A weekly radio show exploring questions in science, culture, music, philosophy and more. Life as we know it, or would like to. The content varies from week to week and includes interviews, music and the occasional sound-rich story in the tradition of This American Life or Radio Lab. Produced and hosted by Robert Pollie at NPR-affiliate public radio station KUSP in California. http://7thavenueproject.com Copyright 2012 Robert Pollie All Rights Reserved http://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html en-us Tue, 18 Nov 2008 19:21:56 -0800 webmaster@kusp.org (steve) Tue, 6 Feb 2007 19:21:39 -0800 webmaster@kusp.org (steve) FeedForAll v2.0 (2.0.1.4) http://www.feedforall.com The 7th Avenue Project Life as we know it, or would like to. A weekly radio show exploring questions in science, culture, music, philosophy, film and more: The content varies from week to week and includes interviews, music and the occasional sound-rich story in the tradition of This American Life or Radio Lab. Produced and hosted by Robert Pollie at NPR-affiliate public radio station KUSP in California. Robert Pollie / KUSP - Central Coast Public Radio Robert Pollie / KUSP - Central Coast Public Radio webmaster@kusp.org (steve) seventh avenue,7th ave,seventh ave,Robert Polly,Robert Pauley,Robert Polie,Robert Polley no no http://www.kusp.org/pod/images/rpollie_141x141.jpg http://www.kusp.org/shows/rpollie.xml 141 141 Historian George Dyson on his new book "Turing's Cathedral," which tells the story of the Electronic Computer Project. Led by the brilliant polymath John Von Neumann in 1940s and 1950’s, the project laid the groundwork for much of modern computing. In doing so, Dyson says, it birthed a new, digital ecosystem, a world of self-reproducing, ever-evolving numbers that may be said to have a life of their own. Dyson is the son of famed physicist Freeman Dyson and grew up at the Institute for Advanced Study, where Von Neumann and crew did their pioneering work. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Dyson-May-2012 Sun, 06 May 2012 13:00:00 -0800 Historian George Dyson on the origins of modern computing Historian George Dyson on his new book "Turing's Cathedral," which tells the story of the Electronic Computer Project. Led by the brilliant polymath John Von Neumann in 1940s and 50s, the project laid the groundwork for much of modern computing. In doing so, Dyson says, it birthed a new, digital ecosystem, a world of self-reproducing, ever-evolving numbers that may be said to have a life of their own. Dyson is the son of famed physicist Freeman Dyson and grew up at the Institute for Advanced Study, where Von Neumann and crew did their pioneering work. 01:07:51 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project,robert pollie,computing,technology,george dyson,freeman dyson,computers no no Michael Ian Black doesn't usually reveal a lot about himself in his comedy. He's generally more comfortable playing characters who at most manifest fragments of his personality, like the hilarious solipsism of "Michael Ian Black" in "Michael and Michael Have Issues." His new memoir, "You’re Not Doing It Right: Tales of Marriage, Sex, Death, and Other Humiliations," is different. It’s bracingly candid, full of unromanticized and unflattering real-life detail. It never seems self-indulgent or confessional, though, and it's both funny and insightful. Same goes for my conversation with Michael, in which we discussed all of the aforementioned humiliations. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie MIBlack-Apr-2012 Sun, 22 Apr 2012 13:00:00 -0800 Comedian Michael Ian Black on Life and its Humiliations Michael Ian Black doesn't usually reveal a lot about himself in his comedy. He's generally more comfortable playing characters who at most manifest fragments of his personality, like the hilarious solipsism of "Michael Ian Black" in "Michael and Michael Have Issues." His new memoir, "You’re Not Doing It Right: Tales of Marriage, Sex, Death, and Other Humiliations," is different. It’s bracingly candid, full of unromanticized and unflattering real-life detail. It never seems self-indulgent or confessional, though, and it's both funny and insightful. Same goes for my conversation with Michael, in which we discussed all of the aforementioned humiliations. 00:58:00 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project,robert pollie,michael ian black,comedy, comedians,the state yes no Michael Turner, of the University of Chicago and Kavli Institute, has had his hands in some of the biggest cosmological advances of recent years. He's also contributed to the scientific lexicon, coining the term “dark matter” and presaging its discovery. We talked about that and some of the universe's other big head scratchers. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Turner-Apr-2012 Sun, 15 Apr 2012 13:00:00 -0800 Astrophysicist Michael Turner on Dark Energy and other Cosmological Mysteries Michael Turner, of the University of Chicago and Kavli Institute, has had his hands in some of the biggest cosmological advances of recent years. He's also contributed to the scientific lexicon, coining the term “dark matter” and presaging its discovery. We talked about that and some of the universe's other big head scratchers. 00:52:32 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project,robert pollie,michael turner,cosmology,astrophysics,dark energy no no It was Easter Sunday, so I resurrected my 2011 interview with Carolyn Burke, discussing her book No Regrets: The Life of Edith Piaf. Carolyn is equally strong on the biographical details and the musical oeuvre of France's great songstress, and provided astute commentary on some of Piaf's signature songs. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Burke-Apr-2012 Sun, 08 Apr 2012 13:00:00 -0800 Biographer Carolyn Burke on Edith Piaf It was Easter Sunday, so I resurrected my 2011 interview with Carolyn Burke, discussing her book No Regrets: The Life of Edith Piaf. Carolyn is equally strong on the biographical details and the musical oeuvre of France’s great songstress, and provided astute commentary on some of Piaf’s signature songs. 01:06:04 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project,robert pollie,edith piaf,carolyn burke,france,music no no I thought this might turn into an entirely satirical April Fool’s interview with John Hodgman’s mock-pundit character, but after some japery, the conversation got sorta serious. John may lampoon the whole notion of expertise and authority in his TV appearances and books, but his thoughts on the subject run deep. We talked about his days studying literary theory at Yale, the real-life model for his professorial persona, truth vs. artistic license, and John’s up close and personal view of the Mike Daisey/This American Life debacle. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Hodgman-Apr-2012 Sun, 01 Apr 2012 13:00:00 -0800 John Hodgman on his career and expertise I thought this might turn into an entirely satirical April Fool’s interview with John Hodgman’s mock-pundit character, but after some japery, the conversation got sorta serious. John may lampoon the whole notion of expertise and authority in his TV appearances and books, but his thoughts on the subject run deep. We talked about his days studying literary theory at Yale, the real-life model for his professorial persona, truth vs. artistic license, and John’s up close and personal view of the Mike Daisey/This American Life debacle. 00:42:37 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project,robert pollie,john hodgman,comedy no no In the age of science, what’s a philosopher to do? As physics, biology and other hard sciences advance, is philosophy left with only a few increasingly recherché questions? Nope, says philosopher Colin McGinn. McGinn argues that philosophy is a kind of science (though it could use some rebranding to that effect), and those other sciences would do well to pay it some mind. A dose of philosophy could help clear up many scientific confusions and save theorists from a mess of conceptual errors (homuncular fallacy, anyone?). Colin McGinn and I talk science vs. philosophy, different kinds of knowledge, the nature of objectivity, problems with the scientific study of consciousness, and his Campaign to Rename Philosophy (CRP), which he wrote about recently in the New York Times. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie McGinn-Mar-2012 Sun, 25 Mar 2012 13:00:00 -0800 Colin McGinn on the Relationship of Philosophy and Science In the age of science, what’s a philosopher to do? As physics, biology and other hard sciences advance, is philosophy left with only a few increasingly recherché questions? Nope, says philosopher Colin McGinn. McGinn argues that philosophy is a kind of science (though it could use some rebranding to that effect), and those other sciences would do well to pay it some mind. A dose of philosophy could help clear up many scientific confusions and save theorists from a mess of conceptual errors (homuncular fallacy, anyone?). Colin McGinn and I talk science vs. philosophy, different kinds of knowledge, the nature of objectivity, problems with the scientific study of consciousness, and his Campaign to Rename Philosophy (CRP), which he wrote about recently in the New York Times. 00:57:26 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project,robert pollie, colin mcginn, consciousness, philosophy, science no no In his new book, "Eminent Outlaws: The Gay Writers Who Changed America," Christopher Bram says it was literature more than any other art form that opened America’s eyes to same-sex relationships and paved the way for gay rights. In the years following World War II, when homosexuality was taboo territory for movies, TV and other mass media, it was writers who broke the silence. Chris and I discussed the impact of writers such as Gore Vidal, Tennessee Williams, Truman Capote, James Baldwin and Allen Ginsburg; the sometimes nasty critical reaction to their work; and how Chris himself read his way out of the closet. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Bram-Mar-2012 Sun, 11 Mar 2012 13:00:00 -0800 Novelist Christopher Bram on Gay Writers and Gay Rights In his new book, "Eminent Outlaws: The Gay Writers Who Changed America," Christopher Bram says it was literature more than any other art form that opened America’s eyes to same-sex relationships and paved the way for gay rights. In the years following World War II, when homosexuality was taboo territory for movies, TV and other mass media, it was writers who broke the silence. Chris and I discussed the impact of writers such as Gore Vidal, Tennessee Williams, Truman Capote, James Baldwin and Allen Ginsburg; the sometimes nasty critical reaction to their work; and how Chris himself read his way out of the closet. 00:56:57 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project,robert pollie, christopher bram, gay rights,eminent outlaws,gay literature no no And you thought sequencing the human genome was a big job. MIT neuroscientist Sebastian Seung is proposing something even more Herculean: tracing the trillions of neuronal connections in the human brain, collectively known as the "connectome." He believes the connectome may hold the key to understanding the brain and the self. That follows from connectionism—the notion that learning, memory and personality are embedded in the brain’s wiring. Like so much else in neuroscience, that’s still hypothetical, and Sebastian is refreshingly candid about the limits of current understanding. We discussed what is and isn’t known about the workings of neurons, how the brain’s circuitry might encode information, the relevance of computer models, and artificial intelligence techniques that may help map the connectome. Also: the "Jennifer Aniston neuron," whether or not to freeze your posthumous head, and the cautionary tale of the South Park underpants gnomes. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Seung-Mar-2012 Sun, 04 Mar 2012 13:00:00 -0800 Neuroscientist Sebastian Seung on the Wiring of the Brain And you thought sequencing the human genome was a big job. MIT neuroscientist Sebastian Seung is proposing something even more Herculean: tracing the trillions of neuronal connections in the human brain, collectively known as the "connectome." He believes the connectome may hold the key to understanding the brain and the self. That follows from connectionism—the notion that learning, memory and personality are embedded in the brain’s wiring. Like so much else in neuroscience, that’s still hypothetical, and Sebastian is refreshingly candid about the limits of current understanding. We discussed what is and isn’t known about the workings of neurons, how the brain’s circuitry might encode information, the relevance of computer models, and artificial intelligence techniques that may help map the connectome. Also: the "Jennifer Aniston neuron," whether or not to freeze your posthumous head, and the cautionary tale of the South Park underpants gnomes. 00:57:07 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project,robert pollie, neuroscience,brain,sebastian seeing,connectome,connectionism no no Everybody loves a good dysfunctional family drama, which is one reason the Oresteia and other Greek tales of the strife-torn House of Atreus have never gone out of fashion. Agamemnon, Clytemnestra, Electra and the gang are at it again in a new play premiering this week at UC Santa Cruz. The production draws freely on classical sources including the Illiad and the plays of Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides, and adds a high-tech twist: the performance is split between two stages representing two distinct realities, bridged by live video streaming. I spoke with writer/director Kirsten Brandt and producer Ted Warburton, both of UCSC’s Theater Arts Department, about the performance, the timeless truths of Greek tragedy and the use of “telematic” technology in theater. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Veil-Feb-2012 Sun, 26 Feb 2012 13:00:00 -0800 A new theater production combines classic Greek tragedy and "telematic" technology Everybody loves a good dysfunctional family drama, which is one reason the Oresteia and other Greek tales of the strife-torn House of Atreus have never gone out of fashion. Agamemnon, Clytemnestra, Electra and the gang are at it again in a new play premiering this week at UC Santa Cruz. The production draws freely on classical sources including the Illiad and the plays of Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides, and adds a high-tech twist: the performance is split between two stages representing two distinct realities, bridged by live video streaming. I spoke with writer/director Kirsten Brandt and producer Ted Warburton, both of UCSC’s Theater Arts Department, about the performance, the timeless truths of Greek tragedy and the use of “telematic” technology in theater. 00:57:26 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project,robert pollie,greek drama,oresteia,thinning veil,illiad,classics no no This episode originally aired on Feb. 15, 2009. Seeing as it was the morning after, I took a few swipes at love and romance with the help of some great guests and lots of music. This year, my broadcast slot fell on Feb 19, close enough to Valentine’s Day to revive the show. Segments include: Science writer Hannah Holmes on the biology of hooking up and dogging around; critic Laura Kipnis on monogamy and marriage as social engineering; writer Jonathan Ames on love and its disappointments; and writer/guitarist Glenn Kurtz on the death of dreams. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Valentines-Feb-2012 Sun, 19 Feb 2012 13:00:00 -0800 A skeptical look at love and romance This episode originally aired on Feb. 15, 2009. Seeing as it was the morning after, I took a few swipes at love and romance with the help of some great guests and lots of music. This year, my broadcast slot fell on Feb 19, close enough to Valentine’s Day to revive the show. Segments include: Science writer Hannah Holmes on the biology of hooking up and dogging around; critic Laura Kipnis on monogamy and marriage as social engineering; writer Jonathan Ames on love and its disappointments; and writer/guitarist Glenn Kurtz on the death of dreams. 01:01:32 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project,robert pollie,valentine's day,jonathan ames,laura kipnis,romance,hannah holmes no no Despite an old-school classical education in the Soviet Union, where she grew up before emigrating to Australia as a teen, composer Elena Kats-Chernin is anything but tradition-bound. Her influences run the gamut from ragtime to nuevo tango to minimalism and pop. Her work is powerfully evocative and unabashedly listenable. Elena says for her, “music is a living thing.” She writes daily, and a lot of her own life inevitably makes its way into her compositions. In this interview, we listened to some exquisite tunes and dug deep into the sources of her music, including the very personal story behind some of her most affecting works. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Chernin-Feb-2012 Sun, 12 Feb 2012 13:00:00 -0800 Inside the music of Australian composer Elena Kats-Chernin Despite an old-school classical education in the Soviet Union, where she grew up before emigrating to Australia as a teen, composer Elena Kats-Chernin is anything but tradition-bound. Her influences run the gamut from ragtime to nuevo tango to minimalism and pop. Her work is powerfully evocative and unabashedly listenable. Elena says for her, “music is a living thing.” She writes daily, and a lot of her own life inevitably makes its way into her compositions. In this interview, we listened to some exquisite tunes and dug deep into the sources of her music, including the very personal story behind some of her most affecting works. 00:57:59 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project,robert pollie,Elena Kats-Chernin,music,composers,classical music,schizophrenia no no Matt Polly was 36 and overweight, his days as a student of Chinese kickboxing long past. On the precipice of middle age, he took one last shot at glory. He plunged into the bruising sport of mixed martial arts, trained with the pros and eventually tested his skills in an amateur bout, as detailed in his book Tapped Out: An Odyssey in Mixed Martial Arts. Matt and I had a very entertaining conversation about his experiences and about the world of MMA. Matt explains that contrary to its reputation for primal thuggery, MMA is a highly technical sport and even an art. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Polly-Jan-2012 Sun, 05 Feb 2012 13:00:00 -0800 Writer Matthew Polly on his experiences as an MMA fighter Matt Polly was 36 and overweight, his days as a student of Chinese kickboxing long past. On the precipice of middle age, he took one last shot at glory. He plunged into the bruising sport of mixed martial arts, trained with the pros and eventually tested his skills in an amateur bout, as detailed in his book Tapped Out: An Odyssey in Mixed Martial Arts. Matt and I had a very entertaining conversation about his experiences and about the world of MMA. Matt explains that contrary to its reputation for primal thuggery, MMA is a highly technical sport and even an art. 01:06:43 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, Matthew Polly,Tapped Out, Mixed Martial Arts, MMA, Kickboxing, UFC no no Robert Trivers is a widely influential evolutionary thinker whose is theories on the genetic trade-offs of altruism, parent-child relationships and other social interactions are a cornerstone of behavioral ecology and evolutionary psychology. His new book, "The Folly of Fools," applies an evolutionary framework to another set of behaviors: deception and especially self-deception. Subjects discussed in our interview include: self-deception in nature, our capacity to simultaneously know and blind ourselves to the truth, the field formerly known as sociobiology, and Robert’s own life and career, including his friendship with the late Black Panther leader Huey Newton. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Trivers-Jan-2012 Sun, 29 Jan 2012 13:00:00 -0800 Evolutionary biologist on deception and self-deception Robert Trivers is a widely influential evolutionary thinker whose is theories on the genetic trade-offs of altruism, parent-child relationships and other social interactions are a cornerstone of behavioral ecology and evolutionary psychology. His new book, "The Folly of Fools," applies an evolutionary framework to another set of behaviors: deception and especially self-deception. Subjects discussed in our interview include: self-deception in nature, our capacity to simultaneously know and blind ourselves to the truth, the field formerly known as sociobiology, and Robert’s own life and career, including his friendship with the late Black Panther leader Huey Newton. 01:1:48 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert trivers, evolution, folly of fools, biology no no The last time I spoke to John Flansburgh of They Might Be Giants, it was about the group’s science album for kids. This time we talked about the whole TMBG phenomenon: their beginnings and ultimate success, aesthetic aims, being taken seriously while also goofing around, and Sleestaks. TMBG turns 30 this year and is about to launch a national tour with some retrospective elements. So this seemed like a good time to look back on their singular career. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie TMBG-Jan-2012 Sun, 22 Jan 2012 13:00:00 -0800 John Flansburgh on the long strange career of They Might Be Giants The last time I spoke to John Flansburgh of They Might Be Giants, it was about the group’s science album for kids. This time we talked about the whole TMBG phenomenon: their beginnings and ultimate success, aesthetic aims, being taken seriously while also goofing around, and Sleestaks. TMBG turns 30 this year and is about to launch a national tour with some retrospective elements. So this seemed like a good time to look back on their singular career. 00:57:45 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,they might be giants,tmbg,john flansburgh,john linnell no no Cosmologist Anthony Aguirre and I continue our jaunt through General Relativity. Last week we presented some of the basics. This week, we talk about the evidence, the impacts and implications, including the cosmological constant, the expanding universe, gravity waves, time dilation, black holes, and spacetime singularities. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Aguirre2-Jan-2012 Sun, 15 Jan 2012 13:00:00 -0800 Physicist Anthony Aguirre explains Einstein's theory of general relativity, pt 2 od 2 Cosmologist Anthony Aguirre and I continue our jaunt through General Relativity. Last week we presented some of the basics. This week, we talk about the evidence, the impacts and implications, including the cosmological constant, the expanding universe, gravity waves, time dilation, black holes, and spacetime singularities. 00:53:53 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,physics,relativity,einstein,gravity,anthony aguirre no no It was Einstein’s greatest idea, and one of the most audacious leaps of scientific imagination ever. Much of what physicists know or think they know about space, time and the cosmos depends on it. But General Relativity is usually brushed over in pop sci accounts, because GR is considered too GD difficult for ordinary brains. Even on this scientifically-minded program, we’ve given it pretty cursory treatment. But not this time. I’m devoting two whole shows to the subject with physicist Anthony Aguirre. He’s taught relativity and applies it in his own cosmological research, and does a yeomanly job here of making some very alien concepts approachable. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Aguirre1-Jan-2012 Sun, 08 Jan 2012 13:00:00 -0800 Physicist Anthony Aguirre explains Einstein's theory of general relativity It was Einstein’s greatest idea, and one of the most audacious leaps of scientific imagination ever. Much of what physicists know or think they know about space, time and the cosmos depends on it. But General Relativity is usually brushed over in pop sci accounts, because GR is considered too GD difficult for ordinary brains. Even on this scientifically-minded program, we’ve given it pretty cursory treatment. But not this time. I’m devoting two whole shows to the subject with physicist Anthony Aguirre. He’s taught relativity and applies it in his own cosmological research, and does a yeomanly job here of making some very alien concepts approachable. 01:00:54 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,physics,relativity,einstein,gravity,anthony aguirre no no From Jan. 2010: They play, they sing and make lovely, original and uncategorizable music. The four women of the Real Vocal String Quartet combine classical backgrounds with influences from across the musical spectrum: pop, folk, jazz and international… In the first part of the program, RVSQ founder and violinist Irene Sazer and violist Dina Maccabee discuss the ensemble’s distinctive sound and special chemistry as we listen to tracks from their recent CD. Then, Irene and Dina are joined by the group’s other half, violinist Alisa Rose and cellist Jessica Ivry, to perform some new pieces they’re working on. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie RVSQ-Jan-2012 Sun, 01 Jan 2012 13:00:00 -0800 Conversation and live performance with the members of the Real Vocal String Quartet They play, they sing and make lovely, original and uncategorizable music. The four women of the Real Vocal String Quartet combine classical backgrounds with influences from across the musical spectrum: pop, folk, jazz and international… In the first part of the program, RVSQ founder and violinist Irene Sazer and violist Dina Maccabee discuss the ensemble’s distinctive sound and special chemistry as we listen to tracks from their recent CD. Then, Irene and Dina are joined by the group’s other half, violinist Alisa Rose and cellist Jessica Ivry, to perform some new pieces they’re working on. 01:10:32 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie, music, real vocal string quartet, irene sazer no no From Nov. 2010: Linguist Guy Deutscher discusses the restless, ever-shifting nature of human languages. Have languages gotten more complex or simpler over the centuries? Does improper usage threaten the integrity of language? How do grammatical systems arise? How much of our linguistic mastery is innate, and how much is acquired through experience? http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Deutscher-Dec-2011 Sun, 18 Dec 2011 14:31:19 -0800 Linguist Guy Deutscher on the Evolution of Language Linguist Guy Deutscher discusses the restless, ever-shifting nature of human languages. Have languages gotten more complex or simpler over the centuries? Does improper usage threaten the integrity of language? How do grammatical systems arise? How much of our linguistic mastery is innate, and how much is acquired through experience? 00:52:50 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie, kusp, linguistics, guy deutscher, language, grammar no no Yes, people have been fretting that mechanization would render them redundant ever since the early industrial revolution. And though predictions of deep and persistent "technological unemployment" have failed to come true in the past, MIT researchers Erik Brynjolfsson and Andrew McAfee say this time it’s for real. In their new book, Race Against the Machine, they argue that the current "jobless recovery" is in large part due to advances in machine intelligence and other technologies. I spoke to Erik Brynjolfsson about the problem and some possible fixes. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Brynjolfsson-Dec-2011 Sun, 11 Dec 2011 17:45:00 -0800 MIT economist Erik Brynjolfsson says increasingly capable machines are displacing greater numbers of human workers Yes, people have been fretting that mechanization would render them redundant ever since the early industrial revolution. And though predictions of deep and persistent "technological unemployment" have failed to come true in the past, MIT researchers Erik Brynjolfsson and Andrew McAfee say this time it’s for real. In their new book, Race Against the Machine, they argue that the current "jobless recovery" is in large part due to advances in machine intelligence and other technologies. I spoke to Erik Brynjolfsson about the problem and some possible fixes. 00:41:28 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project,robert pollie,race against the machine,erik bynjolfsson,andy mcAfee,machine intelligence,unemployment no no Hany Farid is an expert on photo fakery and develops tools for detecting whether and how much pictures have been ginned up by, say, advertisers hawking beauty products. He’s testified about the veracity of photos in court cases, uncovered audacious forgeries, and helped authenticate some iconic images. We had a fascinating conversation about truth and deception in the age of Photoshop: the ways digital retouching has altered our relation to photography, sowed confusion in the legal system, altered our body images, and sparked a race between the technologies of authentication and tools for photo manipulation. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Farid-Dec-2011 Sun, 04 Dec 2011 17:45:00 -0800 Reality in the age of Photoshop: Digital Forensics Expert Hany Farid Hany Farid is an expert on photo fakery and develops tools for detecting whether and how much pictures have been ginned up by, say, advertisers hawking beauty products. He’s testified about the veracity of photos in court cases, uncovered audacious forgeries, and helped authenticate some iconic images. We had a fascinating conversation about truth and deception in the age of Photoshop: the ways digital retouching has altered our relation to photography, sowed confusion in the legal system, altered our body images, and sparked a race between the technologies of authentication and tools for photo manipulation. 00:58:06 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project,robert pollie,hany farid,phoshop,digital retouching,photography,digital forensics no no First broadcast in Jan. 2009: physicist and master explainer Brian Greene on the space-, time-, and mind-bending properties of black holes. This originally aired as part 1 of a black hole double-header. Part 2 was with the physicist Leonard Susskind, also available as a podcast. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Greene-Nov-2011 Sun, 27 Nov 2011 17:45:00 -0800 Black Holes with Brian Greene First broadcast in Jan. 2009: physicist and master explainer Brian Greene on the space-, time-, and mind-bending properties of black holes. This originally aired as part 1 of a black hole double-header. Part 2 was with the physicist Leonard Susskind, also available as a podcast. 01:00:00 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project,robert pollie,brian greene,physics,black holes,cosmology no no The Pulitzer-winning writer Tony Horwitz has a new book out about anti-slavery crusader John Brown (Midnight Rising: John Brown and the Raid that Sparked the Civil War), and we consider the challenge that Brown still poses for American history. Was Brown right to spill blood fighting slavery? When is violent resistance to manifest inhumanity justified? I talk history and morality with Tony Horwitz, with my friend and John Brown buff Andrea Monroe, and with ethicist Peter Singer. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Brown-Nov-2011 Sun, 20 Nov 2011 17:45:00 -0800 The life and significance of anti-slavery militant John Brown The Pulitzer-winning writer Tony Horwitz has a new book out about anti-slavery crusader John Brown (Midnight Rising: John Brown and the Raid that Sparked the Civil War), and we consider the challenge that Brown still poses for American history. Was Brown right to spill blood fighting slavery? When is violent resistance to manifest inhumanity justified? I talk history and morality with Tony Horwitz, with my friend and John Brown buff Andrea Monroe, and with ethicist Peter Singer. 01:07:29 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project,robert pollie,john brown,civil war,tony horwitz,peter singer no no Peter Singer may be the world’s best-known ethicist. He’s regarded as the intellectual father of the animal liberation movement and has staked out prominent positions on euthanasia, abortion, the use of military force and economic inequality. We talked about those and other sticky moral questions, as well as Peter’s brand of utilitarianism, which aims to provide a single logical framework for all ethical decision making. Originally broadcast in 2006. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Singer-Nov-2011 Sun, 06 Nov 2011 17:45:00 -0800 Philosopher Peter Singer Discusses Utilitarian Ethics Peter Singer may be the world’s best-known ethicist. He’s regarded as the intellectual father of the animal liberation movement and has staked out prominent positions on euthanasia, abortion, the use of military force and economic inequality. We talked about those and other sticky moral questions, as well as Peter’s brand of utilitarianism, which aims to provide a single logical framework for all ethical decision making. Originally broadcast in 2006. 00:51:40 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project,robert pollie,peter singer, ethics, morality,philosophy,animal rights no no Steven Pinker, celebrated for his books on language and the workings of the mind, ventures into big history with his latest volume, "The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined." He unloads a truckload of evidence to argue that humans have been getting more peaceful, more cooperative and less murderous, on scales large and small, for quite some time. Among the reasons: civilization really has made us more civil. That might seem a surprising conclusion for a card-carrying evolutionary psychologist, but Pinker hasn’t gone all liberal artsy on us. Historicity has a role to play, he says, but so do biology and game theory. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Pinker-Oct-2011 Sun, 30 Oct 2011 17:45:00 -0800 Psychologist Steven Pinker discusses his book "The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence has Declined" Steven Pinker, celebrated for his books on language and the workings of the mind, ventures into big history with his latest volume, "The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined." He unloads a truckload of evidence to argue that humans have been getting more peaceful, more cooperative and less murderous, on scales large and small, for quite some time. Among the reasons: civilization really has made us more civil. That might seem a surprising conclusion for a card-carrying evolutionary psychologist, but Pinker hasn’t gone all liberal artsy on us. Historicity has a role to play, he says, but so do biology and game theory. 00:59:29 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project,robert pollie,steven pinker,violence,the better angels of our nature,history,crime no no Errol Morris’s passion for sleuthing dates back at least to his days as a private detective and runs through his work as a documentary filmmaker in movies like "The Thin Blue Line" and his most recent, "Tabloid." In his new book, "Believing is Seeing," he turns his magnifying glass on photography. He and I discussed (and occasionally debated) the veridical nature of photography, the impact of digital retouching and the truth value of his own films. Then, in the second half of the show, an excerpt from my 2009 interview with documentarist Jonathan Stack on his film Iron Ladies of Liberia. It’s about the presidential administration of Liberia’s Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who shared in this year’s Nobel Peace Prize. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Morris-Oct-2011 Sun, 23 Oct 2011 17:45:00 -0800 Documentary Filmmaker Errol Morris Discusses his Book "Believing is Seeing" Errol Morris’s passion for sleuthing dates back at least to his days as a private detective and runs through his work as a documentary filmmaker in movies like "The Thin Blue Line" and his most recent, "Tabloid." In his new book, "Believing is Seeing," he turns his magnifying glass on photography. He and I discussed (and occasionally debated) the veridical nature of photography, the impact of digital retouching and the truth value of his own films. Then, in the second half of the show, an excerpt from my 2009 interview with documentarist Jonathan Stack on his film Iron Ladies of Liberia. It’s about the presidential administration of Liberia’s Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who shared in this year’s Nobel Peace Prize. 01:03:14 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project,robert pollie,errol morris,filmmaking,photography,believing is seeing no no I was saddened to learn this past week that gay rights pioneer Frank Kameny had died. For today’s show I replayed my 2010 interview with Frank, in which he looked back on his life as an activist. This is a somewhat longer cut of the original 2010 broadcast. In part 2 of the show, more on the subject of political activism and the sacrifices it sometimes calls for: an excerpt from a 2009 interview with former track star John Carlos, who talks about the famous black power salute he and fellow medalist Tommy Smith gave at the 1968 Olympic Games. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Kameny-Oct-2011 Sun, 16 Oct 2011 17:45:00 -0800 A 2009 interview with gay rights activist Frank Kameny I was saddened to learn this past week that gay rights pioneer Frank Kameny had died. For today’s show I replayed my 2010 interview with Frank, in which he looked back on his life as an activist. This is a somewhat longer cut of the original 2010 broadcast. In part 2 of the show, more on the subject of political activism and the sacrifices it sometimes calls for: an excerpt from a 2009 interview with former track star John Carlos, who talks about the famous black power salute he and fellow medalist Tommy Smith gave at the 1968 Olympic Games. 00:48:53 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project,robert pollie,frank kameny,gay rights,human rights no no Last time we had Marlene Zuk on the show, the subject was parasites. This time, it’s insects, what they do or don’t have in common with human beings, and how we go wrong when we anthropomorphize too much. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Zuk-Oct-2011 Sun, 09 Oct 2011 17:45:00 -0800 Biologist Marlene Zuk on Insects and People Last time we had Marlene Zuk on the show, the subject was parasites. This time, it’s insects, what they do or don’t have in common with human beings, and how we go wrong when we anthropomorphize too much. 00:55:51 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project,robert pollie,marlene zuk,insects, evolution, entomology no no For the last 15 years, Brian Nosek has been studying the hidden biases, preferences and thought patterns that lurk just below the threshold of self-awareness. Those unconscious attitudes are often at odds with our conscious account of ourselves, yet they may influence our outlook, our choices and even our actions. One of the tools Nosek and colleagues have used to expose latent racial preferences and other forms of bias is a simple online test, the Implicit Association Test, or IAT. In this edition of the show, I take the test myself and talk to Brian about implications of his research for our understanding of the mind, decisionmaking, politics and society. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Nosek-Oct-2011 Sun, 02 Oct 2011 17:45:00 -0800 Psychologist Brian Nosek discusses unconscious biases and attitudes that may affect our thinking and actions. For the last 15 years, Brian Nosek has been studying the hidden biases, preferences and thought patterns that lurk just below the threshold of self-awareness. Those unconscious attitudes are often at odds with our conscious account of ourselves, yet they may influence our outlook, our choices and even our actions. One of the tools Nosek and colleagues have used to expose latent racial preferences and other forms of bias is a simple online test, the Implicit Association Test, or IAT. In this edition of the show, I take the test myself and talk to Brian about implications of his research for our understanding of the mind, decisionmaking, politics and society. 01:13:02 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project,robert pollie,brian nosek,implicit association,iat,psychology,bias no no In part 1 of this two-part series, I talked to sociologist and writer Teresa Gowan about her years among the homeless recyclers of San Francisco's Dogpatch district. As we walked through the neighborhood, Teresa described how much it's changed. Most of the homeless have been pushed out, and therein hangs a tale of societal attitudes—-toward poverty, property and rootlessness—-going back hundreds of years. In this second and final part of the series, we found out where some of Dogpatch's remaining homeless are holing up and how they’re hanging on. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Gowan2-Sep-2011 Sun, 25 Sep 2011 17:45:00 -0800 A visit to San Francisco's Dogpatch neighborhood and discussion about homelessness with sociologist Teresa Gowan. Pt 2 of 2. In part 1 of this two-part series, I talked to sociologist and writer Teresa Gowan about her years among the homeless recyclers of San Francisco’s Dogpatch district. As we walked through the neighborhood, Teresa described how much it’s changed. Most of the homeless have been pushed out, and therein hangs a tale of societal attitudes—-toward poverty, property and rootlessness—-going back hundreds of years. In this second and final part of the series, we found out where some of Dogpatch’s remaining homeless are holing up and how they’re hanging on. 00:57:57 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,economy,poverty,teresa gown,homelessness no no Donny McCaslin grew up in Santa Cruz, where this program is based, and got his musical start here. Today he’s a widely-known, much-admired tenor sax player based in New York. Donny returned to our area recently to play at the 2011 Monterey Jazz Festival. We talked about his formative years (playing with his dad's band on the streets of Santa Cruz) and rapid success (he joined Gary Burton's quintet right out of college). Donny's a very thoughtful and knowledgeable musician, and I took advantage of the occasion to ask some detailed questions about his work and development. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie McCaslin-Sep-2011 Sun, 18 Sep 2011 17:45:00 -0800 Jazz saxophonist Donny McCaslin on his life and music. Donny McCaslin grew up in Santa Cruz, where this program is based, and got his musical start here. Today he’s a widely-known, much-admired tenor sax player based in New York. Donny returned to our area recently to play at the 2011 Monterey Jazz Festival. We talked about his formative years (playing with his dad's band on the streets of Santa Cruz) and rapid success (he joined Gary Burton's quintet right out of college). Donny's a very thoughtful and knowledgeable musician, and I took advantage of the occasion to ask some detailed questions about his work and development. 00:46:52 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,donny mccaslin,monterey jazz festival,jazz,tenor saxophone,jazz history no no The sociologist Teresa Gowan spent years getting to know a community of homeless recyclers in San Francisco’s Dogpatch neighborhood, which she describes in her book "Hobos, Hustlers and Backsliders: Homeless in San Francisco." Now the neighborhood is gentrifying, and many of the homeless have been driven out. Teresa and I revisited Dogpatch to talk about her work there, to see how things have changed and to find out what's happened to the homeless. As we walked, we talked: not just about homelessness but also the ways we speak about it and how they hem us in; the meaning of work; class and underclass in America; and the not-so-heartening history of attitudes toward poverty and "vagrancy." Part 1 of 2. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Gowan1-Sep-2011 Sun, 04 Sep 2011 17:45:00 -0800 A visit to Dan Francisco's Dogpatch neighborhood with sociologist Tereza Gowan The sociologist Teresa Gowan spent years getting to know a community of homeless recyclers in San Francisco's Dogpatch neighborhood, which she describes in her book "Hobos, Hustlers and Backsliders: Homeless in San Francisco." Now the neighborhood is gentrifying, and many of the homeless have been driven out. Teresa and I revisited Dogpatch to talk about her work there, to see how things have changed and to find out what's happened to the homeless. As we walked, we talked: not just about homelessness but also the ways we speak about it and how they hem us in; the meaning of work; class and underclass in America; and the not-so-heartening history of attitudes toward poverty and "vagrancy." Part 1 of 2. 01:11:11 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,economy,poverty,teresa gown,homelessness no no What happens when America recovers from the current economic crisis? Do things go back to normal? Not necessarily, and certainly not for everybody, says Don Peck, features editor of The Atlantic. In his new book, "Pinched," he cites voluminous evidence that deep recessions leave lasting scars, and we may never be quite the same again. He says we need to take immediate action to limit the damage, and that the current narrow focus on government debt is wrongheaded. Economist Stephen Rose is less worried about America’s long-term prospects, but he too says government needs to do more to revive the economy. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Recession-Aug-2011 Sun, 28 Aug 2011 17:45:00 -0800 Journalist Don Peck and economist Stephen Rose on the long-term effects of recessions. What happens when America recovers from the current economic crisis? Do things go back to normal? Not necessarily, and certainly not for everybody, says Don Peck, features editor of The Atlantic. In his new book, Pinched, he cites voluminous evidence that deep recessions leave lasting scars, and we may never be quite the same again. He says we need to take immediate action to limit the damage, and that the current narrow focus on government debt is wrongheaded. Economist Stephen Rose is less worried about America’s long-term prospects, but he too says government needs to do more to aid recover. 01:05:00 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,economy,Don Peck,Pinched,Stephen Rose no no From 2010: Fifty years ago, a group of Harvard faculty began experimenting with psychoactive drugs and helped turn on a generation. Robert looks back on a defining cultural moment with Don Lattin, author of "The Harvard Psychedelic Club," and with Harvard alumnus Paul Lee, who took part in the experiments. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Psychedelic-Aug-2011 Sun, 21 Aug 2011 13:00:00 -0800 Ushering in the psychedelic age at Harvard. Fifty years ago, a group of Harvard faculty began experimenting with psychoactive drugs and helped turn on a generation. Robert looks back on a defining cultural moment with Don Lattin, author of "The Harvard Psychedelic Club," and with Harvard alumnus Paul Lee, who took part in the experiments. 01:11:02 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,lsd, harvard psychedilic club, don lattin,timothery leary, ram dass, andrew weil no no “Classically trained to rock your *#!@ socks off,” to quote Tenacious D. The very tenacious guitarist D.J. Sparr was in town to perform at the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music, and he swung by our studio with instrument (Taylor T5 hollowbody) in hand. We talked about his many musical loves (country, rock, classical), his career from toddlerhood on, the folly of aesthetic snobbery and the moment he realized it’s OK to play a G major chord. We also listened to a selection of his wide-ranging performances and compositions, and he demonstrated some wicked picking and finger tapping. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Sparr-Aug-2011 Sun, 14 Aug 2011 17:45:00 -0800 Guitarist and composer D.J. Sparr on his career and music. In town to perform Michael Daugherty's electric guitar concerto Gee's Bend with the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music, D.J. Sparr stopped by our studio with instrument in hand. We talked about his wide-ranging career (rock, country, classical...) and listened to some of his performances and original compositions. D.J. also demonstrated some wicked picking and finger-tapping 00:56:54 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,D.J. Sparr,guitar,music no no Re-broadcast from 2011. Developmental psychologist Paul Bloom explores the nature of human pleasures, from sex and food to art, music and fantasies. He says that what we like depends on what we think, and there may be no such thing as purely physical pleasure. He discusses his new book, "How Pleasure Works: The New Science of Why We Like What We Like." http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Bloom-Aug-2011 Sun, 07 Aug 2011 17:45:00 -0800 Psychologist Paul Bloom on his book "How Pleasure Works" Developmental psychologist Paul Bloom explores the nature of human pleasures, from sex and food to art, music and fantasies. He says that what we like depends on what we think, and there may be no such thing as purely physical pleasure. He discusses his new book, "How Pleasure Works: The New Science of Why We Like What We Like." 00:54:32 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,paul bloom, how pleasure works, psychology no no Filmmaker John Waters and composer Philip Glass are both performing (separately) in our area this summer, which gave me an opportunity to talk to them about their lives and work. John discussed his journey from troublemaker to beloved elder, his own role models and his fascination with cults and brainwashing. Philip talked about the new Days and Nights performing arts festival he's launching in Big Sur and vicinity, about writing music for film and the dialogue between modernity and tradition in classical music. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie WatersGlass-July-2011 Sun, 24 Jul 2011 13:00:00 -0800 Filmmaker John Waters and composer Philip Glass Filmmaker John Waters and composer Philip Glass are both performing (separately) in our area this summer, which gave me an opportunity to talk to them about their lives and work. John discussed his journey from troublemaker to beloved elder, his own role models and his fascination with cults and brainwashing. Philip talked about the new Days and Nights performing arts festival he's launching in Big Sur and vicinity, about writing music for film and the dialogue between modernity and tradition in classical music. 0:57:09 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie, john waters, philip glass, film scores, music no no Harry Noller has been doing molecular biology since before it was even called that, and he's been doing it very well. His work has helped illumine some of the fundamental processes on which all life (at least all earthly life) depends. He speaks about his fascinating career and research on today's show. We'll hear about his meetings with remarkable scientists, his own brush with Nobel laureate-hood and the dizzying intricacies of his pet research subject, the microscopic machines known as ribosomes. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Noller-July-2011 Sun, 17 Jul 2011 13:00:00 -0800 Molecular biologist Harry Noller Harry Noller has been doing molecular biology since before it was even called that, and he's been doing it very well. His work has helped illumine some of the fundamental processes on which all life (at least all earthly life) depends. He speaks about his fascinating career and research on today's show. We'll hear about his meetings with remarkable scientists, his own brush with Nobel laureate-hood and the dizzying intricacies of his pet research subject, the microscopic machines known as ribosomes. 01:02:51 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,molecular biology,ribosomes,harry noller,biochemistry,biology no no From 2009: The soul-stirring Portuguese music known as Fado. We discusses and listen to the art of Fado with Donald Cohen, author of "Fado Portuges." Featuring music by Mariza, Caminé, Amalia Rodrigues and more. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Fado-July-2011 Sun, 10 Jul 2011 13:00:00 -0800 Fado: Songs from the Soul of Portugal The soul-stirring Portuguese music known as Fado. Robert discusses and listens to the art of Fado with Donald Cohen, author of "Fado Portuges." Featuring music by Mariza, Caminé, Amalia Rodrigues and more. 00:55:25 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,Fado, Mariza,Portuguese music,Portugal,Donald Cohen,fadista no no Stories about becoming American: where we come from, how we got here, the connections we make and the connections we keep, at home and abroad. In part 1, KUSP’s Sean Rameswaram joins Team America and swears some oaths. In part 2, filmmaker Alexandra Pelosi attends naturalization ceremonies in all 50 states, meeting new US citizens. In part 3, Mwende Hahesy, also of KUSP, pays a visit to her mother’s homeland and reflects on the relationship of family and nationality. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Independence-July-2011 Sun, 03 Jul 2011 13:00:00 -0800 Stories of becoming and being American Stories about becoming American: where we come from, how we got here, the connections we make and the connections we keep, at home and abroad. In part 1, KUSP’s Sean Rameswaram joins Team America and swears some oaths. In part 2, filmmaker Alexandra Pelosi attends naturalization ceremonies in all 50 states, meeting new US citizens. In part 3, Mwende Hahesy, also of KUSP, pays a visit to her mother’s homeland and reflects on the relationship of family and nationality. 00:54:38 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,july 4, fourth of july,american identity,kenya, citzenship no no How one mathophobe conquered her fears, and others can, too. For years, science journalist Jennifer Ouellette made a living writing about subjects like physics, while avoiding the mathematics. Finally, she resolved to shed the dread and confront calculus, as she relates in her recent book "The Calculus Diaries: How Math Can Help You Lose Weight, Win in Vegas, and Survive a Zombie Apocalypse." We talked about her reconciliation with math, the history and uses of calculus (e.g., predicting rates of zombification), the sources of math anxiety and techniques for getting over it. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Ouellette-June-2011 Sun, 26 Jun 2011 13:00:00 -0800 Science writer Jennifer Ouellette on overcoming math anxiety and learning calculus How one mathophobe conquered her fears, and others can, too. For years, science journalist Jennifer Ouellette made a living writing about subjects like physics, while avoiding the mathematics. Finally, she resolved to shed the dread and confront calculus, as she relates in her recent book "The Calculus Diaries: How Math Can Help You Lose Weight, Win in Vegas, and Survive a Zombie Apocalypse." We talked about her reconciliation with math, the history and uses of calculus (e.g., predicting rates of zombification), the sources of math anxiety and techniques for getting over it. 01:01:51 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,peter kenez,Holocaust,Hungarian revolution,nazism,jewish history no no Historian Peter Kenez has wrtten about some of the pivotal events of the the 20th century, and he's lived some of those events, too. We talk about his very interesting life: growing up Jewish in Nazi- and Soviet-controlled Hungary, fleeing the Hungarian revolution of 1956 and coming to America. We also discussed his new book on the Holocaust. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Kenez-June-2011 Sun, 19 Jun 2011 13:00:00 -0800 Historian Peter Kenez Historian Peter Kenez has wrtten about some of the pivotal events of the the 20th century, and he's lived some of those events, too. We talk about his very interesting life: growing up Jewish in Nazi- and Soviet-controlled Hungary, fleeing the Hungarian revolution of 1956 and coming to America. We also discussed his new book on the Holocaust. 01:04:52 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,peter kennel,Holocaust,Hungarian revolution,nazism,jewish history no no Viruses have had a huge impact on human history, the evolution of life on Earth, even global climate. Science writer Carl Zimmer discusses his new book "A Planet of Viruses." http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Zimmer-June-2011 Sun, 12 Jun 2011 13:00:00 -0800 Science writer Carl Zimmer on viruses. Viruses have had a huge impact on human history, the evolution of life on Earth, even global climate. Science writer Carl Zimmer discusses his new book "A Planet of Viruses." 00:59:58 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,viruses,carl zimmer,biology,virology,disease no no Brooke Gladstone has been keeping tabs on the news media for the past decade and a half, first as NPR's media correspondent and then with On the Media, the nationally distrubuted radio show she co-hosts with the redoubtable Bob Garfield. Her new illustrated history, The Influencing Machine, traces the rise (and failings) of modern journalism. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Gladstone-May-2011 Sun, 29 May 2011 13:00:00 -0800 Brooke Gladstone on the news media: past, present and future. Brooke Gladstone has been keeping tabs on the news media for the past decade and a half, first as NPR's media correspondent and then with On the Media, the nationally distrubuted radio show she co-hosts with the redoubtable Bob Garfield. Her new illustrated history, The Influencing Machine, traces the rise (and failings) of modern journalism. 00:59:31 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,brooke gladstone,influencing machine,journalism,on the media,news media no no A musical journey to North Africa with Fattah Abbou and Mohamed Aoualou of the band Aza. The versatile singer/instrumentalists are from Morocco and play a variety of styles, with special emphasis on their own Imazighen (Berber) roots. They visited our studio to perform some lovely tunes and talk about their music and culture. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Aza-May-2011 Sun, 22 May 2011 13:00:00 -0800 Imazighen Music of North Africa A musical journey to North Africa with Fattah Abbou and Mohamed Aoualou of the band Aza. The versatile singer/instrumentalists are from Morocco and play a variety of styles, with special emphasis on their own Imazighen (Berber) roots. They visited our studio to perform some lovely tunes and talk about their music and culture. 01:13:58 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,Berbers,Morocco,Aza,Fattah Abou,Mohammed Aoualou,Ganawa no no The celebrated "sound sculptor" Trimpin has long been haunted by the story of the Gurs prison camp in southern France, where thousands of Jews were held during World War II. Now he's commemorating this little-known chapter of the Holocaust with a major new multimedia performance. We discussed the Gurs Cycle with Trimpin, director Rinde Eckert, Gurs survivor Manfred Wildman, and Victor Rosenberg, whose family letters are used in the performance. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Trimpin-May-2011 Sun, 15 May 2011 13:00:00 -0800 The sound artist Trimpin and his audiovisual Holocaust memorial "The Gurs Cycle" The celebrated "sound sculptor" Trimpin has long been haunted by the story of the Gurs prison camp in southern France, where thousands of Jews were held during World War II. Now he's commemorating this little-known chapter of the Holocaust with a major new multimedia performance. We discussed the Gurs Cycle with Trimpin, director Rinde Eckert, Gurs survivor Manfred Wildman, and Victor Rosenberg, whose family letters are used in the performance. 00:59:32 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie, trimpin, Holocaust, Gurs, Rinde Eckert no no The late philosopher, anthropologist and environmentalist Gregory Bateson wanted to change the way we think, attending less to things in themselves and more to the connections between them. We hear from his daughter Nora Bateson, whose new documentary "An Ecology of Mind" offers her perspective on her father’s work. Then, how stories and characters get in the heads of authors and actors. We're joined by Rivera Sun Cook, who plays all 30 roles in her new dramatic trilogy, "A Star Called Love." http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Bateson-May-2011 Sun, 08 May 2011 13:00:00 -0800 Nora Bateson discusses her philosopher father, Gregory Bateson. The late philosopher, anthropologist and environmentalist Gregory Bateson wanted to change the way we think, attending less to things in themselves and more to the connections between them. We hear to his daughter Nora Bateson, whose new documentary "An Ecology of Mind" offers her perspective on her father’s work. Then, how stories and characters get in the heads of authors and actors. We're joined by Rivera Sun Cook, who plays all 30 roles in her new dramatic trilogy, "A Star Called Love." 00:54:29 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie, gregory bateson, rivera sun cook, ecology of mind, nora bateson, acting no no Thirty years ago, human happiness seemed like a pretty unserious subject for scientific study. These days positive psychology, as happiness research is known, is de rigeur. Oscar-nominated filmmaker Roko Belic ("Genghis Blues") explores the science of contentment in his latest doc, "Happy." Belic traveled to five continents, talking to researchers, comparing the state of satisfaction in various countries and finding some very jolly people. Does happiness depend on our material conditions? Just how much control do we have over our own sense of well-being? And whence the intellectual prejudice that happiness lacks gravitas? http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Belic-May-2011 Sun, 01 May 2011 13:00:00 -0800 Filmmaker Roko Belic on his new documentary "Happy" Thirty years ago, human happiness seemed like a pretty unserious subject for scientific study. These days positive psychology, as happiness research is known, is de rigeur. Oscar-nominated filmmaker Roko Belic ("Genghis Blues") explores the science of contentment in his latest doc, "Happy." Belic traveled to five continents, talking to researchers, comparing the state of satisfaction in various countries and finding some very jolly people. Does happiness depend on our material conditions? Just how much control do we have over our own sense of well-being? And whence the intellectual prejudice that happiness lacks gravitas? 00:56:55 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie, rook belic, happy, positive psychology, documentary film no no Documentary filmmaker David Hoffman lost nearly everything he owned—-including his huge film and art archive—-in the fire that destroyed his home in 2008. But he was determined to salvage something from the ashes. A new documentary, Everything Which is… Yes, shows what he lost and what he found. I spoke to David Hoffman and the film’s director, John Vincent Barrett. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Hoffman-Apr-2011 Sun, 24 Apr 2011 13:00:00 -0800 Filmmakers David Hoffman and John Barrett discuss the new documentary "Everything Which is Yes" Documentary filmmaker David Hoffman lost nearly everything he owned—including his huge film and art archive—in the fire that destroyed his home in 2008. But he was determined to salvage something from the ashes. A new documentary, Everything Which is… Yes, shows what he lost and what he found. I spoke to David Hoffman and the film’s director, John Vincent Barrett. 01:01:39 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie, david hoffman, john vincent barrette, documentary film, everything which is yes no no Ordinary matter is so 20th century. In recent decades, scientists have found that the vast bulk of the universe (95-96 percent) consists of some as-yet-unidentified thingums known as "dark matter" and "dark energy." Astrophysicist Rocky Kolb explains what we know and don't know about these mystery ingredients. Then science writer Richard Panek describes the sometimes bumpy road to their discovery. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Kolb-Apr-2011 Sun, 17 Apr 2011 13:00:00 -0800 Astrophysycist Rocky Kolb and science writer Richard Panek discuss dark matter and dark energy. Ordinary matter is so 20th century. In recent decades, scientists have found that the vast bulk of the universe (95-96 percent) consists of some as-yet-unidentified thingums known as "dark matter" and "dark energy." Astrophysicist Rocky Kolb explains what we know and don't know about these mystery ingredients. Then science writer Richard Panek describes the sometimes bumpy road to their discovery. 00:59:02 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie, rocky kolb, astrophysics, richard panic, dark matter, dark energy no no While criminal rehabilitation seems to have fallen out of favor in much of America’s penal system, San Francisco’s Resolve to Stop the Violence Project (RSVP) is bucking the trend. RSVP aims to reform violent felons in SF’s county jails, and the program appears to be working. In this broadcast, originally from 2009, we spoke to RSVP founder Sunny Schwartz (author of "Dreams from the Monster Factory") and to Ramon Garcia, who participated in the program, first as an inmate and later as a teacher. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Schwartz-Apr-2011 Sun, 10 Apr 2011 13:00:00 -0800 Criminal justice worker Sunny Schwartz discusses an innovative violence prevention program in the San Francisco Jails While criminal rehabilitation seems to have fallen out of favor in much of America’s penal system, San Francisco’s Resolve to Stop the Violence Project (RSVP) is bucking the trend. RSVP aims to reform violent felons in SF’s county jails, and the program appears to be working. In this broadcast, originally from 2009, we spoke to RSVP founder Sunny Schwartz (author of "Dreams from the Monster Factory") and to Ramon Garcia, who participated in the program, first as an inmate and later as a teacher. 00:57:30 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie, resolve to stop the violence,criminal justice,sunny schwartz,prisons no no Lieutenant Colonel Jason Armagost of the US Air Force fired some of the opening shots of the Iraq War as he piloted a B2 bomber over Baghdad. He's also a writer and serious reader, who carried a small library of classic fiction, essays and poetry with him on that flight. He talks with us about his experiences, about his role in the war and how literature helps him make sense of it all. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Armagost-Apr-2011 Sun, 03 Apr 2011 13:00:00 -0800 Combat pilot Jason Armagost on war, peace and literature Lieutenant Colonel Jason Armagost of the US Air Force fired some of the opening shots of the Iraq War as he piloted a B2 bomber over Baghdad. He's also a writer and serious reader, who carried a small library of classic fiction, essays and poetry with him on that flight. He talks with us about his experiences, about his role in the war and how literature helps him make sense of it all. 00:52:56 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie, jason armagost, air combat, Iraq War, military, bombers no no How life may have begun on Earth, with a little help from outer space. I talk to biochemist and astrobiologist Dave Deamer about the hypothetical origins of life. Also, attempts to conjure life in the lab, and music from DNA. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Deamer-Mar-2011 Sun, 27 Mar 2011 13:00:00 -0800 Biochemist Dave Deamer on the origins of life. How life may have begun on Earth, with a little help from outer space. I talk to biochemist and astrobiologist Dave Deamer about the hypothetical origins of life. Also, attempts to conjure life in the lab, and music from DNA. 01:00:55 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie, David Deamer, origins of life, astrobiology, biochemistry no no The writer Carolyn Burke joins us to pay tribute to France's quintessential songstress. Carolyn's new biography "No Regrets: The Life of of Edith Piaf," sheds new light on both the artist and her art. Carolyn and I discussed Piaf while listening to some classic recordings. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Burke-Mar-2011 Sun, 20 Mar 2011 13:00:00 -0800 Biographer Carolyn Burke on the life, legend and music of French chanteuse Edith Piaf. The writer Carolyn Burke joins us to pay tribute to France's quintessential songstress. Carolyn's new biography "No Regrets: The Life of of Edith Piaf," sheds new light on both the artist and her art. Carolyn and I discussed Piaf while listening to some classic recordings. 01:06:04 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie, carolyn burke, edith piaf, french music, france no no Jasmin Darznik emigrated to the US from Iran when she was three and grew up knowing little about her Iranian family history. After her father's death, her mother began to tell her story. She dictated a series of cassette tapes for Jasmin, illuminating her own extraordinary life and the lives of many Iranian women over the last half-century. We discuss Jasmin's book "The Good Daughter: A Memoir of My Mother's Hidden Life." http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Darznik-Mar-2011 Sun, 13 Mar 2011 13:00:00 -0800 Writer Jasmin Darznik's new book "The Good Daughter" tells the story of three generations of Iranian and Iranian-American women. Jasmin Darznik emigrated to the US from Iran when she was three and grew up knowing little about her Iranian family history. After her father's death, her mother began to story. She dictated a series of cassette tapes for Jasmin, illuminating her own extraordinary life and the lives of many Iranian women over the last half-century. We discuss Jasmin's book "The Good Daughter: A Memoir of My Mother's Hidden Life." 00:55:00 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie, jasmine darznik, iran, the good daughter, women's studies no no Cosmologist Anthony Aguirre discusses the new, more complicated view of the universe described by the latest theories. The universe may be bigger, older and far stranger than previously thought. We discuss multiverses, eternal inflation, space-time wormholes and more. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Aguirre-Feb-2011 Sun, 27 Feb 2011 13:00:00 -0800 Eternal inflation, multiple universes and more: theoretical physicist Anthony Aguirre discusses the new cosmology. Cosmologist Anthony Aguirre discusses the new, more complicated view of the universe described by the latest theories. The universe may be bigger, older and far stranger than previously thought. We discuss multiverses, eternal inflation, space-time wormholes and more. 01:05:27 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie, cosmology, cosmic inflation, big bang, universe, multiverse no no Luis Valdez--famed playwright and founder of El Teatro Campesino--and his son Kinan discuss Luis's play Mummifed Deer, being directed by Kinan at UC Santa Cruz. We talk about family secrets, forgotten wars, the perils of identity and the theater of "rascuachismo." http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Valdez-Feb-2011 Sun, 20 Feb 2011 13:00:00 -0800 Kinan and Luis Valdez of El Teatro Campesino Luis Valdez--famed playwright and founder of El Teatro Campesino--and his son Kinan discuss Luis's play Mummifed Deer, being directed by Kinan at UC Santa Cruz. We talk about family secrets, forgotten wars, the perils of identity and the theater of "rascuachismo." 00:57:53 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie, Luis Valdez, Kinan Valdez,El Teatro Campesino, Chicano theater,mummified deer no no We explore the changing sound of radio documentaries (and changing ideas of realism)--from the work of Norman Corwin in the 1940s to This American Life and Radiolab today--with John Biewen of Duke University's Center for Documentary Studies. He's the editor of "Reality Radio: Telling True Stories in Sound," a book of essays by great radio producers. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Biewen-Feb-2011 Sun, 13 Feb 2011 13:00:00 -0800 Radio producer John Biewen discusses the evolution of the radio documentary We explore the changing sound of radio documentaries (and changing ideas of realism)--from the work of Norman Corwin in the 1940s to This American Life and Radiolab today--with John Biewen of Duke University's Center for Documentary Studies. He's the editor of "Reality Radio: Telling True Stories in Sound," a book of essays by great radio producers. 01:03:31 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie, John Biewen, radio production, documentaries, ira glass, jad abumrad no no Kumail Nanjiani’s stand-up performances and one-man show (“Unpronounceable”) have earned him great reviews and a growing fan base. Pretty impressive, considering he took up comedy fairly recently, after immigrating to the US from Pakistan at 18. We talk about life and laughs in Pakistan and America, pushing back against South Asian stereotypes,learning American English from the movies, his creative work ethic (he tries to write new material every day) and more. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Nanjiani-Feb-2011 Sun, 06 Feb 2011 13:00:00 -0800 Life and laughs in Pakistan and America: comedian Kumail Nanjiani Kumail Nanjiani’s stand-up performances and one-man show (“Unpronounceable”) have earned him great reviews and a growing fan base. Pretty impressive, considering he took up comedy fairly recently, after immigrating to the US from Pakistan at 18. We talk about life and laughs in Pakistan and America, pushing back against South Asian stereotypes,learning American English from the movies, his creative work ethic (he tries to write new material every day) and more. 00:56:47 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie, Kumail Nanjiani, Pakistan, comedy no no Marc Maron's hilarious, raw and often revelatory heart-to-hearts with fellow comedians such as Louie C.K., Carlos Mencia, Robin Williams, Janeane Garofalo, Sarah Silverman and many others have made WTF one of the most listened-to podcasts on the web. In this interview Marc talks about the impact of WTF on his life, his sometimes uneasy relationships with other comics, his on-mic persona and the differences between conventional radio and the faster, looser world of podcasting. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Maron-Jan-2011 Sun, 30 Jan 2011 13:00:00 -0800 Interview with comedian Marc Maron about his WTF podcast Marc Maron's hilarious, raw and often revelatory heart-to-hearts with fellow comedians such as Louie C.K., Carlos Mencia, Robin Williams, Janeane Garofalo, Sarah Silverman and many others have made WTF one of the most listened-to podcasts on the web. In this interview Marc talks about the impact of WTF on his life, his sometimes uneasy relationships with other comics, his on-mic persona and the differences between conventional radio and the faster, looser world of podcasting. 00:56:30 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie, macro maron, wtf, what the fuck, comedy, podcasting no no They play, they sing and make lovely, original and uncategorizable music. The four women of the Real Vocal String Quartet combine classical backgrounds with influences from across the musical spectrum: pop, folk, jazz and international… In the first part of the program, RVSQ founder and violinist Irene Sazer and violist Dina Maccabee discuss the ensemble’s distinctive sound and special chemistry as we listen to tracks from their recent CD. Then, Irene and Dina are joined by the group’s other half, violinist Alisa Rose and cellist Jessica Ivry, to perform some new pieces they’re working on. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie RVSQ-Jan-2011 Sun, 23 Jan 2011 13:00:00 -0800 Conversation and live performance with the members of the Real Vocal String Quartet They play, they sing and make lovely, original and uncategorizable music. The four women of the Real Vocal String Quartet combine classical backgrounds with influences from across the musical spectrum: pop, folk, jazz and international… In the first part of the program, RVSQ founder and violinist Irene Sazer and violist Dina Maccabee discuss the ensemble’s distinctive sound and special chemistry as we listen to tracks from their recent CD. Then, Irene and Dina are joined by the group’s other half, violinist Alisa Rose and cellist Jessica Ivry, to perform some new pieces they’re working on. 01:10:32 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie, music, real vocal string quartet, irene sazer no no Comedian and humor honcho Paul Provenza returns to the 7th Avenue Project to discuss the state of his art and his new Showtime series "The Green Room." It's a comedy round table in which comics mix it up in no-holds-barred conversation (and occasional head-butting). http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Provenza-Jan-2011 Sun, 02 Jan 2011 13:00:00 -0800 Comedian and humor maven Paul Provenza discusses the state of comedy and his new Showtime series "The Green Room." Comedian and humor honcho Paul Provenza returns to the 7th Avenue Project to discuss the state of his art and his new Showtime series "The Green Room." It's a comedy round table in which comics mix it up in no-holds-barred conversation (and occasional head-butting). 00:57:59 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie, paul provenza, the green room, comedy no no A rebroadcast of a show we recorded at Christmastime a year ago, about a writing program for incarcerated youths called "The Beat Within." We talked to kids in Santa Cruz Juvenile Hall who participate in the program, and to Beat Within workshop leaders Jill Wolfson and Dennis Morton. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Juvenile-Dec-2010 Sun, 26 Dec 2010 13:00:00 -0800 The Beat Within: voices and writing from juvenile hall. Featuring incarcerated youths and workshop leaders Dennis Morton and Jill Wolfson A rebroadcast of a show we recorded at Christmastime a year ago, about a writing program for incarcerated youths called "The Beat Within." We talked to kids in Santa Cruz Juvenile Hall who participate in the program, and to Beat Within workshop leaders Jill Wolfson and Dennis Morton. 01:00:26 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,beat within,juvenile hall,dennis morton,jill wolfson,juvenile justice no no Comedian and author Amy Sedaris stopped by to show off her latest book of demented domesticity, "Simple Times: Crafts for Poor People." Plus an excerpt from our Christmas 2005 interview with filmmaker John Waters. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Sedaris-Dec-2010 Sun, 19 Dec 2010 14:31:19 -0800 The Frozen Zoo and the Genome 10K Project Comedian and author Amy Sedaris stopped by to show off her latest book of demented domesticity, "Simple Times: Crafts for Poor People." Plus an excerpt from our Christmas 2005 interview with filmmaker John Waters. 00:55:04 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie, kusp, amy sedaris, crafts,simple times no no Cal Tech theoretical physicist and Cosmic Variance blogger Sean Carroll considers various ideas of time, including Newton’s, Einstein’s and Sean’s own pet theory (think bubbles and baby universes). We also talk a lot about entropy—the basis of time’s arrow, Sean explains—and perforce about eggs. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Carrol-Dec-2010 Sun, 12 Dec 2010 14:31:19 -0800 The Frozen Zoo and the Genome 10K Project Cal Tech theoretical physicist and Cosmic Variance blogger Sean Carroll considers various ideas of time, including Newton’s, Einstein’s and Sean’s own pet theory (think bubbles and baby universes). We also talk a lot about entropy—the basis of time’s arrow, Sean explains—and perforce about eggs. 01:07:52 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie, kusp, sean carroll, physics, time, entropy no no San Diego’s “Frozen Zoo” is one of the world’s largest collections of living animal tissue, collected from hundreds of species for research, conservation and even cloning. We talked to geneticist Oliver Ryder, one of the scientists who manage the Frozen Zoo. Also, a conversation with David Haussler, coordinator of the Genome 10K Project, which is using samples from the Frozen Zoo and other sources to map the genomes of 10,000 species. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Zoo-Dec-2010 Sun, 05 Dec 2010 14:31:19 -0800 The Frozen Zoo and the Genome 10K Project San Diego’s “Frozen Zoo” is one of the world’s largest collections of living animal tissue, collected from hundreds of species for research, conservation and even cloning. We talked to geneticist Oliver Ryder, one of the scientists who manage the Frozen Zoo. Also, a conversation with David Haussler, coordinator of the Genome 10K Project, which is using samples from the Frozen Zoo and other sources to map the genomes of 10,000 species. 00:54:22 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie, kusp, san diego zoo, oliver ryder, genome 10K, haussler no no Historian and cultural critic Todd Gitlin examines the special relationship between the U.S. and Israel and says it’s not just political; it’s providential. The two countries have been shaped by a shared sense of heavenly purpose, a belief that God is on their side. We discuss his new book "The Chosen Peoples: America, Israel and the Ordeals of Divine Election," co-written by Liel Leibovitz. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Gitlin-Nov-2010 Sun, 28 Nov 2010 14:31:19 -0800 Todd Gitlin on the Idea of Chosenness in Israel and America Historian and cultural critic Todd Gitlin examines the special relationship between the U.S. and Israel and says it’s not just political; it’s providential. The two countries have been shaped by a shared sense of heavenly purpose, a belief that God is on their side. We discuss his new book "The Chosen Peoples: America, Israel and the Ordeals of Divine Election," co-written by Liel Leibovitz. 01:07:50 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie, kusp, israel, gitlin, international relations, chosen peoples no no Linguist Guy Deutscher discusses the restless, ever-shifting nature of human languages. Have languages gotten more complex or simpler over the centuries? Does improper usage threaten the integrity of language? How do grammatical systems arise? How much of our linguistic mastery is innate, and how much is acquired through experience? http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Deutscher-Nov-2010 Sun, 21 Nov 2010 14:31:19 -0800 Linguist Guy Deutscher on the Evolution of Language Linguist Guy Deutscher discusses the restless, ever-shifting nature of human languages. Have languages gotten more complex or simpler over the centuries? Does improper usage threaten the integrity of language? How do grammatical systems arise? How much of our linguistic mastery is innate, and how much is acquired through experience? 00:52:50 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie, kusp, linguistics, guy deutscher, language, grammar no no Our adventures in subatomic wonderland with particle physicist Bruce Schumm continue. We’ll pick up where we left off last week, searching for underlying order—maybe even simplicity—amidst all the quantum complexity. We’ll learn about the Feynman rules, symmetry and gauge theory, as well as gaps in the Standard Model of particle physics, the search for missing pieces (like the Higgs field) and the possibility of grand unification (a “theory of everything”). http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Schumm2-Nov-2010 Sun, 14 Nov 2010 14:31:19 -0800 Introduction to Particle Physics, Pt. 2 Our adventures in subatomic wonderland with particle physicist Bruce Schumm continue. We’ll pick up where we left off last week, searching for underlying order—maybe even simplicity—amidst all the quantum complexity. We’ll learn about the Feynman rules, symmetry and gauge theory, as well as gaps in the Standard Model of particle physics, the search for missing pieces (like the Higgs field) and the possibility of grand unification (a “theory of everything”). 01:01:32 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie, kusp, particle physics, schumm,standard model, gauge theory no no We get a tour of the subatomic realm from particle physicist Bruce Schumm, the author of "Deep Down Things: The Breathtaking Beauty of Particle Physics." We’ll focus on the Standard Model of particle physics, which encompasses most of what scientists know about the universe at small scales. In this first of a two-part series, we’ll learn about some of the basic ingredients of the model, including particles, fields and forces. Coming up in part two, the deeper organizing principles (gauge theory and symmetry), holes in the Standard Model and next steps. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Schumm1-Nov-2010 Sun, 07 Nov 2010 14:31:19 -0800 Introduction to Particle Physics, Pt. 1 We get a tour of the subatomic realm from particle physicist Bruce Schumm, the author of "Deep Down Things: The Breathtaking Beauty of Particle Physics." We’ll focus on the Standard Model of particle physics, which encompasses most of what scientists know about the universe at small scales. In this first of a two-part series, we’ll learn about some of the basic ingredients of the model, including particles, fields and forces. Coming up in part two, the deeper organizing principles (gauge theory and symmetry), holes in the Standard Model and next steps. 00:59:34 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie, kusp, particle physics, schumm,standard model no no NPR recently fired news analyst Juan Williams after his controversial comments about Muslims on Fox News’ O’ Reilly Factor. We examine journalistic ethics in light of the Williams affair, asking whether news organizations need to better enforce the traditional separation of reporting and opinionating, or if it’s time to lighten up. Guests include Alicia Shepard, NPR ombudsman; Kevin Smith, ethics chair of the Society of Professional Journalists; Tom Goldstein, professor of journalism at U.C. Berkeley; James Rainey, On the Media columnist for the Los Angeles Times; and Judy Muller of USC’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Ethics-Oct-2010 Sun, 31 Oct 2010 14:31:19 -0800 Journalistic Ethics and the Juan Williams Affair NPR recently fired news analyst Juan Williams after his controversial comments about Muslims on Fox News’ O’ Reilly Factor. We examine journalistic ethics in light of the Williams affair, asking whether news organizations need to better enforce the traditional separation of reporting and opinionating, or if it’s time to lighten up. Guests include Alicia Shepard, NPR ombudsman; Kevin Smith, ethics chair of the Society of Professional Journalists; Tom Goldstein, professor of journalism at U.C. Berkeley; James Rainey, On the Media columnist for the Los Angeles Times; and Judy Muller of USC’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. 01:14:32 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie, kusp, journalism,ethics,juan williams,npr no no The best-selling author of "This is Your Brain on Music" returns to our show. Neuroscientist, musician and record producer Dan Levitin discusses his most recent book, "The World in Six Songs: How the Musical Brain Created Human Nature." Levitin contends that music played a key role in human evolution. (Interview originally broadcast in 2008.) http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Levitin-Oct-2010 Sun, 24 Oct 2010 14:31:19 -0800 Dan Levitin: Musicality and Evolution The best-selling author of This is Your Brain on Music returns to our show. Neuroscientist, musician and record producer Dan Levitin discusses his most recent book, "The World in Six Songs: How the Musical Brain Created Human Nature." Levitin contends that music played a key role in human evolution. (Interview originally boradcast in 2008.) 00:58:15 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie, kusp, dan levitin, the world in six songs, neuroscience no no The Poetic Justice Project is a theater company for the formerly incarcerated, presenting stories of prison and jail by people who’ve been there. Members of the project discuss their lives behind bars and after parole, the impact of prison art programs and their performances in a new musical drama, "Off the Hook," that’s been touring California. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Poetic-Oct-2010 Sun, 17 Oct 2010 14:31:19 -0800 The Poetic Justice Project The Poetic Justice Project is a theater company for the formerly incarcerated, presenting stories of prison and jail by people who’ve been there. Members of the project discuss their lives behind bars and after parole, the impact of prison art programs and their performances in a new musical drama, Off the Hook, that’s been touring California. 00:58:59 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie, kusp, prison, drama, poetic justice, criminal justice no no The ever-trenchant social critic Laura Kipnis schools us on scandal and explains what public humiliations, meltdowns and flameouts tell us about their participants and the rest of us. Laura's new book is "How to Become a Scandal: Adventures in Bad Behavior." http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Kipnis-Oct-2010 Sun, 10 Oct 2010 14:31:19 -0800 Laura Kipnis on Scandal Theory The ever-trenchant social critic Laura Kipnis schools us on scandal and explains what public humiliations, meltdowns and flameouts tell us about their participants and the rest of us. Laura's new book is "How to Become a Scandal: Adventures in Bad Behavior." 01:01:12 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie, kusp, laura kipnis, scandal no no As the legendary Firesign Theatre comedy troupe prepared for a reunion tour, two of its members, Phil Austin and Phil Proctor, talked about their upcoming performances, their classic recordings, their methods and madness. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Firesign-Oct-2010 Sun, 03 Oct 2010 14:31:19 -0800 Phil Austin and Phil Proctor of the Firesign Theatre As the legendary Firesign Theatre comedy troupe prepared for a reunion tour, two of its members, Phil Austin and Phil Proctor, talked about their upcoming performances, their classic recordings, their methods and madness. 00:49:00 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie, kusp, Firesign Theatre,Phil Proctor, Phil Austin no no Co-host of NPR’s "All Things Considered" Michele Norris contemplates America’s racial past by way of family history in her new memoir "The Grace of Silence." In this interview she reflects on the things her parents did and didn’t tell her about their lives as African Americans, the importance of oral history and her feelings about her own work as a radio journalist. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Norris-Oct-2010 Sun, 03 Oct 2010 14:31:19 -0800 NPR's Michele Norris on "The Grace of Silence" Co-host of NPR’s "All Things Considered" Michele Norris contemplates America’s racial past by way of family history in her new memoir The Grace of Silence. In this interview she reflects on the things her parents did and didn’t tell her about their lives as African Americans, the importance of oral history and her feelings about her own work as a radio journalist. 00:42:16 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie, kusp, michele norms,grace of silence,race,npr no no Scientific studies that highlight the nicer side of humans and our primate relatives: In part one of the show, developmental psychologist Felix Warneken looks for and finds evidence of instinctive altruism in young humans and chimps. In part two, neurobiologist Robert Sapolsky discovers that even baboons--long believed to be incorrigibly violent--can change their ways and get along. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Warneken-Sept-2010 Sun, 26 Sep 2010 14:31:19 -0800 Pyschologist Felix Warneken on Altruism in Children and Chimps; Robert Sapolsky on Peaceful Baboons Scientific studies that highlight the nicer side of humans and our primate relatives: In part one of the show, developmental psychologist Felix Warneken looks for and finds evidence of instinctive altruism in young humans and chimps. In part two, neurobiologist Robert Sapolsky discovers that even baboons--long believed to be incorrigibly violent--can change their ways and make nice. 01:01:47 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie, kusp, Robert Sapolsky,baboons,felix warneken,human nature no no Pianist Mark Levine jumped into Latin Jazz almost by accident 40 years ago. It became a lifelong pursuit, and Mark became a leading proponent of the music. He talks about his beginnings in the genre, his continued apprenticeship, his Latin Grammy-nominated tribute to Brazilian composer Moacir Santos and his performance at the 2010 Monterey Jazz Festival. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Levine-Sept-2010 Sun, 19 Sep 2010 14:31:19 -0800 Pianist Mark Levine discusses his career in Latin Jazz Pianist Mark Levine jumped into Latin Jazz almost by accident 40 years ago. It became a lifelong pursuit, and Mark became a leading proponent of the music. He talks about his beginnings in the genre, his continued apprenticeship, his Latin Grammy-nominated tribute to Brazilian composer Moacir Santos and his performance at the 2010 Monterey Jazz Festival. 00:32:51 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie, kusp, mark levine, latin jazz,jazz piano,monterey jazz festival,Monterey Jazz Festival no no Saxophonist/composer Rudresh Mahanthappa has been lighting up the jazz scene with his blend of western and Indian musical influences. Mahanthappa aims for, and achieves, a sound that's both seriously cerebral and seriously swinging, both technical and tuneful. He talks about the identity crisis that led to his discovery of Indian music, his musical self-education and his upcoming performance at the Monterey Jazz Festival. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Mahanthappa-Sept-2010 Sun, 12 Sep 2010 14:31:19 -0800 The music and career of jazz saxophonist Rudresh Mahanthappa Saxophonist/composer Rudresh Mahanthappa has been lighting up the jazz scene with his blend of western and Indian musical influences. Mahanthappa aims for, and achieves, a sound that's both seriously cerebral and seriously swinging, both technical and tuneful. He talks about the identity crisis that led to his discovery of Indian music, his musical self-education and his upcoming performance at the Monterey Jazz Festival. 00:58:41 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie, kusp, rudresh mahanthappa, jazz,indian music,kadri gopalnath,monterey jazz festival no no It's not all in your head. Philosopher Alva Noe says neuroscientists are looking for consciousness in all the wrong places: it's not in our brains after all. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Thinking-Outside-the-Brain-Sept-2010 Sun, 05 Sep 2010 14:31:19 -0800 Philosopher Alva Noë on consciousness. It's not all in your head. Philosopher Alva Noe says neuroscientists are looking for consciousness in all the wrong places: it's not in our brains after all. 01:02:57 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie, kusp, alva noe, consciousness no no Three people whose faces were altered by illness or injury talk about self-image, the meaning of beauty, and the realities of reconstructive surgery. David Roche is an inspirational speaker and humorist. Gina Butchin works to raise awareness of facial difference. Louise Ashby is an actress and writer. Originally broadcast Oct. 2009 http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Faces-Aug-2010 Sun, 29 Aug 2010 18:05:00 -0800 Looking different: Three stories of facial disfigurement and reconstructive surgery. Three people whose faces were altered by illness or injury talk about self-image, the meaning of beauty, and the realities of reconstructive surgery. David Roche is an inspirational speaker and humorist. Gina Butchin works to raise awareness of facial difference. Louise Ashby is an actress and writer. Originally broadcast Oct. 2009 01:11:39 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,David Roche, facial difference, disfigurement, reconstructive surgery, plastic surgery,Louise AshbyLee no no For two decades, environmental activist John Francis travelled America on foot while keeping a vow of silence. Along the way, he got to know a side of himself and this country that few experience. Originally broadcast Aug 2009. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie John-Francis-Aug-2010 Sun, 22 Aug 2010 15:20:00 -0800 Environmentalist John Francis describes his two-decade pilgrimage on foot and in silence across the US. For two decades, environmental activist John Francis travelled America on foot while keeping a vow of silence. Along the way, he got to know a side of himself and this country that few experience. Originally broadcast Aug 2009. 01:01:30 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,John Francis,pilgrimage,planetwalk, planetwalker no no John Flansburgh of They Might Be Giants discusses the delights and challenges of writing science songs for kids, as we listen to TMBG's new CD/DVD "Here Comes Science. And Michael Hearst of the band One Ring Zero talks about their new CD "Planets," which offers a fanciful tour of the solar system. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie TMBG-Aug-2010 Sun, 15 Aug 2010 17:45:00 -0800 John Flansburgh of They Might Be Giants on their new CD "Here Comes Science." Michael Hearst of One Ring Zero on their latest album "Planets." John Flansburgh of They Might Be Giants discusses the delights and challenges of writing science songs for kids, as we listen to TMBG's new CD/DVD "Here Comes Science. And Michael Hearst of the band One Ring Zero talks about their new CD "Planets," which offers a fanciful tour of the solar system. 01:07:45 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie, They Might Be Giants,One Ring Zero,John Flansburgh,Michael Hearst,Here Comes Science,Planets no no We talk to members of two ensembles who’ve helped change the sound of classical music. Violinist David Harrington is the founder of the Kronos Quartet, which has revolutionized the string quartet repertoire. Matt Albert is violinist and violist with Eighth Blackbird, a talented and inventive sextet who’ve further extended the range of classical expression. Both Kronos and eighth blackbird are performing at this year’s Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music. David and Matt joined us to share their passion for music, reflect on their work and talk about their Cabrillo Festival performances. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Harrington-Aug-2010 Sun, 08 Aug 2010 17:45:00 -0800 David Harrington of the Kronos Quartet and Matt Albert of the eighth blackbird sextet discuss their music and performances in the 2010 Cabrillo Festival We talk to members of two ensembles who’ve helped change the sound of “classical” music. Violinist David Harrington is the founder of the Kronos Quartet, which has revolutionized the string quartet repertoire. Matt Albert is violinist and violist with Eighth Blackbird, a talented and inventive sextet who’ve further extended the range of classical expression. Both Kronos and eighth blackbird are performing at this year’s Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music. David and Matt joined us to share their passion for music, reflect on their work and talk about their Cabrillo Festival performances. 01:06:01 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie, Cabrillo Festival, David Harrington, Kronos Quartet, Matt Albert, eighth blackbird no no As the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music begins its 2010 season, we speak to two of this year's featured artists about their upcoming performances. Kevin Puts, best known for his composing, talks about the challenges of performing his own piano concerto "Night" for the first time. In part 2, percussion virtuoso Colin Currie describes his rendition of Jennifer Higdon's "Percussion Concerto." We listened to Colin's Grammy-winning performance of the concerto with the London Philharmonic as we discussed the piece. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Puts-Aug-2010 Sun, 01 Aug 2010 17:45:00 -0800 Composer/pianist Kevin Puts and percussionist Colin Currie discuss their careers and performances in the 2010 Cabrillo Festival As the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music begins its 2010 season, we speak to two of this year's featured artists about their upcoming performances. Kevin Puts, best known for his composing, talks about the challenges of performing his own piano concerto "Night" for the first time. In part 2, percussion virtuoso Colin Currie describes his rendition of Jennifer Higdon's "Percussion Concerto." We listened to Colin's Grammy-winning performance of the concerto with the London Philharmonic as we discussed the piece. 00:55:50 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie, Cabrillo Festival, Kevin Puts, Colin Currie, classical music, percussion concerto, jennifer higdon no no A new HBO documentary film depicts life--and afterlife--in Lily Dale, New York. Founded in 1879, Lily Dale is the "world's largest spiritualist community," home to dozens of mediums and a destination for bereaved people hoping to contact deceased loved ones. "No One Dies in Lily Dale" is a fascinating and poignant look at love, loss and belief. We talk to the director, Steven Cantor, and three people depicted in the film. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Lilydale-July-2010 Sun, 25 Jul 2010 17:45:00 -0800 Filmmaker Steven Cantor discusses his new documentary "No One Dies in Lily Dale." Also, three people depicted in the film discuss their experiences. A new documentary film depicts life--and afterlife--in Lily Dale, New York. Founded in 1879, Lily Dale is the "world's largest spiritualist community," home to dozens of mediums and a destination for bereaved people hoping to contact deceased loved ones. "No One Dies in Lily Dale" is a fascinating and poignant look at love, loss and belief. We talk to the director, Steven Cantor, and three people depicted in the film. 01:09:18 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie, lily dale,steven cantor,spiritualism,psychic phenomena no no In part 1, a 2006 interview with Harvey Pekar, who died this past week on July 12. We talked about his brawling youth, his autobiographical comics American Splendor and The Quitter, the impact of fame, his run-ins with David Letterman and other topics. In part 2, a 2009 interview with Jonathan Ames, discussing his own semi-autobiographical graphic novel The Alcoholic, the movie adaptation of his novel The Extra Man and his HBO comedy series Bored to Death. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Pekar-July-2010 Sun, 18 Jul 2010 17:45:00 -0800 Two writers on rendering their lives in comics, film and fiction. In part 1, a 2006 interview with Harvey Pekar, who died this past week on July 12. We talked about his brawling youth, his autobiographical comics American Splendor and The Quitter, the impact of fame, his run-ins with David Letterman and other topics. In part 2, a 2009 interview with Jonathan Ames, discussing his own semi-autobiographical graphic novel The Alcoholic, the movie adaptation of his novel The Extra Man and his HBO comedy series Bored to Death. 01:06:33 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie, harvey pekar,american splendor,jonathan ames,graphic novels,comics,bored to death no no Historian Rebecca Herzig describes a time in turn-of-the-century America when scientists were expected to lay down life and limb for their profession. Many did, but was it necessary? Then, writer and comedian Sandra Tsing Loh plays up the fun of science, but knows a thing or two about suffering for it, too. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Herzig-July-2010 Sun, 11 Jul 2010 17:45:00 -0800 Historian Rebecca Herzig describes a time in America when scientists gave their lives and limbs for their calling. Historian Rebecca Herzig describes a time in turn-of-the-century America when scientists were expected to lay down life and limb for their profession. Many did, but was it necessary? Then, writer and comedian Sandra Tsing Loh plays up the fun of science, but knows a thing or two about suffering for it, too. 00:60:15 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie, rebecca herzig, sandra tsing loh, sience, history of science, x-rays, radiation no no Two stories for the 4th of July: In part 1, "Lift Every voice and Sing," also known as the black national anthem. We'll hear performances of the song as historian Imani Perry discusses its meaning and importance to the civil rights struggle. In part 2, Frank Kameny recalls the early days of the gay rights movement. Kameny, now 85, led some of the first public demonstrations for gay equality, picketing the White House and staging 4th of July protests in the mid-1960s. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Kameny-July-2010 Sun, 04 Jul 2010 17:45:00 -0800 "Lift Every Voice and Sing": the story of an anthem; gay rights pioneer Frank Kameny. Two stories for the 4th of July: In part 1, "Lift Ev'ry voice and Sing," also known as the black national anthem. We'll hear performances of the song as historian Imani Perry discusses its meaning and importance to the civil rights struggle. In part 2, Frank Kameny recalls the early days of the gay rights movement. Kameny, now 85, led some of the first public demonstrations for gay equality, picketing the White House and staging 4th of July protests in the mid-1960s. 00:57:37 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie, Imani Perry, Frank Kameny, Lift Every Voice and Sing, gay rights, civil rights no no Writer Kathryn Schulz considers what it means to be wrong, how we feel about it and how we deal with it. In her new book “On Being Wrong,” Schulz examines the sources of human error, and says that rather than try to perfect ourselves, we need to embrace our fallibility. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Schulz-June-2010 Sun, 27 Jun 2010 17:45:00 -0800 Writer Kathryn Schulz on mental errors and how we deal with them. Writer Kathryn Schulz considers what it means to be wrong, how we feel about it and how we deal with it. In her new book “On Being Wrong,” Schulz examines the sources of human error, and says that rather than try to perfect ourselves, we need to embrace our fallibility. 00:58:03 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie, Kathryn Schulz, on being wrong, error, psychology, pilosophy no no Composer David Cope discusses his 30-year investigation into the nature of musical creativity. Cope's computer programs generate new musical works in the style of historical composers, as well as original modernist compositions, delighting and/or enraging lovers of classical music. We listen to some of his old and new compositions, and consider what they reveal about art, originality and human intelligence. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Cope-June-2010 Sun, 20 Jun 2010 17:45:00 -0800 Composer and computer programmer discusses his computer-generated musical works Composer David Cope discusses his 30-year investigation into the nature of musical creativity. Cope's computer programs generate new musical works in the style of historical composers, as well as original modernist compositions, delighting and/or enraging lovers of classical music. We listen to some of his old and new compositions, and consider what they reveal about art, originality and human intelligence. 00:58:13 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie, david cope, computer music, artificial intelligence, music composition, classical musie no no Developmental psychologist Paul Bloom explores the nature of human pleasures, from sex and food to art, music and fantasies. He says that what we like depends on what we think, and there may be no such thing as purely physical pleasure. He discusses his new book, "How Pleasure Works: The New Science of Why We Like What We Like." http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Bloom-June-2010 Sun, 13 Jun 2010 17:45:00 -0800 Psychologist Paul Bloom on his book "How Pleasure Works" Developmental psychologist Paul Bloom explores the nature of human pleasures, from sex and food to art, music and fantasies. He says that what we like depends on what we think, and there may be no such thing as purely physical pleasure. He discusses his new book, "How Pleasure Works: The New Science of Why We Like What We Like." 00:54:32 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,paul bloom, how pleasure works, psychology no no Wes Moore was a Rhodes Scholar on his way to a successful career when he learned of another Wes Moore, wanted by police for murder. He discovered surprising parallels in their two lives, despite their divergent paths. Wes Moore discusses his book "The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates" http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Moore-June-2010 Sun, 06 Jun 2010 17:45:00 -0800 Wes Moore on his book "The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates" Wes Moore was a Rhodes Scholar on his way to a successful career when he learned of another Wes Moore, wanted by police for murder. He discovered surprising parallels in their two lives, despite their divergent paths. Wes Moore discusses his book "The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates" 00:54:32 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,wes moore no no Comic and actor Paul Provenza (director of "The Aristocrats") and photographer Dan Dion take a searching look at contemporary comedy in their book "Satiristas," featuring conversations with and photos of many of today's leading satirical artists. Paul and Dan discuss the craft of comedy and the issues confronting contemporary comics. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Satiristas-June-2010 Sun, 30 May 2010 17:45:00 -0800 Comic and actor Paul Provenza and photographer Dan Dion discuss their new book "Satiristas" and the art of comedy. Comic and actor Paul Provenza (director of "The Aristocrats") and photographer Dan Dion take a searching look at contemporary comedy in their book "Satiristas," featuring conversations with and photos of many of today's leading satirical artists. Paul and Dan discuss the craft of comedy and the issues confronting contemporary comics. 01:08:39 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,comedy, satire,paul provenza,dian dion,satiristas no no Yale University psychologist Paul Bloom discusses recent research on infant morality. He says babies may not be saints, but they’ve got a much more developed sense of right and wrong than previously thought. Then, is youth wasted on the young? A large-scale study indicates that people get happier as they age, especially after 50. Psychologist Arthur Stone of Stoney Brook U. describes the findings. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie BabyMorality-May-2010 Sun, 23 May 2010 17:45:00 -0800 Psychologist Paul Bloom on infant morality; psychologist Arthur Stone on happiness and aging. Yale University psychologist Paul Bloom discusses recent research on infant morality. He says babies may not be saints, but they’ve got a much more developed sense of right and wrong than previously thought. Then, is youth wasted on the young? A large-scale study indicates that people get happier as they age, especially after 50. Psychologist Arthur Stone of Stoney Brook U. describes the findings. 00:56:18 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,extinctions,lizards,climate change,global warming,barry sinervo no no A major new study led by UC Santa Cruz biologist Barry Sinervo has discovered that lizards around the world are dying off, and the culprit appears to be global warming. The finding suggests that an era of climate-driven mass extinctions may already have begun, sooner than scientists anticipated. Barry Sinervo and fellow biologists Donald Miles and Raymond Huey discuss the implications for reptiles and the rest of us. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Extinctions-May-2010 Sun, 16 May 2010 17:45:00 -0800 Biologists discuss a new report that says Lizards are disappearing, possible victims of global warming. A major new study led by UC Santa Cruz biologist Barry Sinervo has discovered that lizards around the world are dying off, and the culprit appears to be global warming. The finding suggests that an era of climate-driven mass extinctions may already have begun, sooner than scientists anticipated. Barry Sinervo and fellow biologists Donald Miles and Raymond Huey discuss the implications for reptiles and the rest of us. 00:58:55 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,extinctions,lizards,climate change,global warming,barry sinervo no no For Mother's Day, we rebroadcast a 2009 interview with developmental psychologist Alison Gopnik. She's spent decades studying the minds of infants and young children. Her conclusion: babies are smarter, more aware and more caring than scientists previously realized. Also, inventor Joshua Klein on the surprising intelligence of crows. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Gopnik-Klein-May-2010 Sun, 09 May 2010 17:45:00 -0800 Psychologist Alison Gopnik on the surprisingly advanced thinking of young children; Joshua Klein on the remarkable intelligence of crows. For Mother's Day, we rebroadcast a 2009 interview with developmental psychologist Alison Gopnik. She's spent decades studying the minds of infants and young children. Her conclusion: babies are smarter, more aware and more caring than scientists previously realized. Also, inventor Joshua Klein on the surprising intelligence of crows. 00:58:18 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,Alison Gopnik,Philosophical Baby,Developmental Psychology,Joshua Klein, Crows, Intelligence no no Political scientist Brendan Nyhan studies the impact of facts on political views, and finds that often, reality doesn't matter. Journalist Robert Frank reports on the rich for the Wall Street Journal. He says that despite fears that they'd lose their fortunes during the financial crisis, many of the highly affluent are doing better than ever, and the gap between rich and poor has only grown. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Nyhan-Frank-Apr-2010 Sun, 02 May 2010 13:00:00 -0800 Brendan Nyhan on reality vs political perceptions. Robert Frank on the new wealth gap. Political scientist Brendan Nyhan studies the impact of facts on political views, and finds that often, reality doesn't matter. Journalist Robert Frank reports on the rich for the Wall Street Journal. He says that despite fears that they'd lose their fortunes during the financial crisis, many of the highly affluent are doing better than ever, and the gap between rich and poor has only grown. 01:03:47 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie, brendan Nyhan, robert frank, wealth, politics no no Judith Tannenbaum was a teacher working in San Quentin. Spoon Jackson was an inmate serving a life sentence. We'll hear how they met, discovered a mutual love of poetry and forged a 25-year friendship. That friendship is the subject of their memoir, "By Heart." http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Tannenbaum-Apr-2010 Sun, 25 Apr 2010 13:00:00 -0800 Poets Judith Tannenbaum and Spoon Jackson about thier friendship across prison walls. Judith Tannenbaum was a teacher working in San Quentin. Spoon Jackson was an inmate serving a life sentence. We'll hear how they met, discovered a mutual love of poetry and forged a 25-year friendship. That friendship is the subject of their memoir, "By Heart." 01:07:19 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,judith tannenbaum, spoon jackson, by heart, san quentin, poetry, prison no no Theoretical physicist Leonard Susskind on his long-running disagreement with Stephen Hawking about the nature of black holes, with the very foundations of physics at stake. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Susskind-Apr-2010 Sun, 18 Apr 2010 13:00:00 -0800 Physicist Leonard Susskind describes why black holes matter. Theoretical physicist Leonard Susskind on his long-running disagreement with Stephen Hawking about the nature of black holes, with the very foundations of physics at stake. 00:59:47 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,leonard susskind,stephen hawking,black holes,black hole war no no Anthropologist Hugh Raffles ruminates on human-insect relationships around the world in his new book Insectopedia. Japanese insect boys, Chinese fighting crickets, insect minds, insect music... http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Raffles-Apr-2010 Sun, 11 Apr 2010 13:00:00 -0800 Hugh Raffles explores the man-bug interface Anthropologist Hugh Raffles ruminates on human-insect relationships around the world in his new book Insectopedia. Japanese insect boys, Chinese fighting crickets, insect minds, insect music... 00:57:22 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,insects, insectopedia, Hugh Raffles no no We consider the music and dance that captured the hearts of millions. Guests include tango historians Donald Cohen and Christine Denniston, and members of the Santa Cruz tango community. Show originally broadcast April, 2009. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Tango-Apr-2010 Sun, 04 Apr 2010 13:00:00 -0800 Tango in music and dance. We consider the music and dance that captured the hearts of millions. Guests include tango historians Donald Cohen and Christine Denniston, and members of the Santa Cruz tango community. Show originally broadcast April, 2009. 00:58:15 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,tango,dance,donald cohen,christine denniston no no Writer Gabriel Thompson went undercover to learn first-hand about the tough low-wage jobs done mostly by immigrants in America. He harvested lettuce in Arizona, toiled in a slaughterhouse in Alabama and did low-end restaurant jobs in Manhattan. He describes his year of working strenuously, and what he learned about immigrant labor. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Thompson-Mar-2010 Sun, 28 Mar 2010 13:00:00 -0800 Journalist Gabriel Thompson on his book: "Working in the Shadows: A Year of Doing the Jobs Most American's Won't Do" Writer Gabriel Thompson went undercover to learn first-hand about the tough low-wage jobs done mostly by immigrants in America. He harvested lettuce in Arizona, toiled in a slaughterhouse in Alabama and did low-end restaurant jobs in Manhattan. He describes his year of working strenuously, and what he learned about immigrant labor. 01:00:33 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,gabriel thompson,working in the shadows,immigrant labor,farmworkers,labor unions no no In recent years, physics theory has gotten way ahead of the evidence. Now, researchers are going to extremes to figure out what’s true and what isn’t. They’ve launched a set of hugely ambitious experiments in some of the most forbidding places on Earth, from the South Pole to Himalayan mountaintops. Physics writer Anil Ananthaswamy travelled to these remote laboratories, and he tells us what he saw. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Ananthaswamy-Mar-2010 Sun, 21 Mar 2010 13:00:00 -0800 Science writer Anil Ananthaswamy reports on some of the world's most advanced, and remote, physics labs In recent years, physics theory has gotten way ahead of the evidence. Now, researchers are going to extremes to figure out what’s true and what isn’t. They’ve launched a set of hugely ambitious experiments in some of the most forbidding places on Earth, from the South Pole to Himalayan mountaintops. Physics writer Anil Ananthaswamy travelled to these remote laboratories, and he tells us what he saw. 01:17:57 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,anil ananthaswamy,physics,edge of physics,neutrinos,dark matter, dark energy no no A tune-filled celebration and cerebration with neuroscientist, musician and record producer Daniel Levitin, author of "This is Your Brain on Music." Originally broadcast in 2007. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Levitin-Mar-2010 Sun, 14 Mar 2010 13:00:00 -0800 Cognitive scientist and record producer Daniel Levitin discusses the neuroscience of music. A tune-filled celebration and cerebration with neuroscientist, musician and record producer Daniel Levitin, author of "This is Your Brain on Music." Originally broadcast in 2007. 00:53:32 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,daniel levitin, your brain on music, neuroscience, music no no What Jane Goodall was to chimps, biologist Barry Sinervo is to lizards. He's spent the last 20 years studying lizards in the wild, gaining remarkable insights into the workings of evolution, social behavior and cooperation. He shares his discoveries, along with some very funny lizard stories. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Sinervo-Feb-2010 Sun, 28 Feb 2010 13:00:00 -0800 Evolutionary Biologist Barry Sinervo: Adventures in Lizardland. What Jane Goodall was to chimps, biologist Barry Sinervo is to lizards. He's spent the last 20 years studying lizards in the wild, gaining remarkable insights into the workings of evolution, social behavior and cooperation. He shares his discoveries, along with some very funny lizard stories. 01:01:52 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,barry sinervo,lizards, evolution, game theory no no Noted landscape painter Richard Mayhew discusses his life and work, including his childhood in a mixed African American and Native American community, joining the New York art scene at the height of the abstract expressionist movement, his second career as a jazz singer and helping to organize African-American artists in the 1960s. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Mayhew-Feb-2010 Sun, 21 Feb 2010 13:00:00 -0800 Painter Richard Mayhew discusses his life and work Noted landscape painter Richard Mayhew discusses his life and work, including his childhood in a mixed African American and Native American community, joining the New York art scene at the height of the abstract expressionist movement, his second career as a jazz singer and helping to organize African-American artists in the 1960s. 00:57:59 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,richard Mayhew, african-American art, landscape painting, abstract expressionism no no Terry Castle takes on her own and others' self-deceptions in her latest collection of hilarious, brutally honest essays, "The Professor and Other Writings." Targets include sex, romance and youthful infatuations. She and Robert do their best to burst as many bubbles as possible. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Castle-Feb-2010 Sun, 14 Feb 2010 13:00:00 -0800 writer Terry Castle discusses her latest irreverent and wickedly funny essay collection. Terry Castle takes on her own and others' self-deceptions in her latest collection of hilarious, brutally honest essays, "The Professor and Other Writings." Targets include sex, romance and youthful infatuations. She and Robert do their best to burst as many bubbles as possible. 01:01:43 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,Terry Castle,The Professor,Stanford University,Susan Sontag, Art Pepper,essays no no Fifty years ago, a group of Harvard faculty began experimenting with psychoactive drugs and helped turn on a generation. Robert looks back on a defining cultural moment with Don Lattin, author of "The Harvard Psychedelic Club," and with Harvard alumnus Paul Lee, who took part in the experiments. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Psychedelic-Feb-2010 Sun, 07 Feb 2010 13:00:00 -0800 Ushering in the psychedelic age at Harvard. Fifty years ago, a group of Harvard faculty began experimenting with psychoactive drugs and helped turn on a generation. Robert looks back on a defining cultural moment with Don Lattin, author of "The Harvard Psychedelic Club," and with Harvard alumnus Paul Lee, who took part in the experiments. 01:11:02 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,lsd, harvard psychedilic club, don lattin,timothery leary, ram dass, andrew weil no no Philosopher/Novelist Rebecca Goldstein discusses her latest book, "36 Arguments for the Existence of God: A Work of Fiction." She and Robert consider the case for and against religion. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Goldstein-Jan-2010 Sun, 31 Jan 2010 13:00:00 -0800 Philosopher/novelist Rebecca Goldstein on religion and belief Philosopher/Novelist Rebecca Goldstein discusses her latest book, "36 Arguments for the Existence of God: A Work of Fiction." She and Robert consider the case for and against religion. 01:01:21 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,rebecca goldstein, religion, god, 36 arguments for the existence of god no no In the aftermath of the Port-Au-Prince earthquake, the medical organization Partners in Health has played a key role bringing emergency aid to Haiti. On this edition of the 7th Avenue Project, Robert's 2003 interview with writer Tracy Kidder, discussing Partners in Health, its work in Haiti and its founder, Dr. Paul Farmer. Farmer was the subject of Kidder's best-selling book "Mountains Beyond Mountains." http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Kidder-Jan-2010 Sun, 24 Jan 2010 13:00:00 -0800 Partners In Health Brings Medical Care to Haiti In the aftermath of the Port-Au-Prince earthquake, the medical organization Partners in Health has played a key role bringing emergency aid to Haiti. On this edition of the 7th Avenue Project, Robert's 2003 interview with writer Tracy Kidder, discussing Partners in Health, its work in Haiti and its founder, Dr. Paul Farmer. Farmer was the subject of Kidder's best-selling book "Mountains Beyond Mountains." 00:56:44 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,tracy kidder, paul farmer, haiti,partners in health no no Over the last two decades, Joe Sacco has helped invent a new genre: comic-book journalism. He's reported from Sarajevo during the Bosnian War and from the Palestinian Territories during the two Intifadas. His latest book is "Footnotes in Gaza." In today's show, he talks about his career, his experiences in the Palestinian Territories and the roots of conflict in Gaza. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Sacco-Jan-2010 Sun, 17 Jan 2010 13:00:00 -0800 Cartoonist/war correspondent Joe Sacco talks about his career and his latest book, "Footnotes in Gaza" Over the last two decades, Joe Sacco has helped invent a new genre: comic-book journalism. He's reported from Sarajevo during the Bosnian War and from the Palestinian Territories during the two Intifadas. His latest book is "Footnotes in Gaza." In today's show, he talks about his career, his experiences in the Palestinian Territories and the roots of conflict in Gaza. 01:05:47 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,joe sacco, graphic novels, footnotes in gaza, palestine, israel no no What Mark Twain's writing tells us about him and about America. Twain scholar Forrest Robinson looks behind the mask of America's favorite humorist and finds a troubled conscience, haunted by history. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Twain-Jan-2010 Sun, 10 Jan 2010 13:00:00 -0800 American studies scholar Forrest Robinson examines the truth behind the Mark Twain persona What Mark Twain's writing tells us about him and about America. Twain scholar Forrest Robinson looks behind the mask of America's favorite humorist and finds a troubled conscience, haunted by history. 00:54:26 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,forrest robinson,samuel clemons,mark twain no no "The Beat Within" is a weekly magazine that collects writings by teens in California juvenile halls. Host Robert Pollie talks to kids in Santa Cruz Juvenile Hall who participate in the program, and to Beat Within workshop leaders Jill Wolfson and Dennis Morton. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Juvenile-Jan-2010 Sun, 03 Jan 2010 13:00:00 -0800 The Beat Within: voices and writing from juvenile hall. Featuring incarcerated youths and workshop leaders Dennis Morton and Jill Wolfson "The Beat Within" is a weekly magazine that collects writings by teens in California juvenile halls. Host Robert Pollie talks to kids in Santa Cruz Juvenile Hall who participate in the program, and to Beat Within workshop leaders Jill Wolfson and Dennis Morton. 01:00:26 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,beat within,juvenile hall,dennis morton,jill wolfson,juvenile justice no no In this end-of-the-year musical special, we put 2009 to bed with some exquisite, ethereal lullabies and other songs from the famed Armenian singer Hasmik Harutyunyan and the Kitka women's vocal ensemble. Along with the music, Hasmik and Shira Cion of Kitka discuss the tragic history and haunting music of Armenia with host Robert Pollie. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Lullabyes-Dec-2009 Sun, 27 Dec 2009 13:00:00 -0800 Armenian folksinger Hasmik Harutyunyan and the Kitka women's vocal ensemble sing and discuss traditional Armenian songs. In this end-of-the-year musical special, we put 2009 to bed with some exquisite, ethereal lullabies and other songs from the famed Armenian singer Hasmik Harutyunyan and the Kitka women's vocal ensemble. Along with the music, Hasmik and Shira Cion of Kitka discuss the tragic history and haunting music of Armenia with host Robert Pollie. 01:01:00 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,Armenian music,lullabyes,Kitka,Hasmik Harutyunyan no no Rick Walker spent 12 years in California prisons for a murder he didn't commit. In part 2 of this 2-part series, Walker talks about his life after prison, and film makers Gwen Essegian and Mark Ligon discuss their new documentary about Walker's fight to get restitution for the years he lost. Also, Lola Vollen, director of the Life After Exoneration project, on the plight of exonerees nationwide. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Walker2-Dec-2009 Sun, 20 Dec 2009 13:00:00 -0800 After 12 years wrongly imprisoned, exoneree Rick Walker seeks restitution. Rick Walker spent 12 years in California prisons for a murder he didn't commit. In part 2 of this 2-part series, Walker talks about his life after prison, and film makers Gwen Essegian and Mark Ligon discuss their new documentary about Walker's fight to get restitution for the years he lost. Also, Lola Vollen, director of the Life After Exoneration project, on the plight of exonerees nationwide. 00:56:35 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,rick walker, exonerees,wrongful imprisonment,lola vollen,justice,life after exoneration no no Rick Walker spent 12 years in California prisons for a murder he didn't commit. In part I of this multipart series he talks about his conviction, his years behind bars and his release. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Walker1-Dec-2009 Sun, 13 Dec 2009 13:00:00 -0800 Exoneree Rick walker on his wrongful conviction and 12 years behind bars Rick Walker spent 12 years in California prisons for a murder he didn't commit. In part I of a multipart series he talks about his conviction, his years behind bars and his release. 00:57:26 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,rick walker, exonerees,wrongful imprisonment, alison tucher,justic no no Two interviews from the archives: Tracy Kidder discusses his 2006 memoir, "My Detachment," about the year he spent as a young army lieutenant in Vietnam. Novelist Andrew Sean Greer from 2008, on his most recent work: "The Story of A Marriage." http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Kidder Greer-Dec-2009 Sun, 06 Dec 2009 13:00:00 -0800 Writers Tracy Kidder and Andrew Sean Greer discuss private struggles in a time of war Two interviews from the archives: Tracy Kidder discusses his 2006 memoir, "My Detachment," about the year he spent as a young army lieutenant in Vietnam. Novelist Andrew Sean Greer from 2008, on his most recent work: "The Story of A Marriage." 00:58:31 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,tracy kidder, andrew sean greer,the story of a marriage,my detachment,vietnam war no no The stuff the universe is made of. Nobel Prize-winning physicist Frank Wilczek talks to Robert about the fundamental ingredients of physical reality. Where mass comes from, why empty space isn't, and other marvels of modern physics explained. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Wilczek-Nov-2009 Sun, 29 Nov 2009 13:00:00 -0800 Nobel prizewinning physicist Frank Wilczek on the fabric of the universe. The stuff the universe is made of. Nobel Prize-winning physicist Frank Wilczek talks to Robert about the fundamental ingredients of physical reality. Where mass comes from, why empty space isn't, and other marvels of modern physics explained. 00:58:19 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,frank wilczek,physics,cosmology,quarks,universe no no Building the genome zoo. In the most ambitious effort of its type ever attempted, scientists are hoping to map the genes of 10,000 different animals. Proponents say the "Genome 10K project" will provide vast new insights into the biology, evolution and preservation of species. Robert talks to project coordinator David Haussler of UC Santa Cruz. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Genome-Nov-2009 Sun, 22 Nov 2009 13:00:00 -0800 The Genome 10K Project: Mapping the genes of 10,000 animals Building the genome zoo. In the most ambitious effort of its type ever attempted, scientists are hoping to map the genes of 10,000 different animals. Proponents say the "Genome 10K project" will provide vast new insights into the biology, evolution and preservation of species. KUSP's Robert Pollie talks to project coordinator David Haussler of UC Santa Cruz. 01:01:45 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,genome 10k project,genome, david haussler no no The soul-stirring Portuguese music known as Fado. Robert discusses and listens to the art of Fado with Donald Cohen, author of "Fado Portuges." Featuring music by Mariza, Caminé, Amalia Rodrigues and more. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Fado-Nov-2009 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:00:00 -0800 Fado: Songs from the Soul of Portugal The soul-stirring Portuguese music known as Fado. Robert discusses and listens to the art of Fado with Donald Cohen, author of "Fado Portuges." Featuring music by Mariza, Caminé, Amalia Rodrigues and more. 00:55:25 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,Fado, Mariza,Portuguese music,Portugal,Donald Cohen,fadista no no Physician and human rights activist Ashis Brahma of the Phoenix Global Health Foundation talks about practicing medicine in conflict zones and refugee camps. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Brahma-Nov-2009 Mon, 08 Nov 2009 13:00:00 -0800 Dr. Ashis Brahma on medicine and human rights. Physician and human rights activist Ashis Brahma of the Phoenix Global Health Foundation talks about practicing medicine in conflict zones and refugee camps. 00:57:41 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,Doctors without borders, humanitarian organizations, Darfur, Ashis Brahma no no A theoretical physicist searches for the universal laws of life. Geoffrey West explains some simple mathematical rules that he says may explain everything from the length of our lives to the health of our cities. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie West-Nov-2009 Mon, 01 Nov 2009 13:00:00 -0800 Physicist Geoffrey West on the mathematics of life and death A theoretical physicist searches for the universal laws of life. Geoffrey West explains some simple mathematical rules that he says may explain everything from the length of our lives to the health of our cities. 01:07:20 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,geoffrey west,santa fe institute,scaling laws, longevity, life span,aging no no Comics artist Art Spiegelman discusses "Breakdowns," the recent book collecting his work from the 1970's, and looks back on his life in cartooning and comics, from skin mags and Garbage Pail Kids to Maus and the New Yorker. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Spiegelman-Oct-2009 Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:00:00 -0800 A life in comics: Art Spiegelman on his art and career. Comics artist Art Spiegelman discusses "Breakdowns," the recent book collecting his work from the 1970's, and looks back on his life in cartooning and comics, from skin mags and Garbage Pail Kids to Maus and the New Yorker. 00:56:50 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project,robert pollie,Art Spiegelman,Maus,Breakdowns,comics,cartooning no no How people cope with calamity. Pulitzer prizewinner Tracy Kidder discusses his new book, "Strength in What Remains," about an African refugee fleeing ethnic violence. And social critic Rebecca Solnit talks about the response of ordinary people to the Loma Prieta earthquake, hurricane Katrina and other natural disasters. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Disaster-Oct-2009 Mon, 18 Oct 2009 13:00:00 -0800 Coming to grips with tragedy and loss: Tracy Kidder and Rebecca Solnit How people cope with calamity. Pulitzer prizewinner Tracy Kidder discusses his new book, "Strength in What Remains," about an African refugee fleeing ethnic violence. And social critic Rebecca Solnit talks about the response of ordinary people to the Loma Prieta earthquake, hurricane Katrina and other natural disasters. 01:04:18 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,Tracy Kidder, Rebeca Solnit, Strength in What Remains, disaster response no no Three people whose faces were altered by illness or injury talk about self-image, the meaning of beauty, and the realities of reconstructive surgery. David Roche is an inspirational speaker and humorist. Gina Butchin works to raise awareness of facial difference. Louise Ashby is an actress and writer. They speak to host Robert Pollie. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Faces-Oct-2009 Mon, 05 Oct 2009 18:05:00 -0800 Looking different: Three stories of facial disfigurement and reconstructive surgery. Three people whose faces were altered by illness or injury talk about self-image, the meaning of beauty, and the realities of reconstructive surgery. David Roche is an inspirational speaker and humorist. Gina Butchin works to raise awareness of facial difference. Louise Ashby is an actress and writer. They speak to host Robert Pollie. 01:12:14 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,David Roche, facial difference, disfigurement, reconstructive surgery, plastic surgery,Louise AshbyLee no no Art, authenticity, race and identity mix it up in the music of the acclaimed singer-songwriter known as Stew. He discusses his musical "Passing Strange," now out in a screen version from Spike Lee. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Stew-Sept-2009 Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:10:00 -0800 Art, authenticity, race and identity mix it up in the music of the acclaimed singer-songwriter known as Stew. He discusses his musical "Passing Strange," now out in a screen version from Spike Lee. Art, authenticity, race and identity mix it up in the music of the acclaimed singer-songwriter known as Stew. He discusses his musical "Passing Strange," now out in a screen version from Spike Lee. 00:51:46 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,Stew,Passing Strange,Heidi Rodewald,Spike Lee no no It's alive! Biochemist and astrobiologist David Deamer describes how life may have begun on Earth, perhaps with a little help from outer space. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Deamer-Sept-2009 Mon, 14 Sep 2009 16:10:00 -0800 It's alive! Biochemist and astrobiologist David Deamer describes how life may have begun on Earth, perhaps with a little help from outer space. It's alive! Biochemist and astrobiologist David Deamer describes how life may have begun on Earth, perhaps with a little help from outer space. 01:01:12 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,David Deamer,astrobiology, origin of life, synthetic life no no Film maker Curt Worden discusses his documentary about Jack Kerouac's novel"Big Sur." Also, writer Robert Sullivan reflects on cross-country car trips. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Worden-Sullivan-Sept-2009 Mon, 07 Sep 2009 14:17:00 -0800 Film maker Curt Worden discusses his documentary about Jack Kerouac's novel"Big Sur." Also, writer Robert Sullivan reflects on cross-country car trips. Film maker Curt Worden discusses his documentary about Jack Kerouac's novel"Big Sur." Also, writer Robert Sullivan reflects on cross-country car trips. 01:04:28 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,Curt Worden, Jack Kerouac, Big Sur, One fast move, Robert Sullivan no no Developmental psychologist Alison Gopnik has spent decades studying the minds of infants and young children. Her conclusion: babies are smarter, more aware and more caring than scientists previously realized. Also, inventor Joshua Klein on the surprising intelligence of crows. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Gopnik-Klein-Aug-2009 Mon, 31 Aug 2009 17:45:00 -0800 Psychologist Alison Gopnik on the surprisingly advanced thinking of young children; Joshua Klein on the remarkable intelligence of crows. Developmental psychologist Alison Gopnik has spent decades studying the minds of infants and young children. Her conclusion: babies are smarter, more aware and more caring than scientists previously realized. Also, inventor Joshua Klein on the surprising intelligence of crows. 00:57:52 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,Alison Gopnik,Philosophical Baby,Developmental Psychology,Joshua Klein, Crows, Intelligence no no Two American heirs who grew up wealthy question their good fortune and now advocate greater economic equality. They discuss their own experiences of wealth and the distribution of wealth in the country. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Wealthy-Heirs-Aug-2009 Mon, 24 Aug 2009 14:20:00 -0800 Two heirs to large family fortunes talk about their own experiences of wealth and economic inequality in America Two American heirs who grew up wealthy question their good fortune and now advocate greater economic equality. They discuss their own experiences of wealth and the distribution of wealth in the country. 01:11:48 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,wealth, born rich, Jamie Johnson, Chuck Collins, Wealth for the Common Good no no For two decades, environmental activist John Francis travelled America on foot while keeping a vow of silence. Along the way, he got to know a side of himself and this country that few experience. He describes his pilgrimage to host Robert Pollie. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie John-Francis-Aug-2009 Mon, 17 Aug 2009 15:20:00 -0800 Environmentalist John Francis describes his two-decade pilgrimage on foot and in silence across the US For two decades, environmental activist John Francis travelled America on foot while keeping a vow of silence. Along the way, he got to know a side of himself and this country that few experience. He describes his pilgrimage to host Robert Pollie 01:01:30 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,John Francis,pilgrimage,planetwalk, planetwalker no no In his ongoing look at wealth in America, host Robert Pollie gets an alternative view from Zen abbot Steve Stückey and humanitarian doctor/clown Patch Adams. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Stuckey-Adams-Aug-2009 Mon, 10 Aug 2009 10:50:00 -0800 Zen Center abbot Steve Stückey and activist doctor Patch on the limits of materialism In his ongoing look at wealth in America, host Robert Pollie gets an alternative view from Zen abbot Steve Stückey and humanitarian doctor/clown Patch Adams. 00:56:22 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,wealth,Steve Stückey,Patch Adams,Zen, Buddhism,Genundheit Institutel no no Orchestral percussionist Galen Lemmon shares some of the sounds of this year's Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music. Featuring marimba, vibes, steel drums, timpani, even a tuned anvil. Then, sacred drums: a visit with Afro-Cuban Batá drummer Michael Spiro. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Lemmon-Spiro-Aug-2009 Sun, 02 Aug 2009 13:30:00 -0800 Two master percussionists share their artistry: Orchestral percussionis Galen Lemmon of the Cabrillo Festival and Afro-Cuban drummer Michael Spiro Orchestral percussionist Galen Lemmon shares some of the sounds of this year's Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music. Featuring marimba, vibes, steel drums, timpani, even a tuned anvil. Then, sacred drums: a visit with Afro-Cuban Batá drummer Michael Spiro. 00:52:00 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,percussion,bata,batá,Galen Lemmon,Michael Spiro, santería, cabrillo festival no no More than the sum of the parts. Nobel prizewinning physicist Robert Laughlin says nature can't always be reduced to its individual components. Plus, Maestra Marin Alsop of the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Laughlin-Alsop-july-2009 Sun, 26 Jul 2009 22:40:00 -0800 Nobel laureate Robert Laughlin argues against reductionism in physics; super conductor Marin Alsop talks about leading the Cabrillo Festival More than the sum of the parts. Nobel prizewinning physicist Robert Laughlin says nature can't always be reduced to its individual components. Plus, Maestra Marin Alsop of the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music 00:55:41 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie,Robert Laughlin,physics,emergence,marin alsop, cabrillo festival no no Criminal justice reformer Sunny Schwartz discusses the Resolve to Stop the Violence Project (RSVP) in the San Francisco jails. Plus, Ramon Garcia, former jail inmate and RSVP facilitator, describes how the program changed his life. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Sunny-Schwartz-july-2009 Mon, 20 Jul 2009 18:04:00 -0800 Stories from the RSVP project, an innovative anti-violence program in the San Francisco jails. Criminal justice reformer Sunny Schwartz discusses the Resolve to Stop the Violence Project (RSVP) in the San Francisco jails. Plus, Ramon Garcia, former jail inmate and RSVP facilitator, describes how the program changed his life. 01:00:00 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie, Resolve to Stop the Violence Project, Sunny Schwartz, Dreams from the Monster Factory, prison violence no no Economist Russ Roberts about the nature of wealth, how it's created and destroyed, and whether economics really is a science. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Russ-Roberts-july-2009 Mon, 13 Jul 2009 15:35:19 -0800 Economist Russ Roberts on wealth, its creation and destruction Economist Russ Roberts about the nature of wealth, how it's created and destroyed, and whether economics really is a science. 00:58:00 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie, economics, Russ Roberts, Russell Roberts, wealth, economy no no A new film commemorates a legendary 1974 concert that brought together many of the greats of African, Latin and African-American music in Kinshasa, Zaire. Robert talks to filmmaker Geoffrey Levy-Hinte about the concert and the film, called "Soul Power." Plus, "Masanga": the story of a classic African song. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Soul-Power-july-2009 Mon, 06 Jul 2009 18:50:19 -0800 New movie "Soul Power" commemorates "Zaire 74" concert; history of the classic African song, "Masanga" A new film commemorates a legendary 1974 concert that brought together many of the greats of African, Latin and African-American music in Kinshasa, Zaire. Robert talks to filmmaker Geoffrey Levy-Hinte about the concert and the film, called "Soul Power." Plus, "Masanga": the story of a classic African song. 01:02:52 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie, Soul Power, James Brown, Zaire 74, Masanga, Nathaniel Braddock, Geoffrey Levy-Hinte no no Paleontologist Neil Shubin describes how scientists are reconstructing the history of life from fossils and DNA, how genes shape bodies and what we have in common with fruit flies. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Neil-Shubin-june-2009 Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:31:19 -0800 Evolution, as reconstructed through fossils and DNA. Paleontologist Neil Shubin describes how scientists are reconstructing the history of life from fossils and DNA, how genes shape bodies and what we have in common with fruit flies. 00:56:00 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie, kusp, Neil Shubin, evolution, tiktaalik, DNA, creationism no no Iranian film maker Nahid Sarvestani describes her involvement in the Iranian revolution 30 years ago and discusses her latest documentary, "The Queen and I." Then, Iranian-American student Naveed Mansouri talks about Iran's "Green Revolution" and the role of social networking technologies. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Iran-Then-and-Now-june-2009 Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:31:19 -0800 Iran's 1979 revolution and the "Green Revolution" compared. Featuring Nahid Sarvestani and Naveed Mansouri. Iranian film maker Nahid Sarvestani describes her involvement in the Iranian revolution 30 years ago and discusses her latest documentary, "The Queen and I." Then, Iranian-American student Naveed Mansouri talks about Iran's "Green Revolution" and the role of social networking technologies. 00:56:00 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie, kusp, Nahid Sarvestani, Iran, Iranian revolution, the queen and i, Naveed Mansouri, Green Revolution, Mousavi no no Writer Mat Johnson talks about growing up as a black boy who looked white. Then, Yiddish makes a comeback in the punk klezmer songs of Daniel Kahn and the Painted Bird. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie going-incognegro-june-2009 Mon, 15 Jun 2009 14:31:19 -0800 Writer Mat Johnson talks about growing up as a black boy who looked white. Then, Yiddish Punk with Daniel Kahn and the Painted Bird Writer Mat Johnson talks about growing up as a black boy who looked white. Then, Yiddish makes a comeback in the punk klezmer songs of Daniel Kahn and the Painted Bird. 00:56:00 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie, kusp, Mat Johnson, incognegro, yiddish, yiddishkeit,punk klezmer, daniel kahn, the painted bird no no Writer Jonathan Ames talks about his graphic novel, "The Alcoholic," his upcoming HBO comedy series and his double life as public and private figure. Plus: Short and Sweet: the Big Sur International Short Film Series. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie The-Double-Life-is-Twice-As-Good-june-2009 Mon, 08 Jun 2009 14:31:19 -0800 Jonathan Ames on his graphic novel, "The Alcoholic" and his new HBO series "Bored to Death." WriterJonathan Ames talks about his graphic novel, "The Alcoholic," his upcoming HBO comedy series and his double life as public and private figure. Plus: Short and Sweet: the Big Sur International Short Film Series. 00:56:00 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie, kusp, Jonathan Ames, the alcoholic, big sur short film festival, short and sweet no no Robert Frank of the Wall Street Journal on the impact of the economic crisis on the upper upper crust. Also: where to stash your gold bullion: Lynel Berryhill of Brown Safe Manufacturing, purveyor of luxury vaults and safes. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie wealth-aint-what-it-used-to-be-may-2009 Mon, 01 Jun 2009 14:31:19 -0800 Wall Street Journal reporter Robert Frank on the super-rich and the recession; where to stash your gold Robert Frank of the Wall Street Journal on the impact of the economic crisis on the upper upper crust. Also: where to stash your gold bullion: Lynel Berryhill of Brown Safe Manufacturing, purveyor of luxury vaults and safes. 00:56:00 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie, kusp, writer robert frank, lynel berryhil, wealth, brown safes, safes, vaultsl no no Geoffrey Pullum, linguist and author of "The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language," discusses the grammar wars, common misconceptions about English and whether we really can talk to the animals. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie ask-a-linguist-may-2009 Sun, 24 May 2009 14:31:19 -0800 Linguist Geoffrey Pullum on grammar misconceptions; the stability of language. Geoffrey Pullum, linguist and author of "The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language," discusses the grammar wars, common misconceptions about English and whether we really can talk to the animals. 00:55:49 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie, kusp, Geoffrey Pullum, Cambridge Grammar, grammar wars no no Philosopher Alva Noë says consciousness isn't in the brain. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Thinking-Outside-the-Brain-may-2009 Mon, 18 May 2009 14:31:19 -0800 Philosopher Alva Noë on consciousness. Philosopher Alva Noë says consciousness isn't in the brain. 00:55:49 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie, kusp, alva noe, consciousness no no What it means to have a mom, what it means to be one and the unspoken truths of motherhood. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Mother's-Day-Confidential-may-2009 Sun, 10 May 2009 14:31:19 -0800 What it means to have a mom, what it means to be one. What it means to have a mom, what it means to be one and the unspoken truths of motherhood. 57:03 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie, kusp, mothers day, motherhood, mom no no New films on Youssou N'Dour and Australian sprinter Peter Norman, who supported the raised fist protest at the 1968 Olympics. Interviewees include 1968 Olympic bronze medalist John Carlos http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie portraits-in-conviction-may-2009 Sun, 03 May 2009 14:31:19 -0800 New films on Youssou N'Dour and Australian sprinter Peter Norman. Featuring Olympic medalist John Carlos. New films on Youssou N'Dour and Australian sprinter Peter Norman, who supported the raised fist protest at the 1968 Olympics. Interviewees include 1968 Olympic bronze medalist John Carlos 59:01 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Projecto 7th avenue project, robert pollie, kusp, santa cruz film festival, salute, Peter Norman, Youssou N'Dour, John Carlos no no Mathematician Keith Devlin discusses his collaboration with choral group Zambra. Plus dancer/mathematician Karl Schaffer, and the most important math discovery you've never heard of. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Mathematics-in-Music-and-in-Motion-Apr-2009 Sun, 26 Apr 2009 14:31:19 -0800 Keith Devlin, math music, math dance and the discovery of probability. Mathematician Keith Devlin discusses his collaboration with choral group Zambra. Plus dancer/mathematician Karl Schaffer, and the most important math discovery you've never heard of. 58:30 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie, kusp, Keith Devlin, Karl Schaffer, Zambra, probability, the unfinished game, math no no Evolutionary biologist and parasite maven Marlene Zuk. Plus, parasite music with singer Daniel Kahn. http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Our-Parasites,-Ourselves-Apr-2009 Sun, 19 Apr 2009 14:31:19 -0800 Evolutionary biologist Marlene Zuk on parasites and evolution. Plus, parasite music with singer Daniel Kahn. Evolutionary biologist and parasite maven Marlene Zuk. Plus, parasite music with singer Daniel Kahn. 58:03 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie, kusp, Marlene Zuk, parasites, Daniel Kahn no no A 2008 interview with Ry Cooder, discussing his 'California Trilogy' and its latest installment, 'I, Flathead.' http://7thavenueproject.com Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project Rpollie Ry-Cooder's-california-Apr-2009 Sun, 12 Apr 2009 14:31:19 -0800 Ry Cooder discusses his 'California Trilogy' and its latest installment, 'I, Flathead.' A 2008 interview with Ry Cooder, discussing his 'California Trilogy' and its latest installment, 'I, Flathead.' 01:00:05 Robert Pollie - The 7th Avenue Project 7th avenue project, robert pollie, kusp, ry cooder, california trilogy, i flathead no no