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687
November 8, 2019

Small Things Considered

Stories about being little. Secret writings in tiny letters. The power of a very small number. And a medication that's supposed to cure shortness. 

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"A will to shake that refined individual . . ." [Microscript 215], © the Robert Walser Foundation, Bern, Switzerland, from MICROSCRIPTS by Robert Walser, a co-publication of New Directions Publishing and Christine Burgin Gallery. Used by permission.

Prologue

Prologue

Host Ira Glass talks about our fascination with small things. (7 minutes)

By

Ira Glass
Act One

Coming Up Short

An endocrinologist wrote the show about a wave of parents coming to her to treat their short (but otherwise healthy) children with human growth hormone. Contributor Scott Brown investigates. (24 minutes)

By

Scott Brown

Song:

“Small Things” by Erik Friedlander
Act Two

Let’s Give ‘Em Nothing to Talk About

David Kestenbaum talks about his love of the number zero and its power to destroy. Among zero's victims: one of the most controversial laws in recent memory. (11 minutes)

By

David Kestenbaum
Act Three

What the Eye Can’t See

Lilly Sullivan tells the story of the writer Robert Walser, who moved into a mental hospital and then seemed to disappear from the world. Until people looked more closely. To read more about Robert Walser, including some of the writings talked about in this story, read Microscripts, a book translated by Susan Bernofsky.(14 minutes)

By

Lilly Sullivan

Song:

“All The Small Things” by Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Juke Box

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