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On Demand

The Brian Lehrer Show

Friday, November 28, 2008
  • kiss me words

    Words that Work

    Athwart. Scalp. Scab. Buckle. Drab. Words that just feel right when they roll of the tongue. What are your favorite words to say? And, Lawrence Lessig on the state of copyright law. Plus, just why are baby strollers so darn expensive?

Bubble Bubble Toil and Trouble

Unemployment during the Great Depression was 25 percent. So, just how does the current economic crisis stack up against history's other bubble-bursting periods? Niall Ferguson, Laurence A. Tisch Professor of History at Harvard University and the author of The Ascent of Money: A Financial History of the World, places the current financial crisis in historical context.

Buy, Buy Baby

If you're a parent, you're probably no stranger to getting suckered by your kids. But according to Pamela Paul, author of Parenting, Inc. How We Are Sold on $800 Strollers, Fetal Education, Baby Sign Language, Sleeping Coaches, Toddler Couture and Diaper Wipe Warmers -- and What It Means for Our Children, the billion-dollar baby industry also has your number. She joins us to talk about the commercialization of childhood and parenting.

Copyright Wars

Is the war on digital piracy killing creativity? Lawrence Lessig, Stanford Law Professor and author of Remix: Making Art and Commerce Thrive in the Hybrid Economy, argues that copyright laws are criminalizing artists and youth and are strangling creativity. He also discusses his effort to use the net roots community to change Congress.

Change Congress

A Twittering Headache for Motrin

Over the course of an afternoon, Motrin's latest ad campaign was undone by tech-savvy mothers using twitter who were offended by the ad's tone. Virginia Heffernan, The Medium columnist for The New York Times Magazine, explains how new technology is changing the way consumers and companies interact.

Watch The Original Offending Ad
Youtube Compilation of MotrinMoms Twitter Posts

What's That Word?

Thwart, Pickle, Fluffy: words that sound just right fascinate Joseph Bottum, contributing editor for The Weekly Standard and editor at First Things. He shares his favorites of such words, which he christens these agenbites, (pronounced again bites), and listeners weigh in with their own.

Bottum's Piece on Agenbites

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.