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jj_judes/flickrMake Up Your Mind
Humans often act irrationally... but irrational behavior can be quite predictable. An MIT professor explains the forces that lead to irrational behavior. Also, a new novel about the constricted life of a Japanese princess. On States of the Union, former US Senator from Rhode Island Lincoln Chafee tells us what his state’s voters are thinking as they head into their primary on Tuesday. And on Underreported: new attempts to change the sentencing policies for crack versus powder cocaine.
Check out the latest in our Political Projections film series! On Tuesday, March 4, we'll talk about how Hollywood has showcased American cynicism about politics. You can watch the films we've chosen and weigh in on the conversation.
Predictably Irrational Decision-Making
Humans often act in irrational ways...for example, making poor decisions about dating, and spending money unwisely. Recent experiments reveal our irrational behavior can be quite predictable! MIT professor Dan Ariely explains the forces that lead to irrational behavior in his new book Predictably Irrational.
Weigh in: What's the most irrational decision you've ever made? And do you know why you made it?
The Constricted Life of Japan’s Royal Family
John Burnham Schwartz’s new novel, The Commoner, is based on the life of Japan’s Empress Michiko, who was the first commoner to marry into the Japanese imperial family.
States of the Union: Rhode Island
All eyes are on Ohio and Texas for their March 4 primaries, but Rhode Island is voting on that day too. Rhode Island’s biggest industry is health care and we find out whether health care reform is a major issue there. Also: why Rhode Island has the lowest presidential approval rating in the country, and how that may affect the campaigns in the coming months. Lincoln Chafee is former US Senator of Rhode Island.
States of the Union fact of the week: The official name of Rhode Island is State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations – the smallest state in the country has one of the longest state names, thereby stumping cartographers for generations to come.
Underreported: Unfair Crack and Cocaine Sentencing Guidelines
According to current federal sentencing guidelines, convictions for the sale of 500 grams of powder cocaine – and only 5 grams of crack cocaine – both result in a 5-year mandatory minimum sentence. Jesselyn McCurdy, legislative counsel for the ACLU, explains why this sentencing disparity is unfair and fails to address the larger problem of the drug trade. Karen Garrison is the mother of 2 sons who are each serving long sentences in federal prison for non-violent crack cocaine offenses.
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Tributes: Kate McGarrigle
The Leonard Lopate Show
Folk singer Kate McGarrigle, who gained acclaim for a series of projects with her sister Anna, died Monday, Jan. 18, from a rare form of cancer. She left behind a family of talented musicians, including her sister, son Rufus Wainwright, and daughter Martha Wainwright. McGarrigle appeared on The Leonard Lopate show with her sister in December 2005, ahead of their holiday show at Carnegie Hall.
Monona Rossol on 50 Million Chemicals
The Leonard Lopate Show
On September 7, 2009, scientists working for the Chemical Abstract Service (which assigns identification numbers to all new chemicals) entered the 50-millionth chemical substance into their Registry. Chemist and industrial hygienist Monona Rossol, President and Founder of Arts, Crafts & Theater Safety, took a look at what all these new substances are, where they are coming from, and how they affect our health. Rossol also responded to listener comments and questions. You can read her answers here.
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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!
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.
