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The Gist

L.A. Fires: The Cost and the Climate

Jan 13, 2025
John Kay, an Oxford professor, Financial Times columnist, and author known for dissecting modern business practices, dives into the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles. He highlights the intertwining of climate change with rising disaster costs, claiming the damage rivals global calamities. Kay examines the pharmaceutical industry’s shift from innovation to profit, critiquing the erosion of ethical standards. Reflecting on a healthcare executive's assassination, he underscores the industry's fall from grace and poses crucial questions about corporate responsibility amid these crises.
37:28

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The Los Angeles wildfires highlight a complex interplay between climate change, local weather patterns, and historical drought conditions that intensify fire risks.
  • The staggering economic estimates of the L.A. fires, reaching up to $275 billion, prompt a reevaluation of damage assessment practices compared to global disasters.

Deep dives

Panel Discussion on Free Speech

A panel discussion on free speech in America is set to take place, featuring experts who will address the current challenges and threats to open dialogue. Key topics include the impact of misinformation, political discourse, and the decisions of platforms like Facebook regarding fact-checking. The event aims to shed light on the evolving landscape of speech and expression in the United States, which is being rigorously tested. Tickets are available for the public to engage in this significant conversation at the Liberty Museum.

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