Scientist and author Alan Lightman was born and grew up in Memphis, Tennessee. His father Richard Lightman was a movie theater owner. His mother Jeanne Garretson was a dance teacher and Braille typist. Early on, Lightman demonstrated an interest in both the sciences and the arts. A few years ago he wrote a book titled, “In Praise of Wasting Time”. It is an ironic title to be sure. In it he writes, “We are all worried about wasting time. Especially in the Western World. We have created a frenzied lifestyle in which the twenty-four hours of each day are carved up, dissected, and reduced down to ten minute units of efficiency.” Fast lane craziness is a disease too.
One of the upsides to the quarantine living we have been complying with has been the rare chance to slow down. Given no choice we are adapting. With the exception of our dedicated first responders, medical teams, grocery store workers and the others working for critical needs … we have gotten a chance to see what life used to be like. And it is not all bad.
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Now it’s time to hit the ‘Listen on WLRN’ button at the top to hear the remainder of my show. ‘A Word On Food’ airs on WLRN every Saturday around 8:30 a.m. at 91.3 and also 91.5 on the radio. I want to thank so many of you who tell me in person how much you are enjoying the show!