Friday, July 9, 2010

You Should Be Listening to RadioLab

They say there's no zealot like the convert, and so it is with the Ape and podcasts. We have several favorites, though not many yet of the bookish variety. Still, when we recently listened to this episode of RadioLab, our favorite current podcast, it became clear we had to share it.

From the show's teaser:
In [this] podcast, a look at what scientists uncover when they treat words like data. In [Agatha] Christie’s case, an English professor makes a diagnosis decades after her death. And in a study involving 678 nuns—as Dr. Kelvin Lim and Dr. Serguei Pakhomov from the University of Minnesota explain—an unexpected find in a convent archive leads to a startling twist. In both examples, words serve as a window into aging brains…a window that may someday help pinpoint very early warning signs for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. We also hear from Sister Alberta Sheridan, a 94-year-old Nun Study participant.
It's a fascinating twenty minutes for the bookishly-inclined and serves as a good example of the kinds of stories and ideas RadioLab covers--smart and puckish considerations of science in the everyday. Highly, highly recommended. (You can subscribe through iTunes here)

(PS- Anyone have any good leads on literary podcasts? We currently listen to Books on the Nightstand, but haven't uncovered any others to our liking. We'd especially like a Siskel and Ebert-model, but about books, preferably fiction. Anyone know of one? And are we crazy, or would that work? Drop us a note in the comments or by email: readingape (at) gmail.com.)

19 comments:

  1. I don't generally do podcasts, but they do play RadioLab stories on NPR's Morning Edition and All Things considered from time to time, and I always find their stuff fascinating!

    ReplyDelete
  2. A Siskel and Ebert-style book rating podcast is a fantastic idea! Wanna try it?

    Other than BONS, I haven't come across any good book podcasts either. Once in awhile, I'll tune into the NY Times Sunday Book Review podcast, but it's always so damn long...

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm not sure if you'll like them, but I can recommend:


    Nancy Pearl's Book Reviews

    and possibly the best literary book podcast in the universe (sometimes too highbrow for me):

    The Book Show

    ReplyDelete
  4. Greg- Yea, I'm not a huge fan of the NY Times cast either. And I am tempted to try an At the Movies-inspired podcast...

    Amanda-
    Thanks for the recommendations--I haven't tried either of those, but I will definitely check them out.

    ReplyDelete
  5. The Writers on Writing podcast is excellent. Barbara De Marco Barrett hosts. Her website is at http://www.barbarademarcobarrett.com/writersonwriting/index.html
    and you can subscribe on the website or through iTunes.

    ReplyDelete
  6. thanks so much for the Books on the Nightstand shoutout! I only recently discovered your blog, when it was featured along with 4 others on another book blog I read (since there are so many that I have in my Google Reader, I can't remember which one it was!!). I've quickly become a fan. Keep up the great work!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi thеre, Ӏ enjoу гeaԁing
    thгοugh youг aгticle
    post. I wаnteԁ to write a little comment to support уou.


    my ωеb-site: nautical star tattoos

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wow! In the enԁ Ι gοt a wеbрage from wheгe І cаn reallу get uѕeful fаcts
    rеgaгding my stuԁy аnd
    knowleԁge.

    Fеel fгee to surf to my ωeb page .
    .. green carpet cleaning phoenix

    ReplyDelete
  9. Someone esѕentiallу help tо makе crіticаlly posts I'd state. That is the very first time I frequented your web page and up to now? I surprised with the research you made to make this particular submit incredible. Great process!

    Here is my page ... phoenix carpet cleaning

    ReplyDelete
  10. whoah this weblog is great i love reading your articles.
    Keep up the great work! You recognize, many people are hunting round
    for this information, you could aid them greatly.


    Visit my blog post :: Unblocked Games In School

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It actually was a amusement account it.

    Glance advanced to more brought agreeable from you!
    However, how could we keep up a correspondence?

    Also visit my blog post: Free seo training

    ReplyDelete
  12. I really like reading through an article that can make
    people think. Also, thank you for allowing for me to comment!


    Feel free to visit my webpage: online seo training course

    ReplyDelete
  13. wonderful issues altogether, you simply won a
    brand new reader. What might you suggest in regards to your post
    that you simply made a few days in the past? Any positive?


    Also visit my weblog; carpet cleaning scottsdale

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi, I do believe this is an excellent web site. I stumbledupon it ;) I may
    return once again since I bookmarked it. Money
    and freedom is the greatest way to change, may you be rich and
    continue to guide others.

    My web-site phoenix carpet Cleaners

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hello mates, its fantastic post concerning cultureand completely explained, keep
    it up all the time.

    my web page www.szakibazis.com/Jennie94S

    ReplyDelete
  16. The game features Time Trials, Standard Races and Eliminator Races, the
    place that the player in last place after each lap is eliminated.
    " Punch buggy is often a game played by children and in many cases adults during which participants punch each other within the arm when they view a Volkswagen Beetle. Now in the marketplace there are lots of racing games available. This game is regarded as forefather in this band of video games. Depending on the gaming platform you utilize, you can aquire them at the favorite game shops or you can order from online shops.

    my web blog play unblocked games at school [fununblockedgames.com]

    ReplyDelete
  17. This symbolises the never ever-ending spirit of
    males and women. Before you have your shoulder tattoo you MUST spend some time to select the
    best shoulder tattoo designs. Without doubt, oahu may be the inventiveness
    as well as the appearance inside the tribal skin icon patterns with
    delivered this in fashion. One very sound factors when receiving a
    tattoo is chosing a tattoo artist. Tattoos really are a real technique of reclaiming a culture that has been almost lost.


    Feel free to visit my web page - Tattoos Pictures

    ReplyDelete
  18. WOW just what I was looking for. Came here by searching for cranston home

    Also visit my web-site - seo training free

    ReplyDelete
  19. The plumbing industry began in early nineteenth century because of the expansion of cities.

    If there exists a plumbing line leak at the pipe fitting, a plumber will more than likely need to
    weld a fitting on the pipe so that it may be adequately fitted.
    If you may well ask any experienced plumber why toilets get blocked they'll all show you the same "It's
    as a consequence of exactly who attempt to flush down there". This is particularly good when the cooler is at your own home given it does mean no strangers in your own home. Smaller providers who offer a few, specific plumbing courses could have more expert knowledge and even more impressive expertise, but larger, more general training providers have more effective facilities and resources to assist your studies.

    Feel free to surf to my homepage ... my plumber

    ReplyDelete