The following audio files were selected from a larger group of 178 for the last week. The link to each podcast is at the highlighted topic and reached by double-clicking or ctrl-clicking the topic. All 23 podcasts converted to 1.5x speed can also be downloaded as a single 137 MB zip file here for four months (vs 587 MB, below). Larger collections of these are discussed at the end of this episode.
Whistleblowing 52 mins – “The House of Representatives recently voted to greatly expand protections for whistle-blowers. The new measure would make it easier to
punish supervisors who try to retaliate against federal employees who expose fraud, waste and abuse. An earlier law, the False Claims Act, stops corporations and others from cheating government programs like Medicare. While these laws often reward those who come forward, the price paid by employees may not be worth it. Diane and her [3] guests
discuss the risks, rewards, and protections for whistle-blowers.” You can listen online and view a transcript, but not download the program; however, it’s included with the zipped collection at the top of this edition.
Alzheimer’s Patients 28 mins – “This week, an encore of a program that first aired in February 2011. We look at one of the most pressing problems for people with dementia and their families: patients who wander from home and hospital.” Four issuesconfronting such patients are aggression,apathy, anxiety andagitation. Engaging activities, physical activity, comfortable surroundings, engineered environments and new adventures are solutions per expert John Zeisel. At the link find the title, “Wandering Friday, October 05, 2012,” right-click “Media files whitecoat_20121008_81451.mp3” and select “Save Link As.”
Mental Health in Developing Countries 18 mins – “We look at the state of mental health provision in developing countries.” Not pretty. At the link locate the title, “HC: Mental HealthWednesday, October 10,” right-click “Media files healthc_20121010-2000a.mp3” and select “Save Link As”.
Iran Currency Crisis 24 mins – ” What does the collapse in Iran’s currency mean for ordinary people and the regime? Pooneh Ghoddoosi reports.” At the link locate the title, “Docs: Iran’s Currency Crisis 12 Oct 12,” right-click “Download 11MB” and select “Save Link As.”
Avon in Africa 24 mins – “South Africa remains a growing market for Avon cosmetics despite a slump elsewhere. How has Avon managed to make such inroads into South frica? Who are the Avon ladies? We travel with two reps to find out what it is like to be a door-to-door salesperson in a country where people are often afraid to open their doors because of high rates of crime.” At the link locate the title, Docs: African Perspective – Lipstick Evangelists,” right-click “Download 11MB” and select “Save Link As”.
Corruption in South Africa 24 mins – “Many pupils and parents in the north of South Africa are furious the government has failed to deliver text books on time. For Assignment, Rob Walker investigates allegations of corruption and mismanagement.” At the link locate the title “On the trail of South Africa’s missing textbooks,” right-click “Download 11MB” and select “Save Link As”.
Ocean Preservation 54 mins – “Ideacity is a three day festival of talk, produced and hosted by Moses Znaimer. In this episode, Andrew Sharpless, speaks about caring for the world’s oceans; Edith Widder, oceanographer and deep sea explorer on reversing marine ecosystem degradation; and Preston Manning, on building knowledge and ethics for future political leaders.” At the link locate the title, “Moses Znaimer’s ideacity, Part 5,” right-click “Download Moses Znaimer’s ideacity, Part 5” and select “Save File As”.
Charisma 45 mins – “Debunking charisma as being purely innate or magical, Olivia Fox Cabane reveals how specific behaviors of presence, power and warmth can help
individuals to develop their personal charisma. The author of The Charisma Myth also shares anecdotes and research that illustrate how elements of charisma are learned, interpreted and impact relationships.” At the link click “Podcast,” then right-click “Download MP3” and select “Save Link As”.
Acne Research 79 mins – “Vincent Racaniello, Michael Schmidt, and Elio Schaechter review formation of caveolae in a bacterium, and the limited genetic diversity and broad killing activity of P. acnes bacteriophages.” The acne part starts at the 29 minute mark and lasts for thirty. Easter Egg: listen until the 74 minute mark to hear Michael relate the balloon-in-a-nylon story concerning how penicillin works per Prof Arthur Koch. Also mentioned is the PHIRE program. At the link right-click “Twim#43” and select “Save Link As”.
Podcasting Basics 40 mins – Learn the basics of podcasting from how to decide on a topic to choosing gear, software and hosting for your website and media. You’ve decided you want to start your own podcast and now you need to know how to proceed. In this episode we go back to the beginning and walk you through the basic elements needed to create a podcast. Your first step is to decide on a topic. Pick something you know well and love to talk about to no end. This will help to keep you motivated over the period of many episodes. Are you going to produce an audio only show or a video podcast? In both cases you’ll need gear that allows you to capture, edit and compress your digital media into a podcast friendly format. The basic gear for an audio podcast is a microphone (I recommend a dynamic mic), a mixer and some headphones. I’ve made the basic assumption that you already have a computer…Make sure to listen to part two of the basics of podcasting (episode 51) [51 mins] where you’ll learn about creating a graphic identity that represents your show, creating a future proofed RSS feed for submitting across the web, and how to get your podcast listed in podcast directories such as iTunes.” Episodes 58 and 59 deal with post-production editing. At the link(s) right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” to get the audio files.
Science Simulations 23 mins – “After being awarded the 2001 Nobel Prize in Physics, Carl Wieman was struck by the effectiveness of a number of physics simulations that he used to explain his concepts to students and faculty. Combining over half of his nobel prize winnings with other funding sources, he founded Physics Education Technology (PhET) at the University of Colorado at Boulder in 2003. The site now has 115 active simulations in 65 different languages, totalling over 25 million downloads in 2011 alone. In this audio interview, Sheela Sethuraman speaks with Katherine Perkins, Director of PhET since 2008. They discuss what differentiates PhET from other physics simulations, and the range of students that have benefitted from the program. As The Tech Awards 2011 Laureate and recipient of the Microsoft Education Award, PhET has continued to grow and adapt their simulations for a growing audience in recent years.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As”.
Debt 61 mins – “Garett Jones of George Mason University talks with EconTalk host Russ Roberts about the ideas of Irving Fisher on debt and deflation. In a book, Booms and Depressions and in a 1933 Econometrica article, Fisher argued that debt-fueled investment booms lead to liquidation of assets at unexpectedly low prices followed by a contraction in the money supply which leads to deflation and a contraction in the real side of the economy–a recession or a depression. Jones then discusses the relevance of Fisher’s theory for the current state of the economy in the aftermath of the financial crisis.” At the link locate the title, “Garett Jones on Fisher, Debt, and Deflation,” right-click on “Media files Jonesdebt.mp3” and select “Save Link As” to download the file.
Poverty 49 mins – “How do you decide what to do with your money when you have very little? In a special report from our Wealth and Poverty Desk and KPBS in San Diego, we look at the tough choices faced by families living in poverty. For poor people in the U.S., every single penny counts. Good choices about how to spend those pennies can lead to a path out of poverty. Bad choices can send them spiraling downward. We talk with a woman who’s worked and saved enough to buy her own house, a family that’s counting
change picked up on the sidewalk, and a young man who will be the first in his family to go to college. Plus, stories on finding the funny in frugal, driving while poor, and poverty simulation.” At the link right-click “Download Audio” and select “Save Link As”.
Community Broadband 20 mins – “Following the release of our case study on Chanute, Kansas, we have an interview with City Manager JD Lester and Director of Utilities Larry Gates for our 16th podcast — Community Broadband Bits. JD Lester and Larry Gates discuss Chanute’s network and its impact on their rural community. As detailed in the case study, Chanute built a fiber optic and wireless broadband network to connect schools, public safety, and local businesses. And they did it all without bonding or borrowing — an impressive feat with implications for many other communities that have similar needs.” At the link right-click “Play Now” and select “Save Link As” to download the file. The referenced (13 page) report contains illustrations and links to more information.
Stop and Frisk 10 mins – “The New York City council Wednesday held a hearing about blocking the controversial “stop and frisk” policy. That allows police to stop, search, and question people suspected of carrying weapons or drugs. It’s also the subject of a New York Times short film. Host Michel Martin speaks with a producer and a young man featured in the film.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As.”
Contraceptives 51 mins – “Last February, a House committee held a hearing on the new mandate that all insurance plans cover the cost of contraceptives. Republicans said the exemption for religious groups was too narrow and violated the First Amendment. Third-year law student Sandra Fluke was called by Democrats to testify at that hearing, but was turned away. Her testimony before a Democratic committee a week later was criticized by conservative talk-radio shows and thrust Fluke into the national spotlight. She went on to speak at the Democratic National Convention last month. A conversation with women’s rights and social justice activist Sandra Fluke.” You can listen online and view a transcript, but not download the program; however, it’s included with the zipped collection at the top of this edition.
Slow Medicine 18 mins – “Dr. Victoria Sweet began working at an almshouse more than 20 years ago. She found that the missing component of today’s health care system is time — for doctors to care for patients, and for patients to heal. Host Michel Martin speaks with the doctor about her memoir, God’s Hotel: A Doctor, A Hospital, And A Pilgrimage To The Heart Of Medicine.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As.”
Civil Politics 91 mins – “As political discussion has devolved more and more into hyperbole and vitriol over the past few years, solutions to the critical issues that face the nation – including our mounting deficits and national debt – have proven elusive. How to bring this discussion back to substantive issues, as opposed to partisan rhetoric? On October 9, as part of her Civil Conversations Project, Krista Tippett of American Public Media’s radio show On Being moderated a discussion at Brookings with Senior Fellow Alice Rivlin, former director of the Office of Management and Budget and Congressional Budget Office and Pete Domenici, former Republican senator from New Mexico and a senior fellow at the Bipartisan Policy Center. Both renowned for their work on budget issues, they have created a bipartisan alliance, and discussed what they have learned, what is happening below the radar of partisan rancor, and what is at stake as the nation grapples with the debt crisis and political stalemate. Brookings Managing Director William J. Antholis delivered opening remarks. After the discussion, panelists took questions from the audience.” At the link click the Audio tab, right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As”.
Nigeria Sues Shell 30 mins – “Being brought to court for messes abroad. When oil is spilled and contaminates peoples lands and waters, who is to blame? Three communities in Nigeria decided to take legal action. They are suing the the multinational corporation they say is to blame. But whats new is that they are doing so in the company’s home country, the Netherlands. This illustrates a ground-breaking trend: more and more Western multinationals being sued at home for harm caused by their operations abroad. In the language of experts, thats called foreign direct liability. To try to understand this better, we spoke with Liesbeth Enneking, a young Dutch legal researcher studying this trend. According to her, one of the most prominent foreign direct liability cases is that against Royal Dutch Shell in the Netherlands.” At the link locate the title, “Africa in Progress Wednesday, October 10,” right-click “en_africainprogres_20121010_44_1kHz_20121010_154601.mp3” and select “Save Link As” to download the file.
Education Status 50 mins – “For generations, education has been key to the American dream of advancement and opportunity. Today, NPR’s Tell Me More with Michel Martin (@TellMeMoreNPR) is broadcasting from member station WLRN and hosting a Twitter education forum on where the nation’s schools now stand. We talk to Alberto Carvalho (@MiamiSup), superintendent of Miami-Dade Public Schools. He’s leading one of America’s largest and most multicultural districts in its quest to transform classrooms for the 21st Century. We hear from current and former U.S. Secretaries of Education, national education advocate Michelle Rhee (@m_rhee) and Sal Khan (@khanacademy), the founder of online education powerhouse Khan Academy. We also hear from students, parents, teachers — and you.”You can listen online, but not download the program; however, it’s included with the zipped collection at the top of this edition. Follow the national conversation that’s already started and add your own ideas: Is your school broken? Who is responsible for making our schools better? What role should teachers, parents, the government, and private sector, be playing right now? Who is stepping up to the plate and who isn’t? You can listen online and view a transcript, but not download the program; however, it’s included with the zipped collection at the top of this edition.
Over 120 feeds are used to prepare this weekly blog, harvested with Feedreader3. The feeds are available as an opm file at Google Docs. A PDF of feeds is also available there. Free Commander is used to compare old and new downloads to remove duplicates each week. MP3SpeedChanger is applied to change playback speed of multiple files as a batch. A speed listening background article is here. Sixty-four podcasts for 2010 and earlier at 1.5x are listed alphabetically in this PDF and can be downloaded in two sections as zip files, Part 1 and Part 2, each holding about 350 MB. For 2011 an alphabetical PDF list of 184 podcasts at 1.5x is available, and the actual files can be downloaded in five segments: Part 1 to 5 (Part 1 – 276 MB; P2 – 291 MB; P3 – 284; P4 – 153 MB, and P5 – 256 MB). A similar list and downloads for 362 podcasts for Jan-Jun 2012 is here.Those podcasts are grouped into eight zipped files for easier downloading. Multiple parts are used due to a 300MB limit on file size uploads. A similar group for the last half of 2012 will be available in Jan 2013. A commenter recommended this $1.99 iPhone/iPad app for mobile devices; leave a comment if you try it. Please leave a comment if you have problems with the links and downloads.
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Media Mining Digest 