Said.fm is Listening

January 10, 2010

What Will Change Everything?

Photo by Flickr/microtim

Today I've been listening to Tom Ashbrook talking to several scientists asking 'What Will Change Everything?'. Based on a book by John Brockman, who is also a featured guest on the show, our greatest minds are asked to leap into the future and explain why certain predictions may have a large impact on our world.

A fascinating programme which makes us envisage living forever, the growing impact of micro-electronics through to neurological discoveries. Although I suspect that just as many of us couldn't have predicted the power of the internet not so many years ago, we never really know what breakthrough is round the corner that will truly change everything. However, listening to this programme certainly fuels your imagination with all the potential futuristic ideas that may take off.

Link to Podcast:

What Will Change Everything?

The Evolution of Jazz

Photo by Flickr/Nizam_Uddin

This evening I've been listening to 'The New Frontiers of Jazz' by NPR's On Point.

Tom Ashbrook's provocation begins with him talking to John Comerford, producer of a documentary entitled 'Icons Amongst Us: Jazz in the Present Tense'. The programme includes genius tracks and contributions from the musicians behind them, all giving their take on where and what Jazz is now... even if it's still called Jazz at all.

Music is often difficult to define and this On Point episode expands on the confusion. It also opens up an interesting conversation: a great musical movement started in America called 'Jazz'... are we still in that movement?... is it evolving?... has Jazz come to mean something else to the masses?...

Swing, european jazz, bebop, cool jazz, hard bop, modal jazz, free jazz, latin jazz, post bop, soul jazz, jazz fusion, smooth jazz, acid jazz, nu jazz, jazz rap, punk jazz... Does it matter?... Listen and see what you think.

Link to Podcast:

The New Frontiers of Jazz

The Interfaith Amigos

Photo by Flickr/frozenchipmonk

Today, I've started my day by listening to a very interesting programme on interfaith conversation.

The podcast hails from the series 'On Point' by NPR, and centres around an interview with the 'Interfaith Amigos', a rabbi, priest and imam. These three amigos have taken it upon themselves to improve dialogue and relationships between these three religions across America. Presenter Tom Ashbrook conducts a great interview, whilst callers call in with probing questions.

After listening, I am impressed by what these three amigos have taken upon themselves, and wouldn't we better off if more people had their perspective.

Link to Podcast:

On Point: The Interfaith Amigos

Tags

Tom Ashbrook

What Will Change Everything?

The Evolution of Jazz

The Interfaith Amigos