Patent System Out of Control

This last week, there was an episode of this american life and an episode of planet money dealing with our current patent system. Holy crap is it broken! The heart of the problem seems to be that you can patent an idea, but having an implementation isn't necessary. The planet money episode digs into a particular case about podcasts, some guy patented the vague idea of patenting episodes and downloading them and wants all podcasters to pay him a royalty. ipods didn't even exist when he made that patent, let alone podcasts. Fuck that guy and fuck the system that makes this even a possibility.

The system allows you to patent an idea, wait years or decades for someone to actually invent the thing, then go sue them for a royalty. My wife and I were dumbfounded listening to this crap. I guess I might as well take advantage of the system, I'm going to go patent a jetpack. Hopefully someone else will go invent one and I can get rich off of it.

Image source

In all seriousness though, I have little to contribute here, except to try to help get the word out. Everyone should go listen to those shows (This American Life and Planet Money) and spread the word.

Guest on the Bitchspot Report

This week I was the first guest on Cephus and Outwest's relatively new podcast "The Bitchspot Report". I had a hell of a lot of fun doing it and I think we had a very good conversation. For those of you who are not familiar, it is a podcast from a conservative atheist point of view. For anyone like me who enjoys listening to atheist podcasts, I highly recommend you add this one to your rotation. Most atheist podcasters seem to be liberal, which is one of the reasons I was very happy when they announced that they were starting one with a different perspective. It is not a good idea to have all of your information coming in saying the same thing. No matter what your political leanings are, it would be to your benefit to listen to these guys.

Go check them out.

Quantum Tunneling

Today will be a quick one, I was recently listening to the titanium physicist podcast on Quantum tunneling, which is the idea that through quantum processes, particles can make it to places where they shouldn't be based on classical mechanics. One thing about the idea that really caught my attention is that because of quantum tunneling, the sun is able to burn at a much lower temperature than it should be able to based on classical mechanics. Pretty neat stuff. I'm no physicist, so I'm not going to try to explain how it works, but if that little taste caught your interest I would definitely recommend listening to that episode.

I'm starting a podcast!

Every day, I read a chapter of the bible and write a blog post about it. I usually read it out loud to myself because I find it easier to process that way. About a month ago it occurred to me that while I read it I say a lot of things that don't wind up going into the blog and thought that some people might be interested in that material and figured I'd make it into a podcast. So every day along with my blog post, I will publish a companion podcast entry which will cover the same chapter in the bible. I will read the bible and give my summary and commentary in a more detailed way than I like to on the blog.

I initially had my doubts about whether or not this was worth doing, but then Thomas and the Bible was recommended to me. I have been enjoying the hell out of that podcast, so I figured that someone might enjoy me doing a similar thing. (BTW, if my podcast sounds interesting to you, definitely go check out Thomas and the bible).

I'm uploading an introductory podcast today, and I will start regular posts tomorrow with Colossians.

Introductory podcast

Also, you might notice a new RSS feed button at the top of my sidebar. I tested it and it works in google listen on my phone so I'm assuming it is in general working order.

Oh BTW, I don't really know what I am doing with podcasting, so if anyone reading has some experience with it and has some beginner tips I'm all ears.

Thomas and the Bible

Hey everyone. I had another post written for today, but something about it didn't seem quite right so I pulled it at the last minute. It could use some more editing, maybe I'll set it loose next weekend.

So instead I figured I could tell you about this new podcast I found. I was telling a new friend about my blog, and he recommended I check out Thomas and the bible. It's some guy reading the bible and giving a running commentary on it. He points out the absurdities as he sees it and tries to be funny while he's at it. I've listened to the first few episodes and am enjoying it quite a bit. If you like my blog I think this podcast would be right up your alley.

Podcasts I like

I am in the middle of a long trip and need something quick and easy to post. So I figured I'd post a list of the podcasts that I like.

Atheism:

Ask An Atheist: Call in show, although they usually just do prepared topics

Culture Wars Radio: I'm new to this one, but he talks about atheism and politics it seems

Godless Bitches: A podcast about feminism and atheism

Reasonable Doubts: Atheist radio show, not really sure how to expand the description on this one :)

The Atheist Experience: public access radio call in show from Austin. These guys are a large part of what inspired me to start this blog

The Non Prophets: Atheist Experience guys talking about atheism without calls

Comedy:

The Adam Carolla Show: Basically a morning radio show in podcast form, except actually funny. Warning, there is no censorship here

Economics:

Planet Money: They talk about economics in a very simple, easy to understand way. Very well produced program.

Econtalk: More long form economics discussion from a college econ professor. Really interesting but a little dry. I think it is great but I have to be in the right mood for it.

Science:

The Weekly Weinersmith: The guy from SMBC talking science with his wife. She studies parasites so that comes of a fair bit...awesome

The Titanium Physicists: A couple physicists explain a difficult physics idea to a non-physicist. I really like the format.

Skeptics Guide to the universe: skepticism and science. My favorite thing they do each episode is "science or fiction" where one guy gives a few science stories and the other people have to guess which story is fake.

Variety? (not sure what to call this category)

This American Life: Great Stories each week

Radiolab: Similar to TAL, not as good but I still like it a lot.

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I already have more on my list than I can really keep up with, but if you know of another podcast you really like feel free to add it in the comments.