Ellen Prager wants you to care about the oceans. She’s a writer and former chief scientist of the Aquarius Reef Base, the world’s only undersea research station. Her latest book is called “Sex, Drugs, and Sea Slime." She says we ignore the oceans at our own peril.
Intelligent. Optimistic. Curious.
Audio
Breaking Bad actor Bob Odenkirk talks about the differences between writing comedy and performing it, his favorite moment as a writer, and comedy as an act of destruction.
The average American voter is NOT smarter than a 5th grader, doesn't understand basic political facts and should probably not be allowed to vote. Philosopher Jason Brennan makes the case for an epistocracy: the rule of the knowledgeable.
With “Hallucinations,” Oliver Sacks has written one of his most personal books. In this NEW and EXTENDED interview, Sacks talks about his personal history with hallucinogens back in the 60s, as well as ecstatic experiences induced by temporal lobe epilepsy, and also how a mysterious voice in his head once saved Sacks’ life.
In 2006, Barack Obama was the new darling of the Democratic Party and was considering a Presidential run in 2008.
Memory researcher Daniel Schacter tells Steve Paulson that you can be confident of your memory and still wrong, and explains other tricks our memories play on us.
China Miéville´s new novel is called "Embassytown." It features aliens that speak a strange language in a strange way -- with two voices simultaneously. Miéville spoke with Anne Strainchamps about "Embassytown."
There are lots of ways to amplify our senses, from hallucinogens to cochlear implants. A few people are taking it further, creating original sensory experiences by implanting new technologies in their bodies.
Artist Neil Harbisson is greyscale color blind. He designed a new electronic body part that would help him experience color.
If you want to hear about the art Neil makes thanks to his new sense, here's his extended interview.
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