September 19, 2008

Large Hadron Collider (CERN)

The Largest Machine on the Planet

In a 17-mile long tunnel underneath the Swiss-French border, a particle accelerator called the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) recently fired its first proton beams. In a few months, it's due to start smashing particles together. Scientists hope these experiments might solve some of the mysteries of the universe, like how particles acquire mass. Studio 360’s Eric Molinsky looks into why the colorful and complex design of the LHC looks like the set of a sci-fi movie.

(Originally aired: May 23, 2008)

Janna Levin (Knopf)

Janna Levin

Kurt checks in with a Columbia University physicist (and novelist) who’s anxiously awaiting the LHC’s first particle collisions. Janna Levin is the author of How the Universe Got Its Spots and A Madman Dreams of Turing Machines.

(Originally aired: May 28, 2008)

Lydia Millet (Kieran Suckling)

Telford

Studio 360 commissioned the author Lydia Millet to write a short story inspired by the LHC’s “grand opening.” Her acclaimed 2005 novel Oh Pure and Radiant Heart was about the physicists who created the atomic bomb. Actor Martha Plimpton reads “Telford.”

And Janna Levin considers if the LHC will create a black hole.

(Originally aired: May 28, 2008)

Arthur Ganson (Flickr user Jasoneepink)

Aha Moment: Arthur Ganson

Today Jeff Lieberman is a musician, a photographer, and getting his PhD in Robotics. He’s also the host of “Time Warp” on the Discovery Channel. But years ago, when Lieberman was a teenager, he was unsure whether to choose a creative or scientific path. Then he encountered an amazing sculpture by the artist Arthur Ganson. Produced by Lindsay Patterson.

Matassas floor (Gianluca Tramontana)

The J&M Records Story

At the edge of New Orleans' French Quarter sits the Clothes Spin Laundromat. Sixty years ago, rock ‘n’ roll took its baby steps there. As Gianluca Tramontana discovered, it’s a hidden piece of music history.

Theresa Andersson (Penn Turin)

Theresa Andersson

She built her sound in New Orleans, but she was born and raised in rural Sweden. Andersson is DIY to the extreme, looping guitar, drums, fiddle, vocals, and vinyl record samples. She tells Kurt how she does it and performs live in the studio.

Theresa Andersson performs "Na Na Na":

If you can't see the video click here

Bonus Track: "Hi Low"

Theresa Andersson performs the song live in Studio 360.

Get the Studio 360 Newsletter