What can a black hole teach us about the history and future of our universe? How well did the movie Interstellar capture the science of black holes? Are black holes black? Chris Impey, a...
Hitting the Ground Running
Peter Sagal, host of NPR’s “Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me!,” runs. He runs a lot. He’s run fourteen marathons and logged tens of thousands of miles on roads, sidewalks, and paths all over the United...
Barsuk Bands We’d Like to See on Town Hall’s Stage
Sometime in October, 2001 I first heard the opening musical strains of NPR’s “On Point.” They’re enrapturing, unmistakable—and as of 2001, practically untraceable. This was before most of us even...
Talking About Death Over Dinner
How do we want to die? Where do we want to be when our lives end, and what do we want to happen to us after we’re gone? It’s a topic we go to great lengths to avoid, from our hospitals to our homes....
Rock Talk with a Woman of the World
“It was always my belief that rock and roll belonged in the hands of the people, not rock stars,” Patti Smith once said. Evelyn McDonnell is doing her part to put rock and roll in the hands of the...
A Shield as a Weapon Against Intolerance
It’s a funny thing—the skinny guy with the turban, glasses, and big beard wandering around New York City dressed up like Captain America. People are smiling. People are laughing. People are joyously putting their arms around him to get a selfie.
“Timefulness”—Thinking Like a Geologist to Save the World
What does it mean to think like a geologist? Geology professor Marcia Bjornerud gives us a window into a field that studies the literal history of the Earth.
The Evolution of Beauty
It's been nearly 160 years since the publication of Charles Darwin's the origin of species with its dazzling description of a model for the evolution of life inspired by those lovely whimsical...
Fearsome to Friendly:
Our History with the Orca
Many in the Northwest consider the orca to be our region’s unofficial mascot. But how did we come to love orcas so much in the first place? Environmental and International History...