A Four Part Series from TTBOOK!

Public Radio International

Wisconsin Public Radio

THE COURSE OF TIME

Program 10-01-03-B

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Where did we come from, and where are we going? Whether it's the Garden of Eden and Armageddon, or the Big Bang and the Big Freeze, we can't help but ponder our place in the universe. In this hour of To the Best of Our Knowledge, we consider the universal course of time, from the beginning to the end… and back again. A cosmologist discusses creation, and ponders when the universe became self aware. A documentary film producer examines African creation myths and their relationship to science. Novelist Jim Crace talks about his apocalyptic vision in The Pesthouse. And Ron Mallet talks about his efforts to disrupt the natural course of time through the very real possibility of time travel.

SEGMENT 1:

Steve Paulson interviews Brian Swimme, mathematical cosmologist at the Center for the Story of the Universe at the California institute of Integral Studies, about the origins of the universe, and how cosmology can help us reconnect with the natural world.

Anne Strainchamps interviews Thebe Medupe, astrophysicist at the University of Capetown in South Africa, about African views of astrology and creation. He produced the documentary, Cosmic Africa.

SEGMENT 2:

Jim Fleming interview with Jim Crace, author of The Pesthouse. The book envisions the end of time -- a post-apocalyptic America, after an un-named eco disaster destroys civilization. Nan A. Talese, 2007

SEGMENT 3:

Anne Strainchamps interviews Ron Mallet, a theoretical physicist at the University of Connecticut, about his boyhood dream of building a time machine and rescuing his own father. Mallett also explains current research into time travel and says the ability to go back and forth in time may be closer than we think. His book is called Time Traveler: A Scientist’s Personal Mission to Make Time Travel a Reality. Thunder’s Mouth Press (Avalon Publishing Group) 2006.

Fleda Brown reads her poem, “For My Daughter’s Fortieth Birthday” which connects space and time in an entirely different way. Brown is the author of many books, including Reunion, (University of Wisconsin Press, 2007) and Breathing In, Breathing Out (Anhinga Press, 2002) Brown also served as the poet laureate of Delaware, from 2001 to 2007.

CD copies are available at 1-800-747-7444. Ask for program number 10-01-03-B.

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Books & CDs:

Jim Crace, The Pesthouse (Nan A. Talese)
Ron Mallet, Time Traveler: A Scientist's Personal Mission to Make Time Travel a Reality (Thunder's Mouth Press Avalon Publishing Group)
Fleda Brown, Reunion (University of Wisconsin Press, 2007)

Music:

• During Return: Ulrich Schnauss, “Passing By,” from the album Far Away Trains Passing By
  
• After Honore: Sondre Lerche, Dan and Marie Melody, from the Dan in Real Life Soundrack
  
• After Gorman: Ulrich Schnauss, As if You’ve Never Been Away, Far Away Trains Passing By
  
• After Keating: Aine Minogue, Celtic meditation music
  
• After Auerbach: Lera Auerbach, After the End of Time
  
• After Athill: Vicki Logan, Only Time, Finding My Way
  

Distribution dates: week of 12/26/2010 - hour 1 week of 01/03/2010 - hour 2 click HERE for timings and cues

Listen (RealAudio) OR Download mp3 (right-click & choose "save link as")

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Questions and comments can be addressed to: flemingj@wpr.org

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