Rain: A Natural and Cultural History, Self-Immolation, Moon Landing and Filmmaking

On today’s show we talk to Cynthia Barnett, author of Rain: A Natural and Cultural History (Crown, April 2015). Barnett, an environmental journalist, takes us to Texas, India, and everywhere in between to explore how we make sense of the water that falls from the sky. Josh Hrala tells us how filmmakers might be the key to proving we did, in fact, land on the moon in 1969, and Mark Hay dissects the gruesome science of self-immolation.

Music this hour:

• “Step On” by Jahzzar, from the album Tumbling Dishes Like Old-Man’s Wishes
• “Elle va au Japon” by Nic Bommarito, from the album A Quiet Age
• “6,49” by Black Ant, from the album Free Beats Sel. 3
• “5 Piece” by Black Ant, from the album Free Beats Sel. 3
• “Air Hockey Saloon” by Chris Zabriskie, from the album Vendaface