When we’re talking about data, we’re really talking about code—the languages that structure every aspect of our digital lives. But can code itself be interesting? Or even beautiful? Vikram Chandra grew up in India and always wanted to be a novelist, but when he came to the United States, he discovered computers—going from a weekend tinkerer to a consultant who paid his way through grad school. He spoke with Steve Paulson on what makes good writing, and what makes good code.
Intelligent. Optimistic. Curious.
Audio
Doug Gordon profiles singer/songwriter Al Anderson, formerly with the New Rhythm and Blues Quartet, who reinvented his own musical career.
Andrea Olsen tells Steve Paulson how to extend his awareness of the body’s sensory abilities, and does an excerpt from a performance art piece on body awareness.
A.J. Jacobs tried to live Biblically for a year. He tells Jim Fleming he started by growing a beard, buying a stack of Bibles and before he knew it, he was confronting adulterers in the Park.
What would happen to our planet if all the human beings simply disappeared with all our junk? Basically, nature would waste no time taking over.
Amitav Ghosh is a novelist whose latest, “The Glass Palace” tells the story of the millions of Indians who went to Burma during the British occupation.
How do we prevent baby boomers from bankrupting Social Security? Satirist Christopher Buckley has an idea - get the boomers to commit voluntary suicide...for tax incentives.
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