Princeton historian Anthony Grafton explains how learning conversational Latin inspired his students.
Intelligent. Optimistic. Curious.
Audio
Sarah Bakewell recommends "The Pillow Book" by Sei Shonagon (translated by Ivan Morris).
The average American voter is NOT smarter than a 5th grader, doesn't understand basic political facts and should probably not be allowed to vote. Philosopher Jason Brennan makes the case for an epistocracy: the rule of the knowledgeable.
Neuroscientist David Eagleman says most of the brain's real action happens below the level of the conscious mind. He calls the brain "a team of rivals," since different parts of the brain compete against each other.
In 2006, Barack Obama was the new darling of the Democratic Party and was considering a Presidential run in 2008.
Naturalist and soundscape artist Bernie Krause talks about his book, "The Great Animal Orchestra: Finding the Origins of Music in the World's Wild Places."
Nicholas Felton transforms data into something beautiful. As a self-described "information designer" and extremely dedicated life logger, he tracks aspects of his life over the course of the year and then publishes them as "annual reports."
The late Christopher Hitchens was one of the most controversial journalists and public intellectuals of recent years. In this conversation, he talks about his memoir "Hitch 22" and the role of intellectuals.
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