TO THE BEST OF OUR KNOWLEDGE
from Wisconsin Public Radio
August 18, 1996 Programs
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1100 - 1159 Hour #1 Meritocracy
1200 - 1259 Hour #2 Mental Abilities
1300 - 1359 Hour #3 Role of Journalism
PROGRAM RUNDOWN Hour 1:Meritocracy
SEGMENT 1:
Michael Lind, A senior editor at the New Republic, tells
Margaret Andreasen about the new elite - the meritocracy -
that's running America. Lind's book is called "The Next
American Nation: The New Nationalism and the Fourth American
Revolution." Also, Nicholas Lemann tells Steve Paulson how the
meritocracy screens potential new members through the
scholastic aptitude tests. Lemann is a correspondent for The
Atlantic Monthly.
SEGMENT 2:
Gore Vidal tells Judith Strasser that America has always had a
ruling class; that much of the country is owned by about a
dozen families; and that you're unlikely to move out of
whatever economic class you're born into. Vidal is the author
of many novels and books of criticism. His memoir is called
"Palimpsest."
SEGMENT 3:
Eugene Lang, chairman and founder of the "I Have a Dream"
foundation tells Jim Fleming about the program which guarantees
its children a college education and provides caring and
guidance throughout their childhood.
For cassette copies of this hour, call 1-800-747-7444, and ask for program number
11-26-A.
PROGRAM RUNDOWN Hour 2:Mental Abilities
SEGMENT 1:
Psychologist Frances Rauscher tells Judith Strasser about her
research showing that children as young as three who are given
simple musical training develop significantly improved
cognitive abilities including temporal/spatial imaging skills.
Rauscher teaches at the University of Wisconsin in Osh Kosh.
Also, radio games! Harvard psychologist Stephen Kosslyn has
spent twenty years figuring out how the mind conjures up
images. It turns out there are a variety of imaging skills,
and Kosslyn demonstrates on Steve Paulson that they are not
necessarily related and have nothing to do with intelligence.
Kosslyn's book is called "Image and Brain."
SEGMENT 2:
Daniel Goleman is a science writer for the New York Times and
the author of "Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More
Than IQ." He tells Jim Fleming what emotional intelligence is
and why school systems (including New Haven's) are wise to work
at developing it.
SEGMENT 3:
The central character of Alan Lightman's novel "Good Benito" is
a physicist completely lacking in emotional intelligence.
Lightman tells Judith Strasser why some scientists have trouble
dealing with the messy ambiguity of human relationships.
Lightman teaches physics and writing at MIT.
For cassette copies of this hour, call 1-800-747-7444, and ask for program number
11-12-B.
PROGRAM RUNDOWN: HOUR 3: Role of Journalism
SEGMENT 1
Media critic and journalist James Fallows tells Steve Paulson
what's wrong with the news business and why we should care.
Fallows is particularly upset by the media's focus on strategy,
not substance; and the apparent impropriety of journalists
(such as NPR's Cokie Roberts) accepting huge fees for
appearances before corporate interest groups. Fallows' latest
book is "Breaking the News: How the Media Undermine American
Democracy."
SEGMENT 2:
Retired Executive Editor of The Washington Post Ben Bradlee
tells Judith Strasser why he went to work for the Post; why he
fought to publish the Pentagon Papers and why his paper is
still important. Bradlee's memoir of his career is called "A
Good Life." Also, former Post Assistant Managing Editor Ben
Bagdikian recalls for Jim Fleming how his friendship with
Daniel Ellsberg brought the Pentagon Papers to the Post.
Bagdikian's memoir is called "Double Vision: Reflections on My
Heritage, Life and Profession."
SEGMENT 3:
Juan Gonzalez prides himself on being the most hated columnist
in New York. He tells Steve Paulson why: he doesn't take the
police's word for things but seeks out his own answers in
ghetto communities. Some of Gonzalez' columns for the New York
Daily News have been collected in a book called "Roll Down Your
Window: Stories from a Forgotten America."
For cassette copies of this hour, call 1-800-747-7444, and ask for program number
02-04-C.
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Last modified: Monday August 12, 1996