The following audio files come from a larger group of 220 for the week. Double or ctrl-click individual highlighted links, below, to get single podcasts. A zip file of all 49 podcasts converted to 1.5x speed will download here for four months. Older groups of podcasts are discussed at the end of this episode.
Amazon versus Publishers 9 mins – “We’re fighting for you. That’s what Amazon told authors this week as the public battle between the retail giant and Hachette Book Group continued. In a post on Amazon’s Kindle Forums, the Seattle company says consumers should pay less for e-books, and authors deserve a more sizable cut of the 70% of each sale that is currently paid out to publishers. .. “The real news here was Amazon basically calling out Hachette, and by extension, all of the major publishers, for their low e-book royalties,” says Andrew Albanese, Publishers Weekly senior writer. “In the post, Amazon said it was perfectly happy with the 30% agency cut it had been getting—and indeed, was forced to get, they noted, when the publishers illegally colluded—note the jab there. But the pricing was the issue,” Albanese continues. “But they also said they have proposed that authors and publishers should split the remaining 70%. As our listeners will know, right now, authors generally get 25% of the publishers’ 70% of e-book sales.’” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Auphonic and Levelator 80 mins – “Post processing your audio podcast can be a daunting task. Where do you start? What effects do you use? How to adjust the effects once you choose them? These questions and many more like them can easily scare a podcaster away from doing any polishing of their audio podcast file. But if you’re interested in rounding out your sound to make it better overall and don’t want to learn the tech behind doing it there’s Auphonic.com. On this episode I’m talking with Georg Holtmann, the creator of Auphonic, software for helping you get the best audio possible.” [Levelator, mentioned during the interview, can be downloaded here.] At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Blind Choir Conductor 20 mins – “Peter White talks to three blind musicians, who learned how to conduct a choir; and we meet James King, a visually disabled businessman in the building trade.” At the link, for a limited time, find the title, “Conducting a Choir when Blind,” right-click “Download 9MB” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Brazil Activists 4 mins – “908. That’s the number of environmental and land-reform activists assassinated worldwide between 2003 and 2013, according to a study by the NGO Global Witness. The number might shock you, but perhaps even more shocking is that nearly half of those murders — 448 — took place in one country: Brazil.” 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.
Brazil Soy 5 mins – “It’s covered by millions of acres of industrial farms and deep green soy fields. If this year’s harvest — the best in Brazilian history — comes in as expected, Brazil is poised to surpass the US and become the world’s largest soy producer. Soy beans have boosted Brazil’s economy and even brought President Dilma Roussef to Mato Grosso to congratulate farmers in person. But in a nearby indigenous village, no one is celebrating. The boom in soy production coincided with a spike in deforestation. And Hiparidi Toptiro, an activist from the indigenous Xavante people, says local soy farmers are willing to do anything for a chunk of the forest where the Xavante live….” At he 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.
Broadband Collectives 17 mins – “If you have doubts that we can or will connect rural America with high quality Internet connections, listen to our show today. Alyssa Clemsen-Roberts, the Industry Affairs Manager at the Utilities Telecom Council, joins me to talk about how utilities are investing in the Internet connections that their communities need….” At the link right-click “…download this Mp3 file directly…” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Card Counting 4 mins – “Casinos are big business in the United States. They tallied thirty-two billion dollars of gambling revenue in 2006. And they really are business. Gone are the days when pit bosses kept a look out for lucky streaks. Lucky streaks are statistical aberrations. They’ll wash out when all the money’s counted at day’s end. Today’s casino operators are mathematicians. Roulette, craps, slot machines – everything’s designed to favor the house. But casinos’ve put a joker in their own deck. It’s called blackjack. Blackjack, or twenty-one, is the only casino game where players can turn the odds in their favor….” At the link right-click “Click here for audio…” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Chinese Architecture 12 mins – “The best knock-offs in the world are in China. There are plenty of fake designer handbags and Rolexes but China’s knock-offs go way beyond fashion. There are knock-off Apple stores that look so much like the real thing, some employees believe they are working in real Apple stores. And then there are entire knock-off cities. There are Venices with complete canals and replicas of the Doge’s Palace. A Paris with an Eiffel Tower and an Arc de Triomphe. In the suburbs of any Chinese city, there are endless examples of “duplitecture.’” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Climate Collapse 47 mins – “A new sci-fi history looks back on climate change from the year 2393. Here’s a story to chill your bones. It is the year 2393, almost 400 years from now. And a Chinese historian is looking back on our century, the 21st century, and trying to explain how the world saw climate change coming and did nothing. How we denied and delayed as an unbelievable price tag of suffering and destruction gathered around us. How that suffering finally came – with flood and heat and mass migration and chaos. How Western civilization collapsed . This hour On Point: a horror story from the future about climate change and the rest of our lives.” At the link right-click “Download this story” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Corporations Leaving America 47 mins – “It’s a neat trick for big American companies to avoid a heap of American taxes: stop being American. American corporations are bailing out of American “citizenship.” One day they are proudly based in the USA. The next, they’re not. They’re suddenly Irish or Dutch or Australian or Israeli. And paying lower taxes on the same operations. It’s technically called “inversion.” Last week President Obama called it desertion. It’s a big deal….” At the link right-click “Download this story” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Ebola Outbreaks 51 mins – “The latest Ebola outbreak is being called the worst in history. The virus has killed nearly 700 people since March in Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia. The president of Sierra Leone has declared a public health emergency, and Liberia’s government is putting communities on quarantine. In the past week, the disease claimed Sierra Leone’s top Ebola doctor and the first American to die in this outbreak. While experts say a U.S. epidemic is unlikely, international concern is growing as the disease shows no signs of slowing its spread. Understanding the deadly Ebola virus, and the international effort to contain it.” [4 guests] At the link you can listen, but not download; however, a copy of the file is included in the blog archive.
Ecopreneurs 30 mins – “A wide array of economic analysts are increasingly recognizing the link between economic development and gender equality. Research is showing that when women succeed, developing economies thrive. But what impact, if any, does the increased economic role of women in the global south have in terms of the environment? This week on Sea Change Radio, we feature two stories of women in Asia who are leading the way both economically and sustainably. First, host Alex Wise talks to Jenny Fernan, the President of Pangea Green Energy, a landfill gas company based in the Philippines. She tells us about this pioneering company which runs a biogas plant, converting hazardous garbage into electricity. Then we hear from Shilpi Chhotray, a consultant with Future 500 who discusses the burgeoning seaweed industry in India and the important role that women are playing in making it a success.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Emotional Intelligence 11 mins – “We’ve long debated whether intelligence is innate or acquired. Author Annie Murphy Paul talks about the latest scientific research – and looks at simple techniques that may be able to enhance our brains.” At the link find the title, “Secrets to Getting Smarter,” right-click “IHUB-080214-A.mp3“ and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
End of Work 50 mins – “The jobless economy: a fully automated, engineered, robotic system that doesn’t need YOU, or me either. Anything we can do, machines can do better – surgery, warfare, farming, finance. What’s to do: shall we smash the machines, or go to the beach, or finally learn to play the piano?” The following guests discuss the situation: Ray Kurzweil, best-selling author, futurist, inventor, Director of Engineering at Google, and author of The Age of Spiritual Machines and The Singularity is Near; Andrew McAfee, director of the Initiative on the Digital Economy at MIT, author of The Second Machine Age: Work, Progress, and Prosperity in a Time of Brilliant Technologies; Charles Derber, B.C. sociologist and author of The Surplus American, and Sarah Jaffe, journalist and host of Dissent‘s labor podcast, “Belabored.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Fashion in America 52 mins – “Summer might mean taking off the layers, but what Americans wear reflects so much more than the weather. In this episode, we explore what our self-presentation can say about our society and culture, and what fashions reflect about moments and movements in American history. Can fashion statements be political statements? How does fashion evolve, or does it revolve? And does the United States have a unique style? Just some of the questions we’ll be asking about the history of fashion in America…” 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.
Freediving 51 mins – “James Nestor – The ocean is the final, unseen, untouched, and undiscovered wilderness. In fact, we know more about other planets and stars lightyears away than we do about our oceans, which cover more than 2/3 of our planet. Join us this week as we follow author James Nestor on an amazing journey to the depths of the ocean. James is the author of Deep: Freediving, Renegade Science, and What the Ocean Tells Us About Ourselves which is ranked as one of Amazon’s best non-fiction books of 2014. The book follows clans of extreme athletes, adventurers, and scientists as they plumb the limits of the ocean’s depths and uncover weird and wondrous new discoveries that, in many cases, redefine our understanding of the ocean and ourselves.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Gastrointestinal Toxicology 36 mins – “In Episode 18, we take a look at the ingestions and insertions – both accidental and not – that make their way into the GI tracts of your patients. This is by no means a comprehensive review of all things toxicology that can affect the GI system. Rather, we focus on ingestions, foreign bodies, and whether or not GI decontamination actually helps.” [Notes for the talk are here.]At the link find the title, “Elpisode 18: GI Toxicology,” right-click “GI_Tox_final.m4a” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Genetic Testing 27 mins – “A Health Check special on living with genetic disorders.” At the link find the title, “HealthC: Living with genetic conditions 30 July 14,” right-click “Media files healthc 20140730-1900a.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
GM Ignition Switch Claims 51 mins – “CEO Mary Barra says GM is committed to doing the right thing for the families of people killed and those injured because of faulty ignition switches. Defective switches were installed in approximately 2.6 million cars. GM has hired mediator and attorney Ken Feinberg to evaluate claims and make compensation offers. The individual pay-outs will likely range from a few thousand dollars into the millions. Ken Feinberg, who previously lead the 9/11 victim compensation fund and several other high profile compensation efforts, joins Diane to talk about how he’ll be evaluating claims against GM and what families with losses can expect.” At the link you can listen, but not download; however, a copy of the file is included in the blog archive.
Gold in Utah 52 mins – “Utah legend tells of caverns filled with caches of Spanish Gold hidden before the arrival of Escalante and Dominguez. Since then, there have been those who have hunted for lost treasure, and some even claimed to have found it. Friday, we’re telling and hearing the tales of golden caches hidden in Utah’s mountains and we’ll see how they stack up to the academic history of our state’s past.” At the link right-click “Listen” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Herculaneum 4 mins – “Like Pompeii, Herculaneum was a Roman city wiped out by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. The story of its destruction is different, however. During the initial phase of” At the link right-click eruption, winds carried ash and pumice over Pompeii for many hours, burying the town in over two meters of material. Herculaneum, though closer to the volcano, escaped this rain of debris for almost a day, giving the residents plenty of time to assess the danger. Initially, few human remains were found at Herculaneum. So it was assumed that the population had wisely escaped. The Ring Lady (named for the rings still on her fingers), one of the first skeletons publicized from the find at Herculaneum. Then in 1982, a grisly discovery was made. Along what was then the waterfront, piles of remains were found on the beach and in large vaulted chambers. Gradually evidence emerged that over 300 people died en masse while waiting to escape by sea. And much of the site remains to be excavated. There may be hundreds more still to discover. How did this happen?” At the link right-click “Click here for audio…” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Humana Light Kit 66 mins – Episode 158 of Ham Nation from the 22 – 32 minute marks promotes the Humana Light Kit produced by non-profit called Ears to Our World that “…chanced upon a bright idea: an easy-to-build kit for a bright, long-lasting LED mini-lamp that’s powered by…the residual energy in depleted AA batteries… In 2014, we decided to make a simple kit of the Humana Light they we can sell on the market and use the proceeds to fuel our mission… Ears To Our World, and those we serve, are very much in debt to our volunteer engineers who made this possible. Many thanks to Gregory Majewski for developing and designing the original Humana Light circuit… We also thank David Cripe (NM0S) for designing the Humana Light circuit board and kit… You can purchase the Humana Light kit through Universal Radio in Reynoldsburg, Ohio.” The light will run for four weeks on a fresh AA battery and two on a ‘dead ‘ one. At the link right-click you can see the kit being built, or download the audio by right-clicking “Audio” beside the down-pointing arrow and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Japan Aid in Africa 197 mins – “Sub-Saharan Africa is forecasted to grow by six percent in 2014, which would make the region second only to Asia in economic dynamism. Improved governance, better economic management and a friendly business climate have led donor countries to take notice and step up their engagement in ways that go beyond traditional aid and humanitarian efforts—most notably with concessional loans for infrastructure projects, public-private partnerships and a more active private sector. One country recalibrating its engagement with Africa is Japan. After 20 years of conventional development support, the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) held in Yokohama in June 2013 added a new element: private sector involvement. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced that, over the next five years, Japan’s contributions to African development would include $16 billion from public and private resources and $2 billion in trade insurance in addition to $14 billion in official development assistance….” At the link right-click the title, “Rethinking the Aid Paradigm:…” above “Download (Help)” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
John Wayne 52 mins – “Tuesday, we’re talking about the life and career of one of Hollywood’s biggest legends, John Wayne. Of course, any time you’re talking Westerns, the landscape of Utah plays a role as well. Wayne starred in many movies filmed here like The Searchers, El Dorado and Rio Grande. Wayne was also in the St. George area in 1956 filming The Conqueror – downwind from nuclear weapons tests. Doug is joined by biographer Scott Eyman and BYU film historian James D’Arc to talk about The Duke on and off screen.” At the link right-click “Listen” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Kurdish Women 27 mins – “Tim Whewell meets the dynamic young women in Turkish Kurdistan who are defining the future of their society.” At the link find the title, “Docs: Fearless Women in Turkish Kurdistan,” right-click “Media files docarchive 20140731-0330a.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Learning Science 54 mins – “Charles Dickens, perhaps the greatest of the Victorian novelists, was a man of strict routine. Every day, notes his biographer Claire Tomalin, Dickens would write from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. After that, he would put his work away and go out for a long walk. Sometimes he walked as far as 30 miles; sometimes, he walked into the night. “If I couldn’t walk fast and far, I should just explode and perish,” Dickens wrote. According to engineering professor Barbara Oakley, author of the new book, A Mind for Numbers: How to Excel at Math and Science (Even If You Flunked Algebra), Dickens wasn’t just a guy who knew how to keep himself healthy. Rather, his habits are indicative of someone who has figured out how to make his brain function at a very high level. And for this, Dickens’ walks were just as important as his writing sessions. “That sort of downtime, when you’re not thinking directly about what you’re trying to learn, or figure out, or write about—that downtime is a time of subconscious processing that allows you [learn] better,” explains Oakley on this week’s episode. We learn about her new book—and how you can train your brain to learn more efficiently.” At the link click “Download” and “OK’ on the pop-up window with “Save File” selected.
Linda Ronstadt 51 mins – “Growing up on a ranch outside Tuscon, Arizona, Linda Ronstadt always knew she wanted to be a singer. Her musical family played and listened to a wide range of styles, including opera, classical and Mexican folk music. Ronstadt landed her first recording contract as a teenager and in 1974, released “Heart Like a Wheel,” a mix of oldies covers and contemporary songs like “You’re No Good” and “When Will I Be Loved.” The album hit number one and has never been out of print in 40 years. Ronstadt went on to sell more than 100 million records. But last year, she announced that a Parkinson’s diagnosis had forced her to stop singing. Diane talks with Rock and Roll Hall-of-Famer Linda Ronstadt on her career in music and her life today.” At the link you can listen, but not download; however, a copy of the file is included in the blog archive.
Manufacturing Innovation Hubs 178 mins – “Accounting for roughly 12 percent of U.S. GDP, the manufacturing sector is an important driver of the economy and jobs. To kick-start a manufacturing renaissance in states and localities, the administration designated several cities – Chicago, Youngstown, Detroit, and Raleigh – to be “regional manufacturing hubs” to accelerate expansion and adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies.On July 9, Governance Studies at Brookings hosted a half-day conference focused on manufacturing expansion policies and their efficacy and impact on the future of U.S. innovation.” At the link select the audio tab, then right-click the title, “Regional Manufacturing Hubs: …” just above “Download (Help)” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Medical History 51 mins – “Germs can make us sick, but we didn’t know about these puny pathogens prior to the end of the 19th century. Just the suggestion that a tiny bug could spread disease made eyes roll. Then came germ theory, sterilization, and antibiotics. It was a revolution in medicine. Now we’re on the cusp of another one. This time we may cure what ails us by replacing what ails us. Bioengineers use advancements in stem cell therapy to grow red and white cells for human blood. Meanwhile, a breakthrough in 3D printing: scientists print blood vessels and say that human organs may be next. Plus, implanting electronic grids to repair neural pathways. Future prosthetics wired to the brain may allow paralyzed limbs to move. We begin with the story of the scientist who discovered the bacteria that caused tuberculosis, and the famous author who revealed that his cure for TB was a sham.” At the link right-click “Download file” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Neurology Discussion 64 mins – “Frank Amthor‘s latest book Neurobiology for Dummies isn’t just for readers who are new to neuroscience. In this excellent follow-up to his Neuroscience for Dummies Dr. Amthor discusses a wide variety of brain-related topics. Since I have known Frank for several years it was a special treat to interview him for BSP 110. We talked about a wide variety of ideas ranging from what makes neurons special to how brains differ from current computers.” At the link right-click “audio MP3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Papua New Guinea Violence 50 mins – “***WARNING: This programme includes graphic descriptions of sexual violence*** ‘A humanitarian crisis’, that’s how the medical charity Medicins Sans Frontiers describes the levels of violence against women they are dealing with in Papua New Guinea – levels they usually only witness in war-zones. Russian photojournalist Vlad Sokhin reports on the untold stories of women subjected to the most extreme violence perpetrated anywhere on earth, including the brutal torture of women accused of witchcraft.” At the link find the title, “DocArchive: Open Eye: Crying Meri,” right-click “Media files docarchive 20140726-1806a.mp3
Population Growth 18 mins – “Overpopulation affects not only humans but also wildlife. On this episode, Stephanie Feldstein discussed the crowded planet.” At the link right-click “Listen to Episode” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Predator Paradox 52 mins – “For centuries, humans have waged war against other apex predators, and mostly, we’ve won. But at what cost? And how successful have we really been? Stories of backyard bears and cat-eating coyotes are becoming increasingly common—even for people living in non-rural areas. In a new book, wildlife biologist John Shivik lays out a game plan for ending our conflict with wolves, coyotes, bears and cougars, while maintaining safety and maintaining healthy ecosystems. He joins us Wednesday to make his case.” At the link right-click “Listen” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Refugee Employment 18 mins – “In most parts of the world, refugees are not allowed to work. But Mohammed Osman Ali is a refugee in Uganda, and there, he legally runs a video game arcade and a variety store. Today on the show, why most countries won’t let refugees work. And why Uganda is trying something different.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from thep op-up menu.
Robot Journalism 11mins – “…When AP announced recently that data-driven stories about company earnings would soon be written automatically, AP Managing Editor Lou Ferrara stressed the move was not intended to replace living, breathing writers with heartless machines, but to free up his staff to do more reporting, going beyond the numbers to provide insights on what the numbers mean. The remarkable technology that produces personalized narrative content from Big Data is developed by Durham-based Automated Insights, which helps companies in such markets as finance, fitness, business intelligence, real estate and sports to realize the full potential of their data….
Russia and Putin 47 mins – “For decades, Moscow was the great bogeyman of the West. The Cold War enemy. Then the Berlin Wall came down, and the world was jubilant to say goodbye to all that. Is it back? Just when it’s the last thing anybody needs? Vladimir Putin is pushing a hard line into Ukraine and specifically against the West. Malaysia’s airliner is in pieces and the shock waves still shake us. New sanctions are going at the heart of Russia’s wealth – oil. And now there’s talk of the US helping target Russian weapons. That’s hot. This hour On Point: is it Cold War again?” At the link right-click “Download this story” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Sentinel Program Medical Countermeasures 59 mins – “This webinar reviewed the FDA’s Mini-Sentinel pilot effectiveness in capturing information on individuals receiving a medical product in the context of a Medical Countermeasures (MCM) event, and link that information to relevant data in the Mini-Sentinel Distributed Database. The effort is intended to enhance the system’s capability to identify associated adverse events and safety issues. The project included field test and white paper components that assessed capabilities for data collection and linkage and evaluated broader issues, respectively.” At the link right-click the title, “WEBINAR: Findings from a Mini-Sentinel Medical Countermeasures Surveillance Field Test,” just above “Download (Help)” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Social Media in War 48 mins – “Social media is changing how the world sees and talks about Israel and Gaza, Israelis and Palestinians. We’ll look at the impact.” At the link right-click ‘Download this story” and select “Save Link As” from the op-up menu.
Start-up Economics 66 mins – “Sam Altman, president of startup accelerating firm Y Combinator, talks to EconTalk host Russ Roberts about Y Combinator’s innovative strategy for discovering, funding, and coaching groundbreaking startups, what the company looks for in a potential startup, and Silicon Valley’s attitude toward entrenched firms. The two also discuss Altman’s thoughts on sectors of the economy that are ripe for innovation and how new firms are revolutionizing operations in these industries.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Stressful Situations 43 mins – “Mike Lauria is the @resuspadawan. …he was Air Force Pararescue, now a medic on the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Advanced Response Team (DART), and will be starting medical school in the Fall. He has a special interest in cognitive decision making under stress, aka the Mind of the Resuscitationist.” At the link right-click (way at the bottom of the page) “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Technology Trends 22 mins – “ Look ahead 10, 15 years. How will technology shape our lives? We ask Roger McNamee, an investing legend in Silicon Valley, and Farhad Manjoo, who writes about tech for the New York Times.” At the link find the title “Our Tech Future, From Silicon Valley Insiders,” right-click “IHUB-080214-B.mp3“ and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Tobacco Regulation 15 mins – “Michael Marlow Discusses His Public Interest Comment on Proposed FDA Rule on Tobacco Products. In this interview, Michael Marlow discusses his public interest comment. He argues that the FDA has failed to make a strong and compelling case that its proposed rule improves public health.” At the link right-click “Download MP3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Tour de France 4 mins – “The Tour de France wobbled into the world in 1903, the offspring of the mass-produced bicycle and mass-produced news. Not surprisingly, it was often difficult to distinguish between cycle and cyclist. Where did the machine leave off and man begin?” At the link right-click “Click here for audio…” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.”
Upgrade Woes 54 mins – “Why do we all do day-of upgrades, when we know what can go wrong? What’s the worst upgrade you’ve been through? Kevin & Christie kick off the chorus of woe.” At the link right-click “MP3 Audio” beside “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Veterans Affairs Repair 51 mins – “The leaders of the House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs committees agreed yesterday to move forward on a bill that addresses critical problems at the V.A. The draft legislation would allow some veterans to be treated by non-V.A. health care providers, and would give the incoming V.A. secretary more authority to fire under-performing senior executives. The $17 billion package is being called a rare act of bipartisanship in a Congress known more for gridlock. Veterans groups, for the most part, say the bill is a step in the right direction, but they will continue to press for additional reforms.” [4 guests] At the link you can listen, but not download; however, a copy of the file is included in the blog archive.
Watergate Scandal 51 mins – “As the 40th anniversary of President Richard Nixon’s resignation approaches, you may think we have learned all there is to know about Watergate. But a key member of Nixon’s White House would disagree. John Dean says he now understands more about Watergate than when he played a central role in the scandal and its resolution. Dean has listened to thousands of hours of Nixon’s secret Oval Office tapes — many of which he says historians have overlooked. And he’s found a few surprises. Former White House counsel John Dean talks with guest host Susan Page about what he now believes the president knew and when he knew it.” At the link you can listen, but not download; however, a copy of the file is included in the blog archive.
World War One 47 mins – “Marking 100 Years Since The Start Of WWI: Marking the one hundredth anniversary of the start of World War One. We’ll look at lessons learned and our uneasy peace right now.” At the link right-click “Download this story” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Yemen Marriage Swaps 27 mins – “‘I’ll marry your sister if you marry mine. And if you divorce my sister, I’ll divorce yours.’ That is Yemen’s ‘Shegar’, or swap marriage, an agreement between two men to marry each other’s sisters, thereby removing the need for expensive dowry payments. But the agreement also entails that if one marriage fails, the other couple must separate as well – even if they are happy.” At the link find the title, “DocArchive: Yemen’s Swap Marriages,” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Young Africans Summit 67 mins – “President Obama spoke to members of the Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, made up of young leaders from sub-Saharan Africa. He announced new efforts to expand the program and renamed it the Mandela Washington Fellowship. Following his speech he answered questions in a town hall format from audience members at the Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders Presidential Summit at the Omni Shoreham Hotel.” At the link you can watch and listen, but a download costs $.99; however, a copy of the audio file is included in the blog archive.
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An alphabetic encyclopedia of 3600 of these hyperlinked descriptions is here and updated quarterly. A file of the podcasts is here , added to weekly, and can be downloaded as a 20+ GB zipped file or individually. A separate folder of C-Span, Diane Rehm, et. al. files that aren’t available at their sites is there too, and can also be downloaded as a zip file or individually. Over 180 feeds used to prepare this blog are harvested with Feedreader3 and Juice. The feeds are available in this opml file which Feedreader and Juice 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 