Inquiring Minds
Summary: Each week Inquiring Minds brings you a new, in-depth exploration of the space where science, politics, and society collide.We’re committed to the idea that making an effort to understand the world around you though science and critical thinking can benefit everyone—and lead to better decisions. We endeavor to find out what’s true, what’s left to discover, and why it all matters with weekly coverage of the latest headlines and probing discussions with leading scientists and thinkers.
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- Artist: Indre Viskontas
- Copyright: 2020 Indre Viskontas
Podcasts:
We talk to paleontologist, professor, expeditioner, and science communicator Ken Lacovara about his book Why Dinosaurs Matter. Ken has unearthed some of the largest dinosaurs ever to walk our planet, including the super-massive Dreadnoughtus, which at 65 tons weighs more than seven T. rex.
This week: Stingrays are especially affected by oil spills because they’re so good at smelling; and research into using a spicy cactus to treat pain.
We talk to evolutionary biologist and managing editor at New Scientist Rowan Hooper about his new book Superhuman: Life at the Extremes of Our Capacity.
This week: A look into what the midterm election results mean for science; moths developed a ‘stealth shield’ to hide from bats; and the kilogram is retiring.
We talk to journalist, geologist, and author Betsy Mason about her latest book, co-authored with Greg Miller, All Over the Map: A Cartographic Odyssey.
This week Kishore catches up with previous guests Nick Caruso and Dani Rabaiotti to talk about their new book True or Poo?: The Definitive Field Guide to Filthy Animal Facts and Falsehoods.
We talk to science writer at Wired magazine Matt Simon about his new book Plight of the Living Dead: What Real-Life Zombies Reveal About Our World—and Ourselves.
This week: A new study attempts to extend the life of worms and what it might mean for us; and a detailed look into the recent failed Soyuz rocket launch.
We talk to Arnold Van de Laar, a surgeon in the Slotervaart Hospital in Amsterdam, about his new book Under the Knife: A History of Surgery in 28 Remarkable Operations.
This week: We recap the 2018 Nobel Prizes and look at a study exploring a new way to use electrical stimulation to regenerate nerves.
We talk to mathematician and science writer Hannah Fry about her latest book Hello World: Being Human in the Age of Algorithms.
We talk to artificial intelligence expert and former president of Google China Kai-Fu Lee about his recent book AI Superpowers: China, Silicon Valley, and the New World Order.
We talk with cognitive psychologist Steven Pinker about his recent book Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress.
We talk to writer and historian Dan Flores about his book Coyote America: A Natural and Supernatural History.
This week: Kishore takes a closer look at some of the health claims made during the recent Apple Keynote.
