Alan Alda insists, "Empathy can be taught," It is comforting to hear, although hard to imagine how a certain orange hued politician might learn how to empathize with, or, at least, respect immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, or anyone who isn't him. Wait, do I mean Alan Alda the actor? Yup. Best known for starring in M*A*S*H, as well as stealing scenes in Crimes and Misdemeanors, West Wing, 30 Rock, and Horace and Pete, Alda is also a science geek. He teamed up with Stony Brook University to create the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science, where he teaches. Alda shares what he learned working with doctors and scientists, which he also wrote about in his forthcoming book 'IF I UNDERSTOOD YOU, WOULD I HAVE THIS LOOK ON MY FACE?' We also chatted about his work with comedians Louie C.K., Woody Allen, Stephen Wright, and death. If you see Alan Alda, please tell him my dog is alive and well.

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