Sep 25th, 2008 · When President Ahmadinejad of Iran spoke at the UN this week, his translator was Hooman Majd. But Majd isn't a professional translator. He's a writer, and his new book is called The Ayatollah Begs to Differ: The Paradox of Modern Iran.
Sep 23rd, 2008 · Lee Atwater, former chairman of the Republican National Committee, is remembered for being a ruthless political operative. But in a new documentary about Atwater's controversial life and legacy, filmmaker Stefan Forbes shows that despite his reputation as "Darth Vader," Atwater won the respect of many, including political enemies.
Jul 22nd, 2008 · The Senate brings up another bill aimed at lowering gas prices Tuesday, as Republicans tout a new slogan: "Find more. Use less." It's a paradox because finding more oil drives the price down, which encourages consumption. And despite talk of conservation, election-year efforts by Congress to lower gas prices may actually diminish incentives to lower oil consumption.
Jul 6th, 2008 · In a new book, Curse of the Black Gold, photojournalist Ed Kashi examines the relationship between oil, the environment and the community in Nigeria in the 50 years since oil was discovered there.
Jan 22nd, 2008 · Polls show that John McCain does best with people against the Iraq war, which he continues to strongly support. Slate.com's John Dickerson discusses the contradiction at the center of the candidate's rising popularity.
Oct 17th, 2007 · In his new book, The Stuff of Thought, psychologist Steven Pinker sorts through some of the paradoxes of profanity. He points out that in a society that prides itself on free speech, certain words pertaining to sex and excretion remain off-limits.
Sep 14th, 2006 · Robert Siegel talks with Ray Takeyh, senior fellow for Middle Eastern Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations. He is also the author of the forthcoming book Hidden Iran: Paradox and Power in the Islamic Republic. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki paid his first visit to Tehran this week, and Tayekh will talk about Iranian influence in Iraq.
Jul 19th, 2006 · The latest chapter in the singer's story is a solo album, Fox Confessor Brings the Flood, which serves as one of those rare pleasurable paradoxes: offbeat but faithful to the classics, artsy but accessible, emotional while remaining intriguingly playful.