It’s the ultimate matchup of human vs. machine: IBM developed a supercomputer named Watson, and to prove the processor’s mettle, it’s going to compete against human champions on Jeopardy. Elizabeth Gilbert describes how an officer from the Department of Homeland Security transformed her from a marriage skeptic into a true believer. And listeners tell Kurt how they get creative with unlikely materials like icicles and coffee grounds.

It’s plug ‘n play as we look at the art and science of video games. Kurt Andersen and writer Clive Thompson explore how this multi billion dollar industry is changing the culture. And we’ll check out the prototype for Urban Resolve, the military’s game designed to teach soldiers how to fight urban battles. Plus, Sons and Other Flammable Objects, the dark and witty debut novel from Porochista Khakpour.

Kurt Andersen and Slate contributor Clive Thompson, talk about how the multi-billion dollar industry of video games is changing the culture. We’ll check out the prototype for Urban Resolve, the military’s video game designed to teach soldiers how to wage urban warfare. We’ll hear about a young multimedia artist for whom reprogrammed old games is just another color on the palette. Plus, Richard Linklater stops by to talk about his new movie A Scanner Darkly.

Kurt Andersen and Slate journalist Clive Thompson discuss how video games are taking over the world – from the art scene in New York to the front lines of the war in Iraq.