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What It Means To Be Alive with Carl Zimmer

Renee Bright
/
KUER

It seems an obvious question: What is life? But science writer Carl Zimmer says the answer to it is far more complicated than it appears at first glance. 

In his new book Life’s Edge, Zimmer explores the work of scientists and philosophers who have made it their aim to define life’s boundaries. But the more he dug into this world, the more definitions of life he encountered — and the more he realized just how important this question is. Does life start when an egg is fertilized? Do we get it right when we declare someone legally dead? And as we search the universe for other lifeforms, what — and who — are we looking for? Zimmer joins us Friday at noon to talk about life and why it’s so difficult to pin down. (Rebroadcast)

Carl Zimmer’s book is Life’s Edge: The Search for What It Means to Be Alive. [Bookshop|Audible|Indiebound|Amazon]

Doug Fabrizio has been reporting for KUER News since 1987, and became News Director in 1993. In 2001, he became host and executive producer of KUER's RadioWest, a one hour conversation/call-in show on KUER 90.1 in Salt Lake City. He has gained a reputation for his thoughtful style. He has interviewed everyone from Isabel Allende to the Dalai Lama, and from Madeleine Albright to Desmond Tutu. His interview skills landed him a spot as a guest host of the national NPR program, "Talk of the Nation." He has won numerous awards for his reporting and for his work with RadioWest and KUED's Utah NOW from such organizations as the Society of Professional Journalists, the Utah Broadcasters Association, the Public Radio News Directors Association and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.