As the Books Editor of Paste Magazine, Charles McNair cares deeply about what we read. But McNair is concerned that we're only reading a handful of the artists available to us, thanks to what he calls a kind of geographic hegemony of taste-making. In other words - we're all reading the same books because a handful of respected critics on the East and West coasts tell us to.
Intelligent. Optimistic. Curious.
Audio
The invention of mechanical clocks created a kind of artificial time which permits greater efficiency, but cuts human beings off from the rest of nature.
Biologist and science writer David Bainbridge tells Steve Paulson that a prolonged adolescence is unique to humans and one of our greatest evolutionary advantages.
Alain de Botton's latest project Is art as therapy. Feeling lonely? Stand in front of the Mona Lisa. Anxious about work? Caspar David Friedrich’s “Rocky Reef on the Seashore” will put everything in perspective. Anne talks with de Botton about his new book, free app, and… upcoming museum shows.
Christa Weil talks about eating national dishes like putrefied shark meat and her curious experience eating blow fish in Japan.
More people than ever before in US history are living alone. And they're living lives of fullment and social engagement. Eric Klinenberg writes about the trend in "Going Solo: The Extraordinary Rise and Surprising Appeal of Living Alone."
Ever heard of gold-farming? Cory Doctorow talks about some ways people get ahead in multi-player video games.
Dilshad Ali talks about reading the Christian-influenced Narnia tales to her children.
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