It’s the year-end edition of Podcast Friday! Each week we compile some of the more interesting podcasts from around the web and list them right here for your listening pleasure!
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Bits: Tech Talk from The New York Times
Technology Headlines 2011 (December 29, 2011) — A recap of the year’s major technology headlines and a gear roundup that includes digital-audio amplifiers and a solar-powered keyboard.
Apple Patents and Audio Gear Galore (December 22, 2011) — Nick Wingfield of The Times discusses Apple’s recent legal victory over HTC and Pedro Rafael Rosado samples new headphones and an Android speaker dock.
Book Reviews from The New York Times
The Ten Best Books of 2011 (December 09, 2011) — This week, the Book Review’s 10 Best Books of 2011; Gerald Marzorati on “Love Goes to Buildings on Fire”, Will Hermes’ book about the New York music scene in the 1970s; Julie Bosman has notes from the field; the Times’s Susan Chira discusses “No Higher Honor”, the new memoir by Condoleeza Rice; and Gregory Cowles has best-seller news. Sam Tanenhaus is the host.
John Horgan on Robert Trivers’s The Folly of Fools and best-seller news (December 23, 2011) — This week, a conversation with John Horgan about The Folly of Fools by Robert Trivers; Christopher Beha on a number of new books about our relationship to animals; Julie Bosman has notes from the field; and Gregory Cowles has best-seller news. Sam Tanenhaus is the host.
Brain Stuff from HowStuffWorks.com
Japan’s Nuclear Problem (December 28, 2011) — When the recent earthquake hit Japan, it seemed the country had withstood the worst of the blast — until explosions occurred at a nuclear power plant. Is another disaster on the way? Tune in as Marshall explains the state of Japan’s nuclear power plants.
How High-level Nuclear Waste Works (December 26, 2011) — What exactly is high-level nuclear waste, and how are we dealing with it today? In this episode, Marshall breaks down the techniques used to store high-level nuclear waste.
What Does a Gigabyte of Internet Access Really Cost? (December 22, 2011) — Internet service providers often tangle with customers who claim they’re being ripped off — but how much does a gigabyte of access actually cost? Join Marshall Brain as he breaks down the real cost of a gigabyte’s worth of internet access.
Culturetopia from NPR
Culturetopia: Big Movie Edition (December 28, 2011) — This Week On Culturetopia: A movie round-up with pieces about Daniel Craig and “The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo,” Glenn Close and “Albert Nobbs,” Meryl and “The Iron Lady,” and Angelina Jolie on “In the Land Of Blood and Honey.”
Pop Culture Happy Hour: Our Favorite Moments Of 2011 (December 23, 2011) — This week on Pop Culture Happy Hour, NPR Monkey See’s Linda Holmes, Trey Graham, Stephen Thompson and Glen Weldon look back at their favorite moments of 2011: the singers, the comics, the books that made us feel them all the way to our toes, and more. All that plus What’s Making Us Happy this week.
Music Popcast from The New York Times
The Best Jazz of 2011 (December 29, 2011) — Ben Ratliff and Nate Chinen, jazz critics for The Times, discuss the best jazz artists and albums of the year.
NOVA on PBS
Surprises in Your Genes (December 20, 2011) — In order to develop from an embryo, animals as different as fruit flies and humans call on a nearly identical set of genes. But how does this one common genetic toolkit create so many different species? It turns out that it’s not the genes you have–it’s how you use them.
PopStuff
How to Build a Southerner for Your TV Show or Movie (December 28, 2011) — Every region gets misrepresented in television and film, but it seems the South gets the lion’s share of stereotyping. Because Tracy and Holly live in the South, they’re experts on Southerners, and they’re ready to educate film and television industry.
TV Bosses We Love (and Love to Hate) (December 26, 2011) — They can’t all be Michael Scott. (We wouldn’t want them to be.) What makes a television boss endearing or upsetting? As a boss of things, Tracy has different criteria than Holly, but they’ve talked it out, and you’re invited to eavesdrop.
Stuff To Blow Your Mind
Anatomy of a Hangover (December 29, 2011) — Before your next New Year’s hangover, let’s explore what creates that splitting headache and the realization that you’re wearing half a gorilla costume. Join Julie and Robert as they lead you through the effects of drinking and tips to cure the condition.
Newton: The Chuck Norris of Science (December 27, 2011) — You are unprepared for the awesomeness of Sir Isaac Newton. Sure, he contributed to science, but a deeper look into his life shows just how Chuck Norrisy the man was. Plug in your headphones and prepare to enter the obsessive mind of a scientific master.
Stuff You Missed in History Class
Unearthed in 2011: Part 1 (December 26, 2011) — In this two-part episode, we take a look at some of the most interesting historical finds of 2011, from one of Captain Henry Morgan’s pirate ships to a rare portrait of Jane Austen discovered by British author Dr. Paula Byrne. Listen in to learn more.
Unearthed in 2011: Part 2 (December 28, 2011) — In part two of this episode, we continue to uncover some of the most interesting historical discoveries of 2011, from the world’s oldest winery to France’s oldest brewery. Tune in to learn more about the biggest historical discoveries of 2011.
Stuff You Should Know
Coffee: The World’s Drug of Choice (December 29, 2011) — There’s a 98 percent chance you’re drinking coffee right now. Maybe not, sure, but coffee is ubiquitous – about 80 percent of Americans consume coffee and Brazil alone has 3 billion coffee plants. Learn all about the great black brew in this episode.