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To The Best Of Our Knowledge

Making Democracy Fun

Correction: This interview refers to a survey finding that only 22% of Americans trust government at all levels. The actual survey was limited to trust in the federal government, and found that 22% of Americans trusted the government in Washington "almost always or most of the time".

We all know it's important to be involved in local government, but can political participation also be fun? Josh Lerner thinks so. He believes local governments could boost the fun factor in the political process by borrowing a few ideas from game design.

To The Best Of Our Knowledge

Neil Steinberg on Sailing with His Father

Neil Steinberg booked passage to Italy for both him and his father on his father’s old ship. He hoped it would bring them closer together. As he tells Anne Strainchamps, it didn’t.

To The Best Of Our Knowledge

Jaron Lanier with a Critique of Hive Mind

Jaron Lanier popularized "virtual reality" in the 80s; he thinks Web 2.0 technology is erasing our sense of our own identity.

To The Best Of Our Knowledge

Mario Vargas Llosa on the dictator Trujillo

Mario Vargas Llosa is one of the godfathers of Latin American fiction. He won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2010.  He also once ran for president of his native country, Peru.  Politics and literature are the driving forces in his life.

To The Best Of Our Knowledge

Jennifer Weiner on Chick Lit

Jennifer Weiner is one of the star authors of chick lit and she’s made her peace with having a less-than-Ivy-League literary reputation, despite her Princeton education.

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Philosopher and Wolf - Mark Rowlands

When he was a young professor, philosopher Mark Rowlands adopted a wolf named Brenin, who turned into his constant companion.  He reflects on the life lessons he learned from Brenin.

To The Best Of Our Knowledge

Jimi FlorCruz on Journalism in China

Jimi FlorCruz tells Steve Paulson that political events in the Philippines made it impossible for him to return from what was supposed to be a three week visit to China.

To The Best Of Our Knowledge

Lisa Lieberman on "The Cultural Meaning of Suicide"

Lisa Lieberman is the author of “Leaving You: The Cultural Meaning of Suicide.”   She talks about the suicide of her grandfather and the extravagant narratives left by 19th century suicides.

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