Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Make a sustaining gift today to support local journalism!
0000017a-15d9-d736-a57f-17ff8f330000NHPR’s 10-Minute Writer’s Workshop offered a peek into how great writers conjure and craft their work. From creative rituals to guilty distractions, writers revealed what it really takes to get pen to paper.After more than two years and 60 episodes, the 10 Minute Writer’s Workshop signed off in December 2017, to make room for new projects and podcasts. (But our author talks will continue to live online if you’re looking for a dose of inspiration).Thanks to everybody who listened and learned from the show!

4.07.16: Artificial Wombs, Learning to Like Poetry, & 10-Minute Writer's Workshop with Alice Dreger

takomabibelot via Flickr CC
/
https://flic.kr/p/8KAyxE

A while ago came the news that the US is in grave danger of a clown shortage. Today we'll get a report from a clown convention and find out why membership is down, but why clowns are still unlikely to completely disappear. 

We'll also talk to a futurist about ectogenesis, or artificial wombs. Often referenced in science fiction, the idea of children being grown outside of a mother's body is inching closer to reality.

Plus, the latest 10-Minute Writer's Workshop with anatomical historian Alice Dreger. 

Listen to the full show. 

The Artificial Womb

Science fiction has long imagined babies gestating  – from conception to delivery – in a lab, and artificial wombs may soon become a reality.

Zoltan Istvanis a futurist, philosopher, journalist and author. He wrote about the science and the ethics of artificial wombs – or ectogenesis, as the technology is formally called - for Motherboard. His most recent book is "The Transhumanist Wager."

WOM08202014C.mp3
A Futurist Discusses Ectogenesis, or Artificial Wombs.

The Future of Clowns

Is there any truth to the impending clown shortage? Leigh Cowart traveled to a clown convention to find out for herself. Her article “Don’t Be Afraid Of The Clowns” appeared in Buzzfeed

Leigh also spoke with us about the passing of Robin Williams.

WOM08202014D.mp3
The History and Future of Clowns.

Learning to Like Poetry

Victoria Chang is a poet, most recently of a collection called The Boss – and she recently wrote a list for the Huffington Post called “13 Poetry Collections for People Who Think They Don’t Like Poetry”.

WOM04152014D.mp3
Victoria Chang: “13 Poetry Collections for People Who Think They Don’t Like Poetry”

10-Minute Writer's Workshop: Alice Dreger

In the latest installment of the 10-Minute Writer's Workshop, Virginia talks process with Alice Dreger, a historian of science and medicine and, recently, the author of Galileo's Middle Finger: Heretics, Activists, and the Search for Justice in Science.  

Listen to this episode again: 10-Minute Writer's Workshop: Anatomical Historian Alice Dreger?. 

Related Content

You make NHPR possible.

NHPR is nonprofit and independent. We rely on readers like you to support the local, national, and international coverage on this website. Your support makes this news available to everyone.

Give today. A monthly donation of $5 makes a real difference.