What factors influence your political choices? According to Professor Drew Westen, emotion plays a much more important role than reason. He’ll join us this hour to discuss his recent book “The Political Brain: The Role of Emotion in Deciding the Fate of the Nation” (PublicAffairs, 2007).
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What is the state of American diplomacy and how can the U.S. recover its footing in the Middle East and elsewhere in the world? We’ll talk this evening with former Middle East Envoy, Ambassador Dennis Ross who’s in town for an appearance at the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth. Ross is the author of the book “Statecraft and How to Restore America’s Standing in the World” (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2007).Filmmakers Laurie Coyle and Rick Tejada-Flores will join us during the Scene segment to discuss their new documentary “OROZCO: Man of Fire” which airs on PBS American Masters September 19th.
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The U.S. image abroad has undoubtedly been strained in recent years. Yet our allies – especially in the Middle East – are still with us. We’ll visit this hour with a representative of one of those countries – Her Excellency Reem Al-Hashimy, Deputy Chief of Mission of the United Arab Emirates Embassy in Washington D.C. Ms. Al-Hashimi will speak about her country, its history, and its shared interest with the U.S. and the global community at The Women’s Museum this evening.
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Would you like to live forever? You’re not alone. In fact, even famed aviator and Nazi apologist Charles Lindbergh teamed up with the first U.S. Nobel Laureate to find a biological solution to human mortality. We’ll explore the story this hour with journalist David M. Friedman, author of “The Immortalists: Charles Lindbergh, Dr. Alexis Carrel, and Their Daring Quest to Live Forever” (Ecco, 2007).
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Forgiveness and reconciliation can only come about when people communicate. The Truth in Translation Project, which is in town this week, puts that communication in the spotlight by telling the story of South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission through the interpreters of 11 African languages who translated the testimony of victims and perpetrators of genocide. We’ll discuss the project this hour with Artistic Director Michael Lessac and actors Sibulele Gcilitshana and Andrew Buckland. “Truth in Translation” runs through Saturday at SMU’s Bob Hope Theater.
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Still wondering what to do when you grow up? Melissa Plaut isn’t. She gave up the corporate life to become a New York City cab driver at the age of 29. Melissa Plaut will join us this hour to discuss her first two years as a cabbie. Her new book about the experience is called “HACK: How I Stopped Worrying About What to Do with My Life and Started Driving a Yellow Cab” (Villard, 2007).
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Is the brain capable of change? According to psychiatrist and psychoanalyst Dr. Norman Doidge, using the brain actually changes its structure allowing it to become more proficient. He’ll join us this hour to discuss his research and his book “The Brain that Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Science” (Viking, 2007).
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Anyone in the broadcasting business around here knows the name Bill Mercer. And anyone who considers themselves a sports fan has probably heard his voice. We’ll spend this hour with Mercer, whose 50+ year career as a broadcaster and broadcasting instructor continues today. His new memoir is “Play-By- Play: Tales from a Sports Broadcasting Insider” (Taylor Trade, 2007).
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Information, entertainment, news, financial markets – things are happening faster and faster these days. Managing to cope with the increased speed of life will determine success and failure for many in the future. We’ll discuss the challenges with Vince Poscente – speaker, former Olympic speed skier and author of “The Age of Speed: Learning to Thrive in a More-Faster-Now World” (Bard Press, 2007).
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How will technological advances change our understanding and exploration of space? According to Dr. Richard Corfield, author of the new book “Lives of the Planets: A Natural History of the Universe” (Basic Books, 2007), they already are. Corfield, visiting Senior Lecturer and Researcher in the Centre for Earth, Planetary, Space and Astronomical Research at the Open University will be our guest for the hour.
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What’s it really like in Afghanistan? We’ll find out this hour with North Texas filmmaker Naeem Randhawa who has just returned from two months in Kabul and blogged about the experience while he was there. His 2006 film was “American Ramadan.”
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Almost everyone agrees that global warming is a reality. And as evidenced by recent news, some nations, including the U.S. and Canada, aren’t waiting around to stake their claim on the soon-to-be formerly frozen North and the resources that may lie beneath it. Journalist McKenzie Funk, covers the story in the September issue of Harper’s Magazine. He’ll join us from the deck of an Alaskan icebreaker this hour to discuss his piece “COLD RUSH: The Coming Fight for the Melting North.”
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