The best 67 podcasts from a larger group of 244 for the week are shown below. Double or ctrl-click individual highlighted titles to get single podcasts and explore the source, although it’s easier to get all of them as a zip file here for the next four months. A collection of over 7500 similar podcasts grouped by topic can be downloaded here, but those files total over 45GB and take awhile to transfer. The first entry of that collection is a text file listing all the titles for quick searches and researching. All these abstracts have also been assembled alphabetically in two large free volumes at this link and are updated quarterly. Even more diversity is possible using a podcast aggregator loaded with this opml file of 256 sources so even the discarded podcasts can be downloaded and you can make your own selected list.
Ad Blocking 18 mins – “A recent New York Times survey of the top 50 news sites showed that blocking ads while surfing their mobile news sites could save up to 14 megabytes per page loaded. 14 megabytes adds up to 30 seconds over 4G, and, if you’re on a restricted data plan, it would cost you 30 cents per page, all of that money going to your mobile provider, not to the content publisher.But for content publishers, and the ad providers that keep them alive, ad blocking poses a huge problem. Most of the commercial web as we know it exists because of advertising. When web users aren’t loading ads on their favorite ad-supported site, or otherwise paying the site – by subscribing, sponsoring, buying merchandise – the site is losing out on cash. ” At the link right-click MP3” beside “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Ben Franklin Death Ray 2 mins – Listen and marvel! At the link find the title, “Episode 9 (Ben Franklin Death Ray), right click “Play Now” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Biological Technology 18 mins – “Designer and architect Neri Oxman is leading the search for ways in which digital fabrication technologies can interact with the biological world. Working at the intersection of computational design, additive manufacturing, materials engineering and synthetic biology, her lab is pioneering a new age of symbiosis between microorganisms, our bodies, our products and even our buildings.” At the link click on “Download,” then right-click “Download Audio” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Casey Neistat Interview 99 mins – “How Casey Neistat Gets Away With Murder – Casey Neistat (@caseyneistat) is a New York-based filmmaker. His online films have been viewed more than 50,000,000 times in the last 3 years. He is the writer, director, editor, and star of the series The Neistat Brothers on HBO and won the John Cassavetes Award at the 2011 Independent Spirit Awards for the film Daddy Long Legs. His main body of work consists of dozens of short films he has released exclusively on the Internet, including regular contributions to the New York Times critically acclaimed Op-Doc series. He is also the founder of Beme, a startup aiming to make creating and sharing video dead simple. Casey is excellent at breaking every rule imaginable and having people (fans, sponsors, big brands, etc.) thank him for it. In this conversation, we dig into his history, techniques, influences, habits, and more…” At the link find the title, “How Casey Neistat Gets Away With Murder,” right-click “Media files Tim_Ferriss_Show_-_Casey_Neistat.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Chinese Smartphone 47 mins – “Clay Shirky is one of the smartest guys out there on information technology and society and how they come together to change the world. For the last year he’s been in China, following the story of a very particular Chinese company called Xiaomi. It makes really good, low-cost smartphones – Chinese designed – that are now challenging Apple iPhones all over the world. They are also challenging – whether they mean to or not – the Chinese Communist Party. Info tech challenges central control. Or does it? This hour On Point, Clay Shirky on the Chinese knowledge economy.” At the link right-click “Download this story” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Climate Strategies 14 mins – “Imagine the hottest day you’ve ever experienced. Now imagine it’s six, 10 or 12 degrees hotter. According to climate researcher Alice Bows-Larkin, that’s the type of future in store for us if we don’t significantly cut our greenhouse gas emissions now. She suggests that it’s time we do things differently—a whole system change, in fact—and seriously consider trading economic growth for climate stability.” At the link click on “Download,” then right-click “Download Audio” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Clinton Journalist 58 mins – “[New York Times] National Political Reporter Amy Chozick, who covers Hillary Clinton on the campaign trail, talks about what that’s like as well as her journalism career.” At the link find the title, “Q&A with Amy Chozick,” right-click “Media files program.416282.MP3-STD.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Cod Fish Recovery 57 mins – “The Cod Came Back, plus Why Whale Poop Matters, Weight Training For Seniors Can Help Their Brain, Mammals Near Chernobyl Are Thriving, and more.” The Cod fish portion occupies the first third of the program. At the link find the title, “The Cod Came Back, Weight-lifting….” right-click “Media files quirksaio_20151031_22672.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Competition and Cooperation 19 mins – “On the show this week we talk to Adam Galinsky and Maurice Schweitzer about the research behind their new book Friend & Foe: When to Cooperate, When to Compete, and How to Succeed at Both. “A lot of what we call gender differences are really just power differences in disguise. The big irony is that women and men get affected by power in very similar ways yet because women have less power in society, there’s a constraint on their ability to act with that power.” At the link find the title, “108 Adam Galinsky & Maurice Schweitzer – The Science of Sex, Power, and Competition,” right-click “Media files 248930ac-7886-4d6f-8962-bb1deeaa02f2.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Complex Medical Care 28 mins – “The Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario in Ottawa set up a clinic just for fragile kids with complex illnesses – one that eases the burden for parents by listening to them. If that approach works with these families, it’ll work for all of us.” (Mention is made of a Performance of Care Document” that summarizes a patients condition, best medicines and treatments that can be given new medical workers in ER’s, ambulances, etc. to speed assesments and treatment At the link find the title, “WCBA – A Shot at Normal,” right-click “Download WCBA – A Shot at Normal” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Concrete Design 14 mins – “New and stronger concretes have become the standard material for very tall buildings, displacing steel in structural design. These concretes bring higher, selectable strengths and workability properties that make them particularly efficient and effective for architectural megastructures. In this interview we learn about designing tall concrete buildings in a conversation with architect and structural Joseph G. Burns, who is Managing Principal with the design firm Thornton Tomasetti in Chicago.” At the link find the title, “Concrete for Tall Buildings – Designing Concrete Megastructures – Part II,” right-click “Media files Concrete-Design.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Concrete Innovation 14 mins – “Concrete is among the oldest of building materials; for example, it was the principal material in the dome of the Pantheon in Rome, completed in 128 AD. Research and innovation have led to radical changes in concrete and its applications, particularly over the past 30 years. These changes have made it possible to use concrete for the tallest buildings in the world, buildings that, only a few decades ago, would have been built of steel. In this first in a series of three podcasts we examine the science of concrete to understand the material itself, and how research has changed its properties to facilitate important new uses for concrete, particularly for megastructures. We learn about new concretes from Emeritus Professor Surendra P. Shah of Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.” At the link find the title, “Concrete for Tall buildings – Innovation in Infrastructure Materials,” right-click “Media files Concrete-Materials-Shah.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Disaster Preparedness 28 mins – “Lu Olkowski reports from New York about the growing ‘prepper’ movement in the city. Preppers are people who are fearful of the future and who are preparing for the next disaster. The city has already experienced natural calamities such as Hurricane Sandy and has suffered devastating terrorist attacks. Preppers, who operate as individuals or in small organised groups, are convinced another disaster will strike the city soon and refuse to believe that the government will do enough to protect them. They train in self-defence and plan ways to escape the city in the event of emergency. They store food and water in their houses and have ‘bug out’ bags ready at a moments notice if they have to flee. Lu Olkowski talks to a number of New York preppers and listens to their concerns and plans for the future. She finds out what they are particularly worried about – everything from a nuclear explosion to economic collapse and another major storm. She hears about their plans of escape and the variety of objects they have secured for their survival – everything from decades’ worth of dried food to hoards of silver coins for possible barter after the natural order breaks down. She watches on as they prepare their defence….” At the link you can listen, but not download; however, a copy is included in the blog archive.
Dred Scott Case 93 mins – “Guests talk about the 1857 Supreme Court case [Dred Scott v. Sandford], in which the Court declared that Dred Scott and other blacks could not be citizens of the U.S., and that Congress lacked the authority to prohibit slavery in the territories.Supreme “ At the link find the title, “Court Landmark Case [Dred Scott v. Sandford],” right-click “Media files program.411301.MP3-STD.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Energy Strategies 67 mins – “Dr. Elizabeth Sherwood Randall, Deputy Energy Secretary; Former White House Coordinator for Defense Policy In conversation with Dr. Gloria Duffy, President and CEO, The Commonwealth Club Strengthening and Protecting America’s Energy Infrastructure Climate change affects many aspects of life and sectors of the economy in the United States….” At the link right-click “Play Now” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Failure Is a Tool 52 mins – “Educator, writer, and parent Jessica Lahey understands the impulse to step in and try to make things easier for our kids. We want to protect them and provide for them, but when we smooth out every uncomfortable bump and obstacle, she says we also take away their chance to successfully navigate life’s “pointy bits” for themselves. Lahey has written a new book called The Gift of Failure and Monday she joins Doug to discuss how parents can learn to let go so their children can succeed.” At the link right-click the play button beside “Listen” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Ferguson Effect 48 mins – “…President Obama traveled to Chicago to address police chiefs from around the country. The President sought to defend their work telling the group that “too often law enforcement gets scapegoated for the broader failures of our society”. The message comes as a national debate goes on about police force and the death of unarmed black men. It follows recent statements from FBI Director James Comey who said police anxiety has led to a spike in crime in some cities — the so-called “Ferguson effect” which many, including the President, dispute. Diane and her guests discuss police, race relations and trends in violent crime.” (Five guests.) At the link you can listen, but not download; however, a copy of the file is in the blog archive.
Food in War 20 mins – “Households tend to take pantry food for granted, but canned beans, powered cheese, and bags of moist cookies were not designed for everyday convenience. These standard products were made to meet the needs of the military. Reporter Tina Antolini, host of the podcast Gravy, tells the story.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Geology Origins 42 mins – “Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the emergence of geology as a scientific discipline. A little over two hundred years ago a small group of friends founded the Geological Society of London. This organisation was the first devoted to furthering the discipline of geology – the study of the Earth, its history and composition. Although geology only emerged as a separate area of study in the late eighteenth century, many earlier thinkers had studied rocks, fossils and the materials from which the Earth is made. Ancient scholars in Egypt and Greece speculated about the Earth and its composition. And in the Renaissance the advent of mining brought further insight into the nature of objects found underground and how they got there. But how did such haphazard study of rocks and fossils develop into a rigorous scientific discipline?With:Stephen Pumfrey Senior Lecturer in the History of Science at Lancaster University Andrew Scott Professor of Applied Palaeobotany at Royal Holloway, University of London Leucha Veneer Research Associate at the Centre for the History of Science, Technology and Medicine at the University of Manchester. Producer: Thomas Morris.” At the link find the title, “Early Geology” in Apr 2012, then right-click “Media files p02q5ccv.mp3”and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Gun Violence 26 mins – “This episode also features a follow-up interview with last week’s guest Brad Bushman on video games and violence. [also] Ariel Waldman makes “massively multiplayer science”, instigating unusual collaborations that spark clever creations for science and space exploration. On the show this week we talk to her about Science Hack Day, Spacehack.org, how she ended up working for NASA, and much more.” At the link find the title, “107 Ariel Waldman – Hacking Science,” right-click “Media files 18bc7072-90b8-40d9-aaf3-0d8ad5bae6d4.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Harassment Online 14 mins – “Facebook has had a lot of trouble with misogynistic speech. A few years ago, several women’s groups joined together to petition Facebook to work harder to block misogynistic pages, posts, and replies. At the time Facebook had strict standards against hate speech that was racist or anti-semitic — such speech would be blocked or take down. These groups simply asked that gendered hate speech receive the same treatment. It was ironic, people said, that Facebook would commonly take down photos of women breastfeeding in response to complaints. Such content was deemed pornographic. But when Facebook users complained about comments that were misogynistic or harassing women, Facebook defended their decisions not to take them down. Their reasoning was one of semantics: Comments that described gendered violence didn’t actually threaten violence, they would argue. But — campaigners pointed out — misogynistic content actually is threatening, and creates an unsafe environment for speech.‘ At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Harassment Online 67 mins – “Women are disparately impacted by harassment on the Internet. Harassment can be framed as a civil rights problem, with legal solutions proposed and vitriol directed towards platforms for failing to protect female users. But, as Sarah Jeong — a lawyer and journalist who covered the Silk Road trial for Forbes — suggests, the Internet has figured out interesting ways to deal with other kinds of online speech — like spam and malware. And using this lens could inform the fight against online harassment.” At the link right-click MP3” beside “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Human Interactivity 63mins – “Cesar Hidalgo of MIT and the author of Why Information Grows talks with EconTalk host Russ Roberts about the growth of knowledge and know-how in the modern economy. Hidalgo emphasizes the importance of networks among innovators and creators and the role of trust in sustaining those networks.” At the link find the title, “Cesar Hidalgo on Why Information Grows,” right-click “Media files Hidalgoinformation.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Imaginary Numbers 42 mins – “Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss imaginary numbers. In the sixteenth century, a group of mathematicians in Bologna found a solution to a problem that had puzzled generations before them: a completely new kind of number. For more than a century this discovery was greeted with such scepticism that the great French thinker Rene Descartes dismissed it as an “imaginary” number. The name stuck – but so did the numbers. Long dismissed as useless or even fictitious, the imaginary number i and its properties were first explored seriously in the eighteenth century. Today the imaginary numbers are in daily use by engineers, and are vital to our understanding of phenomena including electricity and radio waves. With Marcus du Sautoy Professor of Mathematics at Oxford University Ian Stewart Emeritus Professor of Mathematics at the University of Warwick Caroline Series Professor of Mathematics at the University of Warwick Producer: Thomas Morris.” At the link find the title, “Imaginary Numbers” in Sept 2010, right-click “Media files p02q5q7d.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Industrial Revolution 42 mins – “In the first of two programmes, Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the Industrial Revolution. Between the middle of the eighteenth century and the early years of the nineteenth, Britain was transformed. This was a revolution, but not a political one: over the course of a few generations industrialisation swept the nation. Inventions such as the machine loom and the steam engine changed the face of manufacturing; cheap iron and steel became widely available; and vast new cities grew up around factory towns. All this had profound effects – not all of them positive – as an agrarian and primitive society was turned into an industrial empire, the richest nation on Earth. But why did this revolution take place here rather than abroad? And why did it begin in the first place?With:Jeremy Black Professor of History at the University of Exeter Pat Hudson Professor Emerita of History at Cardiff University William Ashworth Senior Lecturer in History at the University of Liverpool.Producer: Thomas Morris.” At the link find the title, “The Industrial Revolution” in Dec 2010, then right-click “Media files p02q5d8m.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Industrial Revolution Consequences 42 mins – “Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the far-reaching consequences of the Industrial Revolution. After more than a century of rapid technological change, and the massive growth of its urban centres, Britain was changed forever. Lifestyles changed as workers moved from agricultural settlements to factory towns: health, housing and labour relations were all affected. But the effects were both social and intellectual, as thinkers originated theories to deal with the new realities of urban living, mass production and a consumer society. With:Jane Humphries Professor of Economic History and Fellow of All Souls College, University of Oxford Emma Griffin Senior Lecturer in History at the University of East Anglia Lawrence Goldman Fellow and Tutor in History at St Peter’s College, University of Oxford Producer: Thomas Morris.” At the link find the title, “Consequences of the Industrial Revolution” in Dec 2010, then right-click “Media files p02q5d84.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Intelligence Agencies 88 mins – “Douglas Waller’s latest book, Disciples: The World War II Missions of the CIA Directors Who Fought for Wild Bill Donovan. OSS Agents penetrate Nazi Germany for information and acts of sabotage, then face the counter intelligence agents of Stalin’s Soviet Russia.” At the link right-click “Direct download: Waller2_102515_1.59_PM.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Intelligence Defined 53 mins – “For years, science has told us that intelligence originates in the brain and that the body is just a vehicle to be controlled and piloted. But what if we’ve got it wrong? The cognitive scientist Guy Claxton thinks we do. The mind, he says, is more like a chat room, where the body’s systems share information and debate the best actions. So it’s the really the body, not the mind, that constitutes the core of our intelligent life. Claxton joins us Wednesday to explore the intelligence in our flesh.” At the link right-click the play button beside “Listen” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Islamic Law Origins 42 mins – “Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the origins and early development of Islamic law. The legal code of Islam is known as Sharia, an Arabic word meaning “the way”. Its sources include the Islamic holy book the Qur’an, the words and actions of the Prophet Muhammad, and the opinions of legal scholars. In the 7th century, Sharia started to replace the tribal laws of pre-Islamic Arabia; over the next three hundred years it underwent considerable evolution as Islam spread. By 900 a body of religious and legal scholarship recognisable as classical Sharia had emerged.With:Hugh Kennedy Professor of Arabic in the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London Robert Gleave Professor of Arabic Studies at the University of Exeter Mona Siddiqui Professor of Islamic Studies at the University of Glasgow Producer: Thomas Morris.” At the link find the title, “Islamic Law and Its Origins” in May 2011, then right-click “Media files p02q5pgd.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu
Japanese Culture 27 mins – “From workaholics to submissive women and bizarre crazes, Dr Christopher Harding explores Western media representations of Japan and asks if these stereotypes have led to the country being misunderstood in West.” At the link find the title, “Misunderstanding Japan,” right-click “Media files p0369m6s.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Korean War Heroism 48 mins – “The Korean War began 65 years ago, lasted three years, and claimed nearly 40,000 American lives. Before the war began, U.S. armed forces had been integrated by President Truman. But until African-American pilot Jesse Brown came along, Navy aviators were entirely white. En route to serve in Korea, Brown met Lieutenant Tom Hudner, a white, Naval Academy graduate who would become his wingman and good friend. The two men flew combat missions supporting Marines on the ground until Jesse was shot down behind enemy lines and Tom had to make the decision of a lifetime. Diane and guest author Adam Makos discuss the true story of an unlikely friendship during the Korean War that crossed the racial divide.” At the link you can listen, but not download; however, a copy of the file is in the blog archive.
Lab to Market 30 mins – “It’s easier to find people to invest in a great new tech product if you can show that it will be profitable relatively quickly. Unfortunately, that’s not so easy to demonstrate. Learn how we’re working to change that.” At the link find the title, “Proof of Concept Centers: Energy Technology,” right-click “Media files 151026_pocc.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Mali Empire 47 mins – “Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the Empire of Mali which flourished from 1200 to 1600 and was famous in the wider world for the wealth of rulers such as Mansa Musa. Mali was the largest empire in west Africa and for almost 400 years controlled the flow of gold from mines in the south up to the Mediterranean coast and across to the Middle East. These gold mines were the richest known deposits in the 14th Century and produced around half of the world’s gold. When Mansa Musa journeyed to Cairo in 1324 as part of his Hajj, he distributed so much gold that its value depreciated by over 10%. Some of the mosques he built on his return survive, albeit rebuilt, such as the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Great Mosque of Djenne. With Amira Bennison Reader in the History and Culture of the Maghrib at the University of Cambridge Marie Rodet Senior Lecturer in the History of Africa at SOAS And Kevin MacDonald Professor of African Archaeology Chair of the African Studies Programme at University College, London Producer: Simon Tillotson.” At the link find the title, “The Empire of Mali,” right-click “Media files p036jnft.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Meatballs Podcast 20 mins – “ZBS Foundation, a small non-profit audio production company, was founded by Thomas Lopez in 1970 with a grant from Robert E. Durand as a working commune based on a donated farm in Upstate New York. The commune’s purpose was to raise consciousness through media, specifically full-cast audio dramas. Eventually, the commune disintegrated, and the organization became the outlet for dramas written by writer/producer Lopez. His dramatic programs, notably Ruby the Galactic Gumshoe, The Fourth Tower of Inverness and Travels with Jack Flanders, are noted for their meticulous production values and New Age mysticism. Lopez has won numerous awards including the Prix Italia, and his work enjoys a cult following. ZBS did a 1984-85 radio series, The Cabinet of Dr. Fritz, later releasing some shows in the series on cassettes and CDs. These productions were recorded binaurally using Neumann‘s Ku81. ZBS also produced a widely acclaimed dramatization of Stephen King‘s The Mist recording in binaural sound. According to an interview with Thomas Lopez [1], ZBS stands for “Zero Bull Shit.‘” At the link find the title, “Podcast 19: Meatball’s Podcast,” right-click it and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Meditation 51 mins – “When was the last time you stopped for a few minutes to reflect on the present moment? Not the thing you screwed up yesterday, or the meeting you’re worried about tomorrow, but the here and now. Meditation and mindfulness expert Andy Puddicombe says those few minutes are key to decreased anxiety, better sleep, and improved focus. He’s the creator of a popular app that guides users through meditation, and Tuesday he joins Doug to talk about finding “Headspace” in your life.” At the link right-click the play button beside “Listen” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Middle East Fiction 30 mins – “In 13 short stories, each set in a different Indian state, the writer Mahesh Rao looks at the variety and similarities of a nation of 1.2 billion people. He finds a seam of violence running through the land, from the ancestral estates of Rajastan to the booming cities of the south. Turkey’s Nobel laureate Orhan Pamuk maps a tighter terrain his his latest novel, A Strangeness in My Mind. He explains why he is drawn back again and again to the streets of his home city, Istanbul. Finally, we travel on to a historic churchyard with the literary historian Alexandra Harris, to find out why landscape and weather are so closely associated in the English imagination.” At the link right-click “Download MP3” nd select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Military Legacy 65 mins – “From the nitty gritty of election politics to international affairs, legendary reporter Joe Klein’s award-winning columns for Time magazine take us behind the scenes in the rough and tumble world of U.S. and global politics, elections and foreign affairs. Klein is the author of seven books—including the bestselling anonymously published novel Primary Colors about Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential campaign. Join us as journalist Joe Klein discusses his new book and The Mission Continues, a program founded by Navy SEAL veteran Eric Greitens and former Marine Sergeant Jake Wood for veterans to continue providing public services within their local communities once they return home. Klein will also dish on the pulse of politics and the roller coaster ride of covering presidential elections and world affairs.” At the link right-click “Play Now” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Ming Voyages 42 mins – “Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the Ming Voyages. In 1405 a Chinese admiral, Zheng He, set sail with an enormous fleet of ships carrying more than 27,000 people. This was the first of seven voyages of discovery which took Zheng and his ships all over the known world, from India to the Gulf of Persia and as far as East Africa. They took Chinese goods, evidence of the might of the Ming Empire, to the people they visited; and they also returned to China with treasure from the places they visited, and exotic items including a live giraffe. These seven voyages were an expression of the might of the Ming Dynasty; but they were regarded by some Chinese courtiers as a wasteful extravagance, and after internal disputes they came to an end in 1433. These extraordinary journeys live on in the imagination and the historical record – and had a profound effect on China’s relationship with the rest of the world.With:Rana MitterProfessor of the History and Politics of Modern China at the University of OxfordJulia LovellLecturer in Chinese History at Birkbeck College, University of LondonCraig ClunasProfessor of the History of Art at the University of Oxford.Producer: Thomas Morris” .At the link find the title, “The Ming Voyages” in Oct 2011, then right-click “Media files p02q5d0q.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Myanmar 27 mins – “Forty Five percent of the population of Myanmar is 25 or under. This gives young adults a key role in the country’s first open election in 25 years, to be held on 8 November. Nomia Iqbal finds out how youth radio is helping to shape Myanmar’s shift from military rule by spending time with producers at youth radio programme Lin Lat Kyair Sin or Bright Young Stars.” At the link find the title “Myanmar’s Bright Young Stars,” right-click “Media files p0369qbj.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
NASA Programs 67 mins – “Steve Jurczyk from NASA; Hosted by Leo Laporte …Steve Jurczyk earned bachelor and master of science degrees in electrical engineering from the University of Virginia in 1984 and 1986. Jurczyk began his NASA career at Langley in 1988 as an electronics engineer in the electronic systems branch. Steve is currently the agency’s Associate Administrator for the Space Technology Mission Directorate. He’s responsible for innovating, developing, testing and flying hardware for use on future NASA missions.” At the link click “Download options,” right-click “Audio” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Pacific Ocean 47 mins – “The U.S. Navy sent a warship this week to an artificial chain of islands in the South China Sea. Several Asian nations and the United States dispute the legitimacy of these islands, built by China. This tension between major powers in the Pacific is highlighted in a new book by best-selling author Simon Winchester. The former Asian correspondent explores the unique geographical and historical forces that shape the Pacific Ocean. The book focuses on key moments since 1950 that Winchester says forever changed the world’s largest body of water. It’s a portrait of an ocean and the emerging challenges in a region where East meets West.” At the link you can listen, but not download; however, a copy of the file is in the blog archive.
Permaculture Resurrection 60 mins – “This is the second program from International Permaculture Convergence, in London. Keynote speech by internationally known Geoff Lawton. 3 interviews by Albert Bates: from UK, Andy Goldring of Permaculture Association; from Germany Declan Kennedy; from USA Andrew Millison.Real solutions for the real world.” At the link right-click “Download…Lo-Fi” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Phenomenology 72 mins – “Many researchers working in Embodied Cognitive Science (ECS) are unaware that the philosophical approach known as Phenomenology has made important contributions to their field. In their new book Phenomenology: An Introduction philosophers Stephan Käufer and Anthony Chemero make a convincing case, not just for the historical importance of phenomenology, but more importantly, for its ongoing contributions to cognitive science. In BSP 123 I talk with Anthony Chemero about phenomenology and its contributions to embodied cognitive science. We start with a brief discussion of what it is and we discuss a few important historical figures, including Maurice Merleau-Ponty and James Gibson. Then we consider how these ideas are important to contemporary psychology and cognitive science.
Political Power 61 mins – “Every industry has its guru. And when it comes to the dark arts of political statecraft, the American biographer Robert Caro is the mentor politicians turn to for guidance. His biography of President Lyndon B. Johnson has been described as ‘the greatest insight into power ever written’. Caro is revered by presidents and politicians on both sides of the Atlantic. In the US, his fans include Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. Here in Britain, his life of LBJ is George Osborne’s favourite political work and has been read by every MP and wonk in Westminster.” At the link right-click “Download” andselect “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Processed Meat Hazard 47 mins – “For a long, long time a whole lot of Americans’ diets were often built on beef and processed meat. Bacon or sausage at breakfast. A ham sandwich, hamburger, maybe a hot dog or turkey slice at lunch. And dinner? Well you know, they told us: “Beef — it’s what’s for dinner.” Yesterday, the World Health Organization threw a big plate of tofu into all that. Processed meats cause cancer, said the W.H.O. And red meat probably does, too. Even for Americans who have begun to move away from the old diet, this is a challenge. This hour On Point, what the new meat warning really means.” At the link right-click “Download this story” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Processed Meat Risk “On Monday the WHO classified high consumption of processed meats like bacon and sausage as a class one risk factor for colorectal cancer. But contrary to headlines, it’s NOT the same as smoking. Brooke talks with Ivan Oransky, who explains what the announcement actually means and how we should interpret it. Also, we revisit our Breaking News Consumer’s Handbook: Health News Edition with Gary Schwitzer to help you navigate the perennially murky world of health and diet reporting.” At the link right-click “Stream m3u” below “Bacon Bits” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Refugee Summit 48 mins – “The almost unimaginable flow of migrants into Europe in recent months has posed enormous challenges to the region’s leaders and citizens. Late Sunday European Union leaders agreed to provide temporary shelters for 100,000 migrants by year’s end. Half of the shelters will be in Greece, where nearly 50,000 migrants arrived last week alone. It’s part of a multi-point plan to emerge from the latest EU summit on migrants. But finding consensus on workable solutions has been fraught. We discuss the new E.U. plan with journalists who have witnessed the human dimensions of the crisis first hand.” (Four guests.) At the link you can listen, but not download; however, a copy of the file is in the blog archive.
Salem Witches 53mins – “It started in the year 1692, in Salem, Massachusetts, during an exceptionally cold winter, when a minister’s daughter began to scream and convulse. Less than a year later, 19 men and women had been executed as a result of the Salem witch trials. In a new book, the writer Stacy Schiff examines what she calls America’s tiny reign of terror, which affected every rung of Salem’s Puritan society. She joins us Wednesday to explore the events of 1692 and the curious ways they shaped our world today.” At the link right-click the play button beside “Listen” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Scientific Method 42 mins – “Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the evolution of the Scientific Method, the systematic and analytical approach to scientific thought. In 1620 the great philosopher and scientist Francis Bacon published the Novum Organum, a work outlining a new system of thought which he believed should inform all enquiry into the laws of nature. Philosophers before him had given their attention to the reasoning that underlies scientific enquiry; but Bacon’s emphasis on observation and experience is often seen today as giving rise to a new phenomenon: the scientific method. The scientific method, and the logical processes on which it is based, became a topic of intense debate in the seventeenth century, and thinkers including Isaac Newton, Thomas Huxley and Karl Popper all made important contributions. Some of the greatest discoveries of the modern age were informed by their work, although even today the term ‘scientific method’ remains difficult to define. With: Simon Schaffer Professor of the History of Science at the University of Cambridge John Worrall Professor of the Philosophy of Science at the London School of Economics and Political Science Michela Massimi Senior Lecturer in the Philosophy of Science at University College London. Producer: Thomas Morris.” At the link find the title, “The Scientific Method” in Jan 2012, then right-click “Media files p02q5cns.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Solar City CEO 62 mins – “Lyndon Rive, Co-Founder and CEO of SolarCity, and Tim Draper, founding parter of the venture capital firm DFJ, discuss the clean-energy company’s mission to save the planet while exploring the many aspects of its business, from the science of solar power to the need for better government incentives and policies.” At the link hover over “Podcast,” then right-click “Download MP3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
South Sudan 27 mins – “Tim Franks travels to South Sudan to find out why the world’s youngest nation has failed to deliver on the hopes placed in it at independence.” At the link find the title, “South Sudan – can the world’s youngest country survive?” right-click “Media files p036g61p.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Spiritualism 52 mins – “Halloween—despite its solemn Celtic roots—has become a safe way for Americans to transgress social norms and toy with the idea of ghosts in a family-friendly fashion. But for some, spirits from another plane have always been a very real part of life on this plane. So this episode of BackStory delves deeper into Americans’ ongoing fascination with the supernatural, and explores why witches, spirits, and ghosts have haunted American history. Why were colonists so fearful of New England “witches”? How is it that progressive social reformers found a home in the Spiritualist movement of the 19th century? Why do new media technologies tend to conjure up talk of the undead? Brian, Ed, and Peter look for answers.” At the link right-click the down-pointing arrow at the end of the sound bar and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu
Spy Operations 66 mins – “David Talbot, Founder, Salon.com; Author, The Devil’s Chessboard: Allen Dulles, the CIA, and the Rise of America’s Secret Government Barry Eisler, Former CIA Directorate of Operations; Creator, John Rain series – Moderator Author and journalist David Talbot presents an explosive portrait of Allen Welsh Dulles, the man he says transformed the CIA into the most powerful and secretive colossus in Washington. He tells one of America’s great hidden stories: the part played in the United States’ rise to world dominance in the early 20th century by the guile of Dulles, the longest-serving director of the CIA. Drawing on revelatory new materials, including newly discovered U.S. government documents, U.S. and European intelligence sources, personal correspondence and journals, and exclusive interviews with the children of prominent CIA officials, Talbot argues that Dulles manipulated and subverted presidents and the law to further his personal interests and those of the wealthy elite whom he held as friends. Talbot will discuss his exposé of American power in the story of the rise of the national security state.” At the link right-click “Play Now” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Strategic Leadership 23 mins – “This week, we’re taking you to Calgary and turning it over to guest host Will Tigley, Vice-President of IABC [Int’l Assoc of Business Communicators] Calgary, who brings us insights from the keynote speakers at the IABC Canada West Region Conference. Will discusses leadership strategy with Michelle Ray, leadership expert and founder of the Lead Yourself First Institute; and planning for the worst with Gerard Braud, crisis communications expert and former frontline global journalist (nowadays Gerard Braud Communications).” At the link right-click “ep91_FINAL.mp3” beside “Direct download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Sugar Tsunami Prediction 19 mins – “Europe’s common agricultural policy (CAP) on sugar is due to change, and Emilie Aguirre, from the UKCRC Centre for Diet and Activity Research at the University of Cambridge, argues that an influx of cheap high fructose corn syrup (HFCS, isoglucose) into the European market will have a negative effect on on the health of the continent.” At the link find the title, “Europe’s impending syrup tsunami,” right-click “Media files 230608896-bmjgroup-syrup-tsunami.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Sustainability 28 mins – “The environmental impact of any business enterprise depends on the specific environmental conditions and challenges that exist where that enterprise is doing business. So a dairy in Vermont, where the water tables are high but solar energy is more intermittent, will have a different set of environmental factors to consider than a dairy in dry and sunny Arizona. In other words, sustainability planning is context-specific. Today we talk with Sea Change Radio founder Bill Baue who consults in sustainability planning with businesses around the world. He explains sustainability context, discusses why commerce should be driven by stakeholders rather than shareholders, and points to Volkswagen as an example of what can go wrong when profit dominates good sense and stewardship.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Syria Damascus 54 mins – “elofer Pazira captures the sounds of war and moments of resilience, as well as the fears — and the hopes — of a city whose past is far more certain than its future.” At the link find the title, “The Road to Damascus,” right-click “Media files ideas_20151026_22947.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Thomas Edison 42 mins – “Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the innovations and influence of Thomas Edison, one of the architects of the modern age. Edison is popularly remembered as the man who made cheap electric light possible. Born in 1847, he began his career working in the new industry of telegraphy, and while still in his early twenties made major improvements to the technology of the telegraph. Not long afterwards he invented a new type of microphone which was used in telephones for almost a century. In the space of three productive years, Edison developed the phonograph and the first commercially viable light bulb and power distribution system. Many more inventions were to follow: he also played a part in the birth of cinema in the 1890s. When he died in 1931 he had patented no fewer than 1093 devices – the most prolific inventor in history. As the creator of the world’s first industrial research laboratory he forever changed the way in which innovation took place. With:Simon Schaffer Professor of the History of Science, University of Cambridge Kathleen Burk Professor of History, University College London Iwan Morus Reader in History, University of Aberystwyth Producer: Thomas Morris.” At the link find the title, “Thomas Edison” in Dec 2010, then right-click “Media files p02q5q50.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Thurgood Marshall 51 mins – “Best-selling author Wil Haygood talks about his new book, “Showdown: Thurgood Marshall and the Supreme Court Nomination That Changed America.” The book profiles the first African American Supreme Court justice using the contentious five-day Senate hearing to confirm Marshall in 1967 as a framing device for his life story.” At the link find the title, “The Life of Thurgood Marshall,” right-click “Media files IM_20151010.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu
Tilt Co-founder 55 mins – “James Beshara, CEO and co-founder of mobile-crowdfunding platform Tilt, breathes new life into tired cliches, explaining the insights and inspiration they hold for entrepreneurs. Beshara, who has pushed the crowdfunding envelope since 2007, shares his belief in the power of the collective and seeing beyond individual data points to understand larger trends in behavior and business.” At the link click “Podcast,” then right-click the pop-up “Download mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Tranfusion Strategies 21 mins – “Today, we discuss the PROPPR Trial with its lead author, John Holcomb, MD. This was an RCT [Randomized Control Trial] of trauma patients with severe hemorrhage. It pitted 1:1:1 [plasma:platelets:RBC’s] matched product transfusion with a 1:1:2 control group. Dr. Holcomb is a Trauma Surgeon at University of Texas, Houston. He spent decades in the military as a surgeon before continuing his career in Houston.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Water Rate Increases 10 mins – “We’ve talked a lot about areas without water and the problems that arise, but here’s a look at another side of it. New York City gets more than 50 inches of rain and snow a year, but the cost of its water has almost tripled over the past 15 years. Reporters Kat Aaron and Matthew Schuerman of public radio station WNYC explain why and take a look at how these soaring rates are affecting low-income New Yorkers.” At the link find the title, “Water bills bleeding them dry,” right-click “Media files Water-bills-bleeding-them-dry.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Water Shortages 51 mins – “Growing water shortages around the world are topping the news right now, beyond just California. USA Today recently tracked the top 8 U.S. states that are running out of water. Water policy is broken around the world, but there is one place that has gotten it right…and that’s Israel. The desert nation is not only avoiding a water crisis, but maintaining a water surplus, which it exports to its neighbors. In this interview we discuss the growing concerns of global water shortages and how to fix it. Our guest is Seth Siegel, author of the book, Let There Be Water: Israel’s Solution for a Water-Starved World.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Water Treatment Book 31 mins – “A group of researchers from the US, in collaboration with a non-profit organisation, has designed a book with silver-impregnated pages that can be used to filter contaminated water. One page from this ‘drinkable book’ can potentially filter up to 100 litres of drinking water and may provide a cheap, sustainable solution for communities suffering from severe sanitation problems – ‘Drinkable book’ quenches thirst for water purification solution[this is only for the first three minutes and followed by seven other items: lab safety conditions, research, lightweight ‘solar foil’ produced from perovskite solar cells…Ultralight solar cells designed to drive drones and plants that remove TNT.” At the link right-click “Download: Chemistry World Podcast, Oct 2015, 96kbps update.mp3
Women in Science 42 mins – “Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the role played by women in Enlightenment science. During the eighteenth century the opportunities for women to gain a knowledge of science were minimal. Universities and other institutions devoted to research were the preserve of men. Yet many important contributions to the science of the Enlightenment were made by women. These ranged from major breakthroughs like those of the British astronomer Caroline Herschel, the first woman to discover a comet, to important translations of scientific literature such as Emilie du Chatelet’s French version of Newton’s Principia – and all social classes were involved, from the aristocratic amateur botanists to the women artisans who worked in London’s workshops manufacturing scientific instruments. With:Patricia Fara Senior Tutor at Clare College, University of Cambridge Karen O’Brien Professor of English at the University of Warwick Judith Hawley Professor of 18th Century Literature at Royal Holloway, University of London Producer: Thomas Morris.” At the link find the title, “Women in Enlightened Science” in Nov 2010, then right-click “Media files p02q5q5h.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Women with Power 62 mins – “Today, women are fast emerging as one of the most powerful and influential demographics the world has ever seen. From 1997 to 2014, women-owned businesses in America grew one and half times faster than the national average. In 2012, it was estimated that as many as a billion women would enter the world economy over the following decade. Yet, the subject of women serving as the key role in today’s global economy still has not gained much traction. Recognizing the need for change, Verveer and Azzarelli co-founded Seneca Point Global, an organization dedicated to developing a global strategy to unlock opportunities for women across the globe. Now, they’re coming out with Fast Forward, a book unfolding how some of the world’s most powerful women, such as Hillary Rodham Clinton, Salma Hayek, Christine Lagarde, Ursula Burns, and Diane von Furstenberg, are using their growing economic power to achieve success and how you can do the same. Join us for a conversation with Melanne Vereer, Kim Azzarelli and Andrea Jung, the president and CEO of Grameen America, who is committed to supporting low-income women through microfinancing and financial education.” At the link right-click “Play Now” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Yellow Fever 4 mins – “Today, Cuban who helped defeat yellow fever. The University of Houston’s Hispanic Studies Department presents this series about the machines that make our civilization run, and the people whose ingenuity created them. it was the Cuban Carlos Finlay who laid the foundation for Reed’s success for managing this terrifying disease. On the 18th of February, 1881, at the Fifth International Sanitary Conference held in Washington, D.C., Finlay was the first to argue that a particular species of mosquito transmitted yellow fever and that the disease could be deterred by controlling the mosquito population.” At the link right-click “Click here for audio…” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
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Media Mining Digest 