The best 104 podcasts from a larger group of 228 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 9000 similar podcasts grouped by topic can be downloaded here, but you will be limited to a 4GB maximum per download, so twelve of those will be needed to get all files, which total over 45GB and will take awhile. 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 three free large volumes at this link and are updated quarterly. Even more diversity is possible using a podcast aggregator loaded with this opml file of 280 sources so even the discarded podcasts can be downloaded.
3D Printed Tissue 3 mins – “Engineered tissue could lead to better drug testing, liver disease treatments.” At the link find the title, “Episode 624-Apr 2016,” right-click “Media files ScienceElements_April13_2016.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Alcohol Prices and Mortality 24 mins – “Alcohol consumption has been a perennial problem, but recently The economic downturn and rises in alcohol taxation seem to have stemmed the persistent rise in associated mortality. Nick Sheron, head of clinical herpetology at Southampton university, and one of the authors of an analysis article, explains how government fiscal policy has the ability to immediately reduce alcohol related deaths.” At the link find the title, “Budget decisions can decrease alcohol deaths in less than 18 months,” right-click “Media files 257986066-bmjgroup-budget-decisions-can-decrease-alcohol-deaths-in-less-than-18-months.mp3” and select “Save link As” from the pop-up menu.
Amputee Story 54 mins – “Joyce welcomes John Register to the show. Owner of Inspired Communications International, LLC, John has never allowed adversity hold him back. He hurdled his adversity in leaps and bounds, and challenges his audiences to do the same as they create their new normal. During the show, John will share his amazing journey from All-American track star to amputee to Paralympics medalist and the events that have led him to motivate and inspire other people with disabilities.” At the link right-click “Download MP3” and select Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Apple Engineer 42 mins – “Part 1 of a mega-interview with Bill Atkinson .As a member of the original Macintosh team at Apple Computer, Bill Atkinson designed much of the initial Macintosh user interface and wrote the original QuickDraw, MacPaint and HyperCard software.” At the link “Download options, right-click “Audio” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Artificial Intelligence 44 mins – “Our concept about what computers can do recently got a bit grander: in a match watched by hundreds of thousands online earlier this month, Google’s DeepMind computer program, AlphaGo, bested its human opponent in a complex ancient Chinese board game. The win was a surprise because many had believed it would take another decade before a computer could beat a professional player of the game. Some say the win points to how quickly so-called deep learning and machine intelligence will be transforming just about every major industry. Join us to talk about how big data and increasingly sophisticated algorithms are changing our world.” (4 guests) At the link you can listen, but not download; however, a copy is included in the blog archive.
Artificial Intelligence Future 33 mins – “Okay, you asked for it, and I finally did it. Today’s episode is about conscious artificial intelligence. In this episode we talk about everything from what artificial intelligence and consciousness even mean, whether you’ll ever have a moral obligation to pay Siri, and what happens when your intelligent secretary needs a therapist.” At the link find the title, “Rude Bot Rises, Apr, 2016,” right-click “Media files media.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Bank Robbery Shootout 28 mins – “Officer John Caprarelli was one of the first Los Angeles Police Department officers to arrive at the scene of the Bank of America in North Hollywood on Feb. 28, 1997. Officer Caprarelli gives a personal first-hand account of the 44-minute gun battle with two heavily armed suspects in his new book, “Uniform Decisions.” Officer Caprarelli discusses other events during his 27-year LAPD career.” At the link find the title, “The North Hollywood Bank Robbery, Feb, 2012,” right-click “Media files uniform-decisions.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Bat Fungus Spreads 8 mins – “Scientists were already worried about a disease killing bats in the east, now it’s on the move towards the west. The Current first told you about White Nose Syndrome in 2008 – so destructive it brought researchers to tears. Today we have an update.” At the link find the title, “Scientists concerned for bats as white nose syndrome moves West – April 7, 2016,” right-click “Media files current_20160407_45312.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Behavioral Science in Design 43 mins – “Dr Jeremy Watson, Chief Scientist & Engineer at BRE presents the Third Biennial Lecture for the Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering on sustainability and ethics in the built environment.” At the link right-click ‘Download” and select “Save Link A” From the pop-up menu.
Black Power 34 mins – “In the late 1960s, a civil rights leader named Floyd B. McKissick, at one time the head of CORE (the Congress on Racial Equality) proposed an idea for a new town. He would call this town Soul City and it would be a place built for and by black people—a land of black opportunity in rural North Carolina. Katie Mingle has the story.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Blindness for Beginners 20 mins – “…three people of different ages and different backgrounds discuss the things they found most useful when they went blind, and the things they found most frustrating. Listen to their candid conversation about losing your sight when you’re an adult.” At the link right-click “Downnload MP3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Braille Orbit 20 Reader 20 mins – “A new electronic braille reader called The Orbit Reader 20 has been unveiled in California. When it eventually comes on to the market it promises to be more affordable than anything currently available. We get our hands on one of the prototypes and test it out. Plus, we get very rare access to the high-security prison Full Sutton near York, where prisoners have been making braille books for the last twenty years. Peter White talks to them about the challenges of transcribing books into braille, and the job satisfaction they get from it” At the link right-click “Download MP3” and select”Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Breast Cancer 64 mins – “Breast cancer is among America’s most feared diseases, and also one of its most politicized. Decades of public education have encouraged women to get annual mammograms, and diagnoses typically trigger surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. But not everyone agrees that this conventional approach serves women best. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force no longer recommends annual screening for all women in their 40s, a change roundly criticized by patient advocates and rejected by Medicare and private insurers. Some surgeons now advise a “wait and see” strategy for women with specific breast cancer diagnoses. Is it possible that we’re harming ourselves with too many tests and treatments? Dr. Laura Esserman, a breast cancer surgeon, wrestles with these issues on a daily basis. She conducts pioneering research in the areas of screening based on personalized risk assessment and the benefits of “watchful waiting,” and even has suggested re-labeling for some forms of breast cancer. Dr. Esserman will discuss the sometimes surprising research that can assist women in making these personal and important decisions.” At the link right-click “Play Now” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Business Trends 45 mins – “Champions of American capitalism celebrate the U.S.A. as the land where competition gets things done. Brings everybody the most for the least. But look around. American corporations’ profits are now at super-high levels compared to our GDP. Way higher here, at home, than their return on investment abroad. Big chunks of the economy just ruled by a handful of firms. Critics are saying the game is rigged. We need more competition. This hour On Point, where’s the competition in the U.S. economy?” At the link right-click “Download this story” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Childhood Abuse and Obesity 54 mins – “At the time, it seemed to be a medical mystery. Dr. Vincent Felitti was running a clinic in San Diego in the 1980’s for the morbidly obese. Under his supervision, many patients lost 200 to 400 pounds — only to gain it all back again. Or lose the weight then drop out of the program. These results puzzled Dr. Felitti. One day, while interviewing a new patient, he asked her when she’d become sexually active. The patient looked down and said, “four years old”. A lightbulb went on. Could childhood trauma trigger not only obesity, but a whole host of psychological and physiological illnesses?….” At the link find the title, “All In The Family, Part 1,April, 2016,” right-click “Media files ideas_20160407_80330.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Christmas Restrictions 9 mins – “Once upon a time, in the good old days, Americans celebrated Christmas in their public schools. They sang hymns, hung stockings and decorated trees. And nobody complained. Then along came the big, bad American Civil Liberties Union and other left-leaning fellow travelers, who bludgeoned educational officials into restricting or even removing the holiday from our schools. And the rest, as they say, is history….” At the link find the title, “Christmas in the classroom – still controversial,” right-click “Media files xmas-th-web.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Climate Warming Mechanics 60 mins – “From the Netherlands, green lawyer Roger Cox: “Is Revolution Justified?” From UK, Glacier specialist Thomas Bauska on the last big temperature jump in a warm world like ours. Plus, scientist Paul Beckwith warns we are in a climate emergency.beside “Download…” right-click “Lo-Fi” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Clinton Email Case 44 mins – “Former U.S. Attorney General for the District of Columbia Joseph diGenova examines the investigation into emails sent to and from Hillary Clinton’s personal email server during her time as Secretary of State.” At the link find the title, “Washington Journal: Joseph diGenova on Hillary Clinton’s Emails, Mar, 2016,” right-click “Media files program.434401.MP3-STD.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Coffee Production 57 mins – “When we think of the plants that are important to us, we might think right past the magical shrub that gives us coffee berries. Coffee underpins major economies in the world, has an interesting history, and its sustainable production is threatened. We’re joined by Hanna Neuschwander from World Coffee Research. Hanna describes what coffee is, its natural history, species in the wild, and breeding efforts to improve coffee. We also discuss the major challenges that stand to harm coffee production in the future.” At the link right-click “Download” under the sound bar and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Communications Legislation 28 mins – “Judiciary Committee Chair, Representative Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), discusses several key issues in the technology space, including encryption, privacy, and surveillance. Representative Goodlatte is also the co-chair of the Internet Caucus.” At the link find the title, “Communicators with Representative Bob Goodlatte, Mar, 2016,” right-click “Media files program.435816.MP3-STD.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Concussions 57 mins – “ With the NFL recently admitting that repeated blows to the head can cause degenerative brain disease, we take a time-out to scan the research on brain trauma, including innovations in reducing incidents and assessing concussions. But is what we’re learning discouraging participation in contact sports? And is rising concern over brain injury backed by science?” At the link right-click the play button beside “Listen” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu. The Exchange…
Consciousness 39 mins – “In his book “Consciousness and the Social Brain,” Princeton neuroscientist Dr. Michael Graziano lays out his compelling Attention-Schema Theory explains how conscious awareness might arise from the mechanistic processes of low-level neuroscience. Has he solved the “Hard Problem” of Consciousness?” At the link find the title, “Has Dr. Michael Graziano “Solved” Consciousness? Apr, 2016” right-click “Media files SDS123.mp3” and select “Save link As” from the pop-up menu.
Cooking from Scratch 46 mins – “Cooking — really cooking, in the kitchen, with pots and pans, and a nice recipe and good fresh ingredients — can be a joy. Healthy. Not too expensive if you do it right. A way to slow down, engage and live. But many people barely do it anymore. There’s takeout. Or some prepackaged glob popped in the microwave. Or pizza … you name it. And cooking can look daunting, or like a time challenge. We want to help you over that hump. This hour On Point, the joy of getting you cooking.” At the link right-click “Download this story” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Copyright Fair Use 10 mins – “The US Congress writes the copyright laws of the land, and the interpretation is left to the courts. “Fair use” is a potential defense where copyright infringement is charged, and a judge must measure four explicit factors when assessing possible harm. Fair use gets a fair amount of attention in the Digital Age, and this week is no exception. “In her 220-page remand decision in Cambridge University Press v. Patton (known as the GSU e-reserves case), Judge Orinda Evans found that 41 of 48 alleged infringements considered at trial—and reconsidered on remand—were protected by fair use, and for a second time, she declared GSU the prevailing party in the case, reports Andrew Albanese, Publishers Weekly senior writer. Meanwhile, a shorthanded US Supreme Court may have signaled its own interest in another longstanding case where “fair use” is the defense – the so-called “Google Books” case….” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Coral Bleaching 11 mins – “As has been reported this week, a massive worldwide coral bleaching event is underway spanning the globe from Hawaii to the Indian Ocean. Some marine ecologists fear more than 12,000 square kilometres of coral may be lost. Coral bleaching, a reaction to very warm sea water, was unknown prior to the industrial revolution. This is now the third global bleaching. It is partly the result of El Nino, the change in ocean currents which brings warmer currents. But it is also a clear sign we are experiencing a warming planet. It is thought more than 40% of reefs have been lost globally in recent decades. The Caribbean has lost more than 80% of its coral reefs.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up men.
Corruption in Iceland 20 mins – “Iceland’s Prime Minister promised to protect Iceland from what he called vulture foreign creditors and pledged to keep Iceland’s assets in the country. But the Panama Papers leak suggest he was privately embracing what he publicly denounced.” At the link find the title, “Panama Papers pummel Iceland’s PM after revelations of offshore funds – April 6, 2016,” right-click “Media files current_20160406_46503.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from th epop-up menu.
Counter Terrorism NYC 31 mins –“New York City has long been a breeding ground for spies, saboteurs, and terrorists who view it as a top target. In his “Battleground New York City,” Thomas Reppetto covers post-9/11 police strategies and recounts law enforcement’s efforts to thwart terrorists and covert operators since 1861. Reppetto focuses on the coordinated efforts of the NYPD, Secret Service, and FBI to counter these threats.” At the link find the title, “Battleground NYC: Countering Terrorism, Mar, 2012” right-click “Media files battleground-nyc.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
DNA First Crystallography 15 mins – “Everyone knows that Watson and Crick published a seminal paper on the structure of DNA. But fewer know that two other papers on DNA were published in the same issue of Nature. Learn more in the first of a new podcast series: the Nature PastCast. [First published April 2013] “ At the link find the title “REBROADCAST: Nature PastCast – April 1953 [originally aired April 2013], right-click “Play Now” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
End of Life Talks 43 mins – “End of Life Conversations are Hard. We stumble, we stutter, we say things that derail the discussion when we have a patient at the end of life. But how do we learn to do better? We model good behavior. But in order to do that we need to hear good discussions. I listened to Ashley Shreve’s amazing SMACC Chicago talk: SMACC Talk: What is a Good Death? After listening, I wanted to bring Ashley back on to really get into the nitty-gritty of the semantics of End of Life discussions. Ashley has been on the EMCrit podcast before discussing Critical Care Palliation. Now lets hear from here again… Tidbits I pulled out of the Podcast – The three patients that will spur Ashley to try to have these discussions: 1. Advanced Cancer or Terminal Disease with Instability 2. Advanced Frailty/Dementia with Instability 3. Advanced Physiological Age (>85 y/o) with Instability….” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Female Firefighter 90 mins – “Caroline Paul (@carowriter) is a blast and can also probably kick my ass… seriously. Caroline is the author of four published books. Her latest is the New York Times best seller The Gutsy Girl: Escapades for Your Life of Epic Adventure. Once a young scaredy-cat, Caroline decided that fear got in the way of the life she wanted–of excitement, confidence, and self-reliance. She has since flown planes, rafted big rivers, climbed tall mountains, and fought fires as one of the first female firefighters in San Francisco. In this episode, we discuss various types of fear and how to overcome them, using stories, habits, and tactics….” At the link find the title, “How to Overcome Fear – Lessons from Firefighter and Luger, Caroline Paul. Apr, 2016,” right-click “Media files Tim_Ferriss_Show-Caroline_Paul.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Financial Risk Taking 34 mins – “In “How much risk will you take?” Paul discusses the difficult topic of identifying and accepting the normal risk of investing. This audio chapter from his book, Financial Fitness Forever, also addresses the often overlooked risks of owning both stocks and bonds.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Food for the Military 60 mins – “This week, we’re looking at how food — and the containers it comes in — have changed over time, and some of the factors that have influenced these changes. We’ll speak with Anastacia Marx de Salcedo about her new book “Combat-Ready Kitchen: How the U.S. Military Shapes The Way You Eat” about the ways military needs have influenced the food we all eat. And we’ll speak with statistician Patrick McKnight about the BPA controversy, and how statistics can be used and misused in scientific studies.” At the link find the title, “#364 Combat-Ready Kitchen, Apr, 2016,” right-click “Media files Science_for_the_People_364_Combat-Ready_Kitchen.mp3”and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Food Storage 82 mins – [10m mark start] “Today is a show about one of the fundamentals of modern survival philosophy, food storage. Food storage is actually something that at one time was simply something everyone did. Every home in America at one time seemed to have a root cellar full of canned goods. Today though food storage and the concept of survivalism or prepping is sensationalized and largely misunderstood. Many tend to hear survivalist and at once envision a guy sitting on a ten year supply of military rations in a basement or bunker somewhere. This image is hyped by media who simply wish to sell a story and worse is made up of journalists that live in a bubble of “the government will fix our problems”. The reality is that the bunker approach of military rations is both inaccurate and impractical. To worsen matters as preparedness has become more of a hot industry long term food has become a product marketed largely on fear vs. on the practical benefits it offers. The reality is food storage doesn’t even require specially packaged 25 year stable products, though they can be useful in your food storage program. The simple truth is that a simple 60-90 day supply of food in your home can help the average family deal with every day occurrences and most disasters they might ever expect to encounter.“ At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the op-up menu. Survival podcast
Food Theft 40 mins – “t’s easy to assume that burglars and thieves are always after conventional valuables: cash, jewels, or high-end electronics. But some of the most memorable heists actually involve food. Inspired by Geoff Manaugh’s new book, A Burglar’s Guide to the City, we dive into the ancient history and detective science behind food crime. From Spartan hunger games to the McDonald’s burglar, food is a surprisingly popular target (and tool) for thieves. Who knew that four percent of all the cheese produced in the world is destined to be stolen, or that Scandinavian burglars use potatoes to bust open vaults? In this episode, we talk to agricultural detective Rocky Pipkin about nut rustlers, cherry skims, and bee hive heists. With the price of almonds up at half a million dollars per trailer-load, thieves in California’s Central Valley have begun setting up elaborate schemes to strip an entire orchard or boost a truck—and farmers are fighting back with military technology. As regular Gastropod listeners will know, maple syrup is another valuable commodity: a barrel of the sweet stuff can be worth thirteen times more than crude oil. Journalist Brendan Borrell tells us the story of the Great Canadian Maple Syrup Heist of 2012,…” At the link right-click the down-pointing arrow and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Gay Children Rights 53 mins – “Alex Cooper was 15 when she told her Mormon parents she was gay. She knew that it would be difficult, but she couldn’t have expected what happened next. They sent her stay with a couple in St. George who promised to “save” Alex from homosexuality. What the “treatment program” relied on though was verbal, psychological and physical abuse. Thursday, our guest is scholar Joanna Brooks. She co-authored Alex’s memoir, and joins us to talk about how this happened and what it really took to save Alex. Alex Cooper’s memoir is called Saving Alex….. It was co-authored with Joanna Brooks, scholar of religion in American life and professor of English at San Diego State University.” At the link right-click the play button beside “Listen” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Glyphosate Tests 70 mins – “Recent unpublished reports are popping up on the internet that suggest that the herbicide glyphosate is showing up at dangerous levels in a variety of places. These range from breast milk, to beer, to wine, to potato chips. There are a number of laboratories and kit manufacturers that are excited to provide a means for such analysis. In the hands of the untrained, such kits and data are nothing more than in invitation for misinterpretation or misuse.In this week’s podcast we talk to two experts that routinely measure rare compounds. Dr. Shelley McGuire discusses her findings as a lactation specialist, describing the results in her recent paper on glyphosate in breast milk. Dr. Thomas Colquhoun speaks about the methods and kits, along with what the alleged findings in wine really mean.” (Montsanto’s involvement, noted here, may raise questions, so here’s a link to a New Yorker magazine article with seventeen researchers who agree.) At the link right-click “Download” under the sound bar and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Gun Industry 25 mins – “Guns are so omnipresent in our society we don’t talk about them. But when Iain Overton started counting the number of guns on the planet, he hit the billion mark. The Current looks at the global destruction and cultural significance of the gun.” At the link find the title, “Roughly a billion guns in the world, author shares startling facts on firearms – April 5, 2016,” right-click “Media files current_20160405_83949.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Gun Safety Problem 20 mins – “Imagine a safer kind of gun. Imagine a company with a plan to build it. Imagine customers ready to buy it. Imagine what could go wrong. “ At the link find the title, “A whole lot.#694: The Gun That Wouldn’t Shoot, Apr 2016” right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Honey Bee Smells 11 mins – “Lavender is a powerful smell, but could it be even more powerful than we think? New Australian research reveals that not only can the smell of lavender help bees make new memories, but that it can also change their mood, and even change their DNA. Could it do the same for humans? “ At the link right-click “mp4” beside “download video:” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Income Inequality 65 mins – “It is argued by many that the American Dream is vanishing, and that the cause is rising income inequality. Are tax hikes and raising the minimum wage solutions to saving the American Dream? Or do they symbolize what free market advocate Yaron Brook calls “a war on success”? Join Dr. Brook and economist Dr. Alan Auerbach in a spirited discussion of the significance of inequality in America and the best approaches to nurturing individual success.” At the link right-click “Play Now” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
India Democracy Debate 60 mins – “We assume that democracy is what every country should have. But what has democracy done for India? Easy. It has stimulated corruption on a massive scale, and if you want to get rich in India the most direct way is to run for parliament and reap the payoffs businesses are obliged to make to the local MP. Caste, that Indian curse, becomes more entrenched as politicians exploit caste allegiances to win votes. Bombay may be booming but it’s hardly Shanghai. A country that is striving to be an economic powerhouse is being pulled down by its political system. Democracy is India’s Achilles’ heel. So say the pundits but what would they put in democracy’s place? Would they prefer India to be ruled by a Mubarak or an Indian version of the Beijing politburo? Democratic politics is always messy and often corrupt but it is the inevitable price of seeking the will of the people, which will always be preferable to the will of the dictator. Speaking in favour of the motion in this debate from September 2011 were Patrick French, writer, historian and author of ‘India: A Portrait’; and Suhel Seth, author, columnist and Managing Partner of Counselage India, a strategic brand management and marketing consultancy. Arguing against them were William Dalrymple, an author and historian who has lived in Delhi for 25 years; and Mani Shankar Aiyar, former government minister and member of the Indian National Congress.” At the link find the title, “Democracy is India’s Achilles’ heel, Apr, 2016,” right-click “Media files 257998399-intelligence2-democracy-is-indias-achilles-heel.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Internet Access Progress 20 mins – “They said it couldn’t be done: Internet in space. The dream of a totally connected world is still out of reach. Companies like OneWeb and SpaceX think a global swarm of satellites is the answer. The idea failed before — does it stand a chance today?” At the link right-click the down-pointing arrow on the sound bar and select Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Interstate Highways in Cities 44 mins – “U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx has a message for Americans this week and it’s an unusual one for someone in his position. When the country’s urban freeways were constructed, they were often routed through low income, minority neighborhoods. Instead of connecting us to each other, Foxx says many of these highways were intentionally built to separate us. He says it’s a legacy the country has struggled to address and it’s one Foxx hopes to begin to repair. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx joins Diane to discuss helping isolated, poor and minority communities get access to reliable and safe transportation – and a panel of experts react to his proposals.” (4 guests) At the link you can listen, but not download; however, a copy is included in the blog archive.
Islamic State 44 mins – “Since June of 2014 ISIS-inspired terrorists have been linked to more than 75 attacks outside of Syria and Iraq. At least 1200 people have been killed and many hundreds more injured. Some say the deadly assaults in Western Europe, Turkey, the U.S. and elsewhere are linked to the group’s diminishing local power, but no one expects it to give up on a strategy that brings worldwide attention and outrage. Belgian investigators with help from other European countries and the U.S. continue to try to identify the perpetrators of attacks earlier this month in Brussels. Please join us to talk about the global reach of ISIS and its effect on the future of the Middle East.” (3 guests) At the link you can listen, but not download; however, a copy is included in the blog archive.
James Brown 48 mins – “Everybody knows James Brown. Godfather of Soul. The hardest working man in show biz. The shine, the blazing smile, the hair, the voice – and the electric moves that just knocked you out. My guest today, novelist and memoirist James McBride, says there is not one piece of American pop that doesn’t have James Brown in it. He also says Brown was the most misunderstood African-American figure of the last 300 years. This hour On Point, James McBride on the real James Brown.” At the link right-click “Download this story” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Jim Harrison Author 52 mins – “Jim Harrison was a literary legend. In his bountiful works of fiction, essays, and poetry he displayed an insatiable zest for life and unending passion for the natural world. He passed away last weekend at age 78. Friday, we’re rebroadcasting a conversation he had with independent radio producer Scott Carrier back in 2007. Harrison was in Salt Lake City, and he spoke with Carrier about art, writing, the pleasures of life, and the nature of death.” At the link right-click the play button beside “Listen” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Live Streaming Impact 46 mins – “Live-streaming looks set to be the next turn of the wheel in our digital, mobile culture. Last year, it was an app called Periscope. Now comes Facebook Live. Celebrities and just-folks are starting to livestream. Media companies are trying to make it work for them. And once again, it may mean more big changes in the way we communicate with each other. This hour On Point, Facebook Live and the new world of livestreaming.” At the link right-click “Download this story” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Medical Imaging 82 mins – “Improvements in diagnostic imaging – US, CT, MRI, PET – have been spectacular and the use of imaging has soared over the last two decades driven by a combination of patient and physician demand. Dr. Rebecca Smith-BindmanIs looks at the potential harm associated with radiation exposure and what you should do about it. Recorded on 02/23/2016. (#30672)” At the link right-click “Audio MP3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Medical Overtesting 44 mins – “One threat to healthcare value is doing too much. Dr. R. Adams Dudley of UCSF discusses low value care in the form of unnecessary testing prior to cataract surgery. He says it occurs frequently, despite clear guidelines recommending against it. Then he looks at the value of telemedicine from commercial e-visit websites. He says There is substantial variation in performance among commercial e-visit sites which could affect you. Recorded on 02/09/2016. (#30669)” At the link right-click “Audio MP3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Meldonium Ban 24 mins – “Tennis star Maria Sharapova is just one of many Russian athletes linked to the banned substance called meldonium this year. The Current looks at meldonium and its effects – on athletes and sports.” At the link find the title, “Meldonium makers say banned drug helps athletes, not performance – April 8, 2016,” right-click “Media files current_20160408_73968.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Merle Haggard then Underground Railway 50 mins – ““I was, to say the least, probably the most incorrigible child you can think of,” Haggard told Terry Gross in 1995. The country legend died Wednesday morning in California. It was his 79th birthday. Historian Eric Foner recently won the American History Book Prize from the New York Historical Society for ‘Gateway to Freedom,’ about the Underground Railroad. He discussed the book in 2015.” At the link find the title, “April 8, 2016 Remembering Merle Haggard,” click the three-dot button, then right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Methane Reduction 27 mins – “When it comes to fighting climate change, both Canada and the U.S. face an uphill battle. Gina McCarthy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator and Catherine McKenna, the Canadian Environment and Climate Change Minister talk strategies.” At the link find the title, “Environment minister, EPA head share climate strategy in Ottawa – April 7, 2016,” right-click “Media files current_20160407_45356.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Minimum Wage Solution 13 mins -”A California mall straddles the border between two cities — and the minimum wage is higher on one side.” At the link find the title, “#562: A Mall Divided, Apr 2016,” right-click “Media files 20160406 pmoney podcast040616.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
NC Backlash to LGBT Bill 9 mins – “The anti-LGBT laws passed in the southern U.S. has created a backlash on the part of corporate America. The bill blocks local governments from enacting laws with anti-discrimination protections for LGBT people. We look at the optics for corporate America.” At the link find the title, “Corporate America embraces gay rights in light of anti-LGBT legislation – April 7, 2016,” right-click “Media files current_20160407_52717.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Octopi 35 mins – “We talk to naturalist and author Sy Montgomery about her latest book The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration into the Wonder of Consciousness.” At the link find the title, “128 Sy Montgomery – The Soul of an Octopus,” right-click “ “Media files 53f51ed9-1f31-4d65-bcc9-3765357ddb9e.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
OODA Loops 39 mins – “My keynote lecture at SMACC-Chicago [Social Media and Critical Care] was on OODA loops [Observe-Orient-Decide-Act] and the supremacy of System I [Intuitive] for resuscitation. The lecture was plagued by AV-wankers to the point that I thought the talk was a shambles. I am rerecording the lecture here for EMCrit and the SMACC site. I hope you enjoy–SDW.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Open Access Publishing 43 mins – “In 2016, the challenge for scholarly publishing is less about access for articles and more than ever about success for authors, individually and collaboratively….” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Oral Medicine 75 mins – “Oral medicine deals with the diagnosis and management of diseases affecting the oral mucosa, salivary glands, and related oral structures and functions at interface of Dentistry and Medicine. Caroline Shiboski, Department of Orofacial Sciences at UCSF, explores what an oral medicine specialist does and shows some oral conditions and how they are diagnosed. Recorded on 11/19/2015. (#30148) At the link right-click “Audio MP3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Orwell 45 mins – “He was one of the most influential writers of our time. His name was Eric Blair, better known as George Orwell. Who was the man who gave us ‘big brother’, ‘thoughtcrime’, ‘doublethink’, whose name looms so large in this era of mass surveillance?” At the link find the title, “The Orwell Tapes, Part 1, Apr, 2016,” right-click “Media files ideas_20160404_11240.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Panama Papers 24 mins – “The so-called Panama Papers may have revealed more truth about the lifestyles of the rich and famous than TV host Robin Leach ever did. The Current goes inside the minds of the one per cent and looks at how money changes psychology.” At the link find the title, “Studies reveal super-rich suffer from anxiety, lack of empathy – April 8, 2016,” right-click “Media files current_20160408_92182.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Panama Papers 27 mins – “This week’s massive leak of confidential documents from the Panamanian law firm, Mossack Fonseca, has given unprecedented access to the way the rich and powerful have used tax havens to hide their wealth. But within the eleven and a half million documents, there is also evidence of how some of the shell companies set up by the firm, or the individuals that owned them, have been the subject of international sanctions and have been used by rogue states and oppressive regimes including North Korea and Syria. Simon Cox reveals details from the leaked papers and travels to the British Virgin Islands where a small office run by Mossack Fonseca was used to create more than 100,000 companies. One of them was a front for a North Korean Bank that was later sanctioned by the United States for supporting the regime’s illicit nuclear and ballistic missile programme. According to the US, the BVI based front company managed millions of dollars in transactions in support of North Korea. Other companies set up by on the island were used by a billionaire businessman who is a cousin of Syrian President Bashar Al Assad and who was sanctioned by the US for using “intimidation and his close ties to the Assad regime at the expense of ordinary Syrians.” Mossack Fonseca has said it never knowingly allowed the use of its companies by individuals with any relationship with North Korea or Syria and says it has operated beyond reproach for 40 years and has never been charged with criminal wrong-doing. Reporter: Simon Cox Producer: James Melley “ At the link find the title, “The Panama Papers, Apr, 2016,” right-click “Media files p03q7lm4.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Panama Papers 32 mins – “One week after the Panama Papers thrust the shadowy world of the ultra-rich into the spotlight, the massive trove of data is still being sifted as world leaders scramble to explain-away offshore accounts. How 400 journalists from 76 countries worked in secret for over a year to decipher the largest leak ever, and how we got here in the first place…The Panama Papers is by sheer volume of documents the largest whistle-blower leak in history. With over 100 news organizations from over 80 countries involved it is also the largest journalistic collaboration ever. And it has already claimed its first scalp. On Tuesday, Iceland Prime Minister Sigmundur Gunnlaugsson resigned over revelations of undisclosed investments in three of Iceland’s failed banks. But the 11.5 million documents from the Panama law-firm Mossack Fonseca also expose shadowy dealings surrounding dictators and kleptocrats worldwide — with 99% of the iceberg still submerged. The material has been scrutinized by some 400 reporters for the past year, under the coordination of the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists. Bob speaks with the consortium’s director, Gerard Ryle, about how the global investigation came together.” At the link find the title, “Rolling In It, Apr, 2016,” right-click “Media files otm040816pod.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Panama Papers 46 mins – “Everybody’s talking about the Panama Papers. The biggest leak of financial data in history, and it’s all about the shadowy world of hidden offshore money. Wealth. Terabytes of data lighting up the hidden finances of presidents and prime ministers. Celebrities. Soccer stars. FIFA. A cellist who is the best friend of Vladimir Putin and two billion offshore dollars. The prime minister of Iceland has resigned. This hour On Point, hidden wealth, and the story told by the Panama Papers.” At the link right-click “Download this story” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Pavlov 3 mins – “Born in 1849, Pavlov attended church school in his home town of Ryazan before moving on to a local theological seminary. But at age twenty-one he changed course and left to study in the department of math and physics at the university in Saint Petersburg. There he developed an interest in the natural sciences — physiology in particular. Our understanding of the human body was in its infancy. Pavlov was fascinated and wanted to know more….” At the link right-click “Click here for audio…” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Payday Loans 49 mins – “Critics — including President Obama — say short-term, high-interest loans are predatory, trapping borrowers in a cycle of debt. But some economists see them as a useful financial instrument for people who need them. As the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau promotes new regulation, we ask: who’s right?” At the link click the three dots inside the circle near “Listen” then right-click “Download this audio” and and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Peregrine Falcons 13 mins – “For the past 20 years, peregrine falcons have shared the cliffs in Rumney with the rock-climbing community, and Chris Martin has been directing the monitoring of these birds since they arrived. In addition to tracking the progress of the falcons as they emerged from their endangered status, Chris and the Forest Service work closely with the climbing community to support recreation and maintain the safety of the falcons….” At the link right-click the play button beside “Listen” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
PFOA Chemical 57 mins – “After the Flint, Michigan water crisis, many around the country started taking a closer look their own water systems. And with a recent contamination scare in southern New Hampshire by the chemical PFOA – the concerns have become local. We’ll look at the state’s sources for drinking water, and the challenges to delivering it free from contaminants.” At the link right-click the play button beside “Listen” and select”Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Pharmaceuticals and Doctors 21 mins – “A select number of drug companies are moving towards transparency by divulging their payments to doctors. The voluntary program aims to address the public perception between drug companies and doctors. Critics saying they aren’t moving far enough.” At the link find the title, “Pharma launches voluntary guidelines for payment disclosures – April 4, 2016,” right-click “Media files current_20160404_16709.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Police Use of Glocks 35 mins – “Paul Barrett, a firearms industry reporter, discusses his book, “Glock: The Rise of America’s Gun.” Barrett tells the story of the obscure Austrian curtain-rod maker who produced an innovative gun that was reliable and easy to operate. He explains how and why Glock became the dominant police sidearm.” At the link find the title, “Glock: Rise of America’s Gun, Jan, 2012,” right-click “Media files rise-of-glock.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Psychiatric Research 27 mins – “Dr. Jean King has a number of impressive titles: Associate Provost for Biomedical Science Research…Professor of Psychiatry, Radiology and Neurology…and Director, Center for Comparative NeuroImaging, University of Massachusetts Medical School. She talks with us about neuroimaging, which involves looking at the chemistry of the brain in a non-invasive manner. Research includes having subjects perform specific tasks and performing no tasks at all. The brain of someone with a psychiatric or neurological disorder will react differently to these experiments than those with no disorder. Plus, Dr. King will share with us her views on how women can become successful scientists while still raising a family, and why diversity is key in scientific research.
Psychiatry Applied 60 mins – “This week, we’re looking back at a previous episode to get a gripping first person account of the challenges involved in mental health diagnosis and treatment. We’ll spend the hour with Dr. Christine Montross, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, and the Director of Counseling Resources at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, to talk about her book “Falling Into the Fire: A Psychiatrist’s Encounters with the Mind in Crisis.” At the link right-click the down-pointing arrow and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Public Transport Decline 30 mins – “If you live in the US, chances are you have at some point been frustrated that our public transit systems don’t do a great job linking urban centers with suburbs, can’t get you to the airport or work in a reasonable amount of time (or at all), and cost way too much. You don’t have to travel to Tokyo, or Zurich, or Paris to see that public transportation in the US is not what it could be, but our guest today on Sea Change Radio has done just that. He is John Rennie Short, a public policy professor at the University of Maryland and he recently published an article in The Conversation detailing the paltry state of public transit in the US, and how we got here. He discusses how the political landscape has affected infrastructure development, and the many costs associated with the decline of our country’s public transportation system, which can be measured in terms of lower GDP, wasted fuel, and lost time, not to mention the terrible environmental toll.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Refugee Aid 39 mins – “When the body of three-year-old Alan Kurdi washed up on a beach in September 2015, it sent the world into uproar about the tragic plight of Syrian refugees. Shortly afterwards, Canadians – and their newly elected government – responded by opening up their communities to accept 25,000 Syrian refugees. This presented both an opportunity for Canadians to lend support and a challenge for authorities in settling thousands of large and vulnerable families, many of whom didn’t speak English or French. In Ottawa, Louisa Taylor recognized both need and opportunity. Within three weeks she went from conception to launch with a new organization, Refugee 613. But not without many growing pains. In this episode, Louisa Taylor, Director of Refugee 613, discusses with host Tina Barton: How to build a team or organization in real time to respond to a critical need; Essential communications infrastructure to put in place; How to recruit and manage volunteers successfully; Strategies for maximizing public awareness and engagement; [and] The question of an exit strategy Connect with {Rufugee613} at www.refugee613.ca and on Twitter. This episode was produced by Tina Barton, and Ashlea McGrath of Thornley Fallis Communications. “ At the link right click beside “Direct download: The_Voice_ep97_FINAL.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Religious Freedom 53 mins – Tuesday, we’re broadcasting our conversation from a conference on religious liberty hosted by Claremont Graduate University over the weekend. Doug was joined by guests to tackle questions at the heart of the debate over the role of religion in the public square: what fears are driving both sides? What does the constitution guarantee? What does that mean in the public and private arenas? And finally, how do we find common ground for discussing faith and governance in a fractured society?” (4 guests) At the link right-click the play button beside “Listen” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Rhino Conservation 60 mins – “Fewer than 5,000 black rhinos remain in the wilds of sub-Saharan Africa. Few if any laymen like Warner have been invited to care for them in the wild, some of the most dangerous volunteer fieldwork around. It gave him the opportunity to pursue and refine his emerging philosophy of radical conservationism, to cultivate partnerships between local communities and private landowners in Africa, and to export the lessons about land and wildlife management back home to the United States.” At the link right-click “Play Now” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Robot Farming 24 mins – “From milking the cows, to driving the tractors, to picking the lettuce, robotic technology is changing farms and farm work. The Current’s Julian Uzielli heads to a dairy farm where the cows get in line for the robots.” At the link find the title, “Robots change farms from robotic milking machines to self-driving tractors – April 5, 2016,” right-click “Media files current_20160405_65265.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Russian Librarian Case 24 mins – “She’s accused of inciting ethnic hatred and violating human dignity. Natalya Sharina is a 58-year-old Russian librarian in Moscow and though the Russian government says she’s not on the Kremlin’s radar, someone thinks she and her books are a threat.” At the link find the title, “Librarian under house arrest in Moscow accused of anti-Russian propaganda – April 4, 2016,” right-click “Media files current_20160404_77868.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Samantha Bee then Laid Off Recovery 50 mins – “Bee, who was the longest-serving ‘Daily Show’ correspondent, has a new political satire show called ‘Full Frontal’ on TBS. Ken Tucker reviews a new album from Robbie Fulks. Dan Lyons was in his 50s when he was laid off from Newsweek and went to work for a start-up. He says it was part frat house, part cult. He wrote for the HBO series ‘Silicon Valley,’ and his new memoir is ‘Disrupted.’“ At the link find the title, “April 8, 2016 Best Of: Samantha Bee / Inside The Start-Up Bubble,” click the three-dot circle, then right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Sea Level Rise 46 mins – “Six feet of sea level rise by 2100. It seems unfathomable. A big new study, sophisticated new computer modeling shows that this could indeed be where we’re headed. Some of the planet’s biggest cities drowning. Can we innovate our way out of this? We’ve got the biggest minds in the field gaming out solutions: carbon-scrubbing, rebuilding the glaciers, making it snow above Antarctica. This hour On Point, stopping the rising calamity.” (3 guests) At the link right-click “Download this story” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Sex Cases in Canadian Courts 24 mins – “Criminal defence lawyer Marie Henein underlined the acquittal of her client Jian Ghomeshi on sexual assault charges proves Canada’s justice system works as it should. Other criminal lawyers are persistent for change to the system in sexual assault cases.” At the link find the title, “Legal experts call to rectify sexual assault laws after Ghomeshi acquittal – April 4, 2016,” right-click “Media files current_20160404_23601.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Sikh Empire 43 mins – “Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the rise of the Sikh Empire at the end of the 18th Century under Ranjit Singh, pictured above, who unified most of the Sikh kingdoms following the decline of the Mughal Empire. He became Maharaja of the Punjab at Lahore in 1801, capturing Amritsar the following year. His empire flourished until 1839, after which a decade of unrest ended with the British annexation. At its peak, the Empire covered the Punjab and stretched from the Khyber Pass in the west to the edge of Tibet in the east, up to Kashmir and down to Mithankot on the Indus River. Ranjit Singh is still remembered as “The Lion of the Punjab.” At the link right-click “Download MP3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu. In Our Time
Silicon Valley 44 mins – “How are the ethics, philosophy and lifestyles of the internet pioneers determining the way we all live? Do we have any choice but to live the way they live, or rage against what? The machine? David Baker travels to Silicon Valley to find out what shapes those who are shaping the way we live.” At the link find the title, “Default World, Apr, 2016,” right-click “Media files p03prcg3.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Sovereign Citizens 32 mins – “Two North Carolina detectives discuss sovereign citizens with POLICE and give patrol officers suggestions about how to recognize and deal with these police haters. Rob Finch and Kory Flowers are detectives in the Criminal Intelligence Unit of the Greensboro Police Department. For more, read their feature, “Sovereign Citizens: A Clear and Present Danger.” At the link find the title, “Sovereign Citizens, Nov 2012,” right-click “Media files sovereign-citizens.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Stories Ceremonies and Symbols 53 mins – “To be a great leader, you have to first be a great communicator. Think about any historical figure you admire….I bet they had a seemingly innate ability to motivate people. However, the ability to motivate through strong communication is actually a skill that can be easily acquired, with the right knowledge! As a leader, you have the same potential to not only anticipate the future and invent creative initiatives, but to also inspire those around you to support and execute your vision. By harnessing the power of persuasive communication you, too, can turn your idea into a movement. In this episode we speak with two incredible women – Nancy Duarte, CEO of Duarte, Inc., and Patti Sanchez, Chief Strategy Officer at Duarte, Inc. We are talking with them about their brand new book, Illuminate: Ignite Change Through Speeches, Stories, Ceremonies, and Symbols, and Nancy and Patti are going to equip you with the same communication tools that great leaders like Jobs, Howard Schultz, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. used to move people. Duarte and Sanchez lay out a plan to help you lead people through the five stages of transformation using speeches, stories, ceremonies, and symbols.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Suicide Ethics 52 mins – “Questions surrounding suicide have been with us for at least as long as we’ve had written record, and the answers are as varied as the times and places where they were discussed. Wednesday, Doug sits down with philosophy scholar Margaret Battin. She’s spent her career collecting the works of religious and secular thinkers regarding suicide. It has been considered noble, immoral, heroic and cowardly, and we’ll talk about what all of those views teach us about end-of-life issues today.” At the link right-click the play button beside “Listen” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Teeth 9 mins – “Fossilised teeth can reveal the diets of extinct animals. Larger teeth are useful for chewing plant material all day. Meat eaters need their teeth to tear and chew, but there is less eating and less chewing due to the higher energy contained in their food and so teeth can be smaller. The size of teeth in humans tracks our evolution. As we developed tools and began to cook our food, our need for big jaws full of big teeth lessened, leading to smaller jaws with fewer, smaller teeth. Alistair Evans at Monash University is studying the evolution, development and function of the teeth of mammals over their 200 million year history, including fossil and modern species.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up men.
Terrorism in Europe 26 mins – “The so-called Islamic State has brought terror to the streets of Paris and Brussels, killing hundreds of civilians and wounding many more. But how does the organisation operate in Europe? And who has masterminded the deadly attacks? The mastermind of the attacks in the French capital was a man called Abdelhamid Abaaoud. During the course of the programme Peter Taylor unveils how this man recruited and trained radicalised young men to carry out attacks. And he also details how the western intelligence services were engaged in a desperate race to stop Abaaoud from bringing terror to streets of Europe.” At the link find the title, “Europe’s Terror Networks, Apr 06, 2016,” right-click “Media files p03q6qrs.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Testing History 52 mins – “In this episode of BackStory, we explore the history of testing in America. The Guys go back to the eighteenth-century and look at how elite colleges replaced social status with merit and behavior as a way to grade students. We uncover the links between President James Garfield’s 1881 assassination and the civil service test, and look at how officials created the first, “white,” affirmative action program by waiving the test for WWII veterans. The Guys explore the long and troubled history of how Americans have used tests to both exclude and include people from the citizenry.” 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.
Transfusion Restrictions 26 mins – “Everyone knows blood is powerful. The ancient Greeks realized it, Jesus understood it, Dracula certainly recognized it, and your doctor still knows it today. And everybody knows, says hematologist and historian of medicine Jacalyn Duffin, that if we lose a lot of blood, we’re going to die. Jehovah’s Witnesses’ beliefs have led them to refuse blood transfusions—to the consternation of many inside the medical profession. But the religious group still wants medical care, says reporter Alex Ashley, and their advocacy has helped propel a new movement in medicine in which doctors perform surgeries without transfusing blood. Remarkably, it has turned out better for everyone, suggesting that religion and medicine might be less at odds than they sometimes seem.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Transhumanism 71 mins – “Will our brains ever be uploaded into a computer? Will we live forever? Richard Jones, physicist at the University of Sheffield and author of Against Transhumanism, talks with EconTalk host Russ Roberts about transhumanism–the effort to radically transform human existence via technology. Jones argues that the grandest visions of the potential of technology–uploading of brains and the ability to rearrange matter via nanotechnology are much more limited and unlikely than proponents of these technologies suggest. The conversation closes with the role of government in innovation and developing technology.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
U.S. Progress Decline 45 mins – “Robert Gordon, professor of economics at Northwestern University, discusses his book, [The Rise and Fall of American Growth], in which he looks at the growth in the American standard of living between 1870 and 1970 and whether we’ll see it again.” At the link find the title, “Q&A with Robert Gordon,” Mar, 2016” right-click “Media files program.434404.MP3-STD.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Uranium Dioxide 7 mins – “…Curie had discovered radium, along with polonium, in pitchblende obtained from the mineral-rich Joachimsthal region on the German-Czech border. To obtain radium, first for experimental use and medical applications and later for a whole range of risky glow-in-the-dark products, vast quantities of ore were refined down to produce a tiny amount of the radioactive element – several tonnes of uraninite were required to produce just a gram of radium. This meant that plenty of uranium ore, primarily uranium dioxide, was available as a cheap by-product, and so from the 1920s, the use of uranium dioxide based glazes soared. The result was the spread of products that not only looked striking, but were faintly radioactive. Some estimates put the percentage of tiles and similar products from the 20s and 30s that are radioactive at over 20 per cent. Although at least one health physicist considers uranium oxide glazed tiles to be a health risk, the general feeling is that the radiation levels are such that exposure does not constitute a significant risk unless the material is kept in long-term contact, or is allowed to leach into food or drink. This is also the case with the most famous application of uranium dioxide glaze, the bold red-orange American pottery known as Fiestaware…. “ At the link right-click “Download: CiiE_Uranium_dioxide.mp3,” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Vikings in Britain 23 mins – “On 864 or 865, a great Scandinavian fleet of Dragon ships, or Drakkars, beached themselves at Thanet in Kent. For the people of the south, this would have been terrifying It had been scarcely more than a decade since the last fleet of Drakkars landed in Thanet, and the army exploded forth from those ships went on to raid Canterbury, London, and may have taken Winchester had they not been stopped by King AEthelwulf and AEthelbald. And here they were again… but now King AEthelwulf was dead, as was his son, AEthelbald… all of the South was in threat. Where would the Vikings go this time? Would they strike Canterbury again? Loot the treasure chest of the south, London? Unless something was done, everyone was vulnerable. The nobility, likely under King AEthelberht’s leadership, tried to head off the disasterand sent emissaries to the Vikingr army. These emissaries promised vast sums of money in exchange for peace. This tribute would become known as the Danegeld… the Dane Payment. It was exactly what it sounds like. A bribe for peace. The hope being that, if they could just give the opportunistic raiders what they were after, material wealth, then they might stay in their camp…why risk your life if you can get paid for sitting on the beach? But there were two problems with the Danegeld. The first problem was one of simple economics. The south was no stranger to troubles, they had suffered numerous raids over the years, sometimes winning, sometimes losing. But even victorious battles have a cost and these raids were straining the Southern economy. In fact, shortly after the last great fleet landed in Thanet in 851, coin production halted entirely … and then suddenly AEthelstan, the crown prince and previous ruler of Kent, vanished. We don’t know what exactly happened, but the interruption and sudden disappearance of the crown prince is suspect. While the Chronicler’s are quick to laud the royal family’s military success at places like Aclea (which was described as the greatest slaughter of a heathen army ever seen) and the naval successes in battles like Sandwich, this sudden quiet in the record suggest there were significant troubles underlying the story… and Wessex (and it’s subkingdom of Kent) was getting stretched thin. Wessex may have been outmatched by their Scandinavian enemies.” At the link find the title, “198 – The Great Heathen Army Begins, April, 2016,” right-click “Media files 198.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Vikings in Canada 4 mins – “Evidence at an archaeological site in southern Newfoundland suggests it may once have been inhabited by a group of the seafaring Scandinavians. If borne out by further research, this would be only the second Viking site in North America, and the first uncovered in more than 50 years. “You can explain away one site,” said Sarah Parcak, the archaeologist from the University of Alabama at Birmingham who led the discovery. “It’s a one-off. But I think if there’s two, there’s definitely more.” Parcak first discovered the ancient ruin in a thoroughly modern fashion: through satellite images taken hundreds of miles above earth. Her team scanned the coastline of eastern Canada and northern New England using Google Earth to search for evidence of past human settlements….” At the link right-click the down-pointing arrow and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Virtual Reality 59 mins – “Derek Belch, co-founder and CEO of Strivr Labs, a startup that uses virtual reality to train athletes, describes the passion necessary for entrepreneurship and the features that give his business a competitive edge in a rising-tide industry. The former Stanford football player is candid about the personal sacrifices entailed in putting your all into your venture.” At the link right-click the down-pointing arrow on the sound bar and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu
Voting Access 44 mins – “In an election season already full of firsts, here’s another: this will be the first presidential election since the Supreme Court struck down a key part of the Voting Rights Act in 2013. And in 16 states new voting restrictions will be in place for the first time. Recently, thousands stood in line for hours waiting to cast their primary ballots in states like Utah, Arizona and Idaho. Some warn this is a sign of what’s to come in the general election and beyond: roadblocks to voting that disproportionately affect minorities and the most vulnerable Americans. Others argue we’re closer now to a fair system. A look at access to voting across the U.S.” (4 guests) At the link you can listen, but not download; however, a copy is included in the blog archive.
Waco Raid Review 67 mins – “Four ATF agents were killed during the botched search warrant raid on the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas, on Feb. 28, 1993. For the 20th anniversary, ATF agents on the ground spoke publicly about the raid, lessons learned, and changes in the agency. Three retired ATF agents joined a Feb. 7 panel discussion hosted by the National Law Enforcement Museum in its “Witness to History” lecture series. Audio is courtesy of NLEOMF. Read “Lessons Learned from the ATF Waco Raid.” At the link find the title, “Waco Raid: 20 Years Later,” Feb, 2013,” right-click “Media files waco-witness-to-history.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Whales 6 mins – Rare and endangered North Atlantic White Wales are spotted off of Cape Cod and Philip Hoare, author of “The Sea Inside,” talks about swimming with them. The source isn’t identified, but may be from New Hampshire Public Radio. The podcast is included in the blog archive.
Women in Politics 51 mins – “Historian Nancy Cohen looks at women leaders in politics and the advances they are making in the political arena. She is interviewed by Kim Azzarelli, co-author of [Fast Forward].” At the link find the title, “After Words with Nancy Cohen, Apr, 2016,” right-click “Media files program.432506.MP3-STD.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up.
Women Police Officers 20 mins – “John Wills, a retired Chicago Police officer, talks to POLICE Magazine about his “Women Warriors: Stories from the Thin Blue Line,” an edited collection of stories about female officers told in their own words. The stories include a dispatcher trying to remain calm while her husband is involved in a gun battle, a search for a missing child in a storm, and an officer staring down the barrel of a gun inside a crowded department store.” At the link find the title, “Women Warriors, Nov, 2012,” right-click “Media files women-warriors.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Work Trends 33 mins – “Slate Money on the gig economy, Spotify’s financing plan, and the Starwood Hotels deal.” At the link find the title, “The Time’s Up Edition, Apr, 2016,” right-click “Media files SM9168144065.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Workers Comp Fraud 44 mins – “California’s workers’ compensation program covers 15 million workers across the state. If you get hurt on the job – fall off a ladder, for instance – it’s the system you turn to. Most employers are required to carry workers’ comp insurance, which helps cover medical bills and lost wages for injured employees. But Reveal reporter Christina Jewett has discovered serious fraud in the system after reviewing thousands of documents. They show that in the last decade, more than 80 people have been accused of cheating California’s workers’ comp medical system out of $1 billion.” At the link find the title, “Billion-dollar scam, Apr, 2016,” right-click “Media files Billion-dollar-scam_PODCAST_master.mp3” and select “Save link As” from the pop-up menu.
Writing Career 60 mins – “Ever dreamed of walking into a bookstore and seeing your own work up on a shelf? There are two ways of going about accomplishing that dream. The easiest one is simply walking in and putting something you made right up on a shelf, and then walking out. Honestly, I’d do this with my mixtape, but then I’d get arrested for arson. So lets focus on the second option – actually doing the work of getting published….” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Thanks for stopping by.
Media Mining Digest 