How Technology Changed the World in 2017

Coming up on today’s show:

• A look back at the intersection of technology, information security and privacy in 2017, including information breaches like Equifax, scrutiny of gig economy companies like Uber and several cool new gadgets designed to make your life better. Stan Horaczek, technology editor at Popular Science, joins The Takeaway to review 2017’s biggest technological hits and misses. 

• In Appalachia, efforts are underway to retrain workers, and one group is optimistic about the potential for an economic recovery outside of the coal industry. Zack Colman, White House Correspondent for E&E News, discusses the story. 

• An Associated Press analysis of flood zone maps, census data, and E.P.A. records revealed that 2 million Americans live within a mile of 327 Superfund sites in areas that are vulnerable due to climate change. Kara Cook-Schultz, toxics director at the U.S. Public Interest Group, joins The Takeaway to weigh in on the risks that highly contaminated areas pose as extreme weather events become more prevalent. 

• This week, a 2-1 decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled that within 90 days the Environmental Protection Agency must propose a new rule on acceptable levels of lead exposure for children. The decision is a rebuff to the Trump administration, which had requested six years to reconsider the standards. Tom Neltner, chemicals policy director at the Environmental Defense Fund, explains what speeding up the revisions will likely mean.

• In day two of The Takeaway’s coverage of the private pension system, an employee who planned to receive a pension through a private company, but then learned that the benefits she had been counting on were not as expected for retirement, tells her story. 

• Rafer Guzman, film critic for Newsday, joins The Takeaway to discuss the week’s big film releases, including “Molly’s Game,” “Phantom Thread,” and “All the Money in the World.”

This episode is hosted by Todd Zwillich.