Today’s show is about science, imagination, and a little bit of madness — the kind that makes history unforgettable.
Welcome to The Not Old Better Show, Smithsonian Associates series. I’m Paul Vogelzang, and we’ve got a fascinating guest today. David Baron is a science writer and author, and he’s here to talk about his new book The Martians, which brings us back to a time when Mars wasn’t just a red dot in the sky, it was a world full of wonder, fear, and maybe even intelligent life. David Baron will be appearing at Smithsonian Associates coming up soon. Please check out our show notes for links and details.
But we have Smithsonian Associate David Baron today on the program!
In the late 1800s, long before we ever sent a spacecraft into space, people believed that canals on Mars were built by aliens. Big names like Percival Lowell, Nikola Tesla, and others weren’t just thinking about Mars, they were obsessed. They built observatories, listened for signals, and convinced the public that something—or someone—was out there.
David Baron’s book tells that story with humor, insight, and real drama. It’s about ambition, scientific curiosity, and how far people will go to prove a theory, even if it turns out to be wrong. We’ll talk with David about what drove this obsession, why Mars captured so many brilliant minds, and how those early ideas still shape our view of space today.
And yes, Tesla’s radio signals from Mars come up. It’s as strange and entertaining as it sounds.
You’ll recognize the background music playing now, a familiar touchstone for many of us who grew up looking to the stars, wondering what might be out there.
Find out more at Smithsonian Associates: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/martians


Before Spacecraft: When Earth Thought Mars Was Alive

Paul Taylor Vogelzang is an award-winning blogger, podcaster, writer, producer and style fanatic, known for his down to earth accessible reporting and advice for men and women 50 + age, and their families. Paul was one of the founding editors of MommyCast & MommyCast Latina, the wildly popular, very first mom podcasts in audio and video, and its producer from 2004 to 2009. Paul’s current, but also award winning podcast, The Not Old - Better Show launched in 2014. Paul continues to share vibrant, focused, entertaining content on the show, and writes frequently about the subjects of fashion, grooming and the “senior man.”  Paul lives just outside of Washington DC, with his lovely wife, Gretchen (also a MommyCast founder), and where the two of them are active in many arts, business and philanthrophic organizations, love to feed the Northern Wren, and are the parents of two sons.


Before Spacecraft: When Earth Thought Mars Was Alive

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