December 2007

Virginia Folklife Traditions (December 1 – 7 )

Virginians enjoy a wealth of traditional music, food, and crafts, some of which grew out of our state’s unique conditions and others which were brought to us by newcomers. Learning these traditions -- like old-time banjo music, Brunswick Stew, duck decoys or tabla drumming -- takes years of dedication and a skilled and competent teacher. Folklorist Jon Lohman (Virginia Folklife Program) scours the state to meet master artists and pairs them with apprentices who will preserve and further the art.

Also featured: Longwood University music professor Christopher Swanson and his colleagues have developed a new method for singers and pianists to find their own interpretation of vocal music. The system involves the study of poetry, music theory, and music history.

WGR's companion News Feature: The past is alive and well in Virginia in a project where master artists pass down their traditions to eager learners.  Nancy King, with the radio program "With Good Reason," talked with the founder and guiding spirit behind Virginia's Folklife Apprenticeship Program. Click to hear the 2 and a half minute feature.

Hidden Persuasion (December 8 – 14)

Many companies are now hiring “actors” to strike up conversations with unsuspecting customers in order to convince people to buy their products according to Vince Magnini (Longwood University). This growing use of undercover sales agents along with ‘product placement’ in the movies and television raises ethical and legal questions.

Also: We think of the Holidays as a time of joy and coming together, but many Americans suffer through the holiday season. Goodlett McDaniel (George Mason University) explains why the holidays can be tough, and what we can do to get through.

WGR News Feature: During the holiday season, we consumers get pretty savvy deciphering all the ads that bombard us this time of year....so advertisers look for new and inventive ways to sell their products.  Nancy King, with the radio program "With Good Reason," has more on one of the newest sales techniques. Listen to the two and a half minute feature.

An Illusion of Inclusion (December 15 - 21)

In the midst of America's mortgage meltdown, black and hispanic homeowners are taking especially hard hits.  Business Professor Greg Fairchild (Batten Institute) says the lack of a down payment is the biggest obstacle for these communities, which historically have only a small fraction of the family wealth available to white households.

Also featured: Peter Rodriguez (Batten Institute) is an advocate of what he calls "Angel Investing" in Latin America.  He says private investors are beginning to help nurture young entrepreneurs to create a culture of sustained economic development in places where there is little or no modern business tradition.

Into the Light (December 22 - 28)

People experiencing out of the body near death experiences have been depicted in movies and even on television shows like the Sopranos. Bruce Greyson (University of Virginia) is one of the first researchers to gather empirical data on near-death experiences using scientific methods. He has documented clear patterns in the long-term health of those who have experienced near-death phenomena. Although these experiences vary from one person to another, they often include feelings of comfort and lack of pain, a sensation of leaving the body, and a sense of deep understanding of events of the past and of events of the future.

WGR News Feature: Several million Americans describe having a near-death experience that has transformed their lives.  Nancy King, with the radio program "With Good Reason," says a Virginia psychiatrist is creating a scientific data base of these stories. Click here to listen to the two and a half minute feature.

Endangered Languages (December 29 - January 5, 2008)

On average one language disappears every two weeks on this planet and by the end of the century, half of the world’s languages will be gone. Linguist Jack Martin (William and Mary) discusses why languages disappear and what can be done to preserve these languages, particularly the dialects of Native Americans.

Also: historian Gilmer Blackburn (UVA-Wise) says the Scots-Irish who settled much of Virginia were neither Scottish nor Irish but independent, contentious individuals whose contributions to society have gone largely unnoticed.