dimland radio 8-11-18 show notes

Back To Zero

 

Last week, I moved Penn Jillette from a Dimland Radio Science Zero to a Science Zero +0.5. Well, I took away the 0.5 points, because he just posted two more episodes featuring a food guru making scientifically dubious claims. This time it was Dr. Joel Fuhrman returning to promote his new book of extraordinary claims.

A Facebook friend posted his announcement that he would no longer listen to Penn's Sunday School and he reminded people of Penn's treatment of Yvette d'Entremont, SciBabe, when she was a guest and made the mistake of challenging Penn's veganism.

 

 

That was an aspect I meant to talk about last week, but I didn't get to it. So, on this show, I made time to talk about SciBabe's experience. She even posted a comment on my Facebook friend's comment thread. I read he comment on the show.

Penn is back to zero. I will probably continue to listen to his podcast. I'm sure he will come up with some way to hand wave away the criticism he's sure to get from the latest appearance of Fuhrman.

Listen to part one and two of SciBabe's appearance too see if you don't agree than Penn was far more skeptical of her than of his vegan guys. 

A Dimland Radio Pedantic Moment: Paul McCartney And The SGU

On the August 4th edition of the Skeptic's Guide to the Universe podcast Cara Santa Maria's 'What's The Word segment featured the word stylometry and a discussion on whether or not Paul McCartney wrote a particular Beatles' song that most fans think was written by John Lennon.

Well, I got all pedantic about it.

Except...

Well, you just have to listen to find out.

As Long As I was Talking About Paul McCartney Anyway

 

There's an excellent interview that Bob Costas conducted on his show Later with McCartney (see the Three Cool Things below) which is available on YouTube. In it is a segment in which Paul gives his feelings on using pop songs in commercial advertising. The interview is from 1991 and in those days his was against it. Although, he did leave the door open to the possibility of some day changing his mind.

Costas also brought up the fact that at that time King of Pop Michael Jackson owned the publishing rights to the Beatles' catalog. (Be aware! I go on a rant or two about Mr. Jackson, the timing of his death, and Farrah Fawcett.). I talk a little bit about Paul's reaction.

Three Cool Things

1) The monthly meet-up of the Minnesota Skeptics took place and that's always cool, even if that last half mile to get to the place is a pain in the ass.

2) That lost bin of art that was found by my wife a couple weeks ago is yielding more gems. There were two rather involved pencil drawings I did in art school 32 years ago that I think turned out pretty good, see below.

3) Paul McCartney makes the Three Cools Things a second week in a row. This time it's for that interview with Bob Costas. It's very cool.

Music heard on the show...

Dimland Radio opening theme song: 'Ram' by The Yoleus 
First ad break bumpers: 'Natural's Not In It' by Gang Of Four & 'One At A Time' by The Who

Second ad break bumpers: 'Certain Things Are Likely' by KTP & 'Keeping Looking' by Sade

Closing song: 'Angler's Treble Hook' by $5 Fiddle

That's it! See you next Saturday night for Dimland Radio 11 Central, midnight Eastern on www.ztalkradio.com you can also download my show from the z talk show archives page. You can email your questions and comments to drdim@dimland.com

Please subscribe on iTunes! Just search for Dimland Radio in the podcast section. And if you could leave a good rating and a positive review it would be awesome.

You can also go to my CafePress store and buy stuff with my artwork on it and have me do a portrait for you if you like. Find out more here and here.

Images used under Fair Use.

dimland radio 8-4-18 show notes

Zero Plus 0.5

 

Last week, I named Penn Jillette a Dimland Radio Science Zero for giving a platform for some very dubious food and diet claims made by people whose scientific reputation isn't great. I was disappointed to do it, but I felt he'd let down skepticism and critical thought.

 

Well, he responded. Oh, not to what I did. He has no idea who I am. But many of the fans of his podcast had voiced their disappointment. He was also responded to Orac (Dr. David Groski) who posted a lengthy blog reviewing Penn's interview of Dr. Michael Klaper. A doctor who made a few claims that just didn't sit right with science.

 

Penn started poorly by setting up a Straw Man. I talk about that Straw Man, what I think the actual skeptical objections were, and I did give him half a point. So, he's a Dimland Radio Science Zero Plus 0.5.

 

You can listen to his response here and see what you think. I mentioned an InFact video by Brian Dunning about the Big Mac Diet. I was wrong. It was not an InFact video, it was a recent Skeptoid podcast by Brian. 

A Pair Of Movie Tropes That Bug Me

The first is a trope that goes back almost as far back as the first action films. It when a character is shown falling or sliding rapidly toward a cliff or rooftop and they catch themselves at the last second. Just how strong does Hollywood think people's hand are?

 

The second is a more recent development: Showing characters vomit. It's becoming rather ubiquitous. The props departments must have improved the pea soup formula used for vomit and really want to use it.

I Think Stanley Kubrick's Last Film Is...

...excruciatingly dull!

 

Oh, the first time I saw Eyes Wide Shut (1999) I was impressed with the cinematography and the naked ladies and a naked Nicole Kidman, but I thought it was... rather... de...liber...ate...ly... paced.

 

When I saw it a second time, it was sooooo god damn booooooring! No amount of seeing Kidman's butt could make it bearable. Well, maybe it made it a little bearable. 

Three Movies Far Better Than Eyes Wide Shut

 

12 Angry Men (1957) Sidney Lumet's jury room drama focusing on 12 men in one room for virtually the entire movie talking, debating, arguing over the guilt or innocence of a young man tried for murder with the death penalty hanging over his head, is so much more interesting than Eyes Wide Shut and none of the fellows get naked.

 

 

Room (2015) Brie Larson and Jacob Tremblay (so damn impressive as he was only eight when he played the part of Jack) both put in powerful performances in this drama in which the first half of the movie takes place in one room. They do escape "room" and have to adjusted to the world. That first half in one room is so much more fascinating than Eyes Wide Shut.

 

Locke (2013) Starring Tom Hardy, this tension filled drama focuses on Ivan Locke. He's driving to London to deal with a pressing matter that takes precedent over and adds complications to his job, his marriage, and his relationship with his children. The entire film, presented in real time, is one man, in a car, talking on his phone, and it blows Eyes Wide Shut away.

Three Cool Things

1) My son Hayden turned 15 this week. (Astrologers put your charts away!) Jinkies! Where does the .

2) I hadn't noticed it in all the times I've watched 12 Angry Men, but the scene of the fellows entering the jury room, having quick conversations, and then taking their places is all done in one take. Have a look.

3) And I finally watched the Carpool Karaoke with Late, Late Show host, James Corden, and Paul McCartney. Sure, much of it was staged, but I'm sure the patrons at the pub had no idea what was about to happen. Pretty damn cool.

Music heard on the show...

Dimland Radio opening theme song: 'Ram' by The Yoleus 
First ad break bumpers: 'Only You' by Yaz & 'Almost With You' by The Church

Second ad break bumpers: 'Rapture' by Blondie & 'Kissfolk' by 54-40

Closing song: 'Angler's Treble Hook' by $5 Fiddle

That's it! See you next Saturday night for Dimland Radio 11 Central, midnight Eastern on www.ztalkradio.com you can also download my show from the z talk show archives page. You can email your questions and comments to drdim@dimland.com

Please subscribe on iTunes! Just search for Dimland Radio in the podcast section. And if you could leave a good rating and a positive review it would be awesome.

You can also go to my CafePress store and buy stuff with my artwork on it and have me do a portrait for you if you like. Find out more here and here.

Images used under Fair Use.

dimand radio 4-14-18 show notes

Mom: No Update This Week

Mom is OK.

 

I guess that is an update. Oh, well.

I Made It Through That Top Ten List

After a little talk about a show that used to be on Z Talk Radio (it still cycles through the autoplay when no scheduled show is on), whose host believed he could talk to angels, I revisited the topic of my rant at the end of last week's show: WatchMojo's Top Ten list of the Most Electrifying Live Bands of All Time.

You will recall my two complaints about that list were the placement of my favorite band, The Who, at #10 and the voice-over child not knowing how to pronounce Pete Townshend's name.

Well, during the past week I mustered the courage and watched the entire video. On this week's show, I talk about that list and I try to look at it from the perspective of someone who isn't as big a Who fan as I am. (Apparently, there are people out there who don't even like the greatest band in the world. Go figure.)

These kinds of lists are subjective and I try to keep that in mind. But The Who at #10?!

 

Here's the video.

Tool Time Talk

No, I don't talk about Tim Allen and his manly man, tool-obsessed sit-com. This talk was about a band I know very little about. The band is Tool. They are a highly respected and acclaimed prog-metal or alt-metal band from California.

As I said, I know very little of them, but recently friend of the show Craig introduced to a couple of their songs. Metal was never a favorite musical form for me, but there are some songs I like. And I was impressed with the musicianship displayed in those two songs and the vocals did not put me off as is what usually happens when I listen to metal, especially 80s Hair Metal.

 

The two songs are Crawl Away and Forty Six & 2.

 

And Then There Are These Music Students

 

Craig also linked me to a video of some music students of Maineville Music Academy doing a cover of Forty Six & 2. The kids range in age (I'm guessing here) 9 to 18 or so. And they are pretty damn good.

 

You Take That Back, Travis!

 

Next I talked about a conversation I had with another friend of the show, Travis, about my learning about Tool. I think Tool is to Travis as The Who is to me. We also talked about the cover by those school kids.

 

Travis mentioned how there were nine of those kids (eight on instruments, one doing vocals) to do that song, while, when playing live, Tool consists of three on instruments and one on vocals and they pull it off.

 

Hmm. Three on instruments and one vocalist. WHO does that sound like, eh? Of course.

 

I know. I'm sick. I can't help bringing them up (Although I will try.) So, I brought The Who into the conservation. It was then that Travis suggested Townshend wasn't much of a musician.

 

...

 

Travis is still alive. When you listen to the show you'll learn how he managed to survive.

 

They Aren't All Playing All That Music?

 

I learned this from a recent Penn's Sunday School podcast. It's an industry secret that some of the major touring rock bands will hide additional musicians to fill in the sound, cover the mistakes, hit the high notes, etc. I guess I can understand when a band wants to reproduce the sound of their records, but they don't want to appear mortal not being able to do it all.

 

U2 is one a band that employs a keyboardist who is hidden away from the crowd, but they do introduce him to the audience. Aerosmith and The Rolling Stones aren't as open about it. At least, according to Penn Jillette and pianist Mike Jones.

 

You know, when The Who tours now and since the late 80s they have their additional musicians right on stage with them.

 

The Who are so great. They just... Sorry, I'll stop talking about them for a while, OK?

 

Three Cool Things

 

3) Well, it appears I can't stop talking about them for long, because there's this very cool video on YouTube that isolates Keith Moon's drum track on the song Won't Get Fooled Again.

 

2) There a very entertaining podcast that humorously focuses on American history. It's called The Dollop and there's a YouTube video of a live performance done on baseball's maverick owner Bill Veeck. The talk includes the infamous Death To Disco event held during a doubleheader at Comiskey Park.

 

1) As is most always the case on the second Thursday of the month, I met up with the Minnesota Skeptics and got all good and skeptical with them. Always a cool time.

 

Music heard on the show...

Dimland Radio opening theme song: 'Ram' by The Yoleus 
First ad break bumpers: 'Take It Away' by Paul McCartney & 'Walking & Falling' by Laurie Anderson

Second ad break bumpers: 'Infected' by The The & 'No Reply At All' by Genesis

Closing song: 'Angler's Treble Hook' by $5 Fiddle

That's it! See you next Saturday night for Dimland Radio 11 Central, midnight Eastern on www.ztalkradio.com you can also download my show from the z talk show archives page. You can email your questions and comments to drdim@dimland.com

Please subscribe on iTunes! Just search for Dimland Radio in the podcast section. And if you could leave a good rating and a positive review it would be awesome.

You can also go to my CafePress store and buy stuff with my artwork on it and have me do a portrait for you if you like. Find out more here and here.