People Fixing the World Folgen

A new app is helping blind people solve everyday problems by combining smartphones video technology and an army of armchair volunteers. World Hacks investigates how it works and explores whether micro-volunteering projects like this have the potential to solve all kinds of problems in the future.Presented by Mukul Devichand.Image caption: Vicky, who is blind, using an app to help her sew / Image credit: BBC

The internet is awash with made-up news stories. It’s not a new problem, but the highly charged US election campaign forced people to pay attention. This week on World Hacks we’re speaking to some of those fighting back against what they see as a threat to democracy: the fake news epidemic. We hear from guests including Le Monde’s Samuel Laurent, Democratic State Senator Bill Dodd of California, and Claire Wardle from journalism non-profit First Draft. Presented by Sahar Zand. Produced by Harriet Noble.Image caption: Close up of a computer screen showing a web address, Image credit: Lionel Bonaventure/AFP/Getty Images

In Barcelona, they’re experimenting with a new way of designing the city. Superblocks are vast low-traffic zones, but they’re also deeply controversial. The aim is cut pollution and reclaim public space from the car, but does it work? World Hacks investigates. Presented by Sahar Zand.Image: A superblock from above / Image credit: Google Maps