
About this episode
In this Back To School episode we consider the "List of Life": the criteria that define what it is to be a living thing. Some are easy calls: A kitten is alive. A grain of salt is not.
But what about the tricky cases, like a virus? Or, more importantly, what about futuristic android robots?
As part of our Black History Month celebration, developmental biologist Crystal Rogers and Short Wave co-host Regina G. Barber dig into what makes something alive, and wade into a Star-Trek-themed debate.
Listen to Short Wave on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Is there something you'd like us to cover? Email us at [email protected].
See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.
NPR Privacy Policy
Get every episode summarized
Each time Short Wave publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
No transcript yet
This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.
More episodes
More from Short Wave

A new investigation shows heat is even deadlier than we thought
Short Wave

The science of emotional regulation — and how to do it better
Short Wave

What can seashells teach us about the health of our oceans?
Short Wave

Football is here – and so is a new study on CTE
Short Wave