As the show's promo noted:
How would you describe life on Earth to an alien?
In 1977, the Voyager spacecraft launched into space. And with it, went the Golden Record-- a sort time capsule, a collection of sounds and images that would describe life on Earth to whomever or whatever might find it.
Imagine trying to sum up existence on Earth into one little record... for an alien or humans of the far-off future. What sounds would you use? What music? What images? We put this charge to a bunch of artists, and asked what they would put into a space capsule.
You can check out the show here.
The Radio Lab guests tossed out interesting sounds and lots of music. Which raises my question: If you were sending out a Golden Record to space, what music would you put on it?
I'm still contemplating my list.
Sinatra? Probably.
Beethoven's Ode to Joy? Absolutely!
The Beatles? Most likely.
Lucinda Williams' Jackson? You betcha.
What would you send to space?
