Clark Boyd

Clark Boyd is a former Senior Producer and Reporter for The World.

I'm a former Senior Producer and Reporter for PRI's The World.

For more than 16 years, I've been been traveling the globe in search of interesting people to put on the radio, on the web, and even on television. I recently did a two-year stint for The World in Brussels, where I mostly covered Europe's ongoing financial crisis. Before that, I served as The World's technology correspondent, and also hosted a weekly technology podcast. Since returning to the Boston newsroom, I have tackled a variety of projects, including the creation of Boston Calling, a weekly program for the BBC World Service.

Away from the office, I enjoy fine Belgian beers and single malt Scotch whisky. I like books by Kurt Vonnegut, and early Miles Davis on vinyl. Occasionally, I spoil a good walk by picking up a golf club, usually to disastrous results. More occasionally, I pick up a bass guitar, and then smash it.

Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin performing "Stairway to Heaven" live onstage at Erals Court, 1975 in London.

Did Led Zeppelin rip off the opening to 'Stairway?'

The opening chord progression in Stairway to Heaven is one of the most famous in rock music. But representatives of a 1960s US band called Spirit say that Robert Plant and Jimmy Page got the idea from them. A federal judge in Los Angeles says a jury should decide.

Did Led Zeppelin rip off the opening to 'Stairway?'
The iconic Eiffel Tower peace symbol on a loaf of French bread.

An American 'Home Baker' in Paris

An American 'Home Baker' in Paris
Chicago Cubs

The hapless Cubs have cultivated 'a slightly elevated form of mediocrity this year'

The hapless Cubs have cultivated 'a slightly elevated form of mediocrity this year'
"Gold Fever" book cover.

How a proper Englishman caught gold fever in the American 'Wild West'

How a proper Englishman caught gold fever in the American 'Wild West'
A worker displays newly minted commemorative 2.5 euro coins to mark the bicentennial of the battle of Waterloo.

Belgium to France: Euro this, Napoleon!

Belgium to France: Euro this, Napoleon!
Climbing perch.

Why Australia has a walking fish problem

A fish that can live out of water for up to six days poses a threat to Australian native species. The invasive fish, originally from Papua New Guinea, "walks" using its gill plates from waterhole to waterhole and has already reached Australian island territories.

Why Australia has a walking fish problem
Citizens carrying a placard reading "Coward, Chicken, Yellow-Belly (top) and They, didn't hide. They they did not run (Bottom)" take part in a Hundreds of thousands of French citizens solidarity march (Marche Republicaine) in the streets of Paris January

Finding the courage to write about cowardice

"Coward. Chicken. Yellow-belly." Those were insults the French used against the gunmen who carried out the Charlie Hebdo attacks in January. Cowardice, in fact, is currently enjoying a bit of global resurgence as a put-down. So much so that Boston University professor Chris Walsh decided it was time to write a book about the subject. The first hurdle? Finding source material.

Finding the courage to write about cowardice
A Ferguson Police officer drives past a mural in Ferguson, Missouri, on March 12, 2015.

'It's better to be in the company of seven devils than one policeman'

Filipino journalist Orlando de Guzman traveled Ferguson, Missouri, to document the killing of Michael Brown, and found a legacy of entrenched discrimination and police abuse that reminded him of his own experiences back home.

'It's better to be in the company of seven devils than one policeman'
The head of radical leftist Syriza party Alexis Tsipras speaks to supporters after winning the elections in Athens January 25, 2015

Why Greek voters bucked Europe, backed an anti-austerity party

Voters in Greece have thrown their support behind Alexis Tsipras, the leader of a left-wing, anti-austerity party called Syriza. Tsipras says his first task as prime minister will be to renegotiate the tough economic measures imposed on Greece by the Eurozone, the International Monetary Fund and the European Central Bank. Tsipras says he wants to give Greeks their dignity back.

Why Greek voters bucked Europe, backed an anti-austerity party
A woman holds a sign during a demonstration organised by anti-immigration group PEGIDA, a German abbreviation for "Patriotic Europeans against the Islamisation of the West", in Dresden December 22, 2014.

Why other European cities might be frightened by the events in France this week

From the massacre at the Charlie Hebdo offices to the bloody end of a nationwide manhunt, events in France this week have laid bare the fault lines with, and within, the country's Muslim population. That tension extends far beyond France's borders, and into almost every other European country.

Why other European cities might be frightened by the events in France this week
Alexis Tsipras, leader of Greece's far-left Syriza party smiles during a meeting with Greek President Karolos Papoulias (not pictured) at the Presidential palace in Athens November 3, 2014.

Why Europe is suddenly rediscovering Greece's financial instability

You'd be forgiven for thinking Greece's financial mess had been straightened out. After all, there's been little talk lately of a Greek exit, or "Grexit," from the Eurozone. But a call for new elections in Greece, coupled with the strength of an anti-austerity party headed by Alexis Tsipras, has Europeans considering Grexit 2.0.

Why Europe is suddenly rediscovering Greece's financial instability
Single malt whisky is seen in Edinburgh, Scotland.

This country has passed Scotland in the world whisky ranks. Can you name it?

The country we want you to name for this week's Geo Quiz has produced a single malt that beat Scotland in the unofficial world whisky ranks.

This country has passed Scotland in the world whisky ranks. Can you name it?
A booth serving Chifa booth at a food conference.

Name a South American city that has a thriving Asian fusion food scene

The latest food trend out of this city combines Asian flavors with South American staples. For this week's Geo Quiz, we're looking for the name of that South American city.

Name a South American city that has a thriving Asian fusion food scene
A Kirin staff member poses with its new craft beer product "Spring Valley Brewery 496 prototype," which was launched in July 2014. Craft styles are increasingly migrating from the United States to other countries.

America's craft brewers are inspiring beer lovers — and makers — across the globe

It wasn't that long ago that the American beer landscape was a wasteland of watery lagers. But now more than 3,000 breweries and craft brewers like Sean Lewis are churning out world-class beers that influence brewers and beer lovers worldwide.

America's craft brewers are inspiring beer lovers — and makers — across the globe
The World

You might want extra life insurance before trying some of the recipes in this cookbook

Since 1991, the Ig Nobel prizes have been awarded, tongue firmly in cheek, to researchers whose work "first makes you laugh, then makes you think." The theme of this year's Ig Nobel ceremony? Food. And with that, we have this review of the Ig Nobel Cookbook, Volume I.

You might want extra life insurance before trying some of the recipes in this cookbook