In Richard Powers' new novel Playground, technology and the environment meet on the island of Makatea in French Polynesia. The book weaves stories together from across decades, but revolves around core themes like awe for the vastness of our oceans and the centrality of play in the story of human survival. In today's episode, Powers talks with NPR's Ari Shapiro about some of the many inspirations behind Playground, including games, a book on coral reefs gifted to him by his sister, and Silicon Valley's obsession with seasteading.
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Many places on Earth have extreme climates. However, there is one place on Earth that has a climate so extreme that it is the closest thing to it might be on another planet.
Despite having the most inhospitable and unforgiving climate on Earth, researchers have been shocked at what they’ve found there. Their discoveries might help pave the way to finding life outside our world.
Learn more about the Dry Valleys of Antarctica, how they came to be, and what makes them so unique on this episode of Everything Everywhere Daily.
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Sign up at butcherbox.com/daily and use code daily to get chicken breast, salmon or ground beef FREE in every order for a year plus $20 off your first order!
Why do some puzzles make us immediately leap to the wrong conclusion?
That?s the subject of Alex Bellos? new book Think Twice, which has page after page of questions designed to deceive.
Alex sets Tim Harford some of his favourite puzzles.
Presenter: Tim Harford
Series producer: Tom Colls
Production co-ordinator: Katie Morrison and Janet Staples
Sound mix: Donald MacDonald
Editor: Richard Vadon
It's time for ... Indicators of the Week! It is our show where we talk about fascinating numbers from the news. On today's episode, America's small GDP increase, a big assist from China's government to its lower income residents, and a high-grossing, centuries-old Monkey King.
Squatters pose a challenge for property owners, law enforcement, and state legislatures. Kyle Sweetland of the Pacific Legal Foundation offers some ways for states to address the issue to give owners more control over their property.
What does it mean that hundreds took over the streets around Grand Central Terminal celebrating Hamas and Hezbollah before others went up Park Avenue to the hotel where Benjamin Netanyahu is staying and started chanting, "We're going to get you"? What does it mean that Kamala Harris is going to the border? What does it mean that Eric Adams wanted airline upgrades so much he might have sold himself to the government of Turkey? Give a listen.
Located in Vatican City, just off St. Peter’s Square lies one of the plainest and most uninteresting buildings you might ever find. It has no adornments and it is just a solid beige color.
However, inside that bland structure, you will find one of humanity’s greatest artistic achievements, and to enjoy it you just might get a sore neck.
Learn more about the Sistine Chapel, the building, the art, and its history, on this episode of Everything Everywhere Daily.
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Newbery Medalist Meg Medina remembers her childhood babysitter perfectly. Medina called her Señora Mimí–and now, the author is celebrating caregivers of all kinds in her new children's book. No More Señora Mimí, illustrated by Brittany Cicchese, tells the story of a little girl whose relationship with her babysitter changes after the girl's grandmother moves in. Then, NBA champion Jayson Tatum is also out with a new kids' book. Baby Dunks-a-Lot, co-authored by Sam Apple and illustrated by Parker-Nia Gordon, is about a baby basketball star. In today's episode, NPR's Ayesha Rascoe introduces a conversation between Medina and Cicchese about illustrating culturally specific references, like Cuban crackers, and representing subtle changes in a children's story. Then, Here & Now's Scott Tong chats with Tatum about the NBA player's relationship with his son and the upcoming Celtics season.
To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookoftheday