Jake Robinson, a microbial ecologist and author of "Invisible Friends," shares fascinating insights into how our trillions of microbes play crucial roles in health and well-being. He discusses the vibrant world of microbes and their unexpected benefits. Meanwhile, Henry Grabar, staff writer at Slate and author of "Paved Paradise," delves into the paradox of parking: despite the abundance of spaces, finding one is a challenge. He explores the impact of free parking on urban congestion and offers alternative solutions for better city living.
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insights INSIGHT
Parking Paradox in U.S. Cities
The U.S. has 4 to 9 parking spaces per vehicle, yet parking is hard to find.
Parking is mostly private and free, causing inefficient use and congestion.
insights INSIGHT
Hidden Costs of Free Parking
Free parking encourages car ownership and increases traffic congestion.
Requiring too much parking leads to ugly architecture and urban sprawl.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Use Paid Parking to Manage Demand
Use paid parking to manage demand, not to raise money.
Charge slightly for good spots to free them for short-term use and improve availability.
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Invisible Friends, How Microbes Shape Our Lives and the World Around Us
Invisible Friends, How Microbes Shape Our Lives and the World Around Us
Jake Robinson
Paved Paradise
How Parking Explains the World
Henry Grabar
In 'Paved Paradise: How Parking Explains the World,' Henry Grabar provides a detailed and engaging account of the role parking plays in shaping American urban environments. The book covers the history and politics of parking, from post-war development to current reform movements, and explains how parking requirements have influenced housing costs, urban design, and the overall livability of cities. Grabar's analysis is supported by vivid storytelling and meticulous research, making the book both informative and entertaining.
Are you one of the many people who enjoys a morning cup of coffee? If so, listen to the beginning of this episode which explains why you should smell your coffee when you drink it because it can help you think better and be more productive. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6881620/
In many urban areas, the number one use of land is for – parking. In fact, the United States has 4 parking spaces for every car. So, it makes you wonder then why it is so hard to find a parking spot when you need one. You are about to find out why from my guest Henry Grabar. He is a staff writer at Slate, and author of the book Paved Paradise: How Parking Explains the World (https://amzn.to/3RyHcbq). Listen and you will understand why parking is such a big deal.
Microbes are those tiny organisms you can’t see without using a microscope. This includes things such as germs, bacteria, and fungi. Microbes have a reputation of being something dangerous – that can cause illness. While that is true for some microbes, most of them don’t cause harm and some are even good for you. This should come as good news since you have trillions of microbes on you and inside of you. Here to take us on a journey through the invisible world of microbes is Jake Robinson. He is a microbial ecologist and author of the book Invisible Friends: How Microbes Shape our Lives and the World Around Us (https://amzn.to/44pGRwR)
Something You Should Know 