Ep 3. American Scrap & Children of the Drones

In the third episode of Vice season 2, titled "American Scrap & Children of the Drones," the show focuses on two distinct topics. The first segment, titled "American Scrap," explores the dangerous and sometimes lethal world of scrap metal collection in the United States. As the demand for metal increases, so does the potential for injury and death among those who collect it.

The episode begins by introducing viewers to a group of scrappers who operate in Newark, New Jersey. Scrap metal collection is a lucrative business and these men rely on it to support themselves and their families. However, the work they do is incredibly dangerous and the risks they take are often overlooked.

The segment highlights the various dangers of scrap metal collection. One of the main risks is the possibility of being electrocuted by live wires while attempting to collect metal from power lines. Other hazards include getting hit by oncoming traffic while collecting metal on the side of the road or being crushed by falling metal at scrap yards.

Throughout the segment, Vice interviews a number of scrap metal collectors who have suffered injuries or lost loved ones due to the dangers of the job. The show also interviews industry experts and law enforcement officials who discuss the challenges of regulating the scrap metal industry and preventing fatalities.

The second segment of the show, titled "Children of the Drones," explores the increasing use of drones in modern warfare and the impact it is having on those who live in areas where drone strikes regularly occur. The segment starts by discussing the development and use of drones in the military. Drones have become a popular weapon due to their ability to take out targets with minimal risk to soldiers on the ground.

The segment then shifts focus to the impact of drone strikes on civilians in countries such as Pakistan and Yemen. Vice interviews individuals who have lost loved ones due to drone strikes or who have had their homes destroyed. The show also highlights the psychological toll that living in an area where drone strikes are a regular occurrence can have on children.

Throughout the segment, Vice interviews a number of experts, including human rights lawyers and drone pilots, to discuss the ethical and legal implications of drone warfare. The segment raises important questions about the use of drones in military operations and the impact it is having on civilians in conflict zones.

Overall, Vice season 2 episode 3 provides in-depth reporting on two important and often overlooked issues. The first segment sheds light on the dangers of scrap metal collection and the risks faced by those who do this work. The second segment raises important questions about the use of drones in warfare and the impact it is having on civilians in conflict zones.