Are you a fan of Radiolab? If you're not yet, take a listen to this show:

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I've been listening to the show for a couple years now and think that their episodes are hit-and-miss, but this one floored me.

It's the October 19 podcast, so it's not actually the most recent.

Story one: baboons stumble upon the solution to world peace, maybe

Story two: a conservative small town that takes on Fred Phelps' clan after electing a cross-dressing mayor

Story three: the interesting results of a Russian town's 50-year tradition of domesticating wild foxes

It's hard to explain some of the revelations in these first and third stories or the emotion of the second one, but it's an enjoyable ride. About an hour for the show, but worth it if you have the time -- or download and listen whenever.


Listen here: http://blogs.wnyc.org/radiolab/2009/10/19/new-normal/

[BrklynLiberal]

1. It is an interesting show.

From the Baboon story it sure sounds like alpha males are the problem behind the urge to war...

There is hope for the betterment of our species.

I saw a show on TV...PBS probably...about those results of fox domestication.
The horrific part is that they were doing it so that the foxes would be easier to kill for their pelts.

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2. I hadn't heard the story of the foxes before.

And it's not the focus of the story here, but interesting to know your background. I found it fascinating the physiological and chemical changes that took place, along the lines of what happened to the baboons when the aggressiveness was pulled from the breeding pool.

And that second story about the Oregon town -- I hadn't heard that before, so it was a great tale with an unexpected twist and then the end... pow!

[BrklynLiberal]

3. All thjree stories were great..and thank you for posting the link so I could hear the show again.

Fascinating...really, truly fascinating.