Groks Science Radio Show And Podcast

Advances in manipulating materials on the nano-scale is beginning to yield promising results. The current state of the field was discussed on this show with William Atkinson.

Fossil fuels are a problematic energy source. They are bad for the environment and are non-renewable. Developing the resources and infrastructure for renewable energy sources is a major goal of the next century. On this program, we explored such renewable energy sources with Prof. Daniel M. Kammen.

Shakespearean insights into the human condition also reflect fundamental operating processes of the human brain. On this show, Prof. Paul Matthews discussed the guid between Shakespeare and modern neuroscience.

Before Sigmund Freud revealed his insights of human psychology, thrillers such as Therese Raquin were already exploring this issue. On this show, we took a closer look at this novel work.

What if the military were designing genetically-engineered animals to serve as soldiers? That's the premise of a new novel by Stephen J. Cannell, based on current scientific technology. On this show, we explored the implications of such a development with the author.

Richard Feynman, one of the best known physicists of our time, is known not only for his scientific work, but also for his unique personality. This show examined the very human side of this very extraordinary man.

In the rarified circles of mathematical research, understanding theorems often precedes cultivating human relations. On this program, actors from Proof, the prize winning play, explored this issue in depth.

Astronomers are continuing to examine the early universe by exploring results from the Hubble telescope and other surveys. Time magazine science writer, Michael Lemonick, shared with us the most recent findings.

The Matrix movies are well known for their innovative special effects. On this program, Dr. Paul Debevec discussed many of the special effects that he helped create for these films.

Our moral sense is such an integral part of our being that often we may be unaware of how we come by our beliefs. Indeed, the complex interplay of nature and nurture in developing this sense remains a profound mystery. This episode featured a discussion with Dr. Anne Colby regarding some of these factors.

The launch of Sputnik by the Soviet Union was an event that profoundly changed the course of history. In the United States, it spurred the rapid development of the scientific establishment that remains in place today. On this show, Paul Dickson discussed the effects resulting from the launch of Sputnik.

A major goal in physics is constructing a theory that unifies the four fundamental forces. The leading contender in this debate is String Field Theory, and was the focus of this discussion with Prof. Michio Kaku.

Robotics is a field that has revolutionized our modern society. The next-generation of robots will perform duties that were once thought impossible. On this show, a group of mechanical engineers discussed the future of robotics.

Deep Blue may currently be the most famous chess-playing machine, but it was certainly not the first. In fact, the development of chess-playing automata may have originated with an elaborate eighteenth-century hoax known as The Turk. On this show, we explored the unique history of this innovative machine with Tom Standage.

The popular coverage of science in the media is often limited to the superficial descriptions of flashy discoveries, leaving in depth examination of critical issues unexplored. This program featured a discussion with Prof. Michael Pollan of the science beyond the headlines.

Can art exist without human observers? Or, is art wholly an expression of the unique capacities of the human brain? On this program, Prof. Semir Zeki discussed how the human brain could give rise to artistic expression.

Srinivasa Ramunujan was one of the most brilliant, self-taught mathematicians of his time. The story of his life and relationship with Cambridge Professor, Thomas Hardy, is the subject of the new play, Partition, and was discussed on this program.

What are the big questions remaining in science? How much closer are we to the answers? On this program, Dr. Robert Lawrence Kuhn discussed these issues and an upcoming PBS series that examines these issues.

The war in Iraq has begun, and the technological issues of executing a war in the twenty-first century have already become apparent. On this program, Prof. Richard Muller offered an analysis of several of these issues.

Although computing technology is an integral part of our daily lives, it has yet to reach its full potential. Integrating these information systems on a global scale will require innovative new methods. This featured the director of CITRIS discussing many possibilities for integrated computing systems.