Books have been taken off shelves since the colonial period, but, in recent years, more books than ever have been deemed unsuitable for young readers and are being removed from schools and local libraries. We cover the controversy by highlighting two differing perspectives on the debate.

Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/why-are-we-banning-more-books-than-ever-before

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Cannabis has grown to become a multi-billion-dollar industry in the U.S. But how much of this revenue is going to small businesses rather than large chains controlling every part of production? We discuss the current inequities and the failure to maintain a model that helps populations who’ve been disproportionately affected by the war on cannabis get a seat at the table.

Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/the-rise-of-the-corporate-dispensary

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We talk about why most streaming platforms are struggling to make a profit at year’s end.

Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-the-struggles-of-streaming-giants

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We cover the Oxford English dictionary’s word of the year: rizz. What does it mean, and why has it become a mainstay in the Gen-Z vernacular?

Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/viewpoints-explained-do-you-have-rizz

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In Meredith May’s book, she examines the parallels between the inner workings of beehives and our society, and how beekeeping taught her numerous life lessons as a child. She also discusses the threat to bees with commercialized beekeeping and what we can do to protect these insects that are vital to our ecosystem.

Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/the-secrets-learned-from-a-fifth-generation-beekeeper

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For decades, science fiction was a genre written almost exclusively by white males. Now, the genre is flourishing with diverse voices, thanks in part to the trailblazing writer Octavia E. Butler. Historian Gerry Canavan discusses the obstacles Butler faced and her legacy on one of the most popular genres in American literature.

Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/a-pioneer-in-paving-greater-diversity-in-sci-fi

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We cover what word best encapsulated 2023, according to dictionary giant Merriam Webster. Any guesses?

Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/viewpoints-explained-what-word-best-summed-up-2023

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Love a good, jumpy scare? Us too. We cover some old and new releases from acclaimed filmmaker Emerald Fennell.

Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-a-master-of-thrillers-a-look-at-filmmaker-emerald-fennel

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We speak with illustrator and artist Tim O’Brien who’s illustrated countless magazine covers over the decades. O’ Brien speaks with us about his long career, the history of illustration, its evolution and how the art form is used to convey a deeper meaning or take on a singular moment in time.

Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/speaking-with-the-artist-behind-some-of-the-most-iconic-illustrations

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Would you consider complex, artificial intelligence systems like Open AI’s, Chat GPT-4 or Google’s newest release, Gemini, conscious minds? What exactly even constitutes as consciousness? We speak with two experts about this ongoing debate and what challenges lie ahead for these quickly evolving systems.

Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/are-humans-building-our-end-the-debate-around-artificial-intelligence-its-conscious-state

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