KQED's Forum

Uber co-founder Travis Kalanick stepped down from his role as chief executive in 2017, following company scandals over sexual harassment, privacy violations and driver mistreatment. New York Times technology reporter Mike Isaac covered Kalanick’s resignation, and his new book “Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber” analyzes how Silicon Valley’s reverence for founders allowed for Kalanick’s rise, and fall. Isaac talked to more than 200 current and former Uber employees, who described its hyper-masculine culture under Kalanick. We’ll talk with Isaac about Uber, Kalanick and what led to the ride-hailing company’s billions in losses after its initial public offering earlier this year.

Attorneys general for 50 U.S. states and territories announced Monday that they are launching an antitrust investigation of tech giant Google. The probe will initially focus on Google’s advertising business. It comes amid increasing scrutiny and criticism of large technology firms. California, where Google is based, is not part of the investigation. We’ll get the latest developments.

This weekend Republicans from across the state will gather in Indian Wells for the Fall 2019 California GOP Convention. Speakers include President Trump's national campaign manager Brad Parscale, Energy Secretary and former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer. Forum takes a look at what happened at the convention, and what it means for the future of the party.

Astrobiologist Lewis Dartnell’s new book looks at how human history has been nudged, influenced and shaped by the history of the Earth — for as long as humans have been on it. From lakes in the East African Rift Valley that helped push human evolution, to how London’s underlying rock formations have shaped the city’s skyline to how wind patterns affected trade routes to California. Dartnell, a professor at the University of Westminster, joins Forum to explain how the Earth’s past informs our future, and discuss his book “Origins: How Earth's History Shaped Human History.”

President Trump says he has called off secret Camp David talks with the Taliban and the president of Afghanistan. Tweeting on Saturday, Trump cited last week’s attack in Kabul, which the Taliban claimed responsibility for. In addition to the Camp David meeting, the president said he was canceling ongoing U.S. peace talks with the Afghan Taliban. We’re going to find out what this all means for Afghanistan and the U.S. role there.

Given the North Face fleeces that populate BART, and San Francisco's identity as the birthplace of Levi's jeans, some might consider the Bay Area to be the casual capital of the world. That's the topic of KQED's latest Bay Curious episode, which argues that California's history has influenced the styles you'll see around the Bay today -- from the Gold Rush to the Silicon Valley tech boom. We'll discuss whether the Bay Area dresses down more than other places, as well as what qualities define Bay Area style.

The 2015 double-murder of Audrey Carey and Steve Carter by three transient youth rocked the Bay Area and brought the issue of the region's long-standing street kids population to the forefront. Vivian Ho, then a criminal justice reporter at the San Francisco Chronicle, covered the Haze Lampley, Lila Alligood and Sean Angold murder trail. The three drifters were eventually all convicted for these senseless murders, but Ho knew that a big part of the story was still left unanswered - how did young people get to this point and how could we begin to address the lack of support networks for millions of hurt street kids.Forum talks with Ho about her new book, "Those Who Wander: America's Lost Street Kids" and what we can learn from listening to America's young drifters.

Defendant Max Harris was acquitted Thursday of all 36 counts of manslaughter in the deadly fire at the Ghost Ship warehouse in Oakland. The jury hung on all counts against co-defendant Derick Almena. Prosecutors accused the two men of turning the warehouse and artist collective into a death trap, resulting in a massive fire that killed 36 people in December 2016. Wednesday's verdict comes after years of legal battles and two trials, which could have resulted in up to 36 years in prison for both men. Forum discusses the verdict, the reaction of friends and family of the victim's and what's next in the legal battle.

While the concept of "safe spaces" for learning on college campuses has been mocked for coddling and infantilizing students, Wesleyan University president Michael Roth says protecting students from harassment and intimidation doesn't mean shielding them from uncomfortable or confrontational ideas. He argues for "safe enough spaces." His new book, subtitled "A Pragmatist's Approach to Inclusion, Free Speech, and Political Correctness on College Campuses" proposes creating environments where students feel heard and accepted, but also can participate in debates that challenge their beliefs.

Ten Democratic presidential candidates take the stage Wednesday evening to present their climate platforms during a seven-hour CNN town hall. Most of the candidates are calling for trillions of dollars in transportation and infrastructure investment and a carbon-neutral or carbon-free economy within 20 to 30 years. We'll compare the candidates' proposals and discuss whether the issue of climate change is likely to play a major role in the presidential race.