Radio Lab - Space and Musical Language
November 13th, 2007 by Russell DaviesI’m sure I’ve raved about Radio Lab (from WNYC) before, but in case you can’t take a hint, here’s another opportunity. There are two programmes here that are as good as any you’ll ever hear, especially in the tiny world of science broadcasting. The first is Space (MP3) which attempts to explain our tininess in the universe’s massiveness through devices like really affecting interviews with Carl Sagan’s widow. The second is about Musical Language, (MP3) and contains fascinating stuff about how the brain adapts to new musical sounds (using the Rite Of Spring as an example). The site also has some great links to things like Diana Deutsch’s audio illusions. Both programmes are well, well, worth listening to.
And if you’re a bit more of an audio/radio nut, you can listen to this lecture/conversation at the Apple store in New York where they talk about how they make the programme, with the helpful addition of genius film editor Walter Murch on the elements of storytelling. Makes you glad to be alive in the age of radio.