Amichai Lau-Lavie – The Toilet Paper Dilemma

 Episode 6 - Amichai Lau-Lavie [1:20:55] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

It was an impossible situation for Amichai Lau-Lavie. He was “sitting on the john one Sabbath afternoon” and realized that there were no more squares of toilet paper left from the pile that his older brother had precut in advance of the Jewish day of rest. On the Sabbath, observant Jews are called upon to cease from creation; to be and not to do. In this Orthodox Jewish household, tearing toilet paper off the roll was considered doing, because “you take something that is and create a new entity” and was therefore not allowed.

Episode 4 – Thomas Humphrey – The Hands-On Movement

Photo by Amy Snyder

 MIPtalk - Episode 4 - Thomas Humphrey [1:12:07] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

To illustrate the reaction that visitors often have when they visit San Francisco’s Exploratorium where he works as the Senior Scientist, Thomas Humphrey tells the story of two 16-year-old Goth girls who came to the museum with major attitude and posturing that betrayed their lack of interest in the surroundings.  As soon as they saw a particular exhibit that caught their attention their facade dropped instantly.  Suddenly they were like little kids, caught up in the wonder of scientific discovery and how “cool” everything was.