October 29 - November 4, 2017
THE LIST
1. Flash Forward - "Easy Bake Organs"
This edition of the speculative non-fiction show takes on artificially grown organs. It's one of the more feasible futures from Flash Forward, and as host Rose Eveleth mentions, has much less of a downside than other possible futures. A great meditation on the power of science and a reminder that organ donation is pretty dang important.
2. The Turnaround - "Terry Gross"
Terry Gross is known for her semi-reclusive status when it comes to being interviewed. This rare look behind the mic of one of the most prolific appraisers of human experience in the country is filled with candor and glee. Jesse Thorn aptly conveys the awe at being in the presence of greatness while also executing a great interview on this, the final installment of The Turnaround. Find a deeper probe of the series here, and visit the archives to check out the whole roster of quality episodes.
3. More Perfect - "Citizens United"
The now ubiquitous Super PAC stand-in for monied politics has a surprising history. The principle of corporations backing political candidates remains vile, but the origin story does provoke a lot of thought on the nature of precedent setting absolutes. Also, we again see how insanely powerful SCOTUS can be.
HONORABLE MENTION
Reply All - "Is Facebook Spying on You?"
99% Invisible - "Oyster-tecture"
American Suburb - "Chapter 3: How to Survive an Exodus"
SOMETHING NEW
People all across America long for something whether they realize it or not: quality cultural reporting rooted in science. Many of us have long been repelled away from the study of forces that surround us and dictate life on this globe. Some, regrettably, to a damaging extent that germinates an unnecessary amount of animus. Yes, with the same vigor that pushes frustrated pundits to employ "sportsball" to indicate the cheeky loathing of athletics, people write off the pervasiveness of science in our culture as something left to the professionals. If it's impossible for the average citizen to diagnose a rare form of cancer, why should any of us bother learning anything? Fortunately, for those daring to venture out from the comforting mantle of a humanities-based education, the podcast gods have again blessed the masses.
The show, a new offering from the BBC, is called Tomorrow's World. Hosted by Ellie Cosgrave (an engineer) and Brit Wray (a biologist), this beauty is reminiscent of the most sciency Radiolab. You know, before it went all "let's-be-This-American-Life-for-science-and-also-everything-else." Tomorrow's World tells intriguing science-forward stories against the backdrop of insanely rich audio design. Premised upon a notion that the future is now, each episode dives into a novel subject that, at least to a certain podcast blogger, emanates a "wait, that's for real?!" sort of mental spit-take. Cosgrave and Wray bring the perfect balance of informed curiosity and self-deprecating acknowledgement that things are complex even with a deep history of scientific education. This magic blend enables the hosts to craft quality interviews that translate well to the average non-science-minded folk out there.
One of the most joyous facets of the work is the random sound clips that are remixed mid-episode. In addition to being just plain fun, these asides serve as a contemplative sieve to let the mind-blowing ideas sink in. Intentional or not, this clever functional respite is a godsend in a world of plow-right-through podcasts delivering interesting facts with zero staying power. Innovative structure, creative storytelling, and impactful subject matter...Tomorrow's World is today's must-listen.
Tomorrow's World
Recommended for: Aspirational science appreciators, anyone who wants to think deeply about the future.
Drop Schedule: Thursdays, Bi-Monthly
Rating: Gotta Have It
1. Flash Forward - "Easy Bake Organs"
This edition of the speculative non-fiction show takes on artificially grown organs. It's one of the more feasible futures from Flash Forward, and as host Rose Eveleth mentions, has much less of a downside than other possible futures. A great meditation on the power of science and a reminder that organ donation is pretty dang important.
2. The Turnaround - "Terry Gross"
Terry Gross is known for her semi-reclusive status when it comes to being interviewed. This rare look behind the mic of one of the most prolific appraisers of human experience in the country is filled with candor and glee. Jesse Thorn aptly conveys the awe at being in the presence of greatness while also executing a great interview on this, the final installment of The Turnaround. Find a deeper probe of the series here, and visit the archives to check out the whole roster of quality episodes.
3. More Perfect - "Citizens United"
The now ubiquitous Super PAC stand-in for monied politics has a surprising history. The principle of corporations backing political candidates remains vile, but the origin story does provoke a lot of thought on the nature of precedent setting absolutes. Also, we again see how insanely powerful SCOTUS can be.
HONORABLE MENTION
Reply All - "Is Facebook Spying on You?"
99% Invisible - "Oyster-tecture"
American Suburb - "Chapter 3: How to Survive an Exodus"
SOMETHING NEW
People all across America long for something whether they realize it or not: quality cultural reporting rooted in science. Many of us have long been repelled away from the study of forces that surround us and dictate life on this globe. Some, regrettably, to a damaging extent that germinates an unnecessary amount of animus. Yes, with the same vigor that pushes frustrated pundits to employ "sportsball" to indicate the cheeky loathing of athletics, people write off the pervasiveness of science in our culture as something left to the professionals. If it's impossible for the average citizen to diagnose a rare form of cancer, why should any of us bother learning anything? Fortunately, for those daring to venture out from the comforting mantle of a humanities-based education, the podcast gods have again blessed the masses.
The show, a new offering from the BBC, is called Tomorrow's World. Hosted by Ellie Cosgrave (an engineer) and Brit Wray (a biologist), this beauty is reminiscent of the most sciency Radiolab. You know, before it went all "let's-be-This-American-Life-for-science-and-also-everything-else." Tomorrow's World tells intriguing science-forward stories against the backdrop of insanely rich audio design. Premised upon a notion that the future is now, each episode dives into a novel subject that, at least to a certain podcast blogger, emanates a "wait, that's for real?!" sort of mental spit-take. Cosgrave and Wray bring the perfect balance of informed curiosity and self-deprecating acknowledgement that things are complex even with a deep history of scientific education. This magic blend enables the hosts to craft quality interviews that translate well to the average non-science-minded folk out there.
One of the most joyous facets of the work is the random sound clips that are remixed mid-episode. In addition to being just plain fun, these asides serve as a contemplative sieve to let the mind-blowing ideas sink in. Intentional or not, this clever functional respite is a godsend in a world of plow-right-through podcasts delivering interesting facts with zero staying power. Innovative structure, creative storytelling, and impactful subject matter...Tomorrow's World is today's must-listen.
Tomorrow's World
Recommended for: Aspirational science appreciators, anyone who wants to think deeply about the future.
Drop Schedule: Thursdays, Bi-Monthly
Rating: Gotta Have It
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