Academics are no longer just ivory tower analysts. The Defense Department has recently hired civilian anthropologists and social scientists as on-the-ground advisers to soldiers.
Intelligent. Optimistic. Curious.
Audio
Historian Ian Buruma tells Jim Fleming that economically China seems to be in better shape than Russia, but its situation is far more precarious in the long run.
Jack Abramoff. He’s hardly a murderer. But to many in the Beltline, he’s the devil incarnate.
Jamaica Kincaid tells Steve Paulson that slavery and colonialism helped create a tradition of irresponsibility in men like her father and stepfather.
Marc Maron says he was washed up. Career? Over.
So he set up a microphone in his garage and starting talking with - and sometimes apologizing to - his fellow comedians.
That's when things started turning around.
Emily Bazelon is one of the hosts of Slate's Political Gabfest podcast, which has been out since 2005. She talks with Rehman Tungekar about how the Gabfest got started, how they prepare for an episode, and why it's so popular.
James Mills looks into why so few African-Americans visit the national Parks today.
Steve Young talks about his book, "Everything's Coming Up Profits: The Golden Age of Industrial Musicals."
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