If you’re looking for the model of a compassionate doctor, you could start with James Orbinski. As a former member – and president – of Doctors Without Borders, also known as MSF, he’s served in some of the world’s desperate places. He writes about his experiences in the book “An Imperfect Offering.”
Intelligent. Optimistic. Curious.
Audio
If you really want to get a feel for Isaac Newton - perhaps history's greatest scientist - the best way is to see his original manuscripts at Cambridge University Library. But they're so valuable, it's hard to get permission to look at them. They did let Steve Paulson in, but only in the company of 4 archivists, plus Newton historian Sarah Dry.
Jai Uttal leads kirtans around the world. Kirtan is the Indian practice of ecstatic chant that combines music and devotion.
In this segment, NPR correspondent Howard Berkes, who is based in Salt Lake City, tells Jim Fleming what it’s like to ride a luge and a bobsled.
In Israel, writer D.A. Mishani is breaking new ground by writing crime fiction. Why are there so few detective novels written in Hebrew? Mishani explains.
James McManus writes for Harpers. With an advance from the magazine, he entered the world series of poker. McManus talks about playing with professionals and muses on the balance of luck and skill required for tournament play.
Ilan Stavans explains how speaking four languages give him a sense of self.
How did the rich get richer while the American middle class got poorer? Yale political scientist Jacob Hacker outlines the political policies that led to historic levels of income inequality.
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