Wordy Birds

In the Land of Believers

Original airdate: June 4, 2010

“When I started undercover, I sort of thought I could automatically fit in by showing up to services in a sweater set. Joining an orientation class and attending sermons I quickly discovered that fitting in had very little to do with how I looked: Evangelicals communicate in an entirely different language, and until I knew the mothertongue, I wasn’t going to get an intimate understanding of anyone. And I had begun by devoting my attention to the megachurch rituals instead of to the people. I was going to have to go deeper—to commit myself to attending church as the worshippers did. So I joined a ministry for singles and started coming to church two and three times a week. Incrementally, I got the kind of unguarded access that allowed me to see the complicated personalities beneath the evangelical gloss.”
– from ginawelch.com

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Worthy

Original airdate: May 28, 2010

Miriam sat her glass down on the table with a thud.

“You the one from school still scratching yo’ head ‘bout why people act this and that way.” She pointed at the side of her head. “What I know ain’t in no book of facts. What I know is what is… sure as clay red. My knowledge from life, common damn sense.” She pointed at Ayanna. “All you
know’s some tumblin’ clouds of ideas nobody can touch. You full of facts but dumb ‘bout knowin’ yo’ people and yo’self.”

Miriam got up, snatched her pitcher of sweet tea and went into the kitchen.

- from Worthy

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Beyond Vengeance, Beyond Duality

Original airdate: May 14, 2010

“As a trial attorney in Richmond, Virginia, Sylvia Clute began her writing career when confronted with a legal system in which justice too often meant vengeance. She became disillusioned with the legal system and felt compelled to search for a better way, a journey that provides depth and substance to her writing. Clute draws on extensive political and civic experience, research and multiple degrees in law and public policy to present a startling vision of new beginnings.

A pioneer in legal reform, she spearheaded changes in Virginia’s laws relating to women and children. Her focus is now on legal initiatives that support collaborative and restorative approaches to resolving conflict.” - Author Bio

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The Guinea Pig Diaries

Original airdate: May 7, 2010

“Over the years, I’ve gotten a lot of suggestions.

Some are intriguing. My brother-in-law suggested I spend a year growing my own food in my Manhattan apartment.

Some are intriguing, but possibly come with a hidden agenda. A friend – I think he’s a friend — told me I should spend a year without human contact.

Some definitely come with an agenda. My wife keeps suggesting that I spend a year giving her foot massages. I usually counter-offer that we could try all the positions in the Kama Sutra. The subject is generally dropped after that.

The suggestions come with the territory. For the last fifteen years, I’ve attempted to live my life as a human guinea pig. I’ve engaged in a series of experiments on my mind and body, some of which have been fruitful, some humiliating failures. I’ve tried to understand the world by immersing myself in extraordinary circumstances. I’ve grown a tremendously unattractive beard.”

- from The Guinea Pig Diaries

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Drive

Original airdate: April 9, 2010

“What else could it be? To answer the question, Harlow offered a novel theory — what amounted to a third drive: ‘The performance of the task,’ he said, ‘provided intrinsic reward.’ The monkeys solved the puzzles simply because they found it gratifying to solve puzzles. They enjoyed it. The joy of the task was its own reward.” – excerpt from Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us

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