Ones and Tooze Los Angeles Wildfires and Trump’s Play for Greenland
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Jan 17, 2025 Los Angeles wildfires have wreaked havoc, costing an estimated $275 billion and reshaping neighborhoods. The discussion delves into the overlooked risks of urban development in fire-prone areas. Contrasting the LAPD with the LA Fire Department highlights socio-political dynamics and historical segregation. Meanwhile, Greenland's colonial past and current geopolitical significance are examined, including the ramifications of Danish colonialism and U.S. interests in the region. The podcast paints a compelling picture of climate impact and historical narratives.
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LA Fires: A Market Failure
- The Los Angeles fires highlight a market failure: substantial risks were inadequately priced into property development.
- Short-sighted developers, coupled with buyers downplaying risks, fueled construction in high-risk fire zones.
Hollywood's Westward Expansion
- Hollywood's move to Los Angeles was partly driven by attempts to escape the Edison Trust's control over the film industry.
- The trust, based on the East Coast, aggressively pursued legal action against competitors, prompting studios to seek new locations.
LA's Evolving Identity
- Los Angeles's identity as a Pacific Rim city developed relatively recently.
- Early on, it was a segregationist, white-dominated city focused on continental, agricultural development.
