The following audio files were selected from a larger group of 158 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 27 podcasts converted to 1.5x speed can also be downloaded as a single 171 MB zip file here for four months (vs 733 MB normal speed). Accumulations of these are discussed at the end of this episode. (Some links in old episodes may be dead due to updating; try a current episode.)
Alpha Stem Cell Clinic 65 mins – “A panel of experts tackles the Alpha Stem Cell Clinic, a model introduced in the debut issue of STEM CELLS Translational Medicine, and the challenges in steering this concept around numerous hurdles as it moves from the bench to the bedside. Drs. Anthony Atala, Alan Trounson, Mahendra Rao, Paolo De Coppi and David Scadden participated in this special session taped during the 2012 Regenerative Medicine Foundation Conference.” You can listen at the link, but not download; however, the file is included in the zip collection noted in the introduction to this edition.
Bank Accountability 15 mins – “Rolling Stone‘s Matt Taibbi joins Bill to discuss the continuing lack of accountability for “too big to fail” banks which continue to break laws and act unethically because they know they can get away with it. Taibbi refers specifically to the government’s recent settlement with HSBC — “a serial offender on the money laundering score” — who merely had to pay a big fine for shocking offenses, including, Taibbi says, laundering money for both drug cartels and banks connected to terrorists.” You can listen at the link, but not download; however, the file is included in the zip collection noted in the introduction to this edition.
Brain Injuries 54 mins – “Dr. Charles Tator grew up loving hockey. Now, as an eminent neurosurgeon, scientist and researcher, he must face the patients and the families of those who suffer from concussions, spinal cord injury and disability. He’s learned a lot about traumatic sports injuries and he sits down with IDEAS host Paul Kennedy to tell Canadians what they might not want to hear.” At the link find the title, “Brain Bang Theory,” right-click “
Download Brain Bang Theory” and select “Save Link As” to get the podcast.
China and Taiwan 90 mins – “During much of the 2000s, tensions between Taiwan and China roiled the stability of East Asia. Each side feared the intentions of the other and acted on those fears, creating a vicious circle of political mistrust and military build-up. The United States was drawn in because Beijing and Taipei each urged Washington to take its side against the other. Some strategists believed that Taiwan was the only issue that might spark a U.S.-China war. Over the last five years, the relationship between China and Taiwan has changed for the better, with cooperation replacing confrontation, and the danger of war declining. However, future momentum will likely slow, and China has not abandoned its goal of unifying with Taiwan on its terms. Will it be content to continue its current, incremental approach? What will happen if it doesn’t? What can Taiwan, China and the United States do to ensure that the current stability will continue?” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” to get the audio file.
College Problems 9 mins – “Many of the college students who have returned to campus for another semester will struggle to pass their classes and graduate. To find out how students can get on the path to success, host Michel Martin talks with Melvina Noel, author of How to Thrive in College.” At the link right-click and select “Save Link As” to get the podcast.
Credit Score Dating 8 mins – “In the past, having a good credit score made you an attractive candidate for credit cards or loans. But did you know your credit score nowadays can also make you an attractive – or unappealing – date? Host Michel Martin finds out why a growing number of singles are asking for more than just a telephone number.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” to get the podcast.
Drone Killings 37 mins – “In the fight against terrorism, the American military’s escalating drone program has become the face of our foreign policy in Pakistan, Yemen and parts of Africa. And while the use of un-manned drones indeed protects American soldiers, the growing number of casualties — which include civilians as well as suspected terrorists — has prompted a United Nations investigation into both the legality and the deadly toll of these strikes. Bill explores the moral and legal implications of using drones to target our enemies — both foreign and American — as well as other intelligence issues with Vicki Divoll, a former general counsel to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and former deputy legal adviser to the C.I.A.’s Counterterrorism Center, and Vincent Warren, Executive Director of the Center for Constitutional Rights.” You can listen at the link, but not download; however, the file is included in the zip collection noted in the introduction to this edition.
Drone Policy 51 mins – “A major architect of U.S. drone policy, John Brennan, will appear today before the Senate as President Obama’s nominee to be CIA director. Last night the White House ordered the release of classified drone documents to lawmakers. The Obama administration has increasingly relied on predator drones to fight terrorism. A number of high-level terrorists have been killed by drone strikes. Supporters of U.S. drone policy say it’s effective, less costly and will remain a major tool in warfare. But human rights activists and other critics say civilian casualties are still too high, the program lacks transparency and the U.S. might be setting precedents it will come to regret. Guest host Tom Gjelten talks with a panel of [4] experts about drones and counter terrorism.” At the link 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.
Fecal Transplants 28 mins – “Ian Woolf reports on Fecal microbiota transplantation and in 1999 interviewed Professor Thomas Borody who pioneered the field. [in the first half of the program followed by] Part 5 of Natural Selection, the life and discoveries of Charles Darwin, a radio-play by Lachlan Whatmore.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the drop-down menu to get the podcast.
Free National Wi-Fi 51mins – “Access to the Internet has grown from just 10 million people in the early ’90s to more than 2.5 billion today. But a third of households in the U.S. still don’t have high speed internet access because they can’t afford it. To address the growing “digital divide,” the federal government is proposing the creation of a free, public wireless network nationwide. But the plan faces opposition from telecom companies who say valuable spectrum should be sold at auction and not given away for free. And they warn that unlicensed airwaves could interfere with existing broadcasts. Diane and a panel of experts discuss the pros and cons of free Wi-Fi.” You can listen at the link, but not download; however, the file is included in the zip collection noted in the introduction to this edition.
Gun Companies 51 mins – “A 2005 law protects gun companies from liability suits, making it difficult for victims of gun violence to challenge the industry. Diane and her [4] guests explore how gun makers got special protection, and new attempts to change the federal law.” At the link 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.
Guns and Women 12 mins – “Many policymakers who oppose tighter gun laws have said gun ownership is important to women’s safety. The writers and journalists of the ‘Beauty Shop’ share their thoughts on the role gender plays in the gun debate.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” to get the podcast.
Hostage Oil 18 mins – “Ecuador’s Yasuni National Park is an amazing rainforest — home to jaguars, giant otters, the golden-mantled tamarin and woolly monkeys. The park also sits on top of hundreds of millions of barrels of oil, worth billions of dollars.The government of Ecuador faces a choice: Should it protect the park, or go for the money?The country is trying to do both. The government says it will promise to leave its rainforest untouched — if rich counties give Ecuador billions of dollars.” At the link find the title, “#433: Holding A Rainforest Hostage,”right-click “Media files npr_171239270.mp3” and select “Save Link As” to download the podcast.
Iceland Recap 30 mins – “In the spring of 2011, voters an Iceland had to decide whether to pick up the tab for mistakes bankers made before the financial crisis.We visited Iceland just before the vote and met Heiða Dóra Jónsdóttir, a 29-year-old new mom. Heiða was trying to figure out how to vote so we set up interviews for her with a bunch of experts on the subject, including Iceland’s president.Heiða and the majority of Icelanders eventually voted “no” on the referendum, but the fight didn’t end there. The British and Dutch governments took Iceland to court to try to recover money their citizens lost when an Icelandic bank failed.On today’s show: we revisit that story from 2011 and give an update on how the years-long, international, multi-billion-dollar battle turned out.” At the link find the title, “#267: A New Mom And The President of Iceland,” right-click “Media files npr_170937024.mp3” and select “Save Link As” to get the podcast.
Indian’s Hysterectomies 24 mins – “Jill McGivering investigates health clinics in rural India where thousands of unregulated private clinics are accused of performing unnecessary hysterectomies.” At the link find the title, “Docs: India’s Uterus Scam,” right-click “Download 11MB” and select “Save Link As” to get the podcast.
Indonesia 85 mins – “An authoritarian state merely a decade ago, Indonesia is now an open, pluralist democracy characterized by consistently high levels of economic growth, a growing middle class and booming foreign investment. Not only is Indonesia geostrategically important in the development of U.S. policy toward Asia, it is also a model for the coexistence of Islam and democracy and a key player in efforts to tackle global deforestation, biodiversity loss and climate change. On February 7, Brookings hosted a discussion on Indonesia’s natural resources management in the context of the country’s political, economic and rule of law reform efforts, as well as its battle against terrorist groups. The panel also drew lessons for Burma’s political and economic transformation and its management of natural resources.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” to get the audio file.
Jerry Pournelle 88 mins – Science fiction writer and technology journalist, Jerry Pournelle, is the guest on Leo Laporte’s Triangulation program, episode 90. At the link right-click “Audio” or “Video” and select “Save Link As” from the drop-down menu to download the file.
Lebanon 134 mins – “On January 31, 2013, the Brookings Doha Center (BDC) held a policy discussion assessing the political situation in Lebanon. Despite the government’s efforts to preserve the delicate status quo, 2012 was a year of arduous trials for the country, which is inching toward greater uncertainty and destabilization. With this in mind, the event’s debate focused on the prospects for peace and security in Lebanon amidst regional turmoil, in particular the ongoing conflict in Syria. Key national challenges will be addressed against the backdrop of internal and regional developments, including the ongoing stalemate over the country’s electoral law, the likely suspension of the National Dialogue, the rising tide of fundamentalism, the conflict in Syria, and the Iranian nuclear issue. In light of the sense of government paralysis in Beirut, will the country’s fragile truce over the past year continue to hold?” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” to get the podcast.
Putin 87 mins – “President Vladimir Putin has been Russia’s dominant political figure for more than a decade, but during this term, the West has learned little about his background and the formative experiences that shape his worldview. In their new book, Mr. Putin: Operative in the Kremlin (Brookings, 2013), Brookings Senior Fellows Fiona Hill and Clifford G. Gaddy reveal the complex identities of Mr. Putin and argue that an awareness of his real personas is essential to understanding the influence he has had on Russia and what the future holds for the country.” At the link click the audio tab, right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” to get the audio file.
Riskmaster 57 mins – “In this lively presentation, Tim Draper, managing director of Draper Fisher Jurvetson, shares his global experiences funding entrepreneurial heroes who “break down walls.” Draper shares attributes that support viable entrepreneurial environments, and encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to attack established monopolies and to never fear making mistakes.” At the link hover over “Podcast” then right-click “Download MP3” and select “Save Link As” to get the podcast.
Rosa Parks 51 mins – “Born in rural Alabama 100 years ago, Rosa Parks grew up picking cotton from sunrise to sunset. Raised by a devoted single mother, she attended segregated schools and faced daily oppression in the Jim Crow south. But contrary to popular myth, Parks had a long history of fighting back, even before she refused to give up her seat on that Montgomery bus: a young Parks once tossed a brick at a white boy who teased her brother. Later, Parks joined her NAACP branch and worked to register black voters and end housing discrimination. And her activism continued even after she left Alabama for Detroit. A new biography on the life of civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks.” At the link 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.
Scientology Again 29 mins – “After winning a Pulitzer Prize for his 2006 book about al-Qaida, The Looming Tower, New Yorker staff writer Lawrence Wright is back with an in-depth investigation into the secretive world of Scientology, the religion founded by science-fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard… June Thomas talks with Lawrence Wright, author of Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief.” At the link find the title, “The Afterword: Lawrence Wright on Scientology,” right-click “Media files STA13013101_GoingClear.mp3” and select “Save Link As” to download the file.
Social Media Collaboration 14 mins – “Social media can do more than provide entertainment, it can also prolong or save lives. In this university podcast, Stanford business professor Jennifer Aaker tells the story of how friends drove a call to action online that provided a bone marrow transplant for a Stanford graduate who was diagnosed with leukemia. She talks about lessons for successful social media campaigns derives from the efforts of that grassroots registry, which still actively matches donors to patients. Aaker spoke at the USRio+2.0 Conference, hosted by the Stanford Graduate School of Business.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” to get the podcast. Details outlined in the talk are described here and here.
Speak Silently 5 mins – “Finally today I want to talk about – and I want you to hear – the voices of two women: one who is really at the beginning of her life, one whose life has just come to its end. One I had the privilege to meet. One I have not — at least not yet. But they are both women who stand for something.” At the link right-click “Download” and select”Save Link As” to get the podcast.
Tar Sands and Pipelines 51 mins – “For this month’s Environmental Outlook: environmental, economic and political implications of the State Department’s upcoming decision on the Keystone XL Pipeline.” (Three guests participate.)At the link 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.
Unsaturated Fat Update 31 mins – At the 17 minute mark “…research has unearthed data hidden for 40 years on magnetic tapes. It casts new light on the link between consumption of unsaturated fatty acids and secondary prevention of cardiovascular events. We hear from Christopher Ramsden, a clinical investigator at the US National Institutes of Health, who dug up the data.” At the link find the title, “Mid Staffs enquiry, and digging for data ,” right-click “Media files bmj-podcast-francis-report-digging-for-data.mp3” and select “Save Link As” to get the podcast.
U.S. Health Decline 25 mins – “US Health in International Perspective: Shorter Lives, Poorer Health produced by the National Research Council and Institute of Medicine of the National Academies, has found that on almost every comparative measure, Americans fare worse than their counterparts from other developed countries. Steve Woolf, from the Department of Family Medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University, who chaired the report, joins us to discuss its findings, and the implications.” At the link find the title, “American Life,” right-click “Media files bmj-podcast-american-life.mp3” and select “Save Link As” to get the podcast.
Over 130 feeds used to prepare this weekly blog are harvested with Feedreader3. The feeds are available in this opm file which Feedreader can import. A PDF of feeds is also available. Free Commander is used each week to compare old with new downloads and remove any duplicates. MP3SpeedChanger is applied to podcast batches to change playback speed to 1.5x. 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 can be downloaded in five segments. A similar list and downloads for 362 podcasts for Jan-Jun 2012 is here, and 591 for Jul-Dec here. Podcasts are grouped into zipped files for easier downloading and segmented due to a 300MB limit on file uploads. A commenter recommended this $1.99 iPhone/iPad app for mobile devices; leave a comment if you try it. Another is xSpeedChanger. Please comment on any problems with the links and downloads.
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Media Mining Digest 