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99% Invisible
By Roman Mars
Design is everywhere in our lives, perhaps most importantly in the places where we've just stopped noticing. 99% Invisible is a weekly exploration of the process and power of design and architecture. From award winning producer Roman Mars. Learn more at [99percentinvisible.org] (http://99percentinvisible.org) . A proud member of Radiotopia, from PRX. Learn more at [radiotopia.fm] (http://radiotopia.fm/) .
Design is everywhere in our lives, perhaps most importantly in the places where we've just stopped noticing. 99% Invisible is a weekly exploration of the process and power of design and architecture. From award winning producer Roman Mars. Learn more at [99percentinvisible.org] (http://99percentinvisible.org) . A proud member of Radiotopia, from PRX. Learn more at [radiotopia.fm] (http://radiotopia.fm/) .
All
Title
Progress
Duration
Release Date
Rate
433- Florence Nightingale: Data Viz Pioneer
Victorian nurse Florence Nightingale (played in this episode by her distant cousin Helena Bonham Carter) is a hero of modern medicine - but her greatest contribution to combating disease and death resulted from the vivid graphs she made to back her public health campaigns. Her charts convinced the great and the good that deaths due to filth and poor sanitation could be averted - saving countless lives. But did Nightingale open Pandora's Box, showing that graphs persuade, whether or not they depict reality?
[Cautionary Tales] (https://www.pushkin.fm/show/cautionary-tales/) is a podcast by [Tim Harford] (https://timharford.com/) from Pushkin Industries.
You can read more about the remarkable legacy of Florence Nightingale and the perils of misinformation in Tim Harford's new book [The Data Detective] (https://timharford.com/books/datadetective/) (US/Canada) / [How To Make The World Add Up] (https://timharford.com/books/worldaddup/) (UK / International).
02 Mar 2021
37 MINS
37:17
02 Mar 2021
432- The Batman and the Bridge Builder
Mark Bloschock is an engineer from Texas, and in the late 1970s he got a job with the Texas Department of Transportation renovating the Congress Avenue Bridge. The bridge was a simple concrete arch bridge that spans Lady Bird Lake in downtown Austin. It needed to be rebuilt with more contemporary beams called “box beams.” The box beams sit below the road’s surface, and they needed to be spaced a certain distance apart. Bloschock and the other engineers decided that the gap should be somewhere between ¾ of an inch and an inch and a half, which didn’t seem like a particularly meaningful decision… until the bats moved in.
A tale of bats and bridges and how the built environment and the natural environment don’t need to be at odds with one another.
[The Batman and the Bridge Builder] (https://99percentinvisible.org/?p=36226&post_type=episode)
Plus, we talk with Simon Doble, CEO of Solar Buddy. Light access (both day and night) is a basic need many people take for granted. [SolarBuddy] (https://solarbuddy.org/) is an Australian charity uniting a global community with a big dream to gift six million solar lights to children living in energy poverty by 2030, to help them to study after dusk and improve their education outcomes.
99% Invisible’s Impact Design coverage is supported by [Autodesk] (https://www.autodesk.com/) . The [Autodesk Foundation] (http://www.autodesk.org/) supports the design and creation of innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing social and environmental challenges. Learn more about these efforts on Autodesk’s [Redshift] (https://www.autodesk.com/redshift/) , which tells stories about the future of making across architecture, engineering, infrastructure and manufacturing.
23 Feb 2021
33 MINS
33:01
23 Feb 2021
431- 12 Heads from the Garden of Perfect Brightness
The story of the twelve bronze zodiac heads that are at the center of a fight over the repatriation of Chinese cultural heritage. Most believe all such cultural artifacts should return to China, but many others argue that these objects are also serving as nationalistic propaganda.
[12 Heads from the Garden of Perfect Brightness] (https://99percentinvisible.org/?p=36193&post_type=episode)
16 Feb 2021
36 MINS
36:05
16 Feb 2021
Judas and the Black Messiah, Episode 1: The Chairman
Proximity, 99% Invisible, and Warner Bros. present the “Judas and the Black Messiah Podcast [,] (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/judas-and-the-black-messiah-podcast/id1549883019) ” an official film companion from the Radiotopia podcast network from PRX.
In the “Judas and the Black Messiah Podcast,” host and critic Elvis Mitchell of KCRW is joined by Chairman Fred Hampton Jr. — son of Chairman Fred Hampton and head of the Black Panther Party Cubs — as well as the film’s actors and creative team, and by members of the Black Panther Party who knew Chairman Fred Hampton. Together, they look at the true stories behind the events portrayed in the film.
In episode 1, we get the real story of how Fred Hampton became The Chairman.
Watch [the film] (https://www.judasandtheblackmessiah.com/) and subscribe to the rest of the series here:
[Apple Podcasts] (https://podcasts.apple.com/iq/podcast/judas-and-the-black-messiah-podcast/id1549883019)
[Stitcher] (https://www.stitcher.com/show/judas-and-the-black-messiah-podcast)
12 Feb 2021
36 MINS
36:46
12 Feb 2021
430- The Doom Boom
Bradley Garrett is the author of [Bunker: Building for the Times] (https://www.mcnallyjackson.com/book/9781501188558) . People have always built underground survival shelters to stay safe from things like plagues or hurricanes. But in modern history, we've really outdone ourselves. Garrett will be our guide to the fascinating world of architecture for the end times. And we're going to find out why today we're going through a true bunker renaissance.
[The Doom Boom] (https://99percentinvisible.org/?p=36168&post_type=episode)
09 Feb 2021
33 MINS
33:02
09 Feb 2021
Judas and the Black Messiah Trailer from 99% Invisible and Proximity Media
Proximity, 99% Invisible, and Warner Bros. present the “Judas and the Black Messiah Podcast [,] (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/judas-and-the-black-messiah-podcast/id1549883019) ” an official film companion from the Radiotopia podcast network from PRX.
In the “Judas and the Black Messiah Podcast,” host and critic Elvis Mitchell of KCRW is joined by Chairman Fred Hampton Jr. — son of Chairman Fred Hampton and head of the Black Panther Party Cubs — as well as the film’s actors and creative team, and by members of the Black Panther Party who knew Chairman Fred Hampton. Together, they look at the true stories behind the events portrayed in the film.
Subscribe and look for episode 1 February 12
[Apple Podcasts] (https://podcasts.apple.com/iq/podcast/judas-and-the-black-messiah-podcast/id1549883019)
[Stitcher] (https://www.stitcher.com/show/judas-and-the-black-messiah-podcast)
08 Feb 2021
03 MINS
03:37
08 Feb 2021
429- Stuccoed in Time
Santa Fe is famous in part for a particular architectural style, an adobe (mudbrick) look that came to be called Pueblo Revival. This aesthetic combines elements of indigenous pueblo architecture and the New Mexico's old Spanish missions, resulting in mostly low, brown buildings with smooth edges. Buildings in the city's historical districts in particular have to follow a number of design guidelines so that they fit this desired look; deviating from those aesthetics can stir up a lot of controversy. But this adherence to a single style hasn't always been the norm -- for a time, there was actually a powerful push to "Americanize" the city's built environment. Then, over a century ago, a group of preservationists laid out a vision for the look and feel of Santa Fe architecture, and in the process changed the city forever.
[Stuccoed in Time] (https://99percentinvisible.org/?p=36096&post_type=episode)
02 Feb 2021
43 MINS
43:48
02 Feb 2021
428- Beneath the Skyway
Cities around the world have distinctive modes of transportation -- the canals of Venice, the double-decker busses of London, and the Twin Cities (of Minneapolis and St. Paul) have skyways. In both downtowns, there are vast networks of climate-controlled pedestrian bridges that reach over the streets and connect adjacent buildings. They were long viewed as modern marvels, but a lot of residents and urban planners want them gone. For critics, skyways are problematic because of who gets to enjoy them and who does not as well as their impact on street activity below.
[Beneath the Skyway] (https://99percentinvisible.org/?p=35972&post_type=episode)
26 Jan 2021
43 MINS
43:15
26 Jan 2021
427- Mini-Stories: Volume 11
In this set of short stories, 99% Invisible producers talked with host Roman Mars about everything from the Fresh Air Movement to the lost Lenin in Antarctica.
[Mini-Stories: Volume 11] (https://99percentinvisible.org/?p=35788&post_type=episode)
20 Jan 2021
49 MINS
49:29
20 Jan 2021
426- Mini-Stories: Volume 10
In this set of short stories, 99% Invisible producers talked with host Roman Mars about everything from climate-changing sheep to the persistent urban legend behind the invention of a space pen.
[Mini-Stories: Volume 10] (https://99percentinvisible.org/?p=35728&post_type=episode)
99% Invisible’s Impact Design coverage is supported by [Autodesk] (https://www.autodesk.com/) . Autodesk enables the design and creation of innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing social and environmental challenges. Learn more about these efforts on Autodesk [Redshift] (https://www.autodesk.com/redshift) , a site that tells stories about the future of making things across architecture, engineering, infrastructure, construction and manufacturing.
12 Jan 2021
40 MINS
40:21
12 Jan 2021
425- Mini-Stories: Volume 9
Each year, 99% Invisible producers select short design stories to talk about with host Roman Mars. Some of these were just too brief to make into full 99pi episodes, but many also reveal aspects of how we find ideas for (and ultimately make) the show. In this collection, we'll talk about everything from movie novelizations to disco costume designs!
[Mini-Stories volume 9] (https://99percentinvisible.org/?p=35625&post_type=episode)
22 Dec 2020
40 MINS
40:36
22 Dec 2020
Roman Mars on Bullseye with Jesse Thorn
Roman Mars joins Jesse Thorne on [Bullseye] (https://www.npr.org/2020/12/07/944055902/roman-mars-of-99-invisible) this week to talk about life before podcasting, and what decades in radio has taught him. Roman has worked in podcasts and radio for decades at this point, but his career didn't start out in audio. He was originally getting a PhD in genetics, pipetting stuff into tubes, recording data and the like. Roman and Jesse also spoke about how the pandemic has affected the design of cities, and which of those changes might be permanent.
Get [The 99% Invisible City] (https://99percentinvisible.org/book/) today
18 Dec 2020
36 MINS
36:58
18 Dec 2020
Chapter 5: Housing Finally
If homelessness is the problem, housing is the solution. But it’s not always that simple. Kate Cody has been living in her encampment community for a long time. And there’s no guarantee she’ll be able to make the transition inside, even with the golden ticket.
The way homelessness has exploded in California over the last decade, you’d think there was no system in place to address it. But there is one - it just wasn’t designed to help everyone. Katie Mingle’s [According to Need] (https://99percentinvisible.org/need/) is a documentary podcast in 5 chapters from 99% Invisible that asks: what are we doing to get people into housing?
If you've enjoyed this series and were moved by the stories you heard, we've compiled [a list of Bay Area organizations] (https://docs.google.com/document/d/142ujDFShUrUdnrv2eur-LtJ-m31HDhx_LG9hdmp75rU/edit?usp=sharing) that you can support.
15 Dec 2020
48 MINS
48:02
15 Dec 2020
Chapter 4: The List
When Tulicia Lee tried to get help with housing, she was essentially put on a big long list with a bunch of other homeless people. If you live in the U.S., your community probably has a list like this too. Where one ends up on the list can have huge implications, but how one rises to the top of it is a bit of a mystery. In this episode, Katie finally gets to see how it works.
[The List ] (https://99percentinvisible.org/?p=34746&post_type=episode)
The way homelessness has exploded in California over the last decade, you’d think there was no system in place to address it. But there is one - it just wasn’t designed to help everyone. [According to Need] (https://99percentinvisible.org/need/) is a documentary podcast in 5 chapters from 99% Invisible that asks: what are we doing to get people into housing?
11 Dec 2020
30 MINS
30:31
11 Dec 2020
Chapter 3: Housing First
In the 1980's, a psychologist named Sam Tsemberis was working with mentally ill homeless people on the streets of New York. Sometimes, when he thought it was necessary to keep someone safe, Sam would have people committed to a psychiatric hospital. But a few months later, he’d notice that person was back on the streets. Sam knew he needed to try something different. What he did changed everything about the way we think about solving homelessness.
In this episode, what happens when you ask people what they need.
[Chapter 3: Housing First] (https://99percentinvisible.org/?p=34744&post_type=episode)
The way homelessness has exploded in California over the last decade, you’d think there was no system in place to address it. But there is one - it just wasn’t designed to help everyone. Katie Mingle’s [According to Need] (https://99percentinvisible.org/need/) is a documentary podcast in 5 chapters from 99% Invisible that asks: what are we doing to get people into housing?
08 Dec 2020
31 MINS
31:48
08 Dec 2020
Chapter 2: The Hotline
Katie Mingle heard a lot about 211 doing this reporting. Not just from Tulicia Lee who called a bunch of times, but from everyone—from homeless people and service providers and advocates. In her mind, it was the 911 of homelessness. Only, more often than not, it seemed like when people called 211, the metaphorical ambulance never came. That was true for Tulicia, and it was true for lots of other people she met.
If everyone starts at 211, why is it a dead-end for so many people? What is happening at 211? At the beginning of March, right before everything shut down for the pandemic, Katie spent a day in the 211 call center.
[The Hotline] (https://99percentinvisible.org/?p=34742&post_type=episode)
04 Dec 2020
34 MINS
34:19
04 Dec 2020
Chapter 1: Tulicia
When we think about homelessness, we often have a certain image in our mind—people pushing shopping carts, or big sprawling tent encampments.
But for the vast majority of homeless people, the experience is less visible. Many people who are unable to afford a place to live end up sleeping on a friend’s floor or inside their car.
This is what Tulicia did for years, until finally, she reached out to the system for help.
[Chapter 1: Tulicia] (https://99percentinvisible.org/?p=34740&post_type=episode)
01 Dec 2020
33 MINS
33:01
01 Dec 2020
According to Need: Prologue
The way homelessness has exploded in California over the last decade, you’d think there was no system in place to address it. But there is one -- it just wasn’t designed to help everyone. [According to Need] (https://99percentinvisible.org/need/) is a documentary podcast in 5 chapters from 99% Invisible that asks: What are we doing to get people into housing?
[According to Need] (https://99percentinvisible.org/?p=34734&post_type=episode)
01 Dec 2020
17 MINS
17:24
01 Dec 2020
According to Need coming December 1
According to Need is a documentary podcast in 5 chapters from 99% Invisible’s Katie Mingle that asks: What are we doing to get people into housing?
Coming December 1
29 Nov 2020
02 MINS
02:52
29 Nov 2020
424- The Great Indoors
Emily Anthes is the author of [The Great Indoors: The Surprising Science of How Buildings Shape Our Behaviour, Health and Happiness] (https://amzn.to/3l0tPOj) , and she notes that even before the pandemic hit, we humans spent about 90 percent of our time indoors on average -- however we think of ourselves, people are in fact largely an indoor species. Anthes looks at all of the ways our indoor spaces impact our health, and observes that there is so much we don't really know about the places we spend a majority of our lives.
[The Great Indoors] (https://99percentinvisible.org/?p=35238&post_type=episode)
Shop the [99% Invisible Store] (https://99percentinvisible.org/store/)
25 Nov 2020
27 MINS
27:19
25 Nov 2020
423- Sean Exploder
As you might know, we have our own composer here at 99pi named Sean Real who works with the producers to score our episodes with original music that she writes and records right here in Oakland. She has created over 300 amazing original songs for 99pi to date! So this week, we are bringing you a tribute to one of our favorite shows Song Exploder, and to our favorite composer, Sean Real.
[Sean Exploder] (https://99percentinvisible.org/?p=35189&post_type=episode)
Plus a preview of Katie Mingle’s new 99pi spin off According to Need (Out December 1).
Buy Sean’s first record of 99pi music in the [99% Invisible Store] (https://99percentinvisible.org/store/)
21 Nov 2020
31 MINS
31:02
21 Nov 2020
422- In The Unlikely Event
If you’ve ever flown on a plane, you’ve been directed to study the safety briefing card in your seatback pocket. Every passenger plane, commercial or private, has to have safety cards on board. Mo Laborde is a reporter who has been collecting safety cards for almost ten years, and one day she started wondering how the modern safety card came about.
[In The Unlikely Event] (https://99percentinvisible.org/?p=35115&post_type=episode)
Buy [The 99% Invisible City] (http://99pi.org/book)
18 Nov 2020
30 MINS
30:25
18 Nov 2020
421- You've Got Enron Mail!
Enron collapsed nearly 20 years ago, but chances are something you use today was affected by emails sent by 150 of the company's top employees. These emails — about meetings and energy markets but also affairs, divorces, and fraud — have helped create new technologies, fight terrorism, and added to our understanding of how we communicate.
[You’ve Got Enron Mail!] (https://99percentinvisible.org/?p=35029&post_type=episode)
Learn more and subscribe to [Brought To You By…] (https://www.businessinsider.com/household-name)
11 Nov 2020
31 MINS
31:54
11 Nov 2020
420- The Lost Cities of Geo
Geocities was an online collection of metropolises, each with their own neighborhoods built around shared interests. The city metaphor helped make a whole new group of users understand the world wide web for the first time. At its peak, it was the third most popular destination on the internet, but it quickly fell out of fashion as the web became more commodified and professional. Before it shuttered, a few digital archivists scooped up as much data as possible before all that early internet experimentation could be deleted.
[The Lost Cities of Geo] (https://99percentinvisible.org/?p=34819&post_type=episode)
Buy a signed copy of [The 99% Invisible City] (http://99pi.org/book) today
03 Nov 2020
42 MINS
42:38
03 Nov 2020