VoiceAmerica sat down with the ever-inspiring Rebecca Costa, host of The Costa Report for a brief interview about mentors, what she is reading and if she could interview one person, who it would be. The Costa Report is on LIVE every Tuesday at 6 am Pacific time on the VoiceAmerica Business Channel.
1. Who has been your biggest influence or mentor?
The person who has influenced me the most is Naturalist Edward O. Wilson. I know of no finer scientist or human being. In addition to Wilson I would have to say, Charles Darwin, Bertrand Russell, Richard Feynman, Carl Sagan and Golda Meir
2. Why did you decide to write The Watchmanâs Rattle? What was your motivating factor?
To explain modern consternation from the perspective of humankind’s prehistoric history.
3. Besides The Watchmanâs Rattle, what are the top 3 books you recommend about American Sociology and Pop Culture?
On Human Nature by E.O. Wilson, On The Origin of Species by Charles Darwin, Arrival City by Doug Saunders.
4. When you look at the world what cultures or societies do you see as most advanced in blowing up archaic thinking and embracing the removal of what you refer to as supermemes?
It is likely that countries with the most educated populations will be the most likely to adapt rationally and quickly to changing ground conditions. Today those countries would include Japan, Finland, UK, Israel
5. What are your goals with having a radio show on VoiceAmerica?
Increasingly the media is trending toward short 5 minute segments here and there and bite-sized news with very few long -formats where important issues can be thoroughly discussed by the most knowledgeable experts. Our goal is to offer listeners an intelligent program which has no political agenda and which is prepared to look at our greatest challenges from all perspectives.
6. If you could interview 1 person, dead or alive, who would it be?
My grandmother. She had an answer for everything. And she could tell me how I am doing so far.
7. If you could use 3 words or phrases to describe yourself, what would they be?
Open, respectful, determined.
8. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Three books under my belt, celebrating our 400th episode on radio, taking a day off to go down to the river with my dog.
Rebecca Costa is a sociobiologist who offers a genetic explanation for current events, emerging trends and individual behavior. A thought-leader and provocative new voice in the mold of Thomas Friedman, Malcolm Gladwell and Jared Diamond, Costa is the foremost expert in âFast Adaptationâ tracing everything from terrorism, debt, epidemic obesity and upheaval in the Middle East to evolutionary imperatives.
Retiring at the zenith of her career in Silicon Valley, Costa spent six years researching and writing The Watchmanâs Rattle: Thinking Our Way Out of Extinction. In her book, Costa explains how the principles governing evolution cause and provide a solution for global gridlock. When asked why the book has special significance today, Costa claims, âEvery person I know, wants to know why our government gets more in debt, our air and water more polluted, our jails more crowded, our security more tenuous and our children more violent. We seem to have lost our ability to solve our problems. The Watchmanâs Rattle offers a genetic explanation for our paralysis, and prescribes a way out.â
The success of Rebecca Costaâs first book led to a weekly radio program in 2010 called The Costa Report onVoiceAmerica.com. The Costa Report is currently one of the fastest growing radio programs on the West Coast.
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