Mind-Body Dilemma,19th-Century Con Women, Jazz Piano

Who Are We, Really? Guest: John Horgan, author, "Mind-Body Problems: Science, Subjectivity & Who We Really Are," science journalist, and Director of the Center for Science Writings at Stevens Institute of Technology The mind-body problem, a classic dualism that questions the connection between the immaterial mind and the physical body, has been discussed by philosophers and scientist since Socrates. Science journalist John Horgan interviews experts on the topic and concludes that we are all, in the end, free to decide for ourselves who we are: science can’t tell us.  The White-Lace-Collar Crimes of the 19th Century Guest: Tammy Whitlock, Associate Professor of History, University of Kentucky  When you think “white-collar crime” you may think Charles Ponzi of the Ponzi scheme, or Bernie Madoff, or maybe even Neal Caffrey from the 2009 TV Show “White Collar.” What's less likely to come to mind is the crinolines and lace collars of Victorian England. But some of the first professional con artists as we know them were scheming women of the 19th century. Human/Computer Jazz Piano Duets Guest: Dan Tepfer, jazz pianist and composer Dan Tepfer, a trained astrophysicist, computer programmer, and jazz pianist, spent over a decade performing with the iconic saxophone player Lee Konitz. Now, Tepfer performs duets with his piano, literally. Through his musical and programming know-how, Tepfer has taught his piano how to play alongside him, opening the door to musical possibilities that he and others are just beginning to explore. His new album is “Natural Machines.” New Stretchy Squid-Inspired Material Could be the Clothing of the Future Guest: Alon Gorodetsky, PhD, Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of California, Irvine Why is this engineering professoris fascinated with cephalopods? Because he thinks he can learn from their superpowers. Can we create camouflage that adapts in real time? Can we build materials that mimic the flexibility of a squid?