ArchiveFM

First aired back in 2009, this episode is all about one thing, or rather a collection of things. Whether you love 'em or hate 'em, chances are you rely on numbers every day of your life. Where do they come from, and what do they really do for us? This hour: stories of how numbers confuse us, connect us, and even reveal secrets about us.
Duration
1h 4m
Broadcast on
22 Dec 2023
Audio Format
other

First aired back in 2009, this episode is all about one thing, or rather a collection of things. Whether you love 'em or hate 'em, chances are you rely on numbers every day of your life. Where do they come from, and what do they really do for us? This hour: stories of how numbers confuse us, connect us, and even reveal secrets about us.


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

"But what is it, Billy? What's holding you back?" "I don't know. I just can't commit." "Do you find yourself feeling sweaty at the thought of making a recurring donation? Quivering, yet frozen in terror when considering taking the big leap to being a monthly donor?" Well, worry no more. Because here at RadioLab, from today until December 31st, you can make a one-time contribution to one of your favorite public radio programs. "When I'm online and someplace ask me to subscribe, I always do a free trial because anything more than seven days feels like just too much." "That's okay. I always feel like I'm getting asked to sustain things. Sustain this, sustain that. I just can't. I can't do that." No problem. Here at RadioLab, your one-time, non-recurring donation will help us to continue to do the work that you love so much. "So, I went to Kazakhstan." Such as reporting overseas on who owns the rights to knowledge, or thousands of baby crabs. Other thought-provoking stories on- "We want to talk about the war in Ukraine. Do we need to get people more scared about climate change? About a black hole, or do we need to get people more hopeful about climate change?" "Actually, hitting Earth." "You're no strings attached, non-committal gift will allow us to continue to make this type of work into the new year and beyond." Now, of course, you could already be doubting into the program, joining the thousands of people who are already donors and members, that help us survive economic downturns and headwinds like the ones we're going through right now. But you're not. No. You're sitting there, listening to this. Right now, without a care in the world, consuming free content, you get up at your disposal. Everything is just here for you, for you to consume. "Gobble, gobble, gobble, gobble, gobble, you little turkey, gobble, gobble, gobble, gobble." Radiolab.org/donate. A place where forever can just be a moment. So the next time you're feeling terrified by the prospect of commitment, take a moment and come over to radiolab.org/donate. Any amount is appreciated. Radiolab.org/donate. Come on, join the fun. That was from our genius, deranged and slightly commitmentophobic producer, Matt Kilty. I'm Lou Miller, this is Radiolab, and to remind you of the kind of fun we sometimes get up to over here, I thought I would play one of my all-time favorite episodes. It's called Numbers, and it is a rollercoaster ride through all different kinds of numbers, these things which, you know, can sometimes seem kind of cold, but in radiolab's loving care are shown to contain real warmth. So without further ado, our episode Numbers, enjoy the ride. And again, if it makes you chuckle, if it makes you feel warm and you want to support the work we do, if you feel like tossing a few quarters into our proverbial bin, you can do that over at radiolab.org/donate. Thanks for thinking of us, here we go. Wait, wait, you're listening to Radiolab from WNYC. Yes. Listen to this, just for a second. Well, they're building gallows outside my cell. I've got twenty-five minutes to go. Is that Johnny Cash? Yes, it's Johnny Cash, and we sing a song about the deep importance of mathematics in your life. I've got twenty-four minutes to go. Well, they gave me some beans for my last- It's no math here, what are you talking about? You know, there's a lot of math here because you see what he's doing is he's moving to his extinction, it seems, but he's being very careful to calibrate. I've got twenty-two minutes to go. Well, I sent for the governor and the whole darn bunch with twenty-one minutes to go. And I sent for the mayor, but he's out to lunch.

Transcription truncated.

First aired back in 2009, this episode is all about one thing, or rather a collection of things. Whether you love 'em or hate 'em, chances are you rely on numbers every day of your life. Where do they come from, and what do they really do for us? This hour: stories of how numbers confuse us, connect us, and even reveal secrets about us.