If you’re a fan of physicist Lawrence Krauss, here’s a half-hour video in which he’s interviewed by Steve Paikin of the Canadian channel TVO’s show The Agenda. (Paikin is 57: can you believe it?) I was once on his show, and was impressed by Paikin’s preparation and probing questions, as well as his ability to direct the interview and his practice of letting the interviewee speak without excessive intrusion. He’s one of the best interviewers going, and I’m sure he read Krauss’s book (as he read mine, as his copy was full of his notes and bookmarks).
Krauss’s spiel is very similar to his talk at the recent Imagine No Religion meeting in Toroto (for which he got a standing ovation), and is centered on his new history of modern physics,The Greatest Story Ever Told–So Far: Why Are We Here? Although the book doesn’t add much to similar histories, Krauss excels in his public talks on physics, infecting the audience with his own enthusiasm for science. You get a flavor of this in the interview.
h/t: Barry
I agree. Paikin is one of best interviewers around. If only the insufferable Charlie Rose would take note!
Thank you for posting, Jerry.
Yes, the good interviewer is hard to find and it is an art in many ways. We can all name 10 bad ones to find a good one. It is not quite so difficult as finding something good to say about our political system and the people in it.
There ARE good American politicians; they just don’t get elected.
I saw this interview last night and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Two first class gentlemen made the 30 mins virtually fly by. Thanks Jerry.
Krauss’s sartorial sense balances precariously on the knife’s edge separating the fabulous from the hideous. Kudos to him.
Paikin displays the same combination of serious preparation and deep topical interest that makes Terry Gross such a good interviewer. Kudos to him, too.
Great interview. Thanks for sharing it, PCCE.
Listening to Krauss is always illuminating and inspiring. His enthusiasm is infectious.
The Agenda was a weekday night ritual for me, one of the things I miss since I’ve moved to Australia. Steve Paikin is an avid reader – I used to seem him browsing the book stalls, sometimes with his kids, at the Word on the Street festival. I don’t doubt that he reads the books by the authors he interviews.
Fantastic interview. It made my day.
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I’ve followed Krauss for quite some time. Thanks though for highlighting Steve Paikin. Indeed a great interviewer!
Thanks for this. Such a fan of Lawrence.
Lawrence Krauss’ book is highly recommended by Eric Idle: “I loved the fight scenes and the sex scenes were excellent.”
Wow, what a super interviewer and interviewee!
Very interesting interview. But why does he continue with that “American leadership” bs, as if the World would not get along with the US of A. I’m hoping this will enable the world to see that they don’t need one country to lead. Vain hope?