But Is It Science?

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Related Books:


The Poisoner's Handbook

How the Hippies Saved Physics: Science, Counterculture, and the Quantum Revival

Blood Work: A Tale of Medicine and Murder in the Scientific Revolution

Fringe-ology: How I Tried to Explain Away the Unexplainable - And Couldn't
(Steve Volk)

Incidental Music:

Cottontail
(Louis Armstrong & Duke Ellington)
Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!! (Import)
(Nick Cave)
Dirty Horse
(Gram Rabbit)
God Moving Over the Face of the Water
(Moby)
Interviewer(s): 
Steve Paulson
Anne Strainchamps
Jim Fleming
Guest(s): 
Deborah Blum
David Kaiser
Holly Tucker
Steve Volk
Producer(s): 
Steve Paulson
09.02.2012
 (was 10.02.2011)

We may think it’s pretty clear what is – and isn’t – science, but history is littered with cases where the line wasn’t so obvious.  For instance, Isaac Newton studied alchemy, and Galileo was a practicing astrologer.  This hour explores the edges of science, and we hear about the hippie scientists who saved physics, -or at least made it fun again.  Also, a veteran journalist makes the case for why science and journalism should investigate the paranormal.

  1. Deborah Blum on "The Poisoner's Handbook"

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    Deborah Blum tells the remarkable story of the scientists who invented forensic medicine and figured out how to catch murderers using poison.

    4.46154
    Average: 4.5 (13 votes)

  2. David Kaiser on "How the Hippies Saved Physics"

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    A few maverick physicists in the 1970s revived interest in quantum physics by exploring some of the deepest philosophical questions about reality.

    4.52941
    Average: 4.5 (17 votes)

  3. Holly Tucker on "Blood Work"

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    Science historian Holly Tucker chronicles the controversies over the first blood transfusions in the 17th century and why this raised fundamental questions about science.

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    Average: 4.4 (9 votes)

  4. Steve Volk on "Fringe-ology"

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    Journalist Steve Volk believes the paranormal can be studied scientifically and explains why it's also a great subject for journalists.  Also, a montage of movie clips about the paranormal.

    4
    Average: 4 (26 votes)