The opening episode of Carl Sagan’s TV series Cosmos, first shown in 1980, lamented the most famous burning of books in history—the conflagration that destroyed the Library of Alexandria. “If I could travel back into time,” Sagan told his viewers, it would be to the Library of Alexandria, because “all the knowledge in the ancient world was within those marble walls.

The Story of the Library of Alexandria Is Mostly a Legend, But the Lesson of Its Burning Is Still Crucial Today

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Acclaimed novelist Lauren Groff is a singular voice in American fiction and a 2024 TIME100 honoree. This week, Groff joins host Charlotte Alter to delve deep into the essence of creativity and the intricacies of the natural world and the human body. Lauren shares her unique perspective on how time acts as the "secret currency" of art, reflecting on the challenges of balancing marriage, motherhood and writing. Known for her commitment to an analog writing practice, Lauren discusses the virtues of disconnecting from digital distractions in favor of play, and unpacks the parallels between athleticism and artistic expression. Articulating the urgencies of this moment in history, Groff provides insights into her approach to weaving real-world themes and pressing societal issues into her narratives. Join Charlotte and Lauren for a deep dive into the life and mind of a writer who crafts not just stories, but windows into our world.  Read more:    Lauren Groff by Ann Patchett | TIME100 • https://time.com/6964750/lauren-groff/

Lauren Groff • The Mind, The Body, and The Natural World

As you've probably heard by now, TIME's 2023 Person of The Year is Taylor Swift. In this special bonus episode, host Charlotte Alter sits down with TIME’s Editor in Chief, Sam Jacobs, and Senior Executive Editor, Kelly Conniff, for a behind-the-scenes look at the history of TIME's legendary, annual Person of the Year issue and to hear all the reasons why Taylor Swift is this year's Person of The Year. • Person of The Year 2023: Taylor Swift | TIME | https://time.com/6342806/person-of-the-year-2023-taylor-swift/ • For all of TIME's 2023 Person of the Year coverage, visit time.com.

Person of The Year

In this new podcast from TIME, Senior Correspondent Charlotte Alter hosts candid conversations with the people who shape our world about the forces that shape them.

Person of The Week • A New TIME Podcast with Charlotte Alter

The CEOs of the leading AI companies made their most unified statement yet about the existential risks posed by the technology See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AI Is as Risky as Pandemics and Nuclear War, Top CEOs Say, Urging Global Cooperation

The first obstacle comes on Tuesday evening, when the House Rules Committee will convene to determine whether the agreement comes to a vote. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Story of the Library of Alexandria Is Mostly a Legend, But the Lesson of Its Burning Is Still Crucial Today

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