UpFront

CIA funding virtual reality; California’s primary ballot; Understanding borders; Plus, the latest in covid science

Jack Poulson reports that the Looking glass factory has received funding from the CIA and Department of Defense to develop virtual and augmented reality | Elise Swain/The Intercept

0:08 – As the tech world develops new worlds of virtual reality, new funding for holographic and virtual technologies are coming from the US military and spy industries. Jack Poulson is the Executive Director of tech accountability nonprofit Tech Inquiry, and he has just co-authored two recent reports for The Intercept (@theintercept) on US spy agencies’ investments in new technology.

0:34 – Dr. John Swartzberg, clinical professor emeritus of infectious diseases at UC Berkeley’s School of Public Health, discusses the latest COVID science and answer listener questions.

1:08 – Turning to California’s primary ballot, we start with California Assembly District 20, which is centered in the San Leandro and Hayward area. We are joined by Joseph Geha (@josephgeha16), a reporter for the Bay Area News Group whose writing is featured in the Mercury News and the East Bay Times, who has been reporting on the AD20 candidates and their funding.

1:22 – Moving south, we explore Santa Cruz’s Measure D with Steve Palopoli, editor-in-chief of Good Times, Santa Cruz’s local weekly.

1:33 – We look at the political and social power of borders with Harsha Walia (@HarshaWalia), co-founder of the No One Is Illegal network. Her latest book is Border and Rule: Global Migration, Capitalism, and the Rise of Racist Nationalism.