How Do You Deal with Procrastination?
Procrastination is so widespread that it's become the subject of philosophical enquiry. A group of writers take on the problem of putting things off in a new collection of essays. And we're asking for...
View ArticleAre Some Sports Too Dangerous for Your Kids?
Right now, Rutgers University defensive back, Eric LeGrand, is in intensive care after a tackle sent him tumbling to the ground, head-first. LeGrand had emergency spinal surgery, but the injury left...
View ArticleWhat Part of US History Should Everyone Know?
Historians are criticizing the fourth-grade textbook in Virginia that says thousands of African Americans fought for the South during the Civil war. The author of the book, “Our Virginia: Past and...
View ArticleIs it Sexist to Look at Politics Through a Gender Lens?
Earlier this week, we annoyed many of our listeners when the writer Gail Sheehy called the Republican women running for election right now as "mean girls." Sheehy said candidates like Meg Whitman and...
View ArticleWhat Changes When You Find Out a Life Trait is Genetic?
Tomorrow we'll talk to two guests who look at some of the science behind why people are gay or straight. It's not just gay people who react when they hear that a trait is determined by genes or choice....
View ArticleThe Year of the Multi-Million Dollar Agenda
According to the Center for Responsive Politics, outside interest groups have poured almost $260 million into political campaigns this election season. That's nearly four times the amount spent by...
View ArticleWhat Could Still Persuade You?
This week's polls are giving analysts a better idea of which party will end up controlling Congress after the midterm elections. But one survey puts some of those predictions in doubt. The Associated...
View ArticleIs There Ever a Case for Insanity?
This weekend, Jon Stewart is leading a rally to restore sanity. But what's so wrong with getting a little angry and uncivil sometimes? Is there any circumstance where you thought shouting or kicking up...
View ArticleDoes Your Sister Make You Happy?
We're talking about a new study that finds people who have sisters tend to be happier. Tell us about your sister. Does she make you happy or drive you nuts? How so?
View ArticleWhat's Your Worst Nightmare?
People are passing out in movie theaters after seeing Danny Boyle's new film, "127 Hours," and it's not even out yet. James Franco stars as the man forced to sever his own arm after he gets trapped...
View ArticleAssignment: The Way We Say Things
Is it "PEE-kan" or "pee-KAHN"? "MO-bill" or "mo-BYLE"? The way we pronounce words is changing all the time and we're trying to track it. In the U.K., the British Library is trying to record how British...
View ArticleWhat Would You Give Up for the Deficit?
One of the hardest things for a politician to do is to ask people to give up benefits or pay more in taxes. Which is why President Obama appointed a bipartisan commission last February to come up with...
View ArticleIs Marriage Worth the Effort?
When the statistics for success are still grim (50 percent of marriages fail), we're asking: is marriage really worth the effort? Whether you're married, divorced or considering either, do you have a...
View ArticleWhat Can Get You Fired?
At some workplaces, it's sleeping on the job. At others, it's leaking news. What is a sackable offense at your place of work? We talk about this on Tuesday's show with Lewis Maltby, President of the...
View ArticleHow Much Should the Government Control the Internet?
The news this week that 15 percent of U.S. internet traffic was routed through China for 18 minutes back in April has some experts warning about the increased threats of cyber warfare. This is adding...
View ArticleAre the New Airport Scanners Making You Rethink Holiday Plans?
The backlash against new airport screening procedures is growing. Last month, the Transportation Security Administration started rolling out full body scanners that allow screeners to check for weapons...
View ArticleCould You Live Without Your Bank?
We're looking at the pros and cons of going without the use of a bank. Do you think you could live without your bank? Have you ever done it? We've been hearing from you by text message, Facebook and...
View ArticleBlack, Biracial or Mixed?
A new study says that biracial Americans of black and white ancestry are more often self-identifying as black. The study, published in the Social Psychology Quarterly, finds that the majority of...
View ArticleTurkey and Tirades
Holiday dinners have another tradition that not everyone wants to celebrate: tense conversations about politics. It happened at Thanksgiving and it's likely to happen around Christmas, so we're looking...
View ArticleHas Technology Made You Feel More Distant?
For an MIT professor, Sherry Turkle has a contrarian take on technology: Instead of bringing us together, she says it's actually making us more distant. In a new book called "Alone Together: Why We...
View Article