TED Radio Hour - Introducing Body Electric

Episode Date: October 2, 2023

We've got a special 6-part series with an interactive twist coming your way: On Body Electric, TED Radio Hour host Manoush Zomorodi investigates the relationship between our technology and our bodies... and she has a challenge for YOU. Starts Tuesday, October 3rd.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

The human body uses electric signals to move and think. To feel the pulse of the world in your veins is to feel alive. But let's be real. So many of us spend our days plugged into our devices, and they don't energize us. We have techsneck, achy backs, dry eyes. We don't remember a time before this kind of stress on the body. We feel agitated after spending our days on Zoom. And at night, we rest our butts down yet again to stream and scroll some more.

We see movement now is often an inconvenience. Like, oh, no, I left my charger upstairs for my phone. Oh, I got to go upstairs. We are in a silent battle with our devices, and they are slowly stealthily draining us. I'm Anoush Zamoroti, host of NPR's TED Radio Hour. And this fall, we're bringing you a special series. Body Electric is a six-part investigation into the relationship between our technology and our bodies.

Learn how our habits affect our anatomy. The whole global children population becoming near-sighted. Why time spent online can mess with our physical health. Feelings of heart palpitations or difficulty breathing. Can we end this cycle of type-tap collapse? We're partnering with Columbia University. and maybe you to do a study. Your blood sugar levels are 42% lower.

42%? Yes. So we're talking like you almost cut your blood sugar levels in half. Researchers think they know what makes people healthier in the lab, but can it work in real life? Let's give it a try. Hello! Today I got lots of friends on our five-minute walks.

Body Electric kicks off on October 3rd. Find it in NPR's TED Radio Hour feed wherever you listen to podcasts.