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The Leonard Lopate Show

Tuesday, September 27, 2005
  • E=MC2

    Forms and Functions

    Christopher Andrew tells us about his history of the KGB’s secret operations in the Third World during the Cold War. Next, David Bodanis celebrates the 100th anniversary of E=MC2 by explaining what the famous equation means. Then, Mario Livio explores the mathematical concept of symmetry in his latest book: The Equation That Couldn’t Be Solved. Finally, Kurt Vonnegut shares his first book since 1999, A Man Without a Country.

The World Was Going Our Way

In 1999 Christopher Andrew pulled together the notes of the KGB’s most senior archivist to uncover the history of the KGB’s secret operations in the US and Europe. Now, for the second volume of that history, he looks at the KGB’s interests and influences in the developing world, and reexamines how the Cold War played out in the Third World. The new book is The World Was Going Our Way.

Music:
The Usual Suspects Soundtrack #13, 3, 4

E=MC2

E=MC2 is one of the world's most famous equations. And while most people have heard of it, few really understand what it means. David Bodanis decided to decode the science and history of the equation for non-scientists in E=MC2: A Biography of the World's Most Famous Equation.

Events:
"Einstein's Big Idea," a NOVA segment based on E=MC2, will premiere on: Tuesday, October 11th at 8pm on PBS
More info.

Music:
Naqoyqatsi Soundtrack #2, 3

The Equation that Couldn't be Solved

Mario Livio explores the mathematical quest to define symmetry. In The Equation that Couldn't be Solved, he explains how symmetry straddles the line between science and art, and how it impacts the form of everything from music to trees.

Music:
Night On Earth Soundtrack #13, 6

Kurt Vonnegut

A Man Without a Country

Kurt Vonnegut tells us about A Man Without a Country, his first book since 1999. The book is a compilation of short essays and speeches, and some of the articles he’s written for the alternative magazine In These Times.

» Read an excerpt from A Man Without a Country in the Reading Room
» More on In These Times

Music:
Cobb #16, 17

National Book Award Winners

The Leonard Lopate Show

A number of this year’s National Book Award winners have appeared on The Leonard Lopate Show. Click here to see the list!

Tributes: Jeanne-Claude

The Leonard Lopate Show

Jeanne-Claude created environmental works of art with her husband and fellow-conspirator/collaborator Christo. Together, they wrapped the Reichstag in Berlin, the Pont-Neuf in Paris, and created The Gates, with billowy orange drapes, in Central Park. Jeanne-Claude just died at the age of 74. You can hear Leonard Lopate’s last interview with them both, from July 19, 1999.

Please Explain: Eco-Labels

The Leonard Lopate Show

Your broccoli, shampoo, and air conditioner might bear labels declaring them to be organic, cruelty-free, or energy efficient, but what do those labels mean and are they true? Dr. Urvashi Rangan, Project Director for Consumer Reports' GreenerChoices.org and Consumers Union’s Senior Scientist for Policy Initiatives, and Dara O'Rourke, founder and CEO of GoodGuide.com, took a look at what eco-labels indicate, how standards are set, and what they mean for consumers and manufacturers around the world.

Our 3-ingredient Challenge wins a James Beard Award

The Leonard Lopate Show

On May 3, the Lopate Show won its third James Beard Award for our 3-ingredient challenge. In August, we asked our listeners to call in and name 3 ingredients and then challenged New York chef and 3-ingredient expert Rozanne Gold to whip up a recipe! You can listen to the 3-ingredient challenge and get some inspiration for simple, delicious, and unexpected dishes.