Public Affairs
Great Decisions discussion: "Sectarianism in the Middle East", June 18
-Great Decisions is America's largest discussion program on world affairs.
You might become happier by shifting your spending from things to experiences--consumer psychologist explains
-Ever buy something that didn't make you as happy as you thought it would? If so, you're not alone. Dr. Ryan Howell, associate professor of psychology at San Francisco State University, chatted with Buck May 15 about how your consumer choices affect your happiness. Dr. Howell is the co-founder of BeyondThePurchase.org, where you can learn more about these ideas and your own behavior.
Think you know what the First Amendment says? Former ACLU legal director believes we've been getting it wrong
-Burt Neuborne, a civil liberties specialist who has argued many cases before the Supreme Court, believes the Court has misinterpreted the original intent of the First Amendment by not considering it within the text of the Bill of Rights as a whole. He spoke with Dick May 15 about this idea, which is explained in his new book, "Madison's Music: On Reading the First Amendment."
Equal rights amendment proposed for state constitution
-Betty Folliard is a former state representative and the founder of the organization ERA Minnesota.
New Energy Transition Lab's goal: Shift economy toward renewable energy
-Dr. Hari Osofsky is faculty director of the Energy Transition Lab, a new project of the U of MN Institute on the Environment. Dick spoke with her recently about why the Lab was set up, what they hope to accomplish, and why energy efficiency and renewables are so important. You can learn more about the Institute on the Environment here.
Top food trends for 2015...is your fav on the list?
-Ever wonder about how food trends get started? Bob Carter chatted Dec. 5 with Kelly Hensel, senior digital editor at the Institute of Food Technologists, about what goes into predicting food trends, and what flavors are 'hot' for 2015. You can learn more about their work here.
Split Rock Lighthouse observes 39th anniversary of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald
-Lee Radzak is historic site manager of Split Rock Lighthouse, a position he's held for over 30 years. He spoke with Dick recently about the lighthouse, his work, and the event Nov. 10 to commemorate the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald. You can learn more about the lighthouse here.
MN Forest Resources Council executive director Dave Zumeta & member Shawn Perich explain the council's mission & work
-Dick spoke Sept. 12 with Dave Zumeta, executive director of the MN Forest Resources Council, and Shawn Perich, member representing game species management, about the council, what it does, and how it affects our forests and businesses locally. The council is meeting Sept. 17 at North House Folk School in Grand Marais beginning at 9:30 a.m. The meeting is open to the public. You can learn more about the work of the MN Forest Resources Council here.
U of MN Solar Vehicle Project car takes 2nd in American Solar Challenge race
-The U of MN Solar Vehicle Project is an organization of undergraduate engineering students who research, design and construct a solar vehicle every two years. Jake Herbers, a student leader with the team, joined Dick Aug. 1 to talk about some of the challenges involved in constructing and racing a solar car. You can learn more about the project here.
It's not rocket science...it's food science for rockets! Feeding people on deep space missions
-How do you feed a six-person crew on a three-year mission to Mars? Buck spoke July 11 with Dr. Grace Douglas, project scientist on Advanced Food Technology at NASA, about the challenges and considerations in creating and optimizing food for people working and living in extreme environments.