Barbara Sharp — Writer
Episodes 3
Stolen Glory: The Cover-up of Cosmonaut Vladimir Ilyushin
On April 12th, 1961, the Soviet Union reports the successful launch, orbit and reentry of the first man in space, Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin. With the collapse of communism and the rise of freedom in the Russian Federation, recent access to documents in the Kremlin archives reveal a story intended to remain buried forever. Yuri Gagarin, the icon of triumphant communism known world over, was not the first man in space. Join us for a visit with Vladimir Ilyushin, the unsung hero of the first manned Soviet Space mission.
Read MoreKeeping the Faith
How does the charismatic energy of any leader result in the voluntary death of hundreds, even a thousand people. Throughout the development civilization, incidents of mass suicide have shaken humanity to it's foundation. Yet history records very different social attitudes toward these extreme events. From the martyrdom staged at Masada against the Romans, to the debauchery and carnage perpetrated by Jim Jones in Guyana, are these the acts of the morally righteous or the morally depraved? In the end, what made them do it?
Read MoreScience Fraud: Is the Tail Wagging the Dog?
The Cold Fusion Debacle and the purported discovery of the Piltdown man stand as two of the greatest shams perpetrated over the course of scientific history. Have the people of science learned anything from the real or alleged Goldbricks of the past? Experts in the field seem to think not. Today's scientists are under mounting pressure to achieve results. If they do not, they risk losing research grants and/or a chance at University tenure. How do these inherent conflicts of interest impact the integrity of medical and scientific discovery and how do they affect our society at large?
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