Kim Isaac Eisler talks with Jim Fleming about Indian casinos, admitting to the same ambivalence society feels. Casinos are fun, but they’re making too much money off their patrons.
Intelligent. Optimistic. Curious.
Audio
Jeffrey Goldberg talks with Jim Fleming about the role of the "public Intellectual" in Israel, the coming demographic problem the country faces, and expresses some doubt about Israel's long-term viability as a Jewish democracy.
Every spring in Japan, people crowd under blooming cherry trees. They're signs of spring, and remembrances of life's transience.
Master gardener Sadafumi Uchiyama says the blossoms are the quintessential representation of the Japanese principle of mono no aware... beauty in the intertwining of life and death.
In one of his most personal books, Sacks recalls his childhood in wartime London and the important role chemistry played in his life. He explains how he was comforted by the rigor and orderliness of science.
Ralph Stanley is one of the founding fathers of bluegrass or old-time mountain music. He talks with Steve Paulson about his family, his music and his concern with death, and we hear lots of his music.
Jim Elledge is the co-editor (with Susan Swartwout) of “Real Things,” an anthology of poetry that references popular culture.
The massive protests in Ferguson, Missouri are on our minds this week. We explore the racial conflict and police violence with sociologist Alice Goffman.
“Refrigerator Mothers” was the label wrongly applied to mothers who were falsely believed to have caused their children’s autism. Maria Mombille was such a mother.
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