We hear an excerpt from David Isay’s documentary about the traditional gospel quartets of Jefferson County, Alabama.
We hear an excerpt from David Isay’s documentary about the traditional gospel quartets of Jefferson County, Alabama.
Psychiatrist Allen Peterkin tells Steve Paulson that beards make people think of either Santa Claus or Satan, and that facial hair is making a comeback.
In 2011, as Hurricane Irene made landfall in New York City, poet Edward Hirsch learned that his 22-year old son Gabriel had died from a bad drug reaction and subsequent seizure. Later, Hirsch composed “Gabriel,” a book-length elegy poem about his relationship with his son, and his loss.
In the mid-1930's, Alan Turing made the revolutionary discovery that launched the digital age. He proved that information can be translated and communicated using nothing but a series of ones and zeroes. And that was just the first of Turing's intellectual achievements. Biographer Andrew Hodges explained Turing's genius to Jim Flemming in 2012.
A loaf of fluffy white store-bought bread may look innocent -- but conceals a rich political and economic history. Aaron Bobrow-Strain charts the rise and fall of white bread and reveals what's really at stake when we argue about food.
Albert Nerenberg tells Steve Paulson he was watching a documentary about intelligence when it occurred to him that stupidity would make a much more interesting film.
Annie Murphy Paul talks with Jim Fleming about her research into the field of fetal development. As if pregnancy wasn’t scary enough!
Another winning entry in our 3 Minute Futures flash fiction contest, this story comes from Michelle Clay in Massachusetts.