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To The Best Of Our Knowledge

In "Humans, Aliens and Autism" Ian Hacking analyzes the use of the alien metaphor as applied to people with autism.

To The Best Of Our Knowledge

J.G. Ballard’s futuristic 1975 novel, “High Rise, is about a group of people living in a luxury high-rise apartment building where neighbors organize themselves according to their respective social classes.  Literally. The lower class lives on the lower floors, the middle class in the middle and the upper class occupies the most luxurious apartments on the highest floors.  Tribal-class warfare ensues. Here’s an excerpt.

To The Best Of Our Knowledge

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.”

To The Best Of Our Knowledge

It's not just writers that are struggling to make a living these days. Artists and other creative types are also feeling the pinch, especially as more and more businesses that support them disappear — think indie record stores or bookstores. Scott Timberg is a writer who believes the arts economy is collapsing. He tells Sara Nics that if the trend continues, the only artists who'll surive are those at the very top.

To The Best Of Our Knowledge

Jai Uttal leads kirtans around the world. Kirtan is the Indian practice of ecstatic chant that combines music and devotion.

To The Best Of Our Knowledge

Psychiatrist Iain McGilchrist says most neuroscientists have downplayed the differences between the left and right sides of the brain. In this EXTENDED interview, he says he thinks the left hemisphere has become so dominant in Western culture that we're losing the sense of what makes us human.

To The Best Of Our Knowledge

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.

To The Best Of Our Knowledge

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.

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