wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

The Brian Lehrer Show

Wednesday, August 06, 2008
  • Trolls
    (kevinthoule/flickr)

    Trolls & Super-Bugs

    Hospitals may exist to make people healthier, but they can also serve as incubators for nasty super-bugs like MRSA and Klebsiella pneumoniae which is even more resistant to antibiotics (and its first major outbreak was at a New York City hospital). Dr. Jerome Groopman writes about what one expert called “doomsday-scenario bugs” in this week’s New Yorker. Also, beware the internet trolls.

Pay As You Drive

Next week, New Jersey will adopt a new pay-as-you-drive insurance plan. The initiative aims to help cashed strapped commuters, as well as benefit the environment. Richard Hutchinson, general manager of Usage Based Insurance for Progressive discusses the company's plan. Also in the conversation, Jason Bordoff of the Brookings Institution. He recently co-authored a study on pay-as-you-drive insurance.

Congestion in the Air

Jim May, President and CEO of Airline Transit Association, and Michael E. Levine, formerly a government regulator and senior airline executive now teaching Law at NYU, explain the Port Authority's decision to reject a Federal plan to auction off take-off and landing slots at New York City airports.

Beware the Trolls

The word 'troll' has taken on a whole new meaning in the internet age; Mattathias Schwartz, contributing writer to the New York Times Magazine talks about the 'creatures' that terrorize the internet.

"The Trolls Among Us" NYT Magazine 8/3/2008

Clerkships at New York City Hospitals

Thanks to a new contract, students from a Caribbean-based medical school will receive clinical training at some of New York City's public hospitals. But the new deal could mean fewer clerkship positions for students from medical schools in New York. Charles Modica, Chancellor of St.George's University and Dr. Michael Reichgott of Albert Einstein Medical School, talk about the anatomy of the deal.

Attack of the Pneumoniae

Doctors are scratching their heads over how to handle an increasing amount of drug resistant diseases. New Yorker staff writer and Harvard Medical School professor Jerome Groopman discusses the myth and reality of the "superbug."

"Superbugs" The New Yorker 8/11/2008

Collection, Creation, Compulsion

Is that old pile of newspapers or cabinet of broken salt and pepper shakers trying to tell you something? Author William Davies King discusses the art of amassing detritus in Collections of Nothing.

What do you collect?

30 Issues in 30 Days

The Brian Lehrer Show

Once again, 30 Issues in 30 Days is taking on the election season by going beyond the horse race and examining the real issues that are at stake for the people of New York and New Jersey in the Mayoral and Gubernatorial contest. See the schedule and help craft the segments at the 30 Issues Wiki!

Michael Moore on Brian's 20th Anniversary

The Brian Lehrer Show

Live from the Greene Space: Michael Moore talks about his new documentary, Capitalism: A Love Story and Brian celebrates the 20 year anniversary of The Brian Lehrer Show.

Uncommon Indicators

The Brian Lehrer Show

The Brian Lehrer Show wants to hear how the economy is affecting the little things in your daily life. Share your stories and photos of the downturn.

Help us map abandoned lots, stalled construction and unsold condos.

Digesting Politics

Brian, Bob, and Andrea

WNYC's political team of Brian Lehrer, Bob Hennelly, and Andrea Bernstein talk politics and more over lunch each week. Hear the latest episode and subscribe to the podcast here!

Video Picks

The Brian Lehrer Show

Check out some recent video clips of interviews with guests and Brian Lehrer's weekly Web video picks.