, so Burgess decided to start a Girl Scout Troop named Troop 6000 to help her girls and others in this situation. We cover the inspiring story of Troop 6000 this week on Viewpoints.
20-28 Segment 1: Poker: A Game Of Skill & Luck
Texas Hold ‘Em is the most popular poker game in the U.S. today. It’s a game of strategy, psychology and quick decision-making. Writer and professional poker player Maria Konnikova joins Viewpoints’ to share how she was able to use her background to master the game and amass more than $300,000 in winnings in just three years.
20-27 Segment 1: The Good And The Bad: A Brief History Of The Texas Rangers
The Texas Rangers (no, not the baseball team) but the western law enforcement agency dating back to 1823 is known for patrolling the rugged Texas terrain. For almost 200 years, its members have protected tiny towns along the border and have helped solve numerous crimes and corruption throughout the state. However, the valiant group also has a darker history filled with corruption, murder and violence against minorities. Author and journalist Doug Swanson joins Viewpoints this week to share the full picture of the famed Texas Rangers.
20-26 Segment 1: The Calming Nature Of Tending To A Garden
Getting started gardening can seem like an overwhelming task, especially if you have trouble keeping a houseplant alive. But with some research and a small investment for tools, seeds and soil, the rewards of tending to a garden are huge. Fresh produce, flowers and herbs, as well as a renewed connection to nature are just some of the benefits of this increasingly popular outdoor hobby.
20-25 Segment 1: Shakeups In The Salon & Skincare Industry
Business owners have had an extremely stressful year as COVID-19 forced millions of shops to close their doors for two plus months. Now, as much of the country is reopen, some salon, spa and wellness owners are still anxious about if many customers will return and the current changes to operations to protect both staff and clientele. We speak with three owners about adapting to this new reality and the challenges they’re facing.
20-24 Segment 1: The Murder Of George Floyd: A Deepening Public Health Crisis
George Floyd was 46 years old when he was murdered on the street by ex-Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. The father of five moved to the Midwest city in 2014 where he worked driving a truck and providing security at a local restaurant. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Floyd lost his security job. On May 25, Floyd was suspected of using a counterfeit $20 bill at a local store and officers were called to the scene. The question remains: how can a simple police call lead to the killing of an unarmed and unresisting man? For weeks, protests and outrage have spread across the U.S. and internationally as the killing of Floyd brings racial inequality and police brutality into focus once again. Even in the midst of a pandemic, people are showing up to say they’re fed up with the lack of equal justice, rights and opportunities for all.
20-23 Segment 1: One Country, Two Systems: The Deepening Political Crisis In Hong Kong
Tensions between the people of Hong Kong and the Chinese communist government are quickly escalating in recent months. With the proposal of a new national security law in late May further tightening the grip on the semi-autonomous territory of Hong Kong, the city is a tipping point as protesters risk their lives to fight for political democracy and civil liberties.
