U-N-I-T-Y

Friday, June 27, 2008

Will the symbolism of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton’s appearance in Unity, NH rub off on the actual campaign? And speaking of getting along, why is it that US unhappiness is at a fifteen year high, and just what does the nation of Bhutan have to teach us about being gloomy? Plus: the new agreed-upon New York City budget; HIV testing services in the Bronx; BlackBerry addiction; and on this first day of summer for public school teachers and students, what are your plans for the summer?

Power to the People

Thursday, June 26, 2008

You don’t have to be rich or famous to make the world a better place. That’s the message of author and activist Jim Hightower’s new book Swim Against the Current: Even a Dead Fish Can Go With the Flow. We’ll investigate his strategies for grassroots change. Plus a look at food safety at restaurants around town from the greasiest spoon to the most exclusive boîte. Also: we wrap up our series on the US Census Atlas and discuss this morning's Supreme Court ruling striking down the DC handgun law.

Slideshow: BL Show "Grub" Photos

ADD Society

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Author Maggie Jackson says in her new book Distracted that today’s tendency to multi-tasking has us headed for a new Dark Ages, as human beings lose their ability to pay close attention. Plus, distraction on the highway. What's the effect of road signs on a driver's attention span: it's different than you may think (or hope). And, hiring practices at the Justice Department.

Contribute Your "Grub" Photos!
Coming off the heels of WNYCs Street Shots project, which drew 900+ photographers to participate on WNYC's Flickr page, the Brian Lehrer show wants to collaborate with its photographer-listeners. Contribute your photos to our photo group to participate in covering New York stories and to provide your perspective on the issues.
Tomorrow, we’ll be doing several segments looking at food policy here in New York City, and we want you to participate in the discussion through photography. We’re asking our "Grub" photo group to join the conversation by contributing food-related pictures to the Flickr group. We’ll incorporate the pictures into our discussion, and may even bring a few of you on the air!
Find Instructions and Join The Discussion Here!

First-Hand

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

As violence spreads after the collapse of elections in Zimbabwe, many here in New York with roots in the region are getting reports back from their families. We hear from the local community. Also: a Joe Bruno retrospective.

Contribute Your "Grub" Photos!
Coming off the heels of WNYCs Street Shots project, which drew 900+ photographers to participate on WNYC's Flickr page, the Brian Lehrer show wants to collaborate with its photographer-listeners. Contribute your photos to our photo group to participate in covering New York stories and to provide your perspective on the issues.
On Thursday June 26th, we’ll be doing several segments looking at food policy here in New York City, and we want you to participate in the discussion through photography. We’re asking our "Grub" photo group to join the conversation by contributing food-related pictures to the Flickr group. We’ll incorporate the pictures into our discussion, and may even bring a few of you on the air!
Find Instructions and Join The Discussion Here!

No Access

Monday, June 23, 2008

The U.S. Department of Education is investigating claims that a student was denied entry to Princeton because he’s Asian American. We take a look at race and college admissions with San Francisco Chronicle columnist Jeff Yang. And speaking of admissions…when New York City created new guidelines for its public school gifted programs, the aim was to equalize access. One year later, the programs are actually less diverse. Did good intentions create bad policy? Also: the Cayman Islands, Swiss banks, and Bear Stearns, oh my!

Summer Streets Map Project! On Tuesday we discussed the DOT's plan to close six miles of Manhattan streets on three Saturdays in August. We also asked you to suggest other streets that could be closed to cars on the weekends. Here's a map that shows everyone's suggestions, from the Henry Hudson Parkway north of Harlem to Pelham Parkway in the Bronx. You can keep adding more suggestions on this comments thread!

Slow Medicine

Friday, June 20, 2008

As a geriatrician, Dr. Dennis McCullough deals with his end-of-life issues for many patients -- including his own mother. Today, he advocates an approach relying more on communication and less on crisis intervention that he calls "slow medicine."

Summer Streets Map Project! On Tuesday we discussed the DOT's plan to close six miles of Manhattan streets on three Saturdays in August. We also asked you to suggest other streets that could be closed to cars on the weekends. Here's a map that shows everyone's suggestions, from the Henry Hudson Parkway north of Harlem to Pelham Parkway in the Bronx. You can keep adding more suggestions on this comments thread!

Maps and Territories

Thursday, June 19, 2008

We continue our weekly series about the new Census Atlas of the with a look at a few maps specific to New York. What can we learn from the distribution of housing units? Plus: David Mark and Michael Fauntroy on the newest political developments; Miquela Craytor on the mayor's proposed revitalization program for the South Bronx; Adam Green of MoveOn.org and Glenn Reynolds of Instapundit on the evolving role of the Internet in presidential campaigns; and members of the Young at Heart Chorus.

Summer Streets Map Project!
On Tuesday we discussed the DOT's plan to close six miles of Manhattan streets on three Saturdays in August. We also asked you to suggest other streets that could be closed to cars on the weekend. We've put together a map from your initial suggestions, but we want more. Add your suggestions to this comments thread and we'll add them to our map!

Running on Empty

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

A new report says that 3.1 million New Yorkers – more than a third of the city’s population-- have trouble affording food. Actress Kathleen Turner talks about hunger in New York City, and her involvement with Citymeals-on-Wheels, which is being hit hard by the high prices of food and gas—as well as the demise of Bear Stearns. Also: former Congressman Mickey Edwards on reclaiming conservatism, and columnist Lenore Skenazy on the dreaded Promzilla phenomenon.

A Thousand Flowers Bloom

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Craig Newmark, founder of the eponymous list is an advocate of radical, innovative democracy. He'll be part of the Personal Democracy Forum" at Lincoln Center next week. Fareed Zakaria discusses his new CNN program, Fareed Zakaria GPS which covers international affairs from a global perspective, and John Cage meets Grandmaster Flash in the trip-hop turn-tabling of DJ Spooky.

Community Radio

Monday, June 16, 2008

Airs weekdays at 10AM
The Brian Lehrer show is being honored with a Peabody Award in Broadcast Excellence for “radio that builds community rather than divides.” Today, hear a few of the segments that were submitted to the Peabody judges: the results of the crowd-sourcing project on the price of milk and beer; a look at whether “Yes! The Bronx” is the borough’s best motto; and black-on-black gentrification.

Note: Today's show is not live, so we won't be taking any calls. Our comments page, however, is always open. The Brian Lehrer Show will return live tomorrow, Tuesday, from our brand new studios on Varick Street!

Family Affair

Friday, June 13, 2008

The ability to help family is common in the animal kingdom. But they don’t have a monopoly on it. Some plants have evolved to recognize their kin – and attack their enemies. We talk about the secret social lives of plants with evolutionary biologist Susan Dudley. And: learn how one father home-schooled his son—and strengthened their relationship—with three movies a week. Also: the latest campaign news, and Pete Sampras on his life in tennis.

Mapping Diversity

Thursday, June 12, 2008

In the second week of exploring the new Census Atlas of the United States, Marc Perry, chief of the Population Distribution Branch at the Census, maps out immigration flows and racial identities as they appeared in the last census. Plus, more on the power outages in New Jersey.

Slideshow: Origins and Diversity

Duck ‘n’ Cover

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

As the two sides of the immigration debate dig in their heels, Wall Street Journal editorial board member Jason Riley points to a third way. His new book, Let Them In, argues that an open-immigration policy is consistent with free-market economic policy. Plus, a debate over the pros and cons of cap and trade. And, will foie gras be taken off NYC plates soon?

Two (Or More) Sides To Every Story

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

The recent death of a three-year-old Brooklyn boy raises questions about responsibility. Who should have intervened: the city - or the neighbors? Also: it seems like every elected official is running for a different office. Do term limits create political musical chairs? And: attorney-author Steven Lubet on his latest book The Importance of Being Honest

What's That Word?

Monday, June 09, 2008

Thwart, Pickle, Fluffy: words that sound a lot like what they mean fascinate Weekly Standard contributing editor Joseph Bottum. He shares his favorites and listeners weigh in with their own.

Delivery Costs

Friday, June 06, 2008

A new film explores the hidden world of Chinese take-out by telling the story of an illegal immigrant working as a New York City deliveryman. Also, a look back at Hillary Clinton: presidential candidate. Plus: How much exactly does your Vespa pollute?

Kennedy Legacy

Thursday, June 05, 2008

As Barack Obama takes the reigns of the Democratic Party, the legacy of the Kennedy family looms large. Some, however, think Obama is better off forging a path of his own. Author Pete Hamill, who covered RFK closely, reflects on the 40th anniversary of his shooting along with Chris Smith and Frederick Harris. Plus: The first in our series of looks inside the brand new atlas published by the US Census, the first of its kind in over 100 years; call-ins about Obama's options for Vice President and his nomination's significance for race relations; and is it possible for Mayor Bloomberg to run for a third term despite the current term limit? Joyce Purnick explains.

Talking Politics

Wednesday, June 04, 2008

Linguist George Lakoff wants the Democrats not only to win the White House in November, but to change the terms of the national debate. His new book is The Political Mind: Why You Can't Understand 21st Century American Politics with an 18th Century Brain. Plus: the founder of Digg.com and the latest news as the presidential primary season ends.

You Are What You Buy

Tuesday, June 03, 2008

Think technological advances like TiVo and the internet have left you immune to marketing? Think again. Writer Rob Walker argues that marketing has become murkier than ever, and the result is that we’re more brand-crazy than ever before. Also: a new report calls for a renaissance in New York’s vocational schools, and we take a look at the safety of construction zones.

More or Less

Monday, June 02, 2008

The DNC has ruled on the Florida and Michigan delegates, and we analyze the aftermath. Also: We talk to Donald Cresitello, the mayor who would be senator, a day before New Jersey’s state primary. And: money does matter – we take a look at a recent study that says private hospitals provide more aggressive care to dying patients than public ones. But is less really more?