Hold That Thought

In the Victorian era, just after the birth of the electric lightbulb, a novel remedy was developed for women diagnosed with a mysterious ailment called "hysteria." In 2010, Sarah Ruhl wrote In the Next Room (or The Vibrator Play) about a doctor who specialized in these treatments. Director Henry Schvey, professor of drama and comparative literature, talks about the power of attraction and the lure of technology within this comic play, which opens April 19 at Washington University's Edison Theatre.

During the late 1800s, industrialization transformed cities across the United States. Things most of us take for granted, like sanitation, skyscrapers, and window shopping, were just starting to enter urban life. What did cities look like during this time of rapid growth and change? What was it like to walk down those streets? In the first of two podcasts devoted to turn of the century Chicago, Margaret Garb, associate professor of history at Washington University in St. Louis, brings the "city of the big shoulders" to life.

At its peak around 1200 CE, the ancient Mississippian settlement of Cahokia stretched nearly six square miles, from what is now East St. Louis, Missouri, to Collinsville, Illinois, and included around 120 man-made earthen mounds. It was as large, or larger, than any European city of that time, but can we fairly or accurately call Cahokia a city? John Kelly, senior lecturer of archaeology at Washington University in St. Louis, discusses the limitations of imposing the Western concept of "cities" on ancient sites and describes the mound culture of Mississippian Native American clans. Today, Cahokia Mounds is still considered the largest and most complex Pre-Columbian archaeological site north of Mexico.

We've all heard that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but is this adage true? How accurately do romantic partners gauge each other's attractiveness? What personality traits do others find most attractive, and how can we use this information to have meaningful relationships with our friends and family? Simine Vazire, associate professor of pyschology at Washington University in St. Louis, discusses the costs and benefits of exaggerating our own and our partners' attractiveness and explains how a little self-knowledge can go a long way.

"So a fruit fly walks into a bar..." In all seriousness, finding a mate is an important part of life for almost every species. But how do animals like fruit flies determine what is attractive in a potential mate? Yehuda Ben Shahar, assistant professor of biology at Washington University in St. Louis, studies the role of genetics in courtship and mating behaviors. Join us as he describes his research and explains how biologists manipulate genes to test their theories.

Whether it takes five minutes or an hour, commuting to and from work is an essential part of most people's daily lives. But how do commuting costs, whether in time or money, influence the structure and the formation of cities? Join Marcus Berliant, professor of economics at Washington University in St. Louis, as he provides a glimpse into the questions and answers that make up the field of urban economics.

Cities have individual identities, but many of them face similar problems, including unequal access to education, employment, and health services. Often, the solutions to these issues are as complex as their causes. Dr. William Tate, chair of the department of Education at Washington University in St. Louis, describes the Geography of Opportunity and explains how researchers are able to illustrate their work through graphics in order to better reach and inspire local citizens.

At its construction in St. Louis in 1951, Pruitt-Igoe was hailed as a model for future public housing efforts, but within two decades the area had decayed into an impoverished, crime-ridden neighborhood. By 1976, the entire complex was demolished. What caused this housing project to fail so spectacularly, and how can contemporary architects avoid the same mistakes? Susanne Cowan, a post-doctoral fellow in architecture and history at Washington University in St. Louis, discusses the legacy of these buildings and the evolution of social design. Cowan, with Ayda Melika, co-produced the forthcoming documentary film Design as a Social Act.

Following his death some 2,000 years ago, the philosopher Apollonius of Tyana was known as a charlatan and magician. A century later, he was considered the embodiment of Greek culture and religion, particularly for those who opposed Christianity. Why do some people become immortalized while others fade into obscurity? Join Roshan Abraham, assistant professor of classics and religious studies at Washington University in St. Louis, as he reveals the many lives of Apollonius.

Kenneth Olsen, associate professor of biology at Washington University in St. Louis, shares his research into red rice, a weedy form of cultivated rice that is a major problem for farmers in the southern United States. In this podcast, Olsen describes his research and explains why domesticated crops like rice are such a valuable tool for studying the genetics and evolution of plants.