Wonder Cabinet

In this hour, we explore the medical, spiritual and psychological mysteries of the moment of death. A Buddhist chaplain talks about preparing - now - to meet our final moments mindfully. And, as resuscitation science makes it ever-more possible for us to bring back people whose hearts have stopped, we take a look at the growing scientific debate over near-death experiences.  Being with Death; "Death Doesn't Bother Me, Anyway" Pt. 3; Blurring the Line Between Life and Death [Video]; Can Science Explain Near-Death Experiences? [Video]; Can Hallucinogens Help with End-of-Life Anxiety?; Mindful Dying; Christian Wiman Reads "For D.".

We live much longer than we used to, thanks to medical advances, but what are the emotional and financial costs of extending life?  Some doctors don't know how to talk with their patients about preparing for death, so there's now a push to have frank conversations about end-of-life care. Also,one family's story of working within Oregon's "Death with Dignity" law. Katy Butler on Heaven's Door; Atul Gawande Advocates Compassionate Medical Care [Video]; One City Talks about Death; A Photographer's Days with His Father; "Death Doesn't Bother Me, Anyway" Pt. 2; Choosing Death With Dignity; "When Death Comes," Read by Mary Oliver.

David Foster Wallace changed the landscape of American writing. His novels dissect our media-saturated culture in unflinching detail. And his essays are passed around to friends with the words, “You have to read this.” He became a literary rock star in his early thirties for his sprawling novel “Infinite Jest,” which introduced the world to his looping, verbose, cerebral style. And now, there’s a new Hollywood movie about David Foster Wallace, starring Jason Segel and Jesse Eisenberg. Today, we celebrate the life and work of David Foster Wallace. How To Live Authentically In An Inauthentic World: Laura Miller on David Foster Wallace; David Foster Wallace Discusses Infinite Jest; The Cult of DFW: How David Foster Wallace Became A Literary Icon; "Life Can Become This Incredibly Funny, Sharp, Alive Thing" - David Lipsky Remembers David Foster Wallace; David Foster Wallace: Our Last Interview ; "He Made You Love The Way Americans Talk" - Lev Grossman Reflects on David Foster Wallace; A Supposedly Fun Thing: Hear David Foster Wallace Deliver An Anti-Cruise Diatribe; "I Can Still Hear His Voice" - Amy Wallace-Havens Remembers Her Brother, David Foster Wallace; David Foster Wallace's Famous Commencement Address, "This is Water".

Ah, summer music festivals... beer tents, starry nights, a great lineup of bands. And tens of thousands of strangers. The festival-ization of American music has more of us shelling out for expensive tickets to multi-day, multi-stage festivals. Are they worth it?  And, how did we get here?   Why Do We Love Summer Music Festivals?; Bon Iver Puts Wisconsin Hometown On The Map With Indie Music Fest; Too Young For Woodstock? Here's What You Missed; Groovier Than Woodstock; Why I Hate Summer Music Festivals; Indigo Girls On The Power Of All-Women's Music Festivals.

From death cafes and death dinners, to innovative schools that now talk openly about death with their students, there's a movement afoot to change how we talk about the end of life. In this hour, how do we reckon with our own death and the deaths of our loved ones? If you'd like more information about how to start a conversation about the end of life, check out this resource page. Let's Talk About Death; We Don't Have to Be Alone with Dying and Grief; Living with your Coffin [Slideshow]; The Museum of Death [Slideshow]; "Death Doesn't Bother Me, Anyway" Pt. 1; Muhammad the Mortician Confronts Black-on-Black Violence; Nikki Giovanni Reads a Poem of Remembrance.

What if Mayors Rules the World If Mayors Ruled the World; Participatory Budgeting; SONIC SIDEBAR: Mayor Dave; The Mayor of Reykjavik; A DANGEROUS IDEA!; Keija Parssinen on her novel "The Unraveling of Mercy Louis".

It used to be easy to get lost in a good book, but now lots of people say reading is boring. Scientists say all that skimming and surfing on electronic screens is actually rewiring our brains. So we examine the new science of reading, and meet celebrated New Yorker book critic James Wood. Also, Jordanian scientist Rana Dajani tells the remarkable story of how she started a reading program for kids at her local mosque, which has spread to hundreds of libraries across the Middle East. And Princeton historian Tony Grafton uncovers the history of reading by looking in the margins of books. In our last segment, Jonathan Gottschall's dangerous idea is to remove padded gloves from combat sports to reduce the brain damage of fighters. And renowned MMA fighter Ronda Rousey describes her long, hard road to the top. Why it's Hard to Read in the Electronic Age; What Makes a Good Book Critic?; Teaching Kids to Love Books in the Middle East; Reading History from the Margins; Take Off the Gloves; The Toughest Woman in the World.

Remember those carefree summer days you had as a kid, playing tag or pickup softball in the park? Sure, it may just seem like fun and games, but it may also have been invaluable training. A new generation of researchers is discovering that play is how the young brain prepares for adult life. This hour — as if you needed a reason — a reminder to get out and have some fun. Learning Through Play; A Perfect Playground; The Strangest Playground In the World; An Animated Life; Video Games In The Classroom.

The Future of the Face: how science, technology and art are transforming our faces The NSA Wants Your Faceprint - Do You Know Why?; Artist Uses Makeup To Fool Surveillance Cameras; Former Model Tells The Story Of Her Face; Meet The Surgeon Behind The World's First Complete Facial Transplant; Photographer Faces His Future.

It's hard to wrap your head around the future of the human brain.  Augmented intelligence, memory playback, downloadable skills - it's all coming.  We explore the future of the mind, and hear how a brain injury can transform your life. Struck By Genius - Jason Padgett; Future of the Mind - Michio Kaku; Disharmony; What if America really is exceptional?; Reclaiming the Declaration of Independence .