Dr. Pamela Gay from "Astronomy Cast" (B&I 14)

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pgay_headshot.jpg Listen Now Show Notes for Books and Ideas Podcast #14 This episode is a conversation with Dr. Pamela Gay from the Astronomy Cast. Dr. Gay teaches astronomy and physics at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Before the Astronomy Cast she was one of the hosts of one of the first science podcasts, Slacker Astronomy. I think her enthusiasm for science and especially for astronomy comes through in this interview. Besides astronomy we talked about the challenges of teaching science as well as the challenges of being a female scientist. Links: Astronomy Cast Pamela Gay's Blog FemaleScienceProfessor Blog Chandra: A Biography of S. Chandrasekhar by Kameshwar C. Wali Buffy Between the Lines: an audio drama definitely worth checking out if you love the Buffyverse Pushing Daisies my favorite new TV show Listen to Books and Ideas Episode 14 Download Episode Transcript Subscribe to this podcast Subscribe via iTunes™ Subscribe by email Leave comments at the Discussion Forum
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Harry Potter with Guest Co-host, Patrick Pricken (B&I 13)

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kelly-web.jpg Even if you haven't finished reading Book 7, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, by JK Rowling you can enjoy this podcast, which features guest co-host Patrick Pricken, from Germany. Patrick's blog, which features movie and book reviews can be found at http://www.p-pricken.de/. (The blog is in German, but translation to English is available from Google.) We talked about what why JK Rowling's work has international appeal, even among adult readers. We explore our favorite characters and talk about whether Book 7 lived up to our expectations. The episode is spoiler-free up to the 17 minute mark. The last 15 minutes does contain specific material from the last book, so if you haven't read it yet you will want to stop listening at 17:00, until you finish the book. If you would like to talk about the podcast or share your favorite Harry Potter memories, please join us in the the special section with in the Brain Science Podcast Discussion Forum. Listen to Episode 13 Download Episode Transcript Subscribe to this podcast Subscribe via iTunes™ Join email list
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Does Free Will Exist? (B&I 12)

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This episode is my response to the The Myth of Free Will (2007), which was sent to me by the book's editor Cris Evatt. I felt the topic was very relevant to my recent discussions on the Brain Science Podcast, where we have been exploring the evidence that a surprising amount of decision-making occurs beyond our conscious control. Listen to Books and Ideas #12 Now I have tried to include some interesting references and links below, but I hope you will share more links (especially good blogs) at the new Brain Science Podcast Forum, which is located at http://brainscienceforum.com. I have set aside a section under "Off-Topic Discussions" for discussions about Books and Ideas. The subject of free will is quite controversial. This episode is intended to stimulate thought and discussion, rather than to convince you that I have the answers. Show Notes The difference between political and psychological free will Can a non-physical soul or spirit be controlling our brain's decisions? Naturalism (What is Naturalism? by Thomas W. Clark founder of The Center For Naturalism) What about choice and responsibility? What does neuroscience have to say about free will? Partial List of Writers Whose Work I discuss References and Further Reading Why Choose This Book?: How We Make Decisions (2006) by Read Montague (Dr. Montague was interviewed on the Brain Science Podcast #15.) The Problem of the Soul: Two Visions of Mind and How to Reconcile Them (2003) by Owen Flanagan Freedom Evolves (2003) by Daniel C. Dennett Astonishing Hypothesis: The Scientific Search for the Soul (1994) by Francis Crick Links of Interest Center For Naturalism The Garden of Forking Paths-A philosophy blog devoted to agency theory, including related issues in Philosphy of Action, Moral Psychology, Metaphysics and Ethics I will try to expand this list in the future.
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Interview with Harvard's Neel Varshney (B&I 11)

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neel2.jpg Show Notes The latest episode of Books and Ideas is a little unusual. I interviewed Neel Varshney of Harvard Medical School as he looks forward to his imminent graduation and residency in neurology. Despite his young age, Varshney has already had extensive research experience in neuroscience, beginning during he undergraduate years as an electrical engineering student at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He was the first student from UAB to receive the Rhodes Scholarship. In this interview Neel reflects on his experiences in England, and the challenges of adjusting to medical school. He offers sound advice to anyone considering medical school. We also talked about the research he has done so far. I look forward to hearing great things from him in the future. This is a very personal episode for me because I met Neel when he was one of my husband, Dennis Smith's most outstanding undergraduate students at UAB. Dennis is about to retire after teaching at UAB for 30 years and I know that it is student's like Neel who made his career satisfying. Listen to the corrected version of Episode 11 Now Download Episode Transcript Subscribe to this podcast Subscribe via iTunes™ Join email list
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An American Living in France (B&I 10)

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guillestre202.jpgGuillestre in the French Alps Show Notes Make sure you got episode 10 because episode 1 was accidentally uploaded. It was only up a few minutes but if you got the wrong episode please note that this has been corrected. This episode of Books and Ideas is a conversation with writer Kirk Mcelhearn , a native New Yorker, who has lived in France for over 20 years. We talk about the challenges of learning a second language, and what it is like to live in France after 9/11. McElhearn is able to bring some interesting historical perspective to current events. Unfortunately there is some echo in the second half of this interview, which was recorded using Skype™ and Audio Hijack Pro™. Listen to #10 Now Download Episode Transcript Subscribe to this podcast Subscribe via iTunes™ Join email list Additional Links: Kirkville is Kirk McElhearn's excellent blog where you can find Mac™ and iTunes™ hints, as well as commentary on books and digital music. Here is a list of his books from Amazon.com The Killer Angels: A Novel of the Civil War by Michael Shaara This is an excellent novel that I talked about briefly on an earlier podcast. It is also available in audio download format from Audible.com. Kirk said he has this book coming from BookMooch. BookMooch started by the founder of Magnatune, this is a great place to exchange books
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"Challenging Nature" with Lee M Silver (B&I 9)

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Review: "Palestine" by President Jimmy Carter (B&I 8)

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I was a little hesitant to choose a controversial book, but after I read President Carter's new book, Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid, I felt the ideas were too important not to share. I also feel that anyone who reads the book for themselves will agree that Jewish Americans are being unfair when they accuse President Carter of taking sides. It is true that he highlights the plight of the Palestinians in the occupied territories, but this hardly makes him biased. Episode 8 of Books and Ideas is only an introduction to the book. You will have to read it yourself to make your own decision. Listen Now Download Transcript Subscribe to this podcast Subscribe via iTunes™ Join email list Here are some links you might find interesting: The Carter Center CNN's coverage of the resignation of the Jewish members of the Carter Center Some information about the Wall Israel is building around its settlements
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My first interview: Matthew Cobb, author of "Generation" (B&I 7)

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matthewcobb.jpgMatthew Cobb Show Notes In this podcast is an interview with Matthew Cobb who wrote Generation: The Seventeenth-Century Scientists Who Unraveled the Secrets of Sex, Life, and Growth, which was discussed in Episode 6. Cobb discusses how he became interested in the Dutch Golden Age and the pioneers who discovered the egg and the sperm, even though it was almost 200 years before the discovery of genetics helped solve the mystery of human reproduction. We also discuss how the history of of science reveals the role of human nature in the scientific endeavor. Matthew gave a great interview, but I haven't had time to compile detailed shownotes. Listen to the interview now. Download Episode Transcript Subscribe to this podcast Subscribe via iTunes™ Join email list Egg and Sperm website
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Review: "Generation" by Matthew Cobb (B&I 6)

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generation.jpgGeneration: The Seventeenth-Century Scientists Who Unraveled the Secrets of Sex, Life, and Growth by Matthew Cobb Listen to this episode now Subscribe to this podcast Subscribe via iTunes™ Join email list Show Notes In this episode I discuss the highlights of Matthew Cobb’s account of the early days of the scientific revolution. During the Dutch Golden Age of the 17th century, several Dutch thinkers made important contributions to discovering how human reproduction happens. Their work helped established the scientific method of experimentation and helped revolutionize how we see ourselves relative to the other living things on earth. Here are the full names of the people mentioned: William Harvey Neils Steno Francesco Redi Robert Hooke Johannes van Horne Jan Swammerdam Reinier de Graaf Antoni Leeuwenhoek Gregor Mendel Other interesting Links: Matthew Cobb’s Website an American Scientist Bookstand interview of Matthew Cobb
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The Relationship between Science and Philosophy (B&I 5)

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The main subject of Episode 5 is a discussion of the relationship between science and philosophy. After tracing their common heritage, Dr. Campbell examines why the fields have become estranged and why communication between science and philosophy is important to the advancement and integrity of both disciplines. She argues that individuals should take the opportunity to learn about other fields in order to counteract over specialization. Show Notes Movies: Smokey and the Bandit Close Encounters of the Third Kind Television: Ugly Betty Audiobook: Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen Book: Doubt: A History: The Great Doubters and Their Legacy of Innovation from Socrates and Jesus to Thomas Jefferson and Emily Dickinson by Jennifer Michael Hecht Books and Ideas is committed to exploring ideas from diverse fields. Listen to this episode now Episode Transcript (Download PDF) Subscribe to this podcast Subscribe via iTunes™ Here is a video worth watching! Save the Internet | Rock the Vote
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Worst Audio Books of 2006 (B&I 4)

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Show Notes for Books and Ideas Episode 4: I am not going to list the books here, but if anyone needs or wants a list all they have to do is drop me an email at docartemis at gmail.com. In this episode I also reminisce about 1977 with some really geeky memories in celebration of my recent 30th wedding anniversary. I also recommended Orson Scott Card’s Ezine The Intergalactic Medicine Show. Listen to episode 4 now Subscribe to this podcast Subscribe via iTunes™
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My Favorite AudioBooks of 2006 (B&I 3)

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Shownotes I downloaded 29 books from Audible.com in 2006. I have chosen my favorite 10 to discuss briefly in episodes 3 and 4. Next week, after I have posted episode 4 I will post the full list here. In this episode I also recommend Philosopher’s Zone podcast from Australian public radio. Listen to this episode now Subscribe to this podcast Subscribe via iTunes™
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Review: "The Trouble with Physics" (B&I 2)

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troublewithphysics-small.jpg Show Notes This episode turned out longer than I planned. After I recorded a piece about Lee Smolin’s book The Trouble with Physics: The Rise of String Theory, the fall of a science, and What Comes Next, I decided to wait until the next episode to discuss my Audible.com top 10 for 2006. I think Smolin’s book makes an important contribution on several levels. First, it is an excellent review of contemporary physics and puts string theory into context. It is also a candid look at the trends in contemporary science that are stifling original thinking and creativity. It is a passionate defense of the traditional scientific method (making predictions and testing them with experiments). If physics, which has always been thought of the purest science could lose site of its principles, we are reminded that science is a human endeavor, prone to human error and human desires. Listen to this episode now Episode Transcript (Download PDF) Subscribe to this podcast Subscribe via iTunes™ Note: This post was amended on October 5, 2009 (to fix a glitch in WordPress) Comments are closed. If you want to comment please join our new Facebook Fan Page.
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Comparing Science to Pseudoscience (B&I 1)

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Episode 1 of Books and Ideas Topics Covered:
Discussion of the difference between science and psuedo-science Books: The Trouble with Physics iWoz Headfirst HTML with CSS and XHTML Television: Studio 60 Buffy the Vampire Slayer: “Season 8? Movies: An Inconvenient Truth: more information about global warming is available at climatecrisis.org Listen to this episode now Subscribe to this podcast
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