Science... Sort Of

00:00:00 – Dr. Phil Currie, Professor of Paleontology at the University of Alberta and President of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, comes on to alert the Paleopals and more importantly the PaleoPosse about the dangers of bad legislation in Tennessee and elsewhere. 00:10:33 – As an addendum to that discussion the Paleopals talk about the fact that even though Creationism loses in the courtroom it still has a strong foothold in the classroom. 00:21:17 - Ryan has a Monster in his branded mug, Patrick whines from a usual place and Charlie seeks redemption. All to answer the simple question, "What are we drinking?" 00:25:23 – Once Patrick figures out what to watch this segment gets marvelously alliterative when Trailer Trash Talk tackles Thor! Ryan will be writing some pieces on Thor Science for Marvel in the next few weeks, so keep an eye out for those links as they happen. 00:39:14 – According to a new study when you think of death you’re more likely to accept Intelligent Design (as opposed to dour D

00:00:00 - Your logo may say more about you than you'd like, so spring for the nicer shirt, because sometimes you just can't fight evolution as a new study shows that name brand can make the difference.   00:12:18 - What are we drinking? Charlie talks labels and a different kind of taste. Ben goes back to a brand he trusts. And Ryan tries to stick with the theme with a very convoluted connection.   00:17:41 - Trailer Trash Talk gets both high and deep as the Paleopals break down the trailer for Werner Herzog's new 3D documentary The Cave of Forgotten Dreams Special thanks to Andrew Mayne, of theWeird Things Podcast, for his help figuring out the dark details of Chauvet Cave! Also, special thanks to Ryan forthinking so hard about Centaurs all of the time.   00:33:08 - Science... sort of gets topical with a story about how language affects culture, politics and so much more when a video from RSA about linguistics gets the Paleopals thinking about current events in the Arab world.   00:49:52 - Paleopows are li

00:00:00 - Dr. Christie Rowe had a problem with an article Simon Winchester published about recent earthquakes and bogus predictions. She let him know about her problems and he wasn't exactly a gentlemen or a good journalist about her critiques. We talk to Christie about her experiences trying to bully the bully pulpit into present honest science to the public instead of fear mongering for higher hit counts. Read about the entire interaction on the Paleocave Blog. Also read Dr. Rowe's followup post to the entire debacle at Scientific American's Guest Blog.   00:34:22 - What are we drinking? Christie also sticks around to counter misconceptions about boxed wine. Patrick concurs and is feeling mighty red and cheap himself. On the other hand, Charlie and Ryan compete to see who can be more bitter. Surprisingly (or maybe not), Ryan pulls out a win.   00:39:21 - Trailer Trash Talk, doubling up as Patrick's PaleoPOW via Jeff Sykes, ventures into potential ramble territory this week as the Paleopals discuss the u

00:00:00 - The show starts this week with a hardy helping of pterosaur ptime when the Paleopals sit down to discuss past errors with David Hone and Ross Eglin. Be sure to scope out all the other projects they're involved in at: pterosaur.net, Archosaur Musings and Ask A Biologist. 00:37:29 – In which potent potables are consumed.   00:42:50 – It's a trip down found footage lane when the Paleopals set their sights skyward with a mission for fear in the new trailer for Apollo 18. 00:59:46 – Ben Goldacre, author of the book Bad Science, had some things to say on hissecondary blog about the idea that science journalists should have science degrees. The Paleopals discuss with a bit of added insight from friend of the show Marissa!   01:14:28 – PaleoPOWs are like trivia, plural and interesting. This week Patrick delights that he has some actual snail mail, Charlie laments the state of our iTunes rating while praising Laura W. for saying something nice and Ryan has a rocking e-mail from Cori L.     Thanks for lis

00:00:00 – Ben takes a moment to ask the Paleoposse to consider helping the people of Japan recover from recent catastrophe. If you'd like to donate we've provided some links: Doctors without Borders American Red Cross   00:00:40 - Ben also tells us the scientific cautionary tale of LIGO, which has something to do with lasers and gravity waves. Straight out of sci-fi and into a mysterious envelope that holds the key to potential publication!   00:19:01 – What are we drinking? Charlie has trouble with a top. Ben has a brew from south of the border and south of the ground (i.e. made from a root). Ryan supports the Japanese brewery Kiuchi, which even though hit hard by the tsunami has stopped brewing but started bottling water for people displaced from their homes.   00:27:44 – Trailer Trash Talk is a 15-year-old boy's fever dream as the Paleopals discuss Zak Snyder's latest offering: Sucker Punch!   00:39:31 – Economics and alcohol combine in the world of bubbles and brewing. A team hired by Diageo (owner

00:00:00 – Ryan is riding shotgun with Justin Wood from New Orleans, Louisiana this week but Patrick and Charlie are in their usual places and are more than ready to talk about the dangers of biology research, mainly in the form of violent opposition to experimentation.   00:20:29 – What are we drinking? Charlie has gone coconuts while Patrick returns to a seasonal favorite. Justin and Ryan enjoy a charitable pilsner from Abita which is trying to help fisherman recover from the BP oil spill. You can learn more or help too by clicking here.   00:24:28 – Trailer Trash Talk this week is dedicated to justice, awkwardness and increasing Kevin Bacon's degree-ed-ness as the Paleopals break down Super.   00:34:10 – Pterosaurs had wings, but since skin doesn't usually preserve in the fossil record we don't know what those wings looked like.  A new paper breaks down the options and the Paleopals break that down further still. Here's a diagram from the paper that might aid in your understanding.   00:39:09 - PaleoPOWs

00:00:00 – Fungus and ants have a complex relationship, sometimes the ants are farming the fungus, other times the fungi are infecting the ants in the brain and reprogramming their behavior for their own nefarious needs. Tit for tat, right? The Paleopals bring on Kelly Weinersmith to talk cordyceps and other parasitic "pests" in our great weird world.   00:30:43 – After the horrors of infestation we all could use a good drink. Jacob tries to impress, Patrick has a present from the wife and Ryan talks about his own infected beer much to Patrick's envy.   00:38:39 - You know things are bad when LA is your only hope, but that's the situation in this week's Trailer Trash Talk where the guys are chatting Battle: Los Angeles For those who are curious Brian Dunning did an episode of Skeptoid about the Battle of Los Angeles which is well worth your time once you're done with all the back episodes of Science... sort of. Ryan, on the other hand, compares this movie to some comic he read called Irredeemable, where the

00:00:00 – According to a new article in The Economist, people used to think alchemy was awesome. Than chymists came along and acted all high and mighty with their beakers and their goggles! But were the alchemists really so wrong? A parable about the progress of science. (Just don't start think there's anything to homeopathy, ok? Literally sugar pills and water, people.)   00:19:32 – What are we drinking? Well even though it's the morning the Paleopals are packing heat (it's not really morning, we all have real jobs, y'know?). Patrick warms up with a pint of the black stuff. Charlie says some words in French. And Ryan reaches into the Dank Tank.   00:24:09 – Trailer Trash Talk this week deals with human enhancement, mental misinterpretations and wondering if anyone can ever achieve the level of functioning of Bradley Cooper all by discussing the trailer for Limitless   00:38:36 – In this week's installment of "Science Story-time" Patrick tells the tale of the evolvingpine cone in it's quest to hurt the throa

00:00:00 – This week on the show: The Paleopals featuring the Yeti! Sounds like a good band, right? A band of knuckleheads!   00:01:40 – Turns out some animals are stealing the limelight, literally. An oriental wasp is found to be solar charging it's yellowed-butt and a slug is eating, incorporating and reproducing stolen photosynthetic genes!   00:22:01 – What are you drinking? Taking a back seat to science but never a backseat to flavor. The Paleopals have nothing too surprising save Patrick who rolls in a PaleoPOW from Craig L. that is definitely NOT spam but can definitely be seen in the new gallery Art... sort of! 00:27:36 – Trailer Trash Talk this week is the story of something you might actually find on a trailer or in a trash heap... a tire! A tire named Robert, who has some issues with humanity in the new horror/comedy Rubber. (which was actually suggested by listener Jeff Sykes!)   00:39:09 – Eusociality is a tricky thing, so we waited for Justin to come back on and explain it to us. This new cont

00:00:00 – This week the Paleopals skip the usual intro because they're just so excited to talk to author Dr. Sheril Kirshenbaum author of The Science of Kissing!   00:52: 29 – In keeping with the oral fixation the guys let Sheril off the line then talk about getting a "kiss from sweet lady hop." That Charlie really is such a poet. Also Ben seems to have some issues with how beer is produced.   00:58:18 – This week Trailer Trash Talk is going on a field trip for the very first time with Ed Helms and John C. Reily in the new Sundance comedy movie Cedar Rapids!   01:08:31 - PaleoPOW is a time to reflect, and this week the Paleopals might as well be surrounded by mirrors. Charlie et al. are taken to task by[blank]  for panning the trailer for The Last Mountain in Episode 70. Charlie explains our position in depth and refers listeners to Episode 51 where we break down the problems facing alternative energy development. Ben helps budding young scientist Cam nail down the specs for his experimental hot fusion re

00:00:00 – This week the Paleopals start the episode off with a bang. Whales are doing it beneath the waves, and doing so in a way that may surprise the monogamous among us. (DISCLAIMER: This story acknowledges the existence of sex and the linked story has the pictures to prove it!)   00:13:01 – The "What are we drinking?" sequence takes back seat to the sex lives of whales, but don’t worry, it’s still there and still delicious. Patrick whines... about foil; while Charlie and Ryan sync their taste buds Kentucky style.   00:16:35 – If you want to guarantee a spot on Trailer Trash Talk, make a werewolf movie. Patrick cannot resist them; it is his own distinct curse. As such, the guys are talking Red Riding Hood; an updated Twilight-esque take on the centuries old fairy tale of debated initial gruesomeness.   00:26:59 – Borneo is a wealth of weird biological stuff we’re just now figuring out. This week the Paleopals present a tale of a new mutualism wherein bats and pitcher plants finally get along after fight

00:00:00 – Per usual, the Paleopals are introduced with a tasty beverage in hand, but this week Patrick jumps the PaleoPOW gun with a question from Formspring about what drink we'd recommend on a date with a lady. Patrick also asks for you hair. Don't worry, it's for science. He explains it in a post on the Paleocave Blog.   00:15:17 - The NY TIMES warns us of biodiversity up a creek, or more specifically up a hill. The problem is hills end at the top, and so too may life.   00:28:14 - This week's Trailer Trash Talk takes us to space (again) but this time we're alone and musical because Angels & Airwaves are releasing a sci-fi movie. We don't get it either, but the trailer for LOVE has our interest piqued.   00:39:57 - Travis Brown wants to know what's up with those cloning Mammoths experiments! The Paleopals tackle the hard ecological questions, leave the genetics to the nerds! Cloning Mammoths via Travis Brown And Josh Christie found us some follow-up on the Shackleton whisky expedition that we covere

00:00:00 – The Paleopals are here sipping liquids from all over the place. Sustainable? No. Delicious? You bet! Ignore your carbon footprint and uncork something tasty.   00:05:26 – More Doarn! Charles Doarn returns to finish our discussion about sending people to Mars from Episode 69, including some sobering yet inspiring thoughts on the inquisitive nature of man. Be sure to consider snagging the book, The Human Mission to Mars: Colonizing the Red Planet   00:55:16 – This week Trailer Trash Talk heads back to WV to judge the documentary The Last Mountain, about a small town fighting back against exploding hillsides.   01:11:13 – Patrick alerts the other Paleopals to the presence of a tiny dino that is maybe or maybe not sending ripples up the evolutionary dinosaurian tree. Plus the guys coin a new paleontological logical fallacy: Argument from T-Rex.   01:23:08 – PaleoPOW this week runs the gamut. Ryan tells us, with his amazing reading skills, about Thomas “Above and Beyond” Broyles-Lewiswho not only ga

00:00:00 – The gang's all here (in a quantum sense) and enjoying brews of grape, grain and grass. Yup, ben is drinking grass. We don't even know anymore.   00:06:37 – This week we present Part 1 of our interview with Charles Doarn about his recently published paper titled "Medical Care for a Mars Transit Mission and Extended Stay on the Martian Surface."   00:48: 18 – In maybe one of the most metal stories we've had the joy of covering, NASA's Fermi space telescope finds that lighting storms emit antimatter. One day when the world understands science better this will be painted on the sides of vans everywhere.   00:58:31 – Patrick finally gets to a movie he's been excited about for awhile, and the excitement is infectious as the guys Trailer Trash Talk Your Highness!   01:09:36 – PaleoPOW this week brings a Christmas iTunes review from Canada (as read by Ben) written by Rico. Patrick follows up with an American iTunes from Travis. Ryan plays a voicemail followup on our tea discussion from Dustin K. when he

00:00:00 - The Paleopals are back in the hot seat for their first show of 2011 all about the Queen of Sciences: MATH! Strap in, we promise it's not boring.   00:06:14 – Patrick likes pulling science out of the weirdest places, this week it's a New York Times piece by Michael Lewis about math, markets and natural disasters. This one really may be worth reading before listening.   00:29:12 – Anthony Hopkins is up to his old tricks again as he squares off against both skepticism and demonic possession in the "inspired by true events" trailer for The Rite!   00:43:46 – Odd-Man Out makes it's first appearence in a goodly while. Ryan is sitting silent (... sort of) as Patrick and Charlie talk about the BBC podcast A Brief History of Mathematics   00:57:00 – PaleoPOW returns with a vengeance this year. Patrick proclaims profit provided by PANG! Charlie gets corrected by Eric on his use of the term "hacktivist". Eric also set up a subreddit for those who know what that means. And finally Ryan (Who got bored and sta

00:00:00 – What episode is it? Who can really say? All we know for sure is that science is afoot and the guys are prepared with beverages aplenty.   00:06:10 - Space X finally put stuff in space, again, sort of. Patrick explains it better and since it's about people in space there is no shortage of discussion.   00:18:20 – After a miserable day by the bay Charlie is feeling a bit SAD. The guys discuss this bizarre phenomenon of light based depression.   00:32:27 – Ryan is excited for The Source Code, new movie from the director of Moon. Charlie thinks the shark is being jumped. Patrick is in the middle but he only has 8 minutes to figure it out!   00:47:30 – Big PaleoPOW this week as Charlie announces the winners of the Flyer Contest. Congrats to Jon L. and Clave4e! You guys get shirts! In other news Patricks helps out Danielle with a tea and protein problem and Ryan reads an iTunes review you've already heard. The joys of having recorded a show out of order.     Thanks for listening, be sure to check out the

00:00:00 – The lineup is a bit different than usual as Ryan is joined by alternative Paleopals Ben and Jacob. But wait! There's more... 00:04:42 – Joining the Paleopals is Professor Robert Smith? and author Max Brooks. Zombie experts of disparate fields! What ensues is a round table zombie discussion sure to titillate and illuminate! 00:52:42 – After that great Z-table discussion it's good to unwind with some wild west nonsense because this week's Trailer Trash Talk is Cowboys and Aliens! 01:01:54 – Last up is the PaleoPOW! Jacob has a domestic iTunes review from faym001 that forgets to mention him. Ben has a Canadian iTunes review from Ryan Closs, whom Ryan has no prior knowledge of, and Ryan has a punny e-mail from Mike.   Thanks for listening! These are the last days of the 2010 Podcast awards so be sure to vote at http://podcastawards.com   Need more Science… sort of? Get it from the blog! http://paleocave.com   Music for this week's show: May the Living be Dead (In Our Wake) – Flogging Molly Zombie Boy –

00:00:00 – The Paleopals are all here, having recovered from a mysterious case of arsenic poisoning, and are flushing their systems out with a little bit of alcohol. Charlie has an old favorite, Patrick is kicking back a cold one, and Ryan is classing it up, but maybe being a bit "winey" about it.   00:05:29 – Ryan, Patrick and Ben sit down for a chat with John Allen Paulos, a professor of math and statistics at Temple University. He's way smarter than all of you so listen to what he says about numbers, innumeracy and the problem with people not knowing their maths (It's how the Brits say it.)   Also, don't forget to do your homework: 1) Take any prime number bigger than 5 and explain why it's square is always 1 more than a multiple of 24. 2) Estimate how many pizza parlors there are in SF.   00:40:34 – Now that the Paleopals have been told they need to toughen up their number sense they figure they best toughen up in some other areas, in other words they need to develop some True Grit.   00:50:14 – Most peop

The Paleopals were caught up in the NASA excitement yesterday so they sat down and did an impromptu show! Enjoy this special edition slightly shorter episode all about Arsenic and Old Lake! If you're interested in more great science chat check out a regular episode released Mondays at http://www.sciencesortof.com/   Or our blog which is updated all week long at http://paleocave.com/   Music: That's Life - Frank Sinatra

00:00:00 – Happy post-Thanksgiving (for the Americans)! Happy week in November (everyone else)! The Paleopals have decided to take this opportunity to clear out the inbox and do an all PaleoPOW show. E-mails, voicemails, Facebook posts, OH MY! Enjoy the feedback frenzy, y'all. 00:06:49 – Ryan's PaleoPOW: Dayna likes the show but has some pressing issues like global climate change and Roswell, which she insists we discuss. If she hoped for bit of science and some rambling on top she shan't be disappointed. 00:22:35 – Ben's PaleoPOW: Allan Pang called in to ask about time travel, which the Paleopals are always down to pontificate on. The double-ended beer bong on the universe makes a reappearance. 00:34:48 – Charlie's PaleoPOW: Eric from frozen MN e-mailed in a link to an awesome list of weird things (physics things) about the Universe. No time for all 10, the guys pick and choose their favorites. 00:51:01 – Trailer Trash Talk refuses to be forgotten as the guys discuss the upcoming Nic Cage medieval fantas