NPR – Dan Charles – Plant Breeders Release First ‘Open Source Seeds’ – 19 April 2014

A group of scientists and food activists is launching a Thursday to change the rules that govern seeds. They’re releasing 29 new varieties of crops under a new “open source pledge” that’s intended to safeguard the ability of farmers, gardeners and plant breeders to share those seeds freely.

Here is the transcript from the radioshow

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NPR – Maanvi Singh – Seeing In The Pitch-Dark Is All In Your Head – 4 November 2013

NPR

A few years ago, cognitive scientist Duje Tadin and his colleague Randolph Blake decided to test blindfolds for an experiment they were cooking up.

They wanted an industrial-strength blindfold to make sure volunteers for their work wouldn’t be able to see a thing. “We basically got the best blindfold you can get.” tells Shots. “It’s made of black plastic, and it should block all light.”

Tadin and Blake pulled one on just to be sure and waved their hands in front of their eyes. They didn’t expect to be able to see, yet both of them felt as if they could make out the shadowy outlines of their arms moving.

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NPR – Chris Benderev – When Power Goes To Your Head, It May Shut Out Your Heart

Link to original podcast

Even the smallest dose of power can change a person. You’ve probably seen it. Someone gets a promotion or a bit of fame and then, suddenly, they’re a little less friendly to the people beneath them.

So here’s a question that may seem too simple: Why?