The World in Time / Lapham’s Quarterly

In this insightful discussion, writer and explorer Nicholas Crane shares his journey through history as he recounts the 1735 expedition aimed at measuring the Earth's curvature. He emphasizes the early alliances in scientific collaboration that laid the groundwork for modern challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change. Crane navigates the arduous journey through the Andes, facing altitude sickness and wildlife threats, while highlighting the unsung contributions of local guides and the complexities of the expedition's dynamics.

In this engaging discussion, veterinarian, philosopher, and legal scholar Charles Foster shares insights from his book, delving into our ancient human roots and the evolution of consciousness. He recounts his experiences attempting to live like Upper Paleolithic humans, highlighting the stark contrasts with modern life. Foster also explores the interplay of mind and matter, revealing how our brains might function as prisms of consciousness. He critiques modern science's neglect of intuition, advocating for a blend of skepticism and creativity to navigate contemporary challenges.

Lewis Lapham interviews Michael Knox Beran, author of 'WASPS: The Splendors and Miseries of an American Aristocracy.' They discuss the history, influence, and predicted obsolescence of the WASPs. The chapter also explores the portrayal of high wasps in literature and the role of T.S. Eliot in cultural reform.

Philip Hoare, acclaimed author known for exploring art and the natural world, dives into the genius of Albrecht Dürer. They discuss Dürer’s artistic legacy and his brilliance in capturing humanity and nature. Hoare reveals the fascinating story behind Dürer’s iconic rhinoceros woodcut. The conversation also touches on Dürer’s innovative techniques, including his unique pigments, and the emotional depth in his dog imagery, showcasing the artist's childlike charm. Prepare for an insightful journey through art history and identity!

“The compulsion to silence others is as old as the urge to speak,” historian Eric Berkowitz writes in Dangerous Ideas: A Brief History of Censorship in the West, from the Ancients to Fake News, “because speech—words, images, expression itself—exerts power…Even in countries where free expression is cherished, we often forget that forgoing censorship requires the embrace of discord as a fair price for the general good. Tolerance is risky. Suppression, on the other hand, is logical—and across history, it has been the norm.” In this episode of The World in Time, Lewis H. Lapham and Berkowitz discuss this history and consider the future of censorship and free speech. Lewis H. Lapham speaks with Eric Berkowitz, author of “Dangerous Ideas: A Brief History of Censorship in the West, from the Ancients to Fake News.” Thanks to our generous donors. Lead support for this podcast has been provided by Elizabeth “Lisette” Prince. Additional support was provided by James J. “Jimmy” Coleman Jr.

Lewis H. Lapham speaks with Simon Winchester, author of “Land: How the Hunger for Ownership Shaped the Modern World.” Thanks to our generous donors. Lead support for this podcast has been provided by Elizabeth “Lisette” Prince. Additional support was provided by James J. “Jimmy” Coleman Jr.

“I think we do ourselves a disservice,” Pulitzer Prize–winning historian Alan Taylor says on the latest episode of The World in Time, speaking about his book American Republics: A Continental History of the United States, 1783–1850, “if we romanticize the origins of United States and cast it as some sort of political utopia from which we have fallen. I think we’d do a lot better if we’d see that division and disagreement have been in place in the United States from the start.” Lewis H. Lapham speaks with Alan Taylor, author of American Republics: A Continental History of the United States, 1783–1850. Thanks to our generous donors. Lead support for this podcast has been provided by Elizabeth “Lisette” Prince. Additional support was provided by James J. “Jimmy” Coleman Jr.

“Life is on the move, today as in the past,” journalist Sonia Shah writes in her book The Next Great Migration: The Beauty and Terror of Life on the Move. “For centuries, we’ve suppressed the fact of the migration instinct, demonizing it as a harbinger of terror. We’ve constructed a story about our past, our bodies, and the natural world in which migration is the anomaly. It’s an illusion. And once it falls, the entire world shifts.” This week on the podcast, Lewis H. Lapham and Shah discuss the many movements that define life on Earth, the naming trends that created the idea of invasive species, and the hope that the next great migration might be one we finally embrace as a fact of humanity and the natural world. Lewis H. Lapham speaks with Sonia Shah, author of The Next Great Migration: The Beauty and Terror of Life on the Move. Thanks to our generous donors. Lead support for this podcast has been provided by Elizabeth “Lisette” Prince. Additional support was provided by James J. “Jimmy” Coleman Jr.

Lewis H. Lapham speaks with Louis Menand, author of “The Free World: Art and Thought in the Cold War.” Thanks to our generous donors. Lead support for this podcast has been provided by Elizabeth “Lisette” Prince. Additional support was provided by James J. “Jimmy” Coleman Jr.

Lewis H. Lapham speaks with Nathaniel Rich, author of “Second Nature: Scenes from a World Remade.” Thanks to our generous donors. Lead support for this podcast has been provided by Elizabeth “Lisette” Prince. Additional support was provided by James J. “Jimmy” Coleman Jr.