2
POPSThe War Not Lost A very interesting interview with Thomas Ricks on the Iraq War, discussing its failures, its successes and why. The interview gives new insight into a war that may not be winnable, but now seems to be on the verge of not being lost.
6
POPSConspiracy & Order: The psychological need for pattern People see false patterns in all types of data, imagining trends in stock markets, seeing faces in static, and detecting conspiracies between acquaintances. This suggests that lacking control leads to a visceral need for order – even imaginary order,
4
POPSMass Extinction Event On the Horizon? Mass Extinction Event On the Horizon? Nope, were in it now. Any scientist studying some aspect of the environment will tell you that humans are having a massive impact and that the Earth's ecosystem will not tolerate this forever.
4
POPSPuffy? Diddy? 'It's Not a Serious Thing' An interesting interview. I bet you didn't know that P. Diddy was helping his grandmother sew clothes when he was a teen. The story between the lines is of a mother with middle class aspirations.
3
POPSSummer Allergies: For Many, Nothing to Sneeze At Food allergies are on the rise in the developing world. There is indication that doctors have given the wrong information in recommending that the very young avoid certain foods (such as nuts and peanuts) and maybe should recommend higher than 'normal' amounts. An interesting interview.
2
POPSVeteran Peacemakers O'Malley, Maharaj on Iraq The show has many interesting details on conflict resolution and peace work. Additionally... There is not one Iraqi from any segment of society that O'Malley met that was not resentful of the American occupation. This was fueled by the unequal treatment that Iraqis receive at American checkpoints where low-level American functionaries are waved through but top Iraqi government officials wait for hours to pass.
1
POPSInterview: Robert Schimmel Despite his being an insufferable prick, the interview somehow is sufferable. A very interesting interview. He's an ass, but he doesn't hide it.
4
POPSCosmic Jackpot An alternate view of 'the anthropic principal'. Also hear a podcast interview with Paul Davies about this book and concept.
5
POPS"The Gospel of Judas" An extremely interesting interview with two religion scholars on this and other gospels not included in the bible with some discussion on the politics of early Christianity.
1
POPSMovie: The Lives of Others A review of the movie "The Lives of Others" a German film about the former East Germany and the Stasi (East German CIA/FBI).
21
POPSExecution as human sacrifice A very interesting interview with historian Thomas Cahill where he argues that execution, which shows no deterrent qualities, is not punishment but is likely a deeply held, ancient behavioral need to kill that was acted out in ancient societies as human sacrifices.