In close to a dozen books, neurologist and writer Oliver Sacks has documented his studies of the mysteries of the human brain. Now he is working on a new book about music and memory. In this hour of Science Friday, we'll talk about why he thinks music is a way to learn about memory. We'll also find out about some of his many other scientific interests, including giant squids and their relatives, and ferns, the subject of his most recent book, Oaxaca Journal (2002).

Then, we'll turn our attention to what scientists owe the public. Last year, organizations ranging from the National Science Foundation to Readers Digest voiced concern about Americans' lack of scientific knowledge and the deteriorating state of science education in this country. What responsibilities do scientists have to communicate their research to lay Americans, or to help improve science education? We'll talk to two scientists with different takes on what scientists can do to make a difference.Call in with your questions and comments at 1-800-989-8255 (3-4 Eastern). Teachers, find more information about using Science Friday as a classroom resource in the Kids' Connection.

Guests:
Oliver Sacks
Author, The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat (Vintage, 1985); Awakenings (Vintage, 1973, 1990); An Anthropologist on Mars (Vintage, 1995); The Island of the Colorblind (Vintage, 1998); Oaxaca Journal (National Geographic Directions, 2002)
Clinical Professor, Neurology
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Adjunct Professor, Neurology
New York University School of Medicine
New York, New York

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Darcy Kelley
Professor, Biological Sciences
Columbia University
New York, New York

David Helfand
Professor, Astrophysics
Columbia University
New York, New York

Books/Articles Discussed:

" The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat" by Oliver Sacks. Vintage, 1985.

"Awakenings" by Oliver Sacks. Vintage, 1990.

"An Anthropologist on Mars" by Oliver Sacks. Vintage, 1995.

"The Island of the Colorblind" by Oliver Sacks. Vintage, 1998.

"Oaxaca Journal" by Oliver Sacks. National Geographic Directions, 2002.

(find books discussed on previous broadcasts)

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This segment produced by Anne Marie Cunningham