To The Best of Our Knowledge

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96-09-29-A A new arms race is emerging, thanks to a revolution in weaponry -- and anyone can play. It's not just nukes anymore -- robot and soldiers, blinding lasers and mind-control devices loom in our future. This afternoon at three on To the Best of Our Knowledge, a terrifying glimpse into the future of war, as well as burning memories of wars past. The weapons of war -- this afternoon on To the Best of Our Knowledge.

96-09-29-B What has six legs, a fuzzy back and flies? Entomologist Tom Eisner knows, and he's probably tasted it too. This afternoon at three on To the Best of Our Knowledge, things most of us don't want to talk about, from Bombardier Beetles to the Spanish fly. The amazing world of insects, on To the Best of Our Knowledge.

96-09-29-C Librarians have been battling censors for years, but now the fight takes them beyond banned books. This afternoon at three on To the Best of Our Knowledge, we'll talk about the limits to freedom -- in Central America, Egypt, Czechoslovakia, and the United States. Censorship, the good, the bad and the ugly, today on To the Best of Our Knowledge.

(96-02-11-B) This afternoon at three, stories from two of the world's leading field biologists, about the extraordinary sexual behavior of the giants of the animal world - elephants and whales. Also, why even the lustiest of men would probably flunk a basic sexual literacy test. And the scary story of the world's declining sperm count -- some scientists say we are destroying our ability to reproduce.

(96-02-11-C) Does your tax return go out more often than you do? Maybe you just need some lessons in dating technique, but maybe you're a victim of the changing rules of modern courtship. This afternoon at three on To the Best of Our Knowledge, the new dating game -- and some advice on how to use the power of the pen - the art of the love letter. Also work and marriage in the lives of famous couples.

(96-10-06-A) All it took was a tunnel entrance to shake the precarious peace. This afternoon at three on To the Best of Our Knowledge, a behind-the-scenes look at Middle-East politics. A theological tour of a tormented Jerusalem. And memories of the innocent victims in Algeria and the Middle East.

(96-10-06-B) The desert may be the harshest environment on Earth, but it's actually teeming with life. This afternoon on To the Best of Our Knowledge, we'll reveal the hidden wonders of desert life, from the Sahara to the Mojave (mo HAHV ee) to the Australian Outback. We'll also visit with naturalist Terry Tempest Wiliams on the erotics of the desert. That's this afternoon at three on To the Best of Our Knowledge.

(96-10-06-C) It's called "the national pastime" but how did baseball become America's favorite sport? This afternoon at three on To the Best of Our Knowledge, some of baseball's secret history. Also, stories from the Negro Leagues, and biologist Stephen Jay gould explains why there are no more .400 hitters. It's To the Best of Our Knowledge, this afternoon at three.

(96-02-18-A) To listen to the presidential candidates, you would think government can't do anything right. Consider the budget battle -- Republican lawmakers and President Clinton argued about the deficit, but the real debate went deeper. What do we want from government, and can government really make our lives better? At three this afternoon on To the Best of Our Knowledge, what the government can -- and can't -- do.

(96-02-18-B) Have you ever dreamed up an ingenious idea, thrown it away with a laugh, and watched with horror while someone else patented your idea and made oodles of money? After three this afternoon on To the Best of Our Knowledge, we'll look into the minds of some great inventors, and examine the source of some of their great ideas. Also, some inventions that didn't quite make it, and why.

96-10-13-A There's a lot of talk these days about "family values," but who's values are we talking about? and whose family is to be valued? This afternoon at three on To the Best of Our Knowledge, does a healthy family need a father? We'll hear opposing views. Also, Robert Bly on why he thinks we're a country of quarreling adolescents. Tunes in this afternoon from three to four as we discuss family values on To the Best of Our Knowledge.

96-10-13-B The lone scientist toiling away in his lab remains the icon of scientific genius. But a new study has found that even the best scientists need help to make major discoveries. This afternoon at three on To the Best of Our Knowledge, the path to scientific break-throughs. And and answer to the question -- have we reached "the end of science."

96-10-13-C It used to be that a publisher was a man of letters who treasured his relationships with authors. Now, most publishers are corporations that mine their writers FOR treasure. This afternoon at three on To the Best of Our Knowledge, the business of best-sellers. Also, a novelist who values a few good readers.

(96-02-18-C) It's been fifty years since the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II, but it still defines the lives of many who were interned. It's a thing of the past, though, for the next generation. This afternoon after three on To the Best of Our Knowledge, what internment was really like, and what it's like to be a "hyphenated" American today.

(95-02-25-B) If you think "ecological design" means sculpting garden hedges into animal shapes, think again. On To the Best of Our Knowledge this afternoon at three, it's the cutting edge of sustainable architecture -- from houses that make their own electricity, food and water to a home-made wilderness in the backyard. And the advantages of being able to speak like a stone.

96-09-22-A Will the next US president join Abraham Lincoln and FDR in the pantheon of American heroes? Or will he join Millard Filmore in obscurity? This afternoon on To the Best of Our Knowledge, the search for great American Leaders, and why the best of them are in hiding. Also, do you think you've got what it takes to "take charge"? Put your skills to the test, and tally up your "leadership IQ." This afternoon at three on To the Best of Our Knowledge.

96-09-22-B If you feel overwhelmed and generally stressed out, have you ever considered laughter as a form of therapy? This afternoon at three on To the Best of Our Knowledge, the new science of stress, and some innovative solutions, including laughing clubs. It's To the Best of Our Knowledge, this afternoon at three.

96-09-22-C Once upon a time when you got to the end of the story, you knew you had learned something. Now no one is sure what the old stories mean. This afternoon at three on To the Best of Our Knowledge, the ambiguous morals of Genesis. Also, the woman who runs with the Wolves remembers how fairy tales changed her life.

(96-02-25-C) Despite all the "family values" rhetoric, the average American family is a long way from apple pie and " 'til death do us part." Six out of ten American marriages end in divorce, and there are some more that should. What's all this doing to our kids? Find out this afternoon at three when To the Best of Our Knowledge takes a look at how families function and why they matter so much.

(96-03-03-A) The rich are getting richer, the poor are getting poorer, eduated kids can't find jobs, and faithful, long-term workers need to hit the jackpot to retire. On To the Best of Our Knowledge this afternoon at three -- if the recession is over and the stock market's booming, why are we feeling so bad?

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(95-05-07-B) Are you ready for the next scientific revolution? In this hour a glimpse into the future, and the ethical quandaries we'll face as the result of genetic research. Does your insurance company, or your employer, have a right to know your genetic history? These and other thorny issues, on To the Best of Our Knowledge, after three.

(96-03-03-C) Talk shows are all over the television these days, but not everyone thinks that's a great idea. What are they talking about? and what impact do talk shows have on democracy? IThis afternoon at three on To the Best of Our Knowledge, discussion of what it takes to make a responsible talk forum, and the crisis of eloquence in America.