Over the past few months I've been addicted to what might be the greatest show (on television or radio) I've ever heard. The attention to sonic detail is particularly amazing, but the fact that the show never makes me cringe--well most of the time--from bad science separates it from any other form of entertainment (sorry Planet Earth).

For those that don't know, Radiolab is a audio show on the NPR station WNYC but is also syndicated with all episodes since its inception hosted on its website. It's hosted by two science nuts, Jad and Robert who make up for a lack of credentials with a surplus of curiosity. The show is pretty much the antithesis of a piece of reality TV in that it's intelligent, doesn't rely on sexual, visual stimuli (or anything visual for that matter, but they did recently dedicate an hour to sperm), and is actually solely rooted in reality. Though I find it most enjoyable with headphones in a comfortable, quite spot, I often find myself pensively grinning in coffee shops while others wonder how I can be so content without a book.

Since I don't keep track of my podcasts that well, I recently found a video piece the Radiolab team produced on my mp3 player called Parabolas. It's been obvious to me for a while that they're everywhere, but the short film set to the music of Tim Hecker (check out my Now Listening tab to the right) left me a little dumbfounded at how cool this fact could be. Its a little crappy that quite a bit of people don't see radio as a form of entertainment outside of the car any more. Sound has the ability to fully take advantage of sensory deprivation in ways video can't. It's goofy to say, but I actually get visuals when listening to this program.

Download the episode about music, and be amazed.
Radiolab - Musical Language.mp3