This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.

Gilbert Seldes discusses the new world of science... cybernetics, engineering, research, and how to conquer the shortage of people in the field.
He begins by discussing an advertisement seen in the New York Times. He is impressed but cannot wholly understand the "electronic brain." Seldes mentions the book "The Human Use of Human Beings" by Norbert Wiener.
Seldes moves on to discuss the shortage of engineers and researchers in the field, and fewer students enter the these types of courses at American colleges. This is in contrast to the Soviet Union, where they are graduating more engineers than ever before. He speaks of some efforts to increase the number of students pursuing degrees in engineering, cybernetics, and the sciences.
Leads into what makes a person have prestige, and a discussion of H.L. Mencken.

Audio courtesy of the NYC Municipal Archives WNYC Collection

WNYC archives id: 70544
Municipal archives id: LT7532