Word of Mouth Past Shows

Today on Word of Mouth we celebrate Earth Day. We’ll look at how computer engineers are trying to make giant data farms more eco-friendly, we’ll look at Polar Bears as the ultimate poster-animal for global warming, and we’ll talk with an environmental filmmaker about her animated short, The Story of Stuff. We’ll also talk with writer Clay Shirky, who explains how new technology is changing the way people organize and mobilize.

(Photo by Louise Docker)

Today on Word of Mouth, we talk to the lead scientist behind a new technology that maps cabon dioxide emissions with great detail, we hear from a man who's totally rejected the modern world, and science writer Jonah Lehrer reviews two books about human behavior. The editor of the Very Short List tells us about the best music to come out of a taxi cab, and a new documentary follows elderly folks singing rock 'n' roll.

Today on Word of Mouth, we find out why we shouldn't hate paying taxes, what college campuses are doing to stay green, and what the next generation of playgrounds may look like. Also, Galaxy 500 front man Dean Wareham tells us about his new memoir.

Today on Word of Mouth, we talk with author Jhumpa Lahiri about her new collection of short stories. Plus, people are skipping the beach and using their vocations to learn new job skills, scientists are turning to nature to reinvent plastic, and radical entrepreneurs are using their skills to fight everything from poverty to terrorism.

(Photo by tanakawho)

Today on Word of Mouth, we find out why some cities' plans to offer Wi-Fi to everyone have hit speed bumps, we'll get a roundup of new music from critic and blogger Justin Gage, and a woman who suffers from anxiety tells us about her quest to trace the history of the disorder. We'll also hear about residents who've started growing lawns full of vegetables instead of grass and a movement towards re-using dirty household water to irrigate gardens.

(Photo by Martin LaBar)

Today on Word of Mouth, we get an architectural tour of the newly renovated Currier Museum of Art in Manchester, we sample a new hip hop album for children, we hear how fast food chains are trying to get on board the local-food movement, and we get a glimpse of a new Beijing being built by world-famous architects in advance of the 2008 Olympics.