Harry Cliff is a particle physicist at the University of Cambridge. He is a member of an international team of around 1400 physicists, engineers and computer scientists who use the CERN particle accelerator in search of answers to some of the biggest questions in modern physics, such as the nature of dark matter and why the universe is made of matter and not antimatter. Harry has written two popular science books. The first, How To Make An Apple Pie From Scratch In Search of the Recipe for Our Universe, from the Origin of Atoms to the Big Bang, was published in 2021 and was named by Kirkus as one of the best science books of the year, His second, Space Oddities: The Mysterious Anomalies Challenging Our Understanding of the Universe, was published in March of 2024. He also shares his love physics with the public by giving TED Talks, curating science exhibitions, and appearing as a frequent guest on television, radio, and podcasts.

Recorded 7/23/24.

David Jacobson, Professor of Sociology at the University of South Florida. Today's interview, focuses on his book, Of Virgins and Martyrs: Women and Sexuality in Global Conflict. Published in 2013, the book explores the interplay among cultural, political, economic, and historical forces that shape gender relations and violence, individualistic vs. communitarian values, and tensions between globalism and traditional, tribalist societies. Jacobson is the co-founder of The Global Resolve Initiative, which helps villagers in developing countries develop alternative energy technologies, with a pilot project in Ghana. Global Resolve received the 2009 Creasman Award for Excellence.

Recorded 1/19/21.

Madhumita Murgia is a writer specializing in artificial intelligence and its impact on society. She was the artificial intelligence editor for Wired magazine and in February 2023 was appointed as the first A.I. Editor of the London-based Financial Times. Her recent book, Code Dependent: Living in the Shadow of A.I., was shortlisted for the 2024 Women's Prize for Non-Fiction. The book explores how A.I. algorithms affect everyday workers around the world, their contribution to growing inequalities of wealth and power, and even to dystopia outcomes.

Recorded 7/11/24.