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The Leonard Lopate Show
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Find out how the U.S. can become the world leader in science and technology once again. Also: interactions between humans and robots, and humans and horses. The long tradition of manufacturing along the Gowanus canal. And on Underreported: all about Lebanon's new president, Michel Suleiman, and whether he can help heal the country's deep divisions. Plus, a look at the longest-serving inmate in the American prison system. Guest host Jad Abumrad of WNYC's Radio Lab sits in for Leonard today.
How America Can Take the Lead in Science and Technology
We look into what the U.S. needs to do to become a world leader in science and technology once again. Brian Greene is a professor of physics and mathematics at Columbia University and host of PBS series “The Elegant Universe”; he also helped put together the World Science Festival, happening in New York May 28-June 1.
Robots and Humans
Robot expert Dr. Cynthia Breazeal talks about how robots and humans interact, and the limits of artificial intelligence. She’s Director of the Personal Robots Group at MIT Media Lab and Associate Professor of Media Arts and Sciences at MIT, and will be speaking on a panel, “Pioneers in Science,” this afternoon at the World Science Festival.
Gowanus Transformations
After it became a canal in the mid-19th century, the Gowanus turned into an important manufacturing hub. A new exhibit at the Brooklyn Historical Society, “Gowanus Transformations,” celebrates 150 years of Gowanus manufacturing, which continues today despite many changes in the neighborhood.
We hear from two Gowanus manufacturers: Danny Maldari makes pasta at Maldari & Sons; Jeremy Chernick is manager of J & M Special Effects. Also: Phaedra Thomas of Southwest Brooklyn Industrial Development Corp.
6,000 Years of Humans and Horses
Humans domesticated horses some 6,000 years ago, and since then the two species have shared a powerful bond. A new exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History, ”The Horse,” looks at how horses and humans have interacted in cultures throughout the world. Ross McPhee is curator.
Underreported: Lebanon’s New President, Michel Suleiman
Lebanon’s new President, Michel Suleiman, has just taken office after a 6-month presidential void. We find out more about why President Suleiman has become a symbol of unity, and whether he can help heal the country's deep divisions. Dr. Fawaz Gerges is an author, Mideast scholar and Beirut native who holds the Christian A. Johnson Chair in International Affairs and Middle Eastern Studies at Sarah Lawrence College. His new article for Dissent magazine is "Hezbollah and the Future of Lebanon."
Underreported: Longest-Serving Inmate
The longest-serving inmate in the United States prison system is William Heirens, also known as the Lipstick Killer for the message left scrawled in lipstick at a crime scene. He’s been continuously incarcerated for 62 years and counting. Journalist Adam Higginbotham tells us about Heirens’s many years in prison. His article in the June GQ magazine is “The Long, Long Life of the Lipstick Killer.”
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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.
Video Pick: David Chang on Momofuku
The Leonard Lopate Show
Recent Videos:
- Arthur Schwartz on The Southern Italian Table
- David Plouffe on The Audacity to Win: The Inside Story and Lessons of Barack Obama’s Historic Victory
- Ken Auletta on Googled: The End of the World as We Know It
- Paul Shaffer on We’ll Be Here for the Rest of Our Lives: A Swingin' Show-Biz Saga
- George Steel on the New York City Opera’s new season
- Gail Collins on When Everything Changed: The Amazing Journey of Women from 1960 to the Present
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Let’s Go Swimming!
The Leonard Lopate Show
According to the Centers for Disease Control, bacterial, viral, and parasitic organisms found in recreational water in the United States sicken thousands of people every year, and even result in deaths. We’ll speak with chemist and industrial hygienist Monona Rossol about the protozoa, amoebas and other things that love to go swimming with us. Monona is also founder and President of Arts, Crafts and Theater Safety.
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Frank McCourt
The Leonard Lopate Show
Frank McCourt has been a guest many times on this show over the years, starting in 1996 for the memoir, Angela’s Ashes, that would earn him a Pulitzer Prize. Fame came to him late in life, after he’d retired at the age of 65 from teaching English and creative writing at public schools here in New York. He was a sweet, eloquent man who spoke with grace and humility; he just died at the age of 78 after a battle with cancer. You can hear him speaking with Leonard Lopate for his Survival Kit in 2000, and in 2005, for his memoir, Teacher Man.
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Science and Faith
The Leonard Lopate Show
Earlier this week, Pres. Obama announced that he plans to nominate geneticist Dr. Francis Collins to lead the National Institutes of Health. You can listen to Leonard’s 2006 conversation with Dr. Collins about how he reconciles his personal faith with his professional scientific knowledge.
FDA to Regulate Tobacco?
The Leonard Lopate Show
May 14, 2009
Congress is getting ready to a vote on whether to make tobacco subject to FDA regulation. You can listen to a segment we did in May about the bill and what it would mean for the cigarette companies.
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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.
Leonard is on Facebook
Now Leonard is on Facebook! We’re posting photos, status updates, links to notable interviews, and lots more. Check it out.
Barack Obama, Circa 2004
The Leonard Lopate Show
Listen to President-Elect Barack Obama on the Leonard Lopate Show in November 2004. He had recently won a seat in the U.S. Senate, and only a few months before, his rousing speech during the 2004 Democratic National Convention catapulted him into the national spotlight.
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