Groks Science Radio Show and Podcast
1,082 episodes - English - Latest episode: 18 days ago - ★★★★ - 34 ratingsWeekly science radio program hosted by Dr. Charles Lee and Dr. Frank Ling. Each show features interviews with scientists and technical innovators, humorous commentary on recent discoveries, plus the Grokotron 5000 and the World Famous Question of the Week! Tune in every week and rediscover the world as you think you know it.
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Episodes
Proof -- Groks Science Show 2003-06-18
June 19, 2003 04:45 - 7.14 MBIn 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.
Hubble Telescope -- Groks Science Show 2003-06-11
June 12, 2003 04:45 - 6.89 MBAstronomers 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.
Special Effects in the Matrix -- Groks Science Show 2003-06-04
June 05, 2003 04:45 - 6.92 MBThe 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.
Moral Awareness -- Groks Science Show 2003-05-28
May 29, 2003 04:45 - 6.75 MBOur 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.
Sputnik -- Groks Science Show 2003-05-21
May 22, 2003 04:45 - 6.16 MBThe 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.
String Field Theory -- Groks Science Show 2003-05-14
May 15, 2003 04:45 - 6.95 MBA 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 -- Groks Science Show 2003-05-07
May 08, 2003 04:45 - 5.48 MBRobotics 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.
The Turk Chess Machine -- Groks Science Show 2003-04-30
May 01, 2003 04:45 - 6.5 MBDeep 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.
Science Beyond the Headlines -- Groks Science Show 2003-04-23
April 24, 2003 04:45 - 6.84 MBThe 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.
Art and the Brain -- Groks Science Show 2003-04-16
April 17, 2003 04:45 - 6.95 MBCan 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 -- Groks Science Show 2003-04-09
April 10, 2003 04:45 - 6.98 MBSrinivasa 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.
Closer to Truth -- Groks Science Show 2003-04-02
April 03, 2003 04:45 - 6.84 MBWhat 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 Iraq War -- Groks Science Show 2003-03-26
March 27, 2003 04:45 - 7.15 MBThe 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.
Computers and Society -- Groks Science Show 2003-03-19
March 20, 2003 04:45 - 6.95 MBAlthough 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.
Synaptic Self -- Groks Science Show 2003-03-12
March 13, 2003 04:45 - 6.85 MBThe complex interplay among our genes and our environment is presumed to influence the uniqueness of our behavior. The biological crux of this interaction may be our synapses. On this program, Prof. Joseph Ledoux discussed these ideas as presented in his new book.
Carbohydrates -- Groks Science Show 2003-03-05
March 06, 2003 04:45 - 7.05 MBCarbohydrates are ubiquitous and multivariate molecules found throughout our bodies. Their roles extend beyond simply providing energy. This program featured a discussion with MacArthur Fellow, Prof. Carolyn Bertozzi, about these important molecules.
Cosmic Microwave Background Explorer -- Groks Science Show 2003-02-26
February 27, 2003 04:45 - 7.15 MBThe Cosmic Microwave Background Explorer detects remnant signals from the earliest times in the history of the universe. This show featured a discussion with Prof. Ned Wright about the surprising results from the most recent survey.
Rules for Revolutionaries -- Groks Science Show 2003-02-19
February 20, 2003 04:45 - 6.94 MBTechnological revolutions fuel economic growth and improve the quality of life for everyone. Often, the revolutionaries who envision these innovations must struggle to make their dreams a reality. This show featured a discussion with Guy Kawasaki about the common traits of these technological innovators.
Chemical and Engineering News -- Groks Science Show 2003-02-12
February 13, 2003 04:45 - 6.97 MBChemistry has applications in many diverse fields from astronomy to zoology. With new applications emerging, it is the job of Chemical and Engineering News to report the breath of activity in chemistry. This show featured an interview with the editor, Madeline Jacobs, discussing the frontiers of chemistry.
Biomaterials -- Groks Science Show 2003-02-05
February 06, 2003 04:45 - 6.81 MBDesigning synthetic materials to replace for biological tissue will revolutionize medicine. Progress is currently being made in many areas. On this program, Prof. Jenifer Elisseeff discussed her work on bioengineered tissue.
Distributed Capitalism -- Groks Science Show 2003-01-29
January 30, 2003 04:45 - 7.51 MBManagerial capitalism is the prevalent system in business for organizing large industries for mass production of goods. However, the failings of this type of capitalism are all too evident. This program presented ideas by Prof. Shoshana and Dr. James Maxmin of a new kind of capitalism, a distributed capitalism.
The New BART -- Groks Science Show 2003-01-22
January 23, 2003 04:45 - 6.95 MBThe new BART lines are nearing completion, allowing expanded service to new locations. The show featured a discussion with Mitch Stogner regarding the technology needed to operate these new lines.
Science Policy -- Groks Science Show 2003-01-15
January 16, 2003 04:45 - 7.16 MBThe operation of the scientific enterprise relies on complex interactions between scientific institution, the government, and the public. In this milieu, science policy issues are formed. On this program, Prof. David Baltimore, the president of Caltech, discussed some current science policy issues.
Space Exploration -- Groks Science Show 2003-01-08
January 09, 2003 04:45 - 7.2 MBSpace may indeed be the final frontier, but our ability to physically explore it has been limited. Still, new technology may change this state of affairs in the near future.
Deep Blue -- Groks Science Show 2002-12-18
December 19, 2002 04:45 - 6.53 MBDeep Blue is the legendary computer that defeated World Chess Champion, Gary Kasparov. However, this victory was not without controversy. In this show, the lead developer of Deep Blue, Dr. Feng Hsiung-Hsu, discussed the science and politics of building a super chess computer.
Science Education -- Groks Science Show 2002-12-11
December 12, 2002 04:45 - 7.06 MBThe Exploravision project encourages children to be interested in science by offering a unique competition designed to promote creative thinking. On this program, the director of the program, Mickey Ravenal, discussed the project and what kids can do to enter.
Environmental Science -- Groks Science Show 2002-12-04
December 05, 2002 04:45 - 6.69 MBMaintaining the earth environment is a critical scientific and political issue. On this program, Prof. Michael Hoffman from Caltech discussesd current research directed at maintaining the earth environment.
Alarms and Excursions -- Groks Science Show 2002-11-20
November 21, 2002 04:45 - 7.04 MBHas technology improved our lives or just made it more complicated? That is the question posed in the new play, Alarms and Excursion. This episode featured the director, Soren Oliver, discussing this play.
Halting the Hackers -- Groks Science Show 2002-11-13
November 14, 2002 04:45 - 5.43 MBComputer hackers compromise the security of information stored on computers. This show featured a discussion with Donald Pipkin of methods to prevent hackers from attacking a computer.
Environmental Policy -- Groks Science Show 2002-11-06
November 07, 2002 04:45 - 7.16 MBThe adverse changes to the global climate will require widespread measures to halt. However, legislating these changes is perhaps even more challenging than the science needed to reverse these trends. This show featured a discussion with Prof. Steven Schneider regarding legislating environmental policy.
The Blank Slate -- Groks Science Show 2002-10-30
October 31, 2002 04:45 - 7.93 MBThe debate of nature versus nurture in understanding behavior is ongoing. The blank slate is the idea that humans are not born with innate behaviors. On this program, Prof. Steven Pinker joined us to critique the idea of the blank slate.
A Beautiful Mind -- Groks Science Show 2002-05-01
May 02, 2002 04:45 - 8.65 MBThe life and times of mathematician John F. Nash Jr. have garnered a great deal of attention since the release of the popular movie, A Beautiful Mind, chronicled events in his life. This show featured an interview with Sylvia Nassar, the author of Nash's biography, who discussed Nash's struggles with math, schizophrenia, and the Nobel Prize.