Criminologist Nils Christie's Dangerous Idea? Treat prisoners as people.
Intelligent. Optimistic. Curious.
Audio
Ever wonder why certain foods fall out of favor? In his book “The Gluten Lie” Alan Levinovitz argues that food has become akin to a modern religion for a lot of us, complete with its own set of rules, prohibitions and guiding beliefs.
Christopher Buckley talks with Steve Paulson about his novel "Boomsday," which posits a piece of runaway legislation providing tax incentives for Boomers who choose to commit suicide...sort of an updated "Modest Proposal."
Daniel Tammet has memorized the number pi into the tens of thousands of digits. He's learned new languages in a few weeks. He describes the gift - and the burden - of being an autistic savant.
Most people think of conflict as something to be avoided, but there's another way to view it -- as creative and generative. In his book "The Art of Rivalry," Boston Globe art critic Sebastian Smee explores how intense conflicts, broken friendships and personal reconciliations fueled some of the most dramatic breakthroughs in Modern Art. He tells Steve Paulson that the rivalry between Picasso and Matisse contributed, in part, to cubism.
Dominique Lapierre talks about “Five Past Midnight in Bhopal: The Epic Story of the World’s Deadliest Industrial Disaster.” He says thousands of people died because they fled in the wrong direction.
Brad Land tells Anne Strainchamps about his terrifying experiences being kidnaped, then pledging a fraternity. He’s the author of “Goat: A Memoir.”
Ellen Handler Spitz is the author of many books on psychology and aesthetics. She talks with Jim Fleming about her latest - "The Brightening Glance: Imagination and Childhood."
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