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Comment from spriggig
Date: November 3, 2009, 1:11 pm

I think it’s possible that the kid remembered so much of the podcast about parasites because he was in pain at the time. My evidence:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC202317/

Comment from Anonymous
Date: November 3, 2009, 2:32 pm

Not only is it about the importance of supporting public radio, but in about 15 minutes it manages to be about:

the emotional power of storytelling,
the inquisitiveness of the innocent, wild-eyed of youth,
the value of oft-ignored parental advice,
the pervasiveness of memory,
the worth of scientific rigor, analysis, patience, and perseverance,
the beautiful harmony of curiosity and foresight,
and parasitic wasps.

I am going to donate now.

Comment from Donovan Wadholm
Date: November 3, 2009, 3:28 pm

The first part of your “lecture” remix was very DJ Dangermouse-like. Maybe you will have a music service someday as a sideline…?

The boy is exactly like my 9 year old who struggles in some social setting, is very inventive, loves Radiolab (and This American Life) and remembers segments verbatim.

Comment from Kath
Date: November 3, 2009, 3:46 pm

Wonderful story. I think there were two things that could have been touched on more.

The first being that Radio Lab wonderfully appeals to the Visual-thinkers among us, despite being confined to our ears. They do such a great job that, while I listen to the stories, I can see in my mind the ideas being presented. This sticks in my mind better because I feel like I’ve seen it, and more lectures & presentations should incorporate visual props (or audio props that are vivid enough to work as visual props) to get their point across so that it sticks in the mind better.

The second is that I know I’ve read somewhere that children relate better to the past than the future; they are much better at remembering what happened last time than predicting what will happen in the future. So instead of saying “what do you think will happen if you jump out of the tree?” you have to ask “what happened last time, when you jumped off the fence?” first, in order to help the child make better predictions.

Comment from Leah D
Date: November 3, 2009, 4:39 pm

Who is playing the BEAUTIFUL piano music at the end of this short?

Comment from Veracity McGee
Date: November 3, 2009, 11:33 pm

Just came to ask the same question Leah D did? Anyone have any info on the piano music at the end? Thanks and cheers!

Comment from Matt
Date: November 4, 2009, 10:28 am

The Music that starts up at 11:33 in the podcast is Filming by John Zorn from “Film Works, Vol. 10: In the Mirror of Maya Deren”

Comment from Meghan
Date: November 4, 2009, 3:20 pm

I would also love to know! I think the one at the end and the one at 11:33 are two different pieces, Matt. Has anyone figured out what the ending song is?

Comment from Karen
Date: November 4, 2009, 4:37 pm

I just came to find out the song at the end as well. Ha! One more person is very curious.

Comment from Michael
Date: November 5, 2009, 9:51 am

Another ear desiring to know from whom the music at the end of the broadcast comes. A delightful short!

Comment from Jason
Date: November 5, 2009, 1:49 pm

I’ve had to stop listening to Radio Lab while at work for a similar reason! When listening I almost never work——I just end up staring out the window contemplating all the fabulous things being discussed. It’s just about the only time I sit still, too.

Comment from JoieDeVivre
Date: November 6, 2009, 1:27 am

Could you send that “think things through” recording to Wall Street? Any maybe Congress while you’re at it? Much obliged,
JVD

Comment from Knuckles Lively
Date: November 6, 2009, 4:45 am

So, 2 things. What is the official word on the end music? And what do I do, now that I have caught up to the current radiolab? I have been burning up two or three of these every day, and now I am starting to “jones” a little, any suggestions?

Comment from Sean
Date: November 6, 2009, 5:14 pm

I’m curious if you know how Blake responded to the radiolabified lecture resonated with him? Maybe you could give us an update during the next podcast or short.

Comment from Brett Williams
Date: November 9, 2009, 1:23 am

Thanks Grinch, I mean ’spiggig.’ You don’t have ‘kids’ do you? Were you ever a ‘kid’ or were you grown in a pod? Geesh, give it a rest, some studies and tons of corellary evidence certainly show that memories are more strongly laid down during times of stress but I hardly think it’s neccessary for you to come and pee in our pool, especially with your annonymous tag…how ’bout a real name? As a parent, I simply enjoyed and related to the presentation. Yeah, it’s a science show but it’s also much more than that. Bah humbug to you too!

Comment from Katie
Date: November 9, 2009, 1:41 pm

Blake is great! Thanks to Blake’s mom Jennifer and to Radio Lab for telling this little story.

Comment from Skipper
Date: November 9, 2009, 8:27 pm

Beyond money, spreading Radiolab to other people and seeing it take hold in their hearts and minds is among the more deeply satisfying forms of support I’ve had the pleasure to experience. In adults it reopens that childlike wonder that Blake exhibits, and lets us share in your mission to spread this open approach to thought.

Comment from MattiasP
Date: November 10, 2009, 6:10 am

I know what song is playing at the end!

Its: Max Richter – Horizon Variations

A wonderful song! The album is called: “The Blue Notebooks”.

Comment from Lulu Bee
Date: November 10, 2009, 11:17 am

It is my belief that if the stifled, draconian educational system (at least the NYC public schools) started to incorporate new technologies (that means we need more creative (such as listening to pod casts)teachers and administration) in teaching our children, we would produce much smarter, creative thinkers! We all need to incoporate and embrace these technologies!

I have donated to Radio Lab and I also tell anyone I can get my hands on to LISTEN to the pod casts.

Comment from j
Date: November 11, 2009, 2:21 pm

i loved this short! i’ve spent the last couple of years working with elementary school kids (as environmental educator and substitute teacher) and one of my favorite things to do is to tell stories to groups. i love radiolab’s storytelling!

with that said, i didn’t feel that the re-mixed lecture totally got the point across that if the worst consequence is bad enough, you shouldn’t do that particular experiment – you need to modify the experiment so the bad consequence is less bad, acceptably bad, or maybe just not do it at all. it’s kind of said in adult language with the “mitigating” the bad things that may happen, but i don’t think it’s explicitly said in kid-friendly language.

thank you for what you do – moving us and keeping us still and sometimes both at the same time!

Pingback from Saket Vora » Telling Stories that Move You
Date: November 18, 2009, 11:45 am

[...] being their friend. And I like to see such a trait in other people and stories. Radiolab brings a short but sweet (adorable!) story of a mother who observes her little boy’s insatiable curiosity and interest in flight. She [...]

Comment from Layla
Date: November 19, 2009, 12:10 am

If I jump out of a tree, can Robert and Jad make a cool techno lecture for me, too? So jealous of Blake right now.

Comment from beth
Date: November 19, 2009, 11:18 pm

brilliant. i’ve listened to radiolab for years, and that story got me to sign on & post & donate. you guys are brilliant; thanks.