Tom Lutz wrote "Doing Nothing: A History of Loafers, Loungers, Slackers, and Bums in America." He tells Steve Paulson it was his way of dealing with his teen-age son, who never left the couch.
Intelligent. Optimistic. Curious.
Audio
Jazz pianist and cognitive scientist Vijay Iyer just won a MacArthur "genius" award. He's also landed a job at Harvard teaching music. He tells Anne Strainchamps how he incorporates science into his music.
We hear a round-up of some of the latest research into happiness, from economist Richard Layard, and psychologists Robert Biswas-Diener and Sonja Lyubomirsky.
Neuroscientists say that about a quarter of our mental energy is dedicated to maintaining our narrative identities. Julian Keenan says there's got to be an evolutionary benefit for all that "self".
Steve Paulson prepared this report on the life of Edward Abbey, who's book changed the way people thought about the earth.
Journalist Samuel Freedman says that American Jews are free to assimilate to whatever extent they choose, but this very freedom has caused new tensions and divisions within the Tribe.
Susan Braudy is the author of “Family Circle: The Boudins and the Aristocracy of the Left.” The book tells the story of Kathy Boudin, daughter of famous lefty lawyer Leonard Boudin.
Philosopher Rebecca Goldstein says philosophy is still evolving, and continues to shape our values. She talks about her long fascination with the granddaddy of all philosophers, Plato.
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