The Oxford English Dictionary was created in 1857, and was expected to be finished within ten years. The first edition was finally completed 71 years later.
Intelligent. Optimistic. Curious.
Audio
Susan Corso is the author of “God’s Dictionary: Divine Definitions for Everyday Enlightenment.” She tells Jim Fleming about spiritual etymology and how she interprets the root meanings of words to come up with her definitions.
This book really got us excited. 12 x 36. 10 pounds. Everyone wanted to touch it. Borrow it. Talk about it. It felt like magic. And the title was just as mysterious – Codex Seraphinianus. Publisher Charles Mier tell us what the hell it is (and what is isn't).
Want to see the first 74 pages of the "world's weirdest book"?
Is science really open to every good idea? Controversial biologist Rupert Sheldrake says modern science is mired in various dogmas - boundaries you're not supposed to cross, at least if you value your job and your reputation.
Ziauddin Sardar responds to the question "is there really a clash of civilizations?"
Sarah Bakewell is the author of “How to Live” an unorthodox biography of the great French philosopher and essayist Montaigne.
Chicago historian Tim Samuelson tells Jim Fleming about the time the City of Chicago decided to reverse the flow of the Chicago river and send its waste south along the Mississippi.
Star gazing may be the most universal moments of wonder. Neil deGrasse Tyson says he's been awed by outer space since he first went to a planetarium. He's been hooked on science - and wonder - ever since.
You can also hear the extended interview with deGrasse Tyson here.
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