Brian Greene on the Multiverse

I previously mentioned WNYC's show Radiolab.

I mentioned the fact that Radiolab comes in sets of five episodes. What I failed to mention is that they often post mini-episode podcasts during the radio show's down time. These can be as short as ten minutes or as long as an hour.

This week, available only as a download, they have a 50+ minute discussion that Robert Krulwich had at the 92nd Street Y with Brian Greene, author of "The Elegant Universe" and "The Fabric of the Cosmos." In their own description of the show, "Robert and Brian discuss what’s beyond the horizon of our universe, what you might wear in infinite universes with finite pairs of designer shoes, and why the Universe and swiss cheese have more in common than you think."

No fancy audio editing, just a straightforward discussion in front of a live audience. The comments currently posted on the episode's page indicates that Mr. Greene seems to have touched a nerve -- "I find it totally absurd to suggest that free-will is just a useful, comforting and necessary component that helps us get through the day," and "Brian, I find your particular solution to be extremely pessimistic and limited."

While listening to it, there came a moment when all I could think of was the title of David Byrne and Brian Eno's new album, "Everything That Happens Will Happen Today."