The podcast explores our relationship with uncertainty, posing the question of what to do when there is no answer.
A TV weatherman discusses the challenges of weather forecasting and the importance of severe weather preparedness.
Deep dives
Negotiating a Hostage Situation
Garry Nesner, a former FBI hostage negotiator, talks about his experience in negotiating hostage situations, specifically the Parryville case in Virginia. Despite forming a relationship and gaining some trust with the hostage-taker, the situation becomes increasingly tense, leading to a potentially dangerous moment.
The Certainty of a TV Weatherman
James Spann, a TV weatherman in Alabama, follows a highly regimented schedule to ensure accurate weather forecasts. He discusses the importance of severe weather preparedness and the challenges and uncertainties of weather forecasting, particularly during tornado outbreaks.
The Desperate Need for Answers
James Spann's obsession with finding answers after a deadly tornado outbreak leads him to watch hours of footage from that day. However, he realizes that the answers he seeks are not easily found and that his perceived failures cannot solely explain the tragic outcome.
The Burden of Uncertainty
Uncertainty and the need for closure can lead to irrational decisions and the search for explanations in unrelated areas. Jamie Holmes, a science writer, explains how humans naturally seek answers and structure in the face of uncertainty, even if it means making up explanations.
In this episode of Invisibilia, we explore our relationship with uncertainty through the eyes of a chief meteorologist. We wonder: what do you do when you don't know what to do? And how do we handle it when that question has no answer?