Fehler (Mistakes)

Series produced by Goethe-Institut

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Simply put, a “Fehler” is a mistake, but it’s also the response to one of life’s big questions: how do we innovate and make progress? Our answer: often by mistake. This podcast takes a deep dive into some of the best errors, faults, and flaws out there.

Mistakes – misunderstandings in translations, faulty processors, or dead flies – can unexpectedly lead to something new. In celebration of this innovative power, we’re dedicating an entire website to the “Fehler.” Peruse our zine to immerse yourself in big and little mistakes, collected by colleagues and friends from Germany, India, Canada, and the US.​

For more, visit: www.goethe.de/mistakes


8 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
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This episode of the FEHLER podcast is an exploration of mistakes in science and their connection to art. Listen for more!

  • Added: Oct 09, 2020
  • Length: 14:27
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In this episode of the FEHLER podcast, Sylvia Cunningham, deputy editor at our partner radio station KCRW Berlin, compiles five stories that show j...

  • Added: Sep 24, 2020
  • Length: 50:35
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Who hasn’t inadvertently pocket dialed someone? Smartphones are ubiquitous, and so are the phone foibles of the digital age. Jocelyn Robinson tells...

Bought by KICI Iowa City


  • Added: Sep 10, 2020
  • Length: 17:42
  • Purchases: 1
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If you’ve ever tried to work creatively, this one is for you – in this episode of the FEHLER podcast, our producer Bilal Qureshi sits down with fou...

Bought by KICI Iowa City


  • Added: Sep 10, 2020
  • Length: 25:09
  • Purchases: 1
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Roses are red, violets are blue – except for the millions of people worldwide who experience color blindness, or color vision deficiency (CVD). But...

Bought by KICI Iowa City


  • Added: Aug 13, 2020
  • Length: 21:58
  • Purchases: 1
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Our producer Flawn Williams once got caught up in a sticky situation that triggered fears of a nuclear attack while working at a Chicago TV station...

Bought by KICI Iowa City


  • Added: Jul 31, 2020
  • Length: 20:30
  • Purchases: 1
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Listen to this story on how an act of benign neglect transformed Southwest Ohio based WYSO from a small public radio station into a community.

Bought by KICI Iowa City


  • Added: Jul 16, 2020
  • Length: 30:33
  • Purchases: 1
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The plastics we rely so heavily on today weren’t a single discovery. In fact, they weren’t even all discovered on purpose! Tune in to find out more.

Bought by KICI Iowa City


  • Added: Jun 23, 2020
  • Length: 16:42
  • Purchases: 1