Curious Minds

17 seasons available

Leading scientists discuss their work and the larger questions of humankind's existence.
The Science of Sleep: Sleepless Society
S50 E1

Dr. Michael Smith, director of the Behavioral Sleep Medicine Program at Johns Hopkins University, explores the causes of sleep problems in today's hectic society.

The Science of Sleep: Good Sleep Healthy Life
S50 E3

Dr. Michael Smith, director of the Behavioral Sleep Medicine Program at John Hopkins University, examines the impact of sleep deprivation on physical and mental health.

The Science of Sleep: Preventing Insomnia
S50 E4

Dr. Michael Smith, director of the Behavioral Sleep Medicine Program at John Hopkins University, gives tips for overcoming insomnia and following the body's natural signals for sleep.

The Internet: Can the Internet Limit Decision Making
S49 E3

Nuala O'Connor, Internet and technology expert, warns of the impact targeted digital advertising can have on people's decisions.

The Internet: The Dark Side of the Internet
S49 E12

Vint Cerf, one of the fathers of the Internet, explores its dark side.

The Future: The Trillion Sensor World
S48 E1

Peter Diamandis, X Prize founder and technology entrepreneur, describes the global explosion of interconnected communication devices.

Technology: What Is Ubiquitous Computing?
S44 E5

John Seely Brown, a technology and research expert, discusses the future of technology and the way society will be improved by it.

Social Networking: Grooming Our Network
S41 E3

Lee Rainie, director of Internet science and technology research at the Pew Research Center, compares the ways chimps and humans build communities to how social networking surpassed traditional media to set the news agenda of the day.

Social Networking The Rise & Fall of the Web
S41 E4

Lee Rainie traces the origins of social media and how it is changing people's lives.

Social Networking: The Internet of Things
S41 E5

Envisioning a future where machine communication influences every aspect of people's lives.

Psychology: The Roots of Friendship
S36 E1

Fathali Moghaddam, professor of psychology at Georgetown University, examines the behaviors that unite and divide friends and couples.

Psychology: People Are All Alike/Different
S36 E2

Fathali Moghaddam, professor of psychology at Georgetown University, contrasts the belief that all people are essentially the same with distinctions made due to racial or ethnic groups.

Psychology: When Women Lead
S36 E3

Fathali Moghaddam, professor of psychology at Georgetown University, sees the rise of women leaders as the key to building peaceful societies.

Psychology: Future Dictators
S36 E4

The psychology of people with dictatorial personalities.

Oceans: What Can Marine Sanctuaries Teach Us About History?
S32 E7

Dan Basta, NOAA's director of marine sanctuaries, weaves a link to the past by examining the state of the current sanctuaries.

Nanotechnology: Can Nanotechnology Lead to Advanced Weapons?
S31 E1

How nanotechnology might revolutionize the weapons industry.

Marine Conservation: How Can We Reduce Bycatch?
S28 E6

Andrew Sharpless, CEO of Oceana, explains bycatch and how it impacts ocean biodiversity.

Marine Archaeology: Robotics or Manned Missions for Undersea Work?
S27 E1

James Delgado, director of the Maritime Heritage Program at NOAA, weighs the pros and cons of using robotics as a means of marine exploration.

Happiness: Can Anxious People Be Happy?
S25 E2

Evolutionary psychologist Nancy Etcoff explores the impact anxiety can have on happiness.

Happiness: Can Money Buy Happiness?
S25 E3

Evolutionary psychologist Nancy Etcoff examines whether money can buy happiness.

Happiness: Can Science Make Us Happier?
S25 E4

Evolutionary psychologist Nancy Etcoff explores whether science will be able to make people happier.

Food Science: Richer, Sweeter, Spicier
S23 E8

John McQuaid, author of "Tasty: The Art and Science of What We Eat," marvels at how humans have become culinary thrill-seekers.

David McCullough: Birth of a Storyteller
S14 E1

Pulitzer prize-winning historian David McCullough describes how a love of childhood books, a fascination with the paintings of N.C. Wyeth, and a lively Scots-Irish family inspired his storytelling gifts.

David McCullough: The Men Who Made America
S14 E2

David McCullough points out how there were no guarantees that the American Revolution would succeed.

David McCullough: The Writer's Life
S14 E4

David McCullough details how he loves the detective hunt of uncovering people from the past and how there is no better way to get to know someone than to read their mail.

Creativity: Can Science and Art Be Combined?
S13 E1

Bran Ferren, design and technology innovator, proposes melding science and art as a natural option to lead a wholesome life.

Creativity: Can Science Be Creative?
S13 E4

Lisa Randall, theoretical physicist and leading particle and cosmology expert, explains the role of creativity in science.

Brain Health: Are Teenagers Better at Multitasking?
S10 E2

Frances Jensen, neurologist and author of "The Teenage Brain," investigates whether adolescents are better at multitasking than adults.

Brain Health: Why Do Teenagers Sleep So Much?
S10 E3

Frances Jensen, neurologist and author of "The Teenage Brain," uncovers the truth about bizarre sleep patterns and fatigue in adolescents.

Brain Health: What Makes the Teenage Brain So Dangerous?
S10 E5

Frances Jensen, neurologist and author of "The Teenage Brain," offers a revolutionary explanation for risky behavior in adolescents.

Brain Health: Can a Blow to the Head Cause Alzheimer's?
S10 E7

Dr. Rudy Tanzi, neurologist and co-discoverer of the Alzheimer's gene, shares how traumatic brain injuries could lead to Alzheimer's disease or dementia.

Brain Health: Can Alzheimer's Be Prevented?
S10 E8

Dr. Rudy Tanzi, neurologist and co-discoverer of the Alzheimer's gene, shows how to reduce the risks of contracting Alzheimer's disease.

Brain Health: Can We Really Cure Depression?
S10 E9

Evolutionary psychologist Nancy Etcoff explores whether there will ever be a true "cure" for depression.

Brain Health: How Many People in the U.S. Have Alzheimer's?
S10 E13

Dr. Rudy Tanzi, neurologist and co-discoverer of the Alzheimer's gene, relates the extent of the population affected by Alzheimer's disease.

Brain Health: Is Epilepsy More Common Than We Think?
S10 E19

Frances Jensen, neurologist and author of "The Teenage Brain," explains why everyone should be prepared for the possible onset of epilepsy at some point in life.

Astronomy: How Many Stars and Planets?
S9 E7

Lowell Observatory astronomer Nick Moskovitz surveys the number of stars and planets believed to exist in the universe.

Astronomy: Robotic or Manned Missions?
S9 E13

Lowell Observatory astronomer Nick Moskovitz expounds on the importance of manned space missions.

Climate Change: Why Do So Many Tornadoes Strike the U.S.?
S1 E4

Severe weather expert Jeff Halverson explores why the USA is such a hotbed for tornadoes.

Climate Change: Catastrophic Consequences - Katrina and Sandy
S1 E9

Severe weather expert Jeff Halverson reveals the root cause of high death tolls and devastation from hurricanes Katrina and Sandy.