A Four Part Series from TTBOOK!

Public Radio International

Wisconsin Public Radio

AMAZING MINDS: INSIDE AUTISM

Program 09-08-02-A

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He's been described as "the most remarkable mind on the planet" and one of the world's"100 living geniuses." Daniel Tammet lives with high-functioning autistic savant syndrome.He's able to recite the mathematical constant Pi to over 22,500 decimal places frommemory. But Tammet says that the differences between savant and nonsavant minds areexaggerated. In this hour of To the Best of Our Knowledge, Daniel Tammet explains how his amazing mind works. Also, philosophy professor Ian Hacking on "Humans, Aliens and Autism."

SEGMENT 1:

Daniel Tammet may be the most remarkable mind on the planet. He tells Steve Paulson that his high-functioning autistic savant syndrome leads him to think that autistic minds are not that different from non-autistic minds. His new book is "Embracing the Wide Sky: A Tour Across the Horizons of the Mind."

SEGMENT 2:

Tricia Regan served as director, producer and cinematographer of a documentary film called "Autism: The Musical." It's about a group of autistic children who decide to put on their own show. Regan tells Anne Strainchamps how she got involved with the project. Also, acclaimed journalist Karl Taro Greenfeld has written a memoir about growing up with his autistic brother, Noah. Greenfeld tells Jim Fleming he's never had a conversation with his brother. His book is called "Boy Alone: A Brother's Memoir."

SEGMENT 3:

Ian Hacking is a philosophy professor and the author of 13 books and hundreds of articles. In one called "Humans, Aliens and Autism" he analyzes the use of the alien metaphor as applied to people with autism. He discusses his article with Steve Paulson. Also, Tyler Cowan is an economics professor and author of "Create Your Own Economy: The Path to Prosperity In A Disordered World. He talks with Anne Strainchamps.

CD copies are available at 1-800-747-7444. Ask for program number 09-08-02-A.

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Books & CDs:

Daniel Tammet, Embracing the Wide Sky: A Tour Across the Horizons of the Mind (Free Press)
Karl Taro Greenfeld, Boy Alone: A Brother's Memoir (Harper)
Tyler Cowen, Create Your Own Economy: The Path to Prosperity in a Disordered World (Dutton)

Websites:

• -- Daniel Tammet
  http://www.optimnem.co.uk/

• -- Tricia Regan/“Autism: The Musical”
  http://www.autismthemusical.com/

• -- Karl Taro Greenfeld
  http://www.karltarogreenfeld.com/ktg/home.html

• -- Ian Hacking
  http://www.provost.utoronto.ca/Awards/uprofessors/emeritus/Professor_Ian_M__Hacking.htm
  

• -- Tyler Cowen
  http://www.marginalrevolution.com/
  http://www.gmu.edu/jbc/Tyler/

Articles:

• -- “Humans, Aliens & Autism” by Ian Hacking
  from “Daedalus,” Summer 2009, Vol. 138, No. 3, pages 44-59
  http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/daed.2009.138.3.44

Clips:

• -- from “Autism: The Musical” DVD (Docurama)
  http://www.docurama.com/productdetail.html?productid=NV-NNVG109471
  http://www.autismthemusical.com/
  

Music:

• -- “The Artifact & Living”/Michael Andrews
  from the CD, “Donnie Darko: Music from the Original Motion Picture Score” (Enjoy Records)
  
• -- “Liquid Spear Waltz”/Michael Andrews
  from the CD, “Donnie Darko: Music from the Original Motion Picture Score” (Enjoy Records)
  
• -- “Did you Know Him?”/Michael Andrews
  from the CD, “Donnie Darko: Music from the Original Motion Picture Score” (Enjoy Records)
  
• -- “Gretchen Ross”/Donnie Darko
  from the CD, “Donnie Darko: Music from the Original Motion Picture Score” (Enjoy Records)
  
• -- “The Artifact & Living”/Michael Andrews
  from the CD, “Donnie Darko: Music from the Original Motion Picture Score” (Enjoy Records)
  

Distribution dates: week of 07/18/2010 - hour 2 week of 08/02/2009 - hour 1 click HERE for timings and cues

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