On Demand
The Next Big Thing
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U.S. Central CommandAt Home in War
Buddhism and Baghdad, the United Nations and the earth’s atmosphere – each has its own complicated relationship to war and peace. Find out more – from a Zen master, an archaeologist, 15 smart teenagers and 3 dedicated earth scientists. Also, writer Rick Moody on the music that’s seen him through these anxious times.
Inbedded
There is growing concern about the safety of journalists on the frontlines in Iraq. Naturally, here at The Next Big Thing we are particularly worried about our own correspondent, Mark O’Donnell. He’s embedded with the … well, that’s the part we’re still trying to figure out. Produced by Curtis Fox.
To Save Humanity from the Scourge of War
Is the U.N. irrelevant? Not according to 295 students from 30 high schools who attended the 24th Annual Florida High School Model United Nations Conference. As the U.S. and its allies met in the Azores to finalize war plans, fifteen young members of the mock Security Council vigorously sought a multilateral solution – and flirted. Produced by Michael Kavanagh.
Listening to the Atmosphere
Listening to the Atmosphere During the Clinton administration, the United States joined a worldwide International Monitoring System, created to detect nuclear tests. One system uses Infrasound Stations to record and interpret the noises in the atmosphere – undetectable by human ears. Next Big Thing producer Amanda Aronczyk talks to three of those scientists who spend their days listening to the surprising sounds the earth makes. For more information on their research, go to www.inframatics.org.Thanks to Dr. Milton Garces at the University of Hawaii.
Moody Music
Novelist Rick Moody shares with Dean some of the songs that he’s been listening to in these rather anxious times. For Rick’s playlist, click here. Produced by Curtis Fox.
Zen at War
Years ago, Brian Victoria converted to Buddhism, after arriving at the conclusion that his religion – Christianity - had too often been used to make war. It didn’t take him long, however, to discover that Buddhists, too, have a complicated relationship to war.
Sister City
Many New Yorkers, familiar with terror, can’t help but identify with the plight of the residents of Baghdad, who face a much greater threat. Dean Olsher decides it’s time to find out more about the city we’ve only seen on t.v. – glowing a sickly night vision green. Armed with a list of New Yorkers’ questions, he turns to McGuire Gibson, an archaeologist who has been visiting Baghdad for nearly 40 years. Produced by Julie Subrin.
