The following audio files come from a larger group of 211 for this week. Double or ctrl-click individual highlighted links, below, to get single podcasts. A zip file of all 65 podcasts converted to 1.5x speed will download here for four months. Older groups of podcasts are discussed at the end of this episode.
Active Learning in Classroom 10 mins – “From the Science Podcast: an interview with Scott Freeman on how increased structure and active learning reduces the achievement gap in introductory biology…A significantly greater number of students fail science, engineering and math courses that are taught lecture-style than fail in classes incorporating so-called active learning that expects them to participate in discussions and problem-solving beyond what they’ve memorized. Active learning also improves exam performance — in some cases enough to change grades by half a letter or more so a B-plus, for example, becomes an A-minus.” At the link right-click ‘Download the interview” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Addiction Research 29 mins – “Keith talks with Tamara Phillips, Professor & Vice-Chair, Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University. She talks about her interest in the genetic risk for addiction – what genetic factors make some people more prone to addiction? Her research on mouse models involves trying to isolate a receptor in the brain that sensitizes an individual to alcohol.” At the link right-click “Listen” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Aircraft Operations 168 mins – “A cold war era U2 spy plane flying over the skies of Southern California managed to confuse and overload the new ERAM computer system installed at Los Angeles Air Route Traffic Control Center, shutting it down and snarling air traffic for hours… Smoke billowing from a checked suitcase in Melbourne prompted the evacuation of a Fiji Airways 737. Fiji Airways reports the piece of luggage in question was “found to be carrying material suspected as prohibited ‘Dangerous Goods.’” Good thing this happened before the flight. A US Airways A330 experienced severe turbulence while climbing out of PHL, injuring six. Could this incident have been avoided? Malaysia Airlines Flight 370: GeoResonance survey company says “wreckage of a commercial airliner” found NTSB Issues Urgent Safety Recommendation to Improve Oversight of Alaska Air Operators Owned by HoTh, Inc. Listen: Missing Jet MH370 Pilots Talking to Air Traffic Control Scary stuff: 13 phrases you don’t want to hear from your pilot Young pilots: Apply for free trip to France” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Arab Hunting Lessons 46 mins – “Ten days after 9/11, tattoed Texan Mark Stroman shot Bangladeshi immigrant, Muslim, Raisuddin Bhuiyan in a mini-mart outside Dallas. He wanted to kill him, and others, in revenge for 9/11. Bhuiyan did not die. He went on to forgive Mark Stroman. To fight for Stroman’s life when he was on death row. And to learn a lot about the hard side of American life. The immigrant ended up doing well, and feeling sorry for his assailant. Isolated, angry, lonely. This hour On Point: Beneath the immigration debate, a tale of blood and forgiveness out of Texas.” At the link right-click “Download this story” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Asian American Academics 10 mins – “Contrary to popular stereotypes, Asian-Americans don’t achieve academic success just because it’s just in their genes. These students perform well because of community resources and teacher support.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Bank Accountability 51 mins – “The Obama administration and federal regulators are taking steps for the first time since the 2008 financial crisis to ease mortgage lending standards. The move reflects concerns that credit rules instituted in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis are stifling growth in the housing market and the overall economy, but the debate over who got government bail-outs and who didn’t in the aftermath of the crisis is not over. Former Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, reiterated earlier this week why big banks needed to be saved. Many believe these same banks have largely been let off the hook. Please join us to discuss the ongoing efforts to hold Wall Street accountable. You can listen at the link, but not download; however, the zip collection noted in this episode’s introduction contains a copy of the audio file.
Boko Haram 27 mins – “Finding Nigeria’s missing girls has become a global cause with a massive online campaign #BringBackOurGirls. Presidents and prime ministers have joined parents in calling for their release. Nkem Ifejika tells the story of their disappearance and examines what it means for Nigeria – and Boko Haram.” At the link find the link, “DocArchive: Our Missing Girls,” right-click “Media files docarchive 20140514-0332a.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Brain History 51 mins – “Before the era of MRIs, CT scans and EEGs, extremely little was known about the workings of the human brain. Observation was one of the best tools scientists had — especially when a head injury was followed by behavioral changes in the patient. A new book tells the history of brain science through stories of tragic and often bizarre accidents, from the tale of railroad foreman Phineas Gage, who lived a dozen years after an iron spike pierced his skull, to the thousands of Civil War amputees who experienced phantom limb syndrome. We discuss how neuroscientists used case studies to advance knowledge of the brain.” You can listen at the link, but not download; however, the zip collection noted in this episode’s introduction contains a copy of the audio file.
Brain Waste 74 mins -“Despite possessing post secondary degrees and relevant work experience, many highly educated immigrants and refugees in the United States struggle to find employment that utilizes their talents and professional experience. Particularly in fields with strict certification or licensure requirements, difficulties in obtaining recognition of credentials from foreign institutions, acquiring professional-level English skills, and navigating costly or time-consuming recertification processes prevent highly skilled immigrants and refugees from making the most of their education and training, and waste human capital badly needed by local economies and employers.” You can listen at the link, but not download; however, the zip collection noted in this episode’s introduction contains a copy of the audio file.
Broadband in Colorado 21 mins – “Located in rural southwest Colorado, Cortez is just 20 miles from the famous four corners of the US southwest. When incumbents were either unwilling or unable to provide modern services in the region, Cortez stepped up with a plan. This week, Cortez General Services Director Rick Smith joins us to share how they incrementally built an open access fiber network. Cortez is one of the growing number of local governments with no electric utility that has built its own fiber network – and they didn’t just stop with one. They have built both a local loop for a business district and a larger regional loop to connect anchor institutions.” At the link right-click “…download this Mp3 file directly…” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Brown v. Board of Education 51 mins – “This week marks the sixtieth anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court decision Brown-versus-Board of Education. The court ruled that school segregation was unconstitutional. By the 1970s, many schools were integrated. But over the last twenty years, judges have released hundreds of schools from desegregation orders. Now many African-American children attend majority-black schools at levels not seen in four decades. And civil rights lawyers say black and hispanic students are disadvantaged in other ways – such as being disproportionately suspended. In the next hour we’ll discuss racial integration and equal opportunity in public schools today.” You can listen at the link, but not download; however, the zip collection noted in this episode’s introduction contains a copy of the audio file.
Chinese Turmoil 59 mins – “[New Yorker] staff writer and author Evan Osnos discusses his new book [Age of Ambition: Chasing Fortune, Truth, and Faith in the New China], in which he describes the rising conflict between the individual and the Chinese government.” At the link find the title, “Q&A: Evan Osnos,” right-click “Media files 318933-1-MP3-STD_01.mp3” and right-click “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Climate Warming 12 mins – “Bec Cooney discusses a new report and Lancet editorial, giving a US perspective on climate change and health.” At the title find the title, “Listen to The Lancet: May 16, 2014,” right-click “Media files 16may.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Climate Wars 53 mins – “This week our lecture is presented by The Center for the Study of Europe at Boston University, co-sponsored by the Goethe Institut Boston, the Goethe Institut Washington DC, and Brandeis University Center for German and European Studies. Our speaker is Harald Welzer, Professor for Transformation-Design at the University of Flensburg. Professor Welzer’s lecture is titled “Climate Wars: What People Will Be Killed For in the 21st Century.” At the link right-click “Download this story” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Cork Uses 3 mins – “Cork bark has many uses — it’s also used in shoes and floors. But cork farmers make the bulk of their money selling wine stoppers. They can charge anywhere from a quarter up to $1.50 for each cork stopper. That’s one reason alternative screw caps and stoppers have been slowly eating away at the cork bark’s centuries of market dominance… “The risk is that if we keep losing market share, there is the risk some of these private landowners, they will change from planting cork oak trees to more intensive agriculture. Or even, they can think to change these forests into urban areas,” Ferriera said. By law, Portuguese cork farmers can’t actually do that: cork trees are protected. But trees don’t last forever. The cork farmers aren’t obligated to re-plant cork. And grove owners also aren’t obligated to strip their trees, which prolongs a cork tree’s life. Cork growers who aren’t making money can also plant more profitable trees in their groves, which could crowd out the cork…” At the link right-click the down-pointing arrow on the right end of the sound bar and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Digital Public Library 69 mins – “Hosts: Randal Schwartz and Dan Lynch. The Digital Public Library of America brings together the riches of America’s libraries, archives, and museums, and makes them freely available to the world. Mark A. Matienzo is the Director of Technology for the Digital Public Library of America, Mark Breedlove is the Technical Specialist for the Digital Public Library of America. Guest: Mark A. Matienzo and Mark Breedlove” At the link right-click “Audio” beside the down-pointing arrow and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up arrow.
Drone Usage 51 – “Drones are now used across the U.S. to monitor crops, inspect power lines, and shoot commercials. But the near-collision of a drone and a commercial jet last week is highlighting the need for new rules for unmanned aircraft. A conversation about the regulation of domestic drones to protect privacy and public safety.” You can listen at the link, but not download; however, the zip collection noted in this episode’s introduction contains a copy of the audio file.
Endings 102 mins – “Cataclysmic destruction. Surprising survival. In this new live stage performance, Radiolab turns its gaze to the topic of endings, both blazingly fast and agonizingly slow.This hour we celebrate the one thing that all things do: end. From the stage in Seattle, with an all-star cast of comedians and musical guests, we bring you stories that end with a bang, with a whimper, and with astonishing bravery and resilience in the face of one’s own demise… …high-powered ballistics experiments, fancy computer algorithms, and good old-fashioned ancient geology have given us a shocking new version of the events on that day, 66 million years ago… …The Dinosaurs, we can imagine, never knew what hit them. But sometimes ending are slow. Painfully, agonizingly slow. We talk to two actors who were losing their ability to move, to remember, to speak. We dig into what’s happening to their bodies and their brains….” At the link right-click “Download” for the whole show or any of four segments and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu. Or, watch the video.
FCC Operation 28 mins – “FCC Commissioner Michael O’Rielly, who worked on telecom issues while a congressional staffer, discusses net neutrality decisions facing the commission. He also talks about spectrum auctions, retransmission and other topics before the commission.” At the link find the title, “The Communicators: Michael O’Rielly,” right-click “Media files 319122-1-MP3-STD_01.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Federal Land Management 51 mins “The federal government owns almost half the land west of the Mississippi. Strict rules apply to some areas including those designated as Wilderness and National Parks. But on hundreds of millions of acres of federal land, the interests of ranchers, conservationists, energy companies, off–road vehicle enthusiasts and others can, and often do, collide. Despite the discredited claims of rancher Cliven Bundy, his refusal to pay grazing fees exposed some of the many challenges of managing public land for the common good. Please join us to discuss competing claims for access and use of federal lands.” You can listen at the link, but not download; however, the zip collection noted in this episode’s introduction contains a copy of the audio file.
Financial Power 57 mins – “Nomi Prins talked about her book, All the Presidents’ Bankers: The Hidden Alliances that Drive American Power, in which she explores the multi-generational marital and protégé relationships in the financial and political worlds that she argues are the basis of power and influence in the U.S. She spoke with author and blogger Larry Doyle.” At the link you can watch/listen, but an audio download costs $.99; however, the zip collection noted in this episode’s introduction contains a copy of the audio file.
Finding Sugarman 52 mins – “In the early 1970s, Sixto Rodriguez, a poet-musician from inner-city Detroit, produced two albums. His producers thought they would be hits, but they were utter flops – in America, that is. In South Africa though, Rodriguez was bigger than Elvis or The Rolling Stones, and his albums provided the soundtrack for white opposition to apartheid. Filmmaker Malik Bendjelloul documented Rodriguez’ unlikely fall and rise. He died earlier this week. We’re rebroadcasting our conversation with him about his film on Thursday.” At the link right-click “Listen” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Hamvention 61 mins – “Dayton Preview! Bob and Valerie report in from Dayton, 2009 Newsline Young Ham of the Year Andrew Koenig, mobile HF radio installs and more!” From the Dayton host, “Today, “makers” are using 3D printers, CNC machines, and yes, even electronics to solve problems or do projects; but they’re still using the same basic principles as Amateurs, as tinkerers, have for years. We in the Amateur radio are all “makers” at heart and in a few short months you’ll have a great opportunity to experience what’s going on in the Amateur world and electronics…” At the link right-click “Audio” beside the down-pointing arrow and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
ID Theft from Kids 7 mins – “Child identity theft cases sometimes continue for years before they’re discovered. Adam Levin, of Identity Theft 911, explains how this happens, and what to do about it.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Impact Investing 30 mins – “Today on Sea Change Radio we talk with two people working on very different fronts of the environmental movement. Our first guest is Dale Wannen, a Presidio Graduate School alum who runs a sustainable and responsible investment firm. We learn about the latest in sustainable and responsible investing (or SRI), including whether or not the small investor stands a chance in the age of flash trading. He also explains how owning just a small amount of stock allows an investor to influence a corporation’s sustainability practices, creating a return that is both monetary and socially beneficial. Then, host Alex Wise talks to composting expert Gail Loos. She tells us about the growing trend among municipalities to encourage composting through curbside pick-up programs.” At the link right-click “download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Intercourse Issues 19 mins – “A while back we wrote about a national sex survey that found one-third of women experienced pain during sex. There were skeptics back then who thought, nah, that can’t be possible, otherwise we’d be having a nationwide conversation about how to fix such a huge problem. But now, the lead author of that study, Debby Herbenick, a researcher at Indiana University, co-director of the Center for Sexual Health Promotion, and a sexual health educator at the Kinsey Institute, confirms those numbers in a follow-up survey.” At the link right-click the down-pointing arrow and select “Save Link As” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Kenya Prison Changes 50 mins – “Most people who face criminal charges in Kenya go to court without a lawyer. The Kenyan judiciary admit this leads to a great deal of injustice. This programme meets an impressive group of prisoners who are acting as lawyers on behalf of themselves and their fellow inmates. Mostly by discovering flaws in the original cases, they are managing to get large numbers of convictions overturned at appeal.” At the link find the title, “DocArchive: Law Behind Bars,” right-click “Media files docarchive 20140510-0806a.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Law Prof Macdonald 54 mins – “McGill University law professor Roderick A. Macdonald has influenced generations of legal minds. His work paved the way for the legalization of same-sex marriage, and inspired Canada’s apology to residential school survivors.” At the link find the title, “A Just Life,” right-click (here or there) “Download A Just Life” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Lyrics Online 18 mins – “If you thought Daft Punk was saying something about a Mexican monkey when they were actually singing “up all night to get lucky” — you’re not alone. There are more than five million searches for lyrics on Google every day.* And there is a big fight going on over who should make money off those searches: is it the websites who put the lyrics up? Or the songwriters, who put the words together? From George Washington to Rick Ross, this country has been trying for hundreds of years to figure out — what’s the difference between fair use and stealing? *Source: LyricFind*” At the link find the title, “#537: Hold The Music, Just The Lyrics Please,” right-click “Media files npr 311004691.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Marketing Mavericks 62 mins -“On Marketing Mavericks we talk about Sega’s Sonic The Hedgehog and building a brand as an underdog.” with guests Olivier Blanchard, Al Nilsen, and Dana Todd. At the link right-click “Audio” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Medal of Honor Ceremony 19 mins – “President Obama awarded former Army Sergeant Kyle White with the Medal of Honor for his courageous actions while serving as a Platoon Radio Telephone Operator during combat operations in Afghanistan on November 9, 2007. Sergeant White was the seventh living recipient to be awarded the Medal of Honor for actions in Iraq or Afghanistan.” At the link you can watch/listen, but an audio download costs $.99; however, the zip collection noted in this episode’s introduction contains a copy of the audio file.
Mindsets 56 mins – “What are the myths that we live with without even realizing it? How do they affect our choices and what we believe is possible? In daily life, how can people use visioning to create a better future? As the world becomes more complex, what are the simple designs and strategies that will keep us connected and positively as stewards of the future? Dr. Betty Sue Flowers has guided game-changing conversations with the world’s leading thinkers on subjects ranging from the power of myth, to the American Dream, global sustainable development, presence, partnership as a governing principle, and the changing nature of work. Join host Kate Ebner and Dr. Flowers for an eye-opening exploration of how to use vision to create the future we really want while navigating the complexity of the 21st century.” At the link right-click “Download MP3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Naked Future 56 mins – “Patrick Tucker talked about his book, The Naked Future: What Happens in a World that Anticipates Your Every Move, in which he argues that the future is very easy to predict, due to the availability of large amounts of data that make prediction models for individual behavior significantly more accurate. He spoke with Heidi Boghosian, co-host of the radio show “Law & Disorder” and executive director of the National Lawyers Guild.” At the link you can watch/listen, but an audio download costs $.99; however, the zip collection noted in this episode’s introduction contains a copy of the audio file.
Newark Schools 46 mins – “It was right there on Oprah. All the promise in the world and a pot of gold for the schools of Newark, New Jersey. September, 2010. There was Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. Republican New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. Democratic Newark Mayor Cory Booker. Saying on Oprah they were going to fix Newark’s failing schools. Make a model for the nation. And Zuckerberg was throwing in $100 million to make it happen. Now the money’s gone and the schools aren’t fixed. What happened? This hour On Point: fixing failing schools, and how Mark Zuckerberg got schooled in Newark, New Jersey.” At the link right-click “Download this story” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Nichification 12 mins – “Reporter Cristina Quinn investigates the psychology and the economics behind the boom in super niche businesses.” At the link find the title, “Super Niche is Booming,” right-click “Media files IHUB-051714-C.mp3,” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Obesity History 13 mins – “The obese lack willpower; they overeat and underexercise — or so believe a majority of Americans. A 2012 online poll of 1143 adults conducted by Reuters and the market research firm Ipsos found that 61% of U.S. adults believed that “personal choices about eating and exercise” were responsible for the obesity epidemic.1 A majority of Americans, it seems, remain unaware of or unconvinced by scientific research suggesting that “personal choices” may not account for all cases of obesity….” At the link right-click “download” under the author’s photo and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Oldest Park Ranger 17 mins – “As 92-year-old Betty Reid Soskin helped hash out plans for a new national park 13 years ago, this is what stuck in her mind: “What gets remembered is a function of who’s in the room doing the remembering.”… Soskin leads tours, speaks to groups and answers questions about living and working in the area during WWII. She was 20 when she took a job as a clerk for the all-black auxiliary of a segregated boilermakers union. Unlike many of the women who left their homes and entered the workforce during that time, Soskin never saw herself as a “Rosie the Riveter.””That really is a white woman’s story,” Soskin says….'” At the link right-click “Listen” and select “Save Link As” from the op-up menu.
Parasites 84 mins – “Hosts: Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier review the finding that urocanic acid in the skin is a chemoattractant for the parasitic nematode Strongyloides stercoralis.” At the link right-click “Download TWIP#71” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Pomplamoose 65 mins – Host Leo Laporte interviews Pomplamoose, a musical duo which features Californian multi-instrumentalists, real life couple Jack Conte and Nataly Dawn. Their career development and use of internet are presented along with samples of their music. At the link right-click “Audio” beside the down-pointing arrow and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Power Grid 54 mins – “This week we look at how our power grids are going to be transformed. From technology which hopes to reduce our energy prices to new ways to include wind and solar power in the grid. Plus, in the news, what Google have up their sleeve for their next smartphone, the proposed takeover of the UK pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca, and why AM radio could be sending birds off course…” At the link right-click “Download as MP3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Pox Research 103 mins – “Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, Rich Condit, and Kathy Spindler The TWiV team discusses how skin scarification promotes a nonspecific immune response, and whether remaining stocks of smallpox virus should be destroyed.” At the link right-click “Download TWIV 284” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Pregnancy Myths 21 mins – “Our first episode is “Three Myths of Pregnancy and Childbirth,” a subject near to our motherly hearts. It features interesting, relevant new research on bed rest during pregnancy, labor pain and cutting the baby’s umbilical cord, including information you may not read much about in the best-selling pregnancy bible “What To Expect When You’re Expecting.'” At the link right-click the down-pointing arrow at the right end of the sound bar and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Pseudoscience 29 mins – “For the final episode of season seven, we invite Rodney Schmalz and Steven Lilienfeld to the show to talk about pseudoscience. Schmalz and Lilienfeld recently published an article discussing the use of pseudoscience in the science classroom to help give students the tools needed to differentiate between scientific and pseudoscientific or paranormal claims. According to the authors, “by incorporating examples of pseudoscience into lectures, instructors can provide students with the tools needed to understand the difference between scientific and pseudoscientific or paranormal claims.” Listen to the episode to learn how you might use pseudoscience appropriately in your science instruction.” At the link right-click “download” (at the sound bar), and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Racial Equality 51 mins – “In the decades following the Civil War, many states enacted laws that required racial segregation of public facilities, restaurants and schools. In the 1930s, the NAACP began to challenge these so-called “Jim Crow” laws in various states. Then, in 1954, the Supreme Court unanimously held that racial segregation of children in public schools violated the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment. But it took years for the new law to be implemented, especially in the southern states. Guest host Steve Roberts and guests discuss the history of Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka and how it changed America.” You can listen at the link, but not download; however, the zip collection noted in this episode’s introduction contains a copy of the audio file.
Religion and Science 12 mins – “How do we explain the ubiquity of religion? In its varied forms it is found in all societies today, as well as those of the past. Are we genetically programmed for it? In The Serpent’s Promise, geneticist Steve Jones rewrites the Bible in the light of modern science. Is religion for optimists? Is science for pessimists? Are we on the edge of a new global universal system of thought called science? Steve Jones shows how the same questions preoccupy us today as in biblical times – and that science offers many of the answers.” At the link right-click “Download audio” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Rick Smolan 59 mins – Host Leo Laporte interviews Rick Smolan, a photographer, creator of the ‘Day in the Life‘ photography series, and CEO of Against All Odds Productions. Noted during the interview is a smartphone app that reads a gold key on book photos and provides background information about the photograph. At the link right-click “Audio” beside the down-pointing arrow and click “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Robert E. Lee 47 mins – “This week marks the 150th anniversary of Arlington National Cemetery, across the Potomac from the nation’s capital. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and so many American soldiers’ remains famously rest on land that was the home of Confederate General Robert E. Lee. It’s fitting somehow. Lee led the armies that would have divided the Union. And yet in his personal nobility he became a point of reconciliation. Symbolic martyr-hero of the Southern cause, and American icon. A new biography brings us the southern general – and his complexity – once more. This hour On Point: Robert E. Lee.” At the link right-click “Download this story” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Sailing Problems 64 mins – “Stories of people coming to terms with being in serious trouble. They need help. Figuring out how to get it, that’s another problem. Ira brings up a story that got a lot of attention a month ago, in the New York Times and also on a lot of morning news shows. A couple was sailing across the Pacific Ocean with their two small children, and after three weeks of sailing they signaled for help — which came in the form of four National Guardsmen and a navy vessel. All the coverage seemed to be asking the same question: Are these bad parents? The couple involved, Eric and Charlotte Kaufman, have been silent about what happened on their boat, until talking to Ira…” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Shrimp Damage 5 mins – “…The shrimp boom has been great for consumers and producers, but it is causing problems for people in out of the way places that farm shrimp, like Neendakara. Philomena, her husband and their two children live in a small brick home they bought16 years ago. For at least half that time, Philomena says, the plaster has been falling off the walls… The walls are covered in a thin layer of salt. And it’s coming from the nearby shrimp ponds…. That boom has created thousands of jobs in the region and made some here very rich. But the salty water from the ponds is slowly seeping into the ground and leaching into the buildings’ walls. It’s also making the soil too salty to grow most crops. Critics argue that the benefit is not worth the cost. “That is not sustainable,” says V. Sreekumaran, a plant scientist at nearby Kerala University. But he says he has a solution to the salinity problem: rice.” At the link right-click the down-pointing arrow at the right side of the sound bar and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Sixth Extinction 9 mins – “It’s been described as the biggest change to life on earth since the extinction of the dinosaurs. Habitats are being changed or removed. Pollution is increasing. Plants and animals are disappearing. The environments in which life forms have been used to and upon which they rely are changing fast. There have been five mass extinctions of life on Earth over half a billion years. The last one wiped out the dinosaurs. The sixth extinction is happening now. Scientists are documenting its progress. Author Elizabeth Kolbert describes what’s happening in discussion with Greg Borschman.” At the link right-click “Download audio” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Snowden by Greenwald 50 mins – “Glenn Greenwald talked about his book, No Place to Hide: Edward Snowden, the NSA, and the U.S. Surveillance State, in which he chronicles his meeting in Hong Kong with Edward Snowden, during which Mr. Snowden revealed details about the National Security Agency’s (NSA) surveillance program. Mr. Greenwald talked about his views on Edward Snowden’s motivations, his expectations before meeting Mr. Snowden, and how Mr. Snowden earned his trust. He also spoke about past whistleblower incidents, government surveillance and oversight, and the state of journalism.” At the link you can watch/listen, but an audio download costs $.99; however, the zip collection noted in this episode’s introduction contains a copy of the audio file.
Social Stratification 60 mins – “Ok, so stratification… for the most part we’ve been talking about the Royals and how they’re pulling away from the peasants, but there’s another thing that’s occurring on the island with regard to status… because history is rarely black and white… and that thing is an increasing level of social mobility. And right now you might have thought you misheard me, or that I misspoke, but no… you heard right. Despite the increasing concentration of power that’s been occurring as these Dynasties solidify their hold on power, we’re also seeing increasing social mobility. Crazy, right? And that’s the real focus of what we’re going to talk about today…” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Solar Power in Australia 55 mins – “Solar energy is quickly becoming more efficient, with prices falling as volumes increase. Paul Meredith from the University of Queensland is working out how to optimise systems for maximum output. Each installation, be it on the household or utility scale has its own set of characteristics, based on a range of factors. He asks whether Australia would like to be a developer, manufacturer and seller of solar energy systems or just a customer. He says design of the Australian electricity grid poses some unique challenges, including the regulatory framework and status of markets, which need a rethink to cut across state boundaries if Australia is to make a big leap forward in utility scale solar energy….Australian electricity prices have doubled over recent years leaving consumers paying some of the highest prices in the developed world. As Jess Hill reports, the bulk of the increase can be attributed to consumers paying off large costs incurred by network companies which have invested in infrastructure, despite demand falling each year since 2009. This makes alternatives such as solar power increasingly attractive, leaving fewer consumers of grid electricity paying the price for a policy built on false projections.” At the link right-click “Download audio” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Southern Ocean 54 mins – “The Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica is the most dangerous and least understood of our great oceans. A few solo sailors and an historian join Philip Coulter on a radio expedition to find out about those giant waves and fearsome storms.” At the link find the title, “The Godforsaken Sea ,” right-click (here or there) “Download The Godforsaken Sea,” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Strong Towns 64 mins – “Charles Marohn, President of Strong Towns, talks with EconTalk host Russ Roberts about urban development and what makes a strong town. The two discuss how the post-World War II approach to town and city planning has led to debt problems and wasteful infrastructure investments, and how changes as small as the width of roads make cities more vibrant. Other topics discussed include central Detroit today as a model of city growth, the incentive problems associated with how state and federal infrastructure funds are distributed, and Marohn’s efforts to change civil engineers’ perspective on growth.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Talking to Doctors 19 mins – “Welcome to the The Checkup. Our sixth episode “Talking Back to Your Doctor,” opens with a question: Why do so many of us find it so hellishly hard to speak freely with our doctors? What is it about a white coat that makes even normally assertive people clam up?…” At the link right-click the down-pointing arrow at the right-end of the sound bar and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Unemployment Compensation 43 mins – “House Democratic leaders and members of the party caucus held a news conference on the impact of not restoring unemployment insurance benefits, which expired December 28, 2013. Several people from around the nation who have been unable to find jobs spoke about the effects on this lives of the loss of long-term unemployment benefits.” At the link you can watch/listen, but an audio download costs $.99; however, the zip collection noted in this episode’s introduction contains a copy of the audio file.
Vet Medical Care 46 mins – “The headlines out of the Phoenix VA Health Care system were sickening. US military veterans in need of medical attention put on secret waiting lists and left to die waiting for help. Forty dead, is the claim. And echoes of the problem around the country. By late last week, calls were flying for VA Secretary Eric Shinseki to resign. A lot of hot lines intersect here. Obligation, politics, war and guilt. Funding or under-funding. Honesty. We have the Phoenix whistle-blower with us, and the chairmen of both Congressional veterans affairs committees. This hour On Point: Uproar over vets, care, and the VA.” At the link right-click “Download this story” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Violins 12 mins – “A trumpet is more or less a trumpet. A clarinet is a clarinet. But violin or a viola… they are different. More like living breathing things. Hand crafted from wood, from a tree. Every one is different. And, you know the story. Antonio Stradivari, was the master. Some say the greatest violin maker to ever live. The Stradivarius is one of the most powerful and expensive brands in the world. And certainly, the guy made really nice instruments. But how nice exactly. This is a question that comes up all the time with all kinds of products: coffee, clothes, dish washing detergent, jeans and shoes. How much of a brand is real? And how much is in our heads? Of course you could do a test with a Stradivarius to answer this exact question. And In fact, in 2010, researchers did just that.” At the link find the title, “#538: Is A Stradivarius Just A Violin?,” right-click “Media files npr 311136109.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Viruses 52 mins – “For many, the word virus is a synonym for disease – diseases of humans, plants, and even computers. Ebola is an example: a virus with a big and terrifying reputation. And yet the vast majority of viruses are not only friendly, they are essential for life. Find out how viruses make plant life in Yellowstone’s hottest environments possible, and fear your spinach salad no longer: a scientist recruits viruses to defeat E. coli bacteria. Plus, a new study presents the disconcerting facts of just how far a sneeze travels, and viruses in another kind of culture: but is ours benevolent? Find out from the man who coined the term, “viral media.'” At the link right-click “Download file” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Warning Signs Forever 31 mins – “In 1990, the federal government invited a group of geologists, linguists, astrophysicists, architects, artists, and writers to the New Mexico desert, to visit the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant. They would be there on assignment… Eventually, WIPP will be sealed up and left alone. Years will pass and those years will become decades. Those decades will become centuries and those centuries will roll into millennia. People above ground will come and go. Cultures will rise and fall. And all the while, below the surface, that cave full of waste will get smaller and smaller, until the salt swallows up all those oil drums and entombs them. Then, all the old radioactive gloves and tools and little bits from bombs –all still radioactive– will be solidified in the earth’s crust for more than 200,000 years. Basically forever…The problem that the aforementioned panel was convened to address was how to communicate this information to people 10,000 years in the future.” At the link right-click ‘Download” and select “Save link As” from the pop-up menu.
Whey Fights Fat 3 mins – “Why whey could help ease diabetes risk in obese people.” At the link find the title, “Episode 366 – May 14 2014,” right-click “Media files ScienceElements_May14_2014.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Wright Brothers 51 mins – “When the Wright Brothers took flight in 1903, Wilbur and Orville managed to solve a mystery that had stumped the world’s great minds for centuries. And in making that flight, the Wrights became the pioneers of what would be a remarkable period in the development of aviation technology. But instead of staying on the cutting edge, the brothers – particularly Wilbur — were obsessed with prestige and protecting their patent. Lawrence Goldstone, the author of the new book on the Wrights, says that fixation not only hurt the brothers. It threatened to derail the development of aviation across the country. Lawrence Goldstone joins guest host Susan Page to discuss “Birdmen: The Wright Brothers, Glenn Curtiss, and the Battle to Control the Skies.” You can listen at the link, but not download; however, the zip collection noted in this episode’s introduction contains a copy of the audio file.
Year Up 37 mins – “Gerald Chertavian – How and why does a Wall Street millionaire start a company to help troubled young adults move from poverty to professional careers in a single year? This week we interview Gerald Chertavian, CEO of Year Up, one of the most incredible non-profit organizations we have ever come across [started in 2000].” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save link As” from the pop-up menu.
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An alphabetic encyclopedia of over 2800 of these hyperlinked descriptions is here and updated quarterly. Jan-Jun 2013 files in 18 zip segments (832 podcasts) can be downloaded here, and a list of those files here; Jul-Dec 2013 files in 13 zip segments (720 podcasts) downloaded here, and a list here; Jan-Jun 2012 files in 8 segments (360 podcasts) and a list are here, and Jul-Dec here in 13 parts (593 podcasts). For 2011 a list and 5 segments (184 podcasts). For 2010 and earlier 64 podcasts are listed here and zipped as Part 1 and Part 2. (Dead links in old episodes are due to updating; try a current episode.) Over 180 feeds used to prepare this weekly blog are harvested with Feedreader3. The feeds are available in this opml file which Feedreader can import. A list of the feeds is here. Free Commander is used to compare old with new downloads and remove duplicates. MP3 Speed Changer is used on batches of new files to boost playback speed 150%. A speed listening background article is here. Please comment on any problems with the links and downloads.
Thank you for visiting.
Media Mining Digest 