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After we released our show about Stochasticity, we received a lot of comments about the idea humans can be just as predictable as coins. In that show, Jonah Lehrer was telling us about a study on the 82-83 76ers, and he was saying that even when a basketball player is supposedly hot – really on a streak – he is no more likely to make his next shot that any other time. Basketball players are slaves to their averages. Well, it turns out this isn’t the whole story.

In fact, right before we released the show, Jad got a call from Steve Strogatz, a mathematician from Cornell University.

After talking to Steve, we turn to neuroscientist Paul Glimcher, as he and Gregory Warner explore whether the little choices we make every day are predictable or not.

Steve Strogatz’s new book, “The Calculus of Friendship”
Photo credit: Flickr/ICMA

Radiolab is doing something new in our podcasts. Starting with this podcast, we will be releasing our hour-long episodes on a regular, rhythmic schedule. Between each episode, you will get two podcasts that follow some detour or left turn, explore music we love, take you to live events, and generally try to shake up your universe.

This hour, Radiolab examines Stochasticity, which is just a wonderfully slippery and smarty-pants word for randomness. How big a role does randomness play in our lives? Do we live in a world of magic and meaning or … is it all just chance and happenstance? To tackle this question, we look at the role chance and randomness play in sports, lottery tickets, and even the cells in our own body. Along the way, we talk to a woman suddenly consumed by a frenzied gambling addiction, two friends whose meeting seems purely providential, and some very noisy bacteria.

photo credit: flickr/Etherhill

We have a special bonus this week to accompany our Stochasticity episode. We asked our friends, Higher Mammals to produce a song and video for our Stochasticity show. We hope you find it completely Random!

Higher Mammals features Josh Kurz and Shane Winter, with additional vocals from Jason Major, Kendra May, and Wendy Roderweiss.

Photo credit: Flickr/Ramen Junkie

This week on the podcast we take a look at four unconventional ways to stay alive. We talk to geneticist George Church, who originally appeared in our So Called Life Show, biologist Bernd Heinrich, neuroscientist David Eagleman, and finally, we visit a CPR class.

You can also check out Bernd Heinrich’s most recent book, “Summer World“

Hey everyone, Jad here. Times have been tough lately, for everyone, and public radio is no exception. I wonder if you could shake out the couch cushions and then make a pledge of support of… $10? $20? $75? Anything would help. If you like the show, help support us so that we can make more. Make a gift right now by clicking HERE.

Steve Strogatz, Radiolab’s favorite mathematician, not only loves math but he thinks about love in terms of math. We recommend that you check out his most amusing New York Times essay.

In all cases, the business of theoretical physics boils down to finding the right differential equations and solving them.

photo credit Flickr/Mylla

On May 6th, at WNYC’s new Jerome L. Greene Performance Space, we opened up an age old can of worms. Jad and Robert faced off over which medium is superior — television or radio. This American Life’s Ira Glass was the referee. There were stunning jabs, wicked uppercuts, and even the occasional low blow.

In TV’s corner, Robert “The Krusher” Krulwich hit hard with stunning video images, but audio-savant Jad “Boom Boom” Abumrad pounded his opponent with the power of sound. The bout went five hard rounds and had to go to the cards for a decision. Tears were shed, and after a short intermission Jad and Robert sat down with Ira to discuss the challenges of working in both TV and Radio.

If you plan on being in front of your Televisions tonight, Jad will be appearing on the Science Channel’s Brink program. Jad sits down with host Josh Zepps, to discuss this week’s science stories.

photo credit Flickr/hurleygurley

Sometimes on the podcast we like to talk about musicians and the music they make. This podcast we want to introduce you to Juana Molina. Last season we used some of her of music in the breaks for the Sperm show. We received an outpouring of email asking about her music, so this podcast is for those curious listeners who wrote in and for those who haven’t heard about her … until now.

Juana Molina’s official site
photo credit Flickr/malu teodoro

OK. Maybe you’re in your desk chair. You’re in your office. You’re in New York, or Detroit, or Timbuktu. You’re on planet Earth.

But where are you, really?

Radio Lab tries to find out where you are. This hour: stories of people whose brains and bodies have lost each other. We ask how does your brain keep track of your body? We’ll examine the bond between brain and body and look at what happens when it breaks. We begin with a century-old mystery: why do many amputees still feel their missing limbs? We speak with a neuroscientist who solved the problem with a magician’s trick: an optical illusion. We continue with the story of a butcher who suddenly lost his entire sense of touch. And we hear from pilots who lose consciousness and suffer out-of-body experiences while flying fighter jets.

photo credit Flickr/montwerx