To The Best of Our Knowledge

WPR's NPR News and Classical Music Network

96-09-01-A Last year, the CEO's of America's 500 biggest companies made four million dollars on average -- 200 times more than the average worker. Is anything wrong with this? This hour on To the Best of Our Knowledge, the ethics of capitalism. Also economist Lester Thurow weighs in on the future of capitalism.

96-09-01-B Heads up! Science wants to take a good look inside your noggin -- to solve the mystery of consciousness. Join us on To the Best of Our Knowledge as we scan the cerebral cortex to probe the latest theories on the mechanics of the mind.

96-09-01-C A hundred years ago good-hearted Americans cared for the poor in their homes, and walked the streets to help them find jobs. Today we write checks and sign legislation as acts of good will. This afternoon on To the Best of Our Knowledge, a call for true compassion and the biology of benevolence.

In the days of the Cold War, at least you knew who your enemies were. These days global politics are a lot messier, and the most bitter conflicts are rooted in the clash of cultures. After three today, why the battle between fundamentalism and capitalism may be the most divisive of all. Also -- what makes a country prosper -- would you believe trust? (96-01-21-A)

From the man-made Scottish wilderness, to commercial fishing on the Amazon, it's tough to take human beings out of the natural environment. This afternoon on To the Best of Our Knowledge, a deep ecologist argues it's crucial, and an environmental historian says it's time to re-invent nature. (96-01-21-B)

If your child is bored at school, tune in this afternoon for To the Best of Our Knowledge. We'll hear stories from innovative teachers -- the kind who awaken young minds, boost attendance records, and inspire kids to learn. Join us, just after the news at three, for To the Best of Our Knowledge. (96-09-08-A)

It's easy to take water for granted, especially when it pours out every time you turn on the tap. But in decades to come, clean water may be more valuable than oil. This afternoon on To the Best of Our Knowledge, stories of the coming water wars, and how good old h-2-oh has already shaped the American West. (96-09-08-B)

History is made by great men, so who defines the 1950's? Elvis? This afternoon on To the Best of Our Knowledge, what really happened in the middle of our century, in the words of the men and women who lived it -- a Canadian spy, a pathbreaking artist, and the who New Yorker crowd. Join us after three for To the Best of Our Knowledge. (96-09-08-C)

A lot of seats are empty in America's concert halls, and musicians are trying a lot of new ways to fill them up. At least one conductor will put on a batman costume and enter on rollerblades, if that's what it takes. This afternoon on To the Best of Our Knowledge, we'll also listen to a pianist who would strap a keyboard to her back to reach an audience, and to a historian who would argue the keyboard should be a Steinway. (96-01-21-C)

Urban America is still a place of ruined buildings and ruined lives, of drugs and violence and poverty and crime -- but it's also beginning to be a place of hope. this afternoon after three To the Best of Our Knowledge examines a pioneer school which transforms street kids into attentive students. A photographer captures the beauty of a ghetto wall -- and Harlem's children build futures through song. (96-01-28-A)

96-09-15-A These days Presidential campaigns seem to go on forever. With all the media coverage, Americans should be the world's best informed electorate. But are we? This afternoon at three on To the Best of Our Knowledge, Bob Woodward and other media critics will analyze this year's campaign coverage.

96-09-15-B From super-strength binoculars, to giant antennas, to telescopes hurtling through space, astronomy fits the modern age. Galileo would be astonished at the tools astronomers use. Join us this afternoon for a little stargazing on To the Best of Our Knowledge.

96-09-15-C Famous people don't take chances with the stories of their lives -- they even write their own obituaries. But why should you wait? This afternoon on To the Best of Our Knowledge, Mandy Aftel talks about writing the story of your life while you're still living it, and Jean Houston tells how to make the story mythic. It's life stories, this afternoon at three on To the Best of Our Knowledge.

We've got lasers and computers and cellular phones -- and technological innovation just keeps rolling on. The forces that drive this engine are explored this afternoon on To the Best of Our Knowledge, just after the news at three. From Stone Age pebble tools to miniature computers, the development of technology -- coming up. (96-01-28-B)

It's time to take another look at religion, but not the ones you're used to. After three, To the Best of Our Knowledge looks at snake handling in Appalachia and worshipping man-eating tigers in India. Stay tuned. (95-04-16-C)

96-09-22-A The tragic death of four-year-old Nadine Lockwood has re-kindled an old debate: when should the government take abused children away from their parents? This afternoon at three on To the Best of Our Knowledge, the controversy over child protection. Also, psychologist Mary Pipher (pie-fer) on why it's so hard to be a good parent.

96-09-22-B Deciphering ancient civilizations is no longer the job of archaeologists alone. Tune in this afternoon at three to discover how Native Americans, contemporary Mayan people and kids with laptop computers are interpreting the past. Also -- was he a brilliant archeologist or a brilliant liar -- or both? The strange case of Heinrich Schliemann (hine - rick shlee-man) and the excavations of Troy. On To the Best of Our Knowledge at three.

96-09-22-C There is a long tradition in America of striking out into the wilderness in pursuit of glory and gold, or wisdom and truth. Lewis and Clark sought the Northwest Passage and found the Garden of Eden. Almost 200 hundred years later, a young man named Chris McCandless sought his authentic self, and found only death. Take your ears on a wilderness quest as To the Best of Our Knowledge heads for the hills and meets a man who ponders the meaning of mountains.

In this hour, how the Mexicans are coping with their economic problems, and a North American mystery writer visits Mexican border factories. Also, a look at the history behind the "macho" stereotype, and words of hope from the Guatemalan Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Rigoberta Menchu. (96-02-04-A)

Computer hackers have a curious reputation. Their skill at breaking into corporate files is widely admired by other hackers, and feared by the companies themselves. Now they are getting increasing attention from the FBI. In this hour of To the Best of Our Knowledge we'll have the controversial story of legendary hacker Kevin Mitnick. Also, novelist Douglas Coupland (COPE-land) dissects the post-adolescent culture of Microsoft. (96-02-04-B)

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.