The Marketplace of Ideas

On Hume and Rousseau's quarrel with John T. Scott

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 19:04:00 GMT

A conversation about the dissolution of the friendship between two very different philosophers with John T. Scott, professor of political science at the University of California, Davis and co-author with Robert Zaretsky of The Philosophers' Quarrel: Rousseau, Hume and the Limits of Human Understanding.

Philosophical journalist Alain de Botton

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 06:36:00 GMT

A conversation with Alain de Botton, author of fiction, nonfiction, journalism and various hybrids thereof. Following treatises on Proust, philosophy, travel and architecture, de Botton's newest book of "philosophical journalism" is The Pleasures and Sorrows of Work.

On the vinyl LP with Travis Elborough

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:02:00 GMT

A conversation about the rise, fall and rise of the long-playing album format both technologically and artistically with journalist Travis Elborough, author of The Vinyl Countdown: The Album from LP to iPod and Back Again.

43Folders founder Merlin Mann

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 04:18:00 GMT

A conversation with writer, speaker, blogger and student of the creative mind Merlin Mann. In 2004, Mann founded 43Folders, a blog and community focused on tips, tricks, tools and techniques designed to improve one's productivity, and in late 2008, he took the site in a new direction, toward the habits and thoughts of humanity's best creators and what can be learned from examining them.

On publishing with Richard Eoin Nash

Thu, 4 Jun 2009 07:05:00 GMT

Part three of our ongoing series of conversations about the future of books and reading, this time with publishing consultant Richard Eoin Nash. Nash ran the widely-acclaimed Soft Skull Press between 2001 and March of this year.

Author and screenwriter Jon Raymond

Thu, 28 May 2009 05:33:00 GMT

A conversation with Jon Raymond, editor at Plazm magazine and author of the novel The Half-Life and the new short story collection Livability. With filmmaker Kelly Reichardt, Raymond co-adapted two of Livability's short stories into the critically-acclaimed feature films Old Joy and Wendy and Lucy.

Podcaster, blogger, critic and intellectual shock jock Edward Champion

Fri, 22 May 2009 02:41:00 GMT

A conversation with Edward Champion, critic, host and producer of the cultural interview podcast The Bat Segundo Show, blogger behind Reluctant Habits and all-around "intellectual shock jock".

Filmmaker Ramin Bahrani

Thu, 14 May 2009 16:40:00 GMT

A conversation with filmmaker Ramin Bahrani, director of Man Push Cart, Chop Shop and the new Goodbye Solo. Roger Ebert calls Bahrani "the new great American director."

Electro-acoustic musician Ethan Rose

Thu, 7 May 2009 14:55:00 GMT

A conversation about using old technology to craft modern sounds with electro-acoustic musician Ethan Rose, whose newest album Oaks was recorded with a vintage 1920s Wurlitzer organ found in the skating rink at Portland's Oaks Park. Two tracks from the record are included in this broadcast.

ZBS Foundation president Thomas Lopez

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 10:25:00 GMT

A conversation about creating radio fiction and humorously raising consciousness with Thomas Lopez, founder and president of the ZBS Foundation. This broadcast contains excerpts from the ZBS productions Dreams of the Amazon, Ruby and Two Minute Film Noir.

Electronic musician Tim Hecker

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 07:51:00 GMT

A conversation about iterative creative processes, building music in layers and the history of loud sound with electronic musician Tim Hecker, whose latest album is An Imaginary Country, from which two tracks are featured in this broadcast.

Denis Dutton on aesthetics and evolution

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 17:31:00 GMT

A conversation about aesthetics and evolutionary biology with Denis Dutton, professor of the philosophy of art at the University of Canterbury, founding editor of Arts & Letters Daily and author of The Art Instinct: Beauty, Pleasure and Human Evolution.

Novelist and journalist Ian Buruma

Thu, 9 Apr 2009 06:25:00 GMT

A conversation with novelist, journalist, documentarian and Henry R. Luce Professor of Human Rights and Journalism at Bard College Ian Buruma. His latest book is The China Lover, a historical novel examining the life and career of Manchurian-born Japanese actress Yoshiko Yamaguchi through the eyes of three different narrators.

Sound artist Lawrence English

Thu, 2 Apr 2009 07:25:00 GMT

A conversation about appreciating the seasons, collecting international field recordings and turning others on to sound art with composer, multimedia artist, critic and ROOM40 label head Lawrence English. Two tracks from English's latest record, A Colour for Autumn, are included in this broadcast.

Bookworm host Michael Silverblatt

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 06:19:00 GMT

A conversation about reading, writing and radio with Michael Silverblatt, who has hosted KCRW's Bookworm, the beloved forum for the discussion of fiction and poetry on public radio, for twenty years.

Jesse Thorn, host of The Sound of Young America

Fri, 6 Mar 2009 03:23:00 GMT

A conversation about the craft of interviewing and the state of public radio today with Jesse Thorn, host and producer of Public Radio International's The Sound of Young America as well as the principal of podcasting empire Maximumfun.org.

Jonathan Gottschall on science and the humanities

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 08:19:00 GMT

A conversation about what's wrong with literary studies and a possible way forward with Jonathan Gottschall, English instructor at Washington and Jefferson College and author of Science, Literature and a New Humanities.

Physicist and anthropologist Gregory Cochran on human evolution

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 18:54:00 GMT

A conversation with physicist and University of Utah adjunct professor of anthropology Gregory Cochran, co-author with Henry Harpending of The 10,000 Year Explosion: How Civilization Accelerated Human Evolution.

Science journalist Jonah Lehrer on decisionmaking

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 07:51:00 GMT

A conversation about the organic basis of decisionmaking with Jonah Lehrer, editor-at-large at Seed magazine and author of How We Decide.

On gardens and broadcasting with Robert Harrison

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 16:48:00 GMT

A conversation about what gardens say about human nature, what's missing from mainstream radio and the place of the humanities with Robert Harrison, Rosina Pierotti Professor of Italian Literature at Stanford University and host of KZSU's Entitled Opinions. His latest book is Gardens: An Essay on the Human Condition.

Mathematician Keith Devlin on probability

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 07:59:00 GMT

A conversation about the genesis of probability theory with mathematician Keith Devlin, author of The Unfinished Game: Pascal, Fermat and the Seventeenth-Century Letter that Made the World Modern.

Writer and cultural polymath Clive James

Tue, 6 Jan 2009 07:49:00 GMT

A conversation about having fun with poetry, providing an alternative to academia and hosting television programs from one's own home with writer and "cultural polymath" Clive James, author of Opal Sunset: Selected Poems 1958-2008. [download] [MOI home] [MOI archive]

On the Great Books with Alex Beam

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 03:10:00 GMT

A conversation about knowledge, commerce and the Western canon with novelist and journalist Alex Beam, author of A Great Idea at the Time: The Rise, Fall and Curious Afterlife of the Great Books.

On David Hume with Simon Blackburn

Tue, 2 Dec 2008 06:24:00 GMT

A conversation about the greatest British philosopher of all time with Simon Blackburn, professor of philosophy at Cambridge University and the University of North Carolina and author of How to Read Hume. [download] [MOI home] [MOI archive]

On Margaret Thatcher with Claire Berlinski

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 06:13:00 GMT

A conversation about Margaret Thatcher, the most controversial British Prime Minister of the 20th century, with Claire Berlinski, author of There is No Alternative: Why Margaret Thatcher Matters. [download] [MOI home] [MOI archive]

Physicist Alan Sokal

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 03:27:00 GMT

A conversation about intellectual rigor and intellectual confusion with New York University physicist Alan Sokal, the man behind the "Sokal Hoax" and author of Beyond the Hoax: Science, Philosophy and Culture. [download] [MOI home] [MOI archive]

On art markets with Don Thompson

Sat, 8 Nov 2008 00:14:00 GMT

A conversation about art markets with Don Thompson, professor emeritus of marketing at York University's Schulich School of Business and author of The $12 Million Dollar Stuffed Shark: The Curious Economics of Contemporary Art. [download] [MOI home] [MOI archive]

On possible futures with David Friedman

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 06:13:00 GMT

A conversation about what's next for humanity with David Friedman, professor of law at Santa Clara University and author of the classic work of 20th-century political philosophy The Machinery of Freedom. In his new book, Future Imperfect: Technology and Freedom in an Uncertain World, Friedman explores the law, the economics and the very sensory experience of a host of possible futures through the technologies likely to shape them, including universal surveillance, e-cash, designer kids, advanced encryption and nanotechnology. [download] [MOI home] [MOI archive]

On Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance with auto journalist Mark Richardson

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 04:52:00 GMT

A conversation about technology, philosophy and a beloved American motorcycle journey with Mark Richardson, auto and motorcycle editor of the Toronto Star and author of Zen and Now: On the Trail of Robert Pirsig and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. [download] [MOI home] [MOI archive]

Political statistician Andrew Gelman

Thu, 9 Oct 2008 05:43:00 GMT

A conversation about demographics, punditry and American voting with Andrew Gelman, professor of statistics at Columbia University and author of Red State, Blue State, Rich State, Poor State. [download] [MOI home] [MOI archive]

Wine educator and blogger Tyler "Dr. Vino" Colman

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 06:57:00 GMT

A conversation about the red tape of viticulture, huge followings in Japan and Cabernet uprisings in the streets of Indianapolis with wine educator and blogger Tyler Colman, known in the blogosphere as "Dr. Vino", author of Wine Politics: How Governments, Environmentalists and Mobsters Influence the Wines We Drink. [download show] [MOI home] [MOI archive]

New Yorker book critic James Wood

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 06:53:00 GMT

A conversation about the workings of the novel, the world between journalism and academia and literary versus religious belief with James Wood, book critic for the New Yorker and author of How Fiction Works. [download show] [MOI home] [MOI archive]

Charles Murray on American education

Sat, 6 Sep 2008 20:06:00 GMT

A conversation about what's wrong with American education's priorities and how to fix them with the American Enterprise Institute's Charles Murray, author of Real Education: Four Simple Truths for Bringing America's Schools Back to Reality. [download show] [MOI home] [MOI archive]

Mathematical journalist Brian Hayes

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 18:34:00 GMT

A conversation about econophysics, generating genuine randomness and the rise of blogs with mathematical journalist and blogger Brian Hayes, author of Group Theory in the Bedroom. [download show] [MOI home] [MOI archive]

Reading the OED with Ammon Shea

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 16:53:00 GMT

A conversation about the dictionary-reader's ultimate challenge, all 21,730 pages of the Oxford English Dictionary, with Ammon Shea, author of Reading the OED. [download show] [MOI home] [MOI archive]

Novelist and former CBC film critic David Gilmour

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 05:56:00 GMT

A conversation about one man, one son, and one D.I.Y. film school with novelist and former CBC film critic David Gilmour, author of The Film Club: A Memoir. [download show] [MOI home] [MOI archive]

Novelist Tom McCarthy on Tintin

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 22:17:00 GMT

A conversation about art, criticism, literature, philosophy, and a certain Belgian boy reporter with novelist Tom McCarthy, author of Remainder and Tintin and the Secret of Literature. [download show] [MOI home] [MOI archive]

Artscience impresario David Edwards

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 04:09:00 GMT

A conversation about science, aesthetics and the crossing of disciplinary boundaries with David Edwards, Gordon McKay Professor of the Practice of Biomedical Engineering at Harvard, author of Artscience: Creativity in the Post-Google Generation, and founder of Le Laboratoire. [download show] [MOI home] [MOI archive]

War Nerd Gary Brecher

Tue, 1 Jul 2008 14:06:00 GMT

A conversation about asymmetrical warfare, Red Dawn and the Hmong in Fresno with Gary Brecher, âWar Nerdâ columnist from The eXile. [download show] [MOI home] [MOI archive]

Literary blogger Maud Newton

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 04:31:00 GMT

A conversation about the rise of cultural blogs, using oneâs own life as novel source material and the genius of Rupert Thomson with literary blogger Maud Newton, founder of MaudNewton.com. [download] [MOI home] [MOI archive]

Novelist, essayist and poet Alexander Theroux

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 04:00:00 GMT

A conversation about the encyclopedic novel, female creativity and Rush Limbaugh with novelist, essayist and poet Alexander Theroux, author of Laura Warholic; or, The Sexual Intellectual. [download] [MOI home] [MOI archive]

Kevin Smokler and Dave Weich

Mon, 9 Jun 2008 01:33:00 GMT

Part two of our special series on the future of books and reading: conversations with writer, thinker, entrepreneur and maker of mischief Kevin Smokler [site] and Dave Weich, director of marketing and development at Portland, Oregon's Powell's Books.

Graphic designer and novelist Chip Kidd

Fri, 30 May 2008 05:59:00 GMT

A conversation about art school, the Milgram Experient and Andres Serrano photos as bible covers with graphic designer and novelist Chip Kidd, the man responsible for countless bestselling (and some not-quite-bestselling) book jackets. His new novel is The Learners: The Book After The Cheese Monkeys.

Daniel Menaker and Odile Isralson, Titlepage

Fri, 23 May 2008 07:42:00 GMT

Part one of a special Marketplace of Ideas series on the future of books and reading: conversations with Daniel Menaker and Odile Isralson, host and executive producer of Titlepage, the first book-themed internet TV show.

Arts & Letters Daily's Denis Dutton

Sat, 3 May 2008 05:23:00 GMT

A conversation about the climate change debate, the evolutionary psychology of art and bad academic writing with Denis Dutton [site], founder of Arts & Letters Daily and editor of Philosophy and Literature.

NPR's Peter Sagal

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 03:02:00 GMT

A conversation about swinging, eating, strip clubs, lying, gambling, consumption and pornography with Peter Sagal, host of NPR's Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me and author of The Book of Vice: Very Naughty Things (and How to Do Them).

Urban theorist Richard Florida

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 05:04:00 GMT

A conversation about personality, innovation and openness in cities and "mega-regions" with urban theorist Richard Florida, author of The Rise of the Creative Class and Who's Your City?

Experimental philosopher Kwame Anthony Appiah

Sat, 5 Apr 2008 06:25:00 GMT

A conversation about experimental philosophy with Kwame Anthony Appiah, Laurance S. Rockefeller Professor of Philosophy at Princeton University and author of Experiments in Ethics.

Japan expert John Nathan (part two)

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 02:32:00 GMT

The second part of a conversation about life in film and literature in Japan and America with translator, filmmaker and Japan expert John Nathan, author of Living Carelessly in Tokyo and Elsewhere.

Japan expert John Nathan (part one)

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 02:12:00 GMT

The first part of a conversation about life in film and literature in Japan and America with translator, filmmaker and Japan expert John Nathan, author of Living Carelessly in Tokyo and Elsewhere.

Apple Computer co-founder Steve Wozniak

Sat, 22 Mar 2008 19:55:00 GMT

A conversation about the art of engineering, the value of jokes and the nuisance of spam with Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple Computer and author of iWoz: How I Invented the Personal Computer, Co-Founded Apple, and Had Fun Doing It.

The Marketplace of Ideas live in Los Angeles

Sat, 22 Mar 2008 19:24:00 GMT

It's The Marketplace of Ideas live in Los Angeles! Come bid farewell to Dutton's Brentwood Books and watch a live taping of The Marketplace of Ideas, featuring a conversation with Mark Sarvas, noted Elegant Variation blogger and author of the upcoming novel Harry, Revised. This all happens on Saturday March 29th at 12:00 noon. Dutton's is located at 11975 San Vicente Boulevard in Los Angeles, CA.

Undercover economist Tim Harford

Sat, 15 Mar 2008 20:42:00 GMT

A conversation about speed-dating, the advantages of city life and the fun economists are having with "Undercover Economist" Tim Harford, author of The Logic of Life: The Rational Economics of an Irrational World.

Comic artist Peter Bagge

Fri, 7 Mar 2008 03:14:00 GMT

A conversation about Generation X, penciling techniques and libertarianism with Peter Bagge, creator of Hate and Apocalypse Nerd.

On globalization with Pietra Rivoli

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 06:43:00 GMT

A conversation about Texan cotton-growing, Chinese manufacturing and African entrepreneurship with Pietra Rivoli, Georgetown business professor and author of The Travels of a T-Shirt in the Global Economy.

Essayist, film writer, novelist and poet Phillip Lopate

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 05:25:00 GMT

A conversation about education, urbanism and Abbas Kiarostami with essayist, novelist, poet and film writer Phillip Lopate.

On book reviewing with Gail Pool

Sat, 16 Feb 2008 02:57:00 GMT

A conversation with Gail Pool, author of Faint Praise: The Plight of Book Reviewing in America.

Skeptic Michael Shermer

Fri, 8 Feb 2008 00:33:00 GMT

A conversation about economics, evolutionary biology and Ayn Rand with Michael Shermer, publisher of Skeptic magazine and author of The Mind of the Market: Compassionate Apes, Competitive Humans and Other Tales from Evolutionary Economics.

On early modern science and poetry with Angus Fletcher

Sat, 2 Feb 2008 23:22:00 GMT

A conversation about the interplay between early modern science and poetry with Angus Fletcher, Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the City University of New York Graduate School and author of Time, Space and Motion in the Age of Shakespeare.

Podcast Alley feed

Sun, 27 Jan 2008 19:39:00 GMT

My Podcast Alley feed! {pca-3988fdead9282638a2900727ba873378}

Deep historian Daniel Lord Smail

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 08:27:00 GMT

A conversation about bridging the gap between history and prehistory with Daniel Lord Smail, professor of history at Harvard University and author of On Deep History and the Brain.

Economist and blogger Tyler Cowen

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 07:50:00 GMT

A conversation about using incentives, eating ethnic food and becoming a cultural billionaire with Tyler Cowen, professor of economics at George Mason University and blogger at Marginal Revolution.

Los Angeles Times Book Review editor David L. Ulin

Sat, 12 Jan 2008 06:05:00 GMT

A conversation about publishing, book criticism and LA literary culture with David L. Ulin, editor of the Los Angeles Times Book Review.

Science journalist Jonah Lehrer

Thu, 3 Jan 2008 22:05:00 GMT

A conversation about literature, the human brain and umami with Jonah Lehrer, editor-at-large at Seed magazine and author of Proust Was a Neuroscientist.

Novelist Joshua Henkin

Sat, 29 Dec 2007 06:01:00 GMT

A conversation about college towns, the importance of story and MFA programs with novelist Joshua Henkin, author of Matrimony.

The Smart Set editor Jason Wilson

Sat, 22 Dec 2007 06:58:00 GMT

A conversation about online journalism, travel writing and H.L. Mencken with Jason Wilson, editor of The Smart Set from Drexel University and The Best American Travel Writing series.

Evolutionary biologist David P. Barash

Sat, 15 Dec 2007 06:35:00 GMT

A conversation about consciousness, free will and toilet training with David P. Barash, professor of psychology at the University of Washington and author of Natural Selections: Selfish Altruists, Honest Liars and Other Realities of Evolution.

Law professor and economist Ian Ayres

Fri, 7 Dec 2007 22:40:00 GMT

A conversation about the revolution in decisionmaking brought about by large-scale quantitative analysis with Yale law professor and economist Ian Ayres, author of Super Crunchers: Why Thinking by Numbers is the New Way to Be Smart.

On political division with David Starkey

Fri, 7 Dec 2007 22:30:00 GMT

A conversation about voting one way and living in a place that votes another with David Starkey, poet, playwright, professor of English at Santa Barbara City College and editor of Living Blue in the Red States.

On 20 years of The Closing of the American Mind with Roger Kimball

Sun, 2 Dec 2007 01:22:00 GMT

A conversation about Allan Bloom's The Closing of the American Mind on the 20th anniversary of its publication with Roger Kimball, editor of The New Criterion.

On Barry Goldwater with CC Goldwater

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 18:39:00 GMT

A conversation about Barry Goldwater with CC Goldwater, the 1964 presidential candidate's granddaughter and producer of the new film Mr. Conservative: Goldwater on Goldwater.

Something Awful editor Zack Parsons

Fri, 16 Nov 2007 20:38:00 GMT

A conversation about ridiculous military hardware and highly un-epic science fiction with Zack Parsons, editor at the popular humor site Something Awful and author of My Tank is Fight!: Deranged Inventions of World War II.

1960s radical Cathy Wilkerson

Fri, 16 Nov 2007 20:25:00 GMT

A conversation about the 1960s with Cathy Wilkerson, former member of Students for a Democratic Society and Weatherman, whose new book is Flying Close to the Sun: My Life and Times as a Weatherman.

On human rights with Lynn Hunt

Fri, 9 Nov 2007 21:45:00 GMT

A conversation about the very definition of a powerful idea with Lynn Hunt, Eugen Weber Professor of Modern European History at UCLA and former president of the American Historical Association. Her latest book is Inventing Human Rights: A History.

Bookslut founder Jessa Crispin

Fri, 2 Nov 2007 18:08:00 GMT

A conversation about food writing, Lost Girls and the disappointing DVD of David Lynch's Lost Highway with Jessa Crispin, founder and editor of Chicago-based literary webzine and blog Bookslut.

Wine journalist George M. Taber

Fri, 26 Oct 2007 19:33:00 GMT

A conversation about that most revered of all beverages and the devices that close our bottles of it with George M. Taber, wine journalist and former business editor of Time magazine. His new book is To Cork or Not to Cork: The Billion-Dollar Battle for the Bottle.

Entrepreneur and blogger Ben Casnocha

Sat, 20 Oct 2007 04:40:00 GMT

A conversation about optimism, eternal studenthood and funny conservatives with entrepreneur and author Ben Casnocha. His most recent book is My Start-Up Life.

Spy-fi novelist Josh Conviser

Sat, 13 Oct 2007 17:01:00 GMT

A conversation about hybridizing genres, using future technology and reading Dwell magazine with Josh Conviser, author of Echelon and Empyre.

Litblogger and novelist Mark Sarvas

Fri, 12 Oct 2007 06:39:00 GMT

A conversation about book criticism, the Los Angeles Literary scene and Michiko Kakutani with Mark Sarvas, author of popular weblog The Elegant Variation. Harry, Revised, his first novel, hits shelves in May 2008.