Podcast Transcript The modern world runs on electricity. That isn’t a throwaway statement. If we remove electricity, our civilization will quickly fall apart. The power that runs the modern world is dependent on a very technical, and in some cases very fragile, network of electrical generation, transmission, and consumption. These electrical networks can be as …
Podcast Transcript For thirty years between 1455 and 1485, England suffered its greatest civil war at that point. The war was ultimately over succession to the throne and who should be king. Two great houses fought for the crown, and each of the houses usurped the crown from the other. The period was filled with …
Podcast Transcript December is upon us, and we should be cognizant of the fact that December is based on the Latin word Decem, meaning tenth, which is why December is the 10th month of the year……except that it is actually the 12th month. The reason why the 12th month is named the 10th month is …
Podcast Transcript Music is a very powerful thing. It can invoke a wide variety of emotions and moods. Particular songs we’ve heard might invoke memories of when we first heard them. However, there is some music that actually can server as a cultural shorthand. Not even full songs are necessary. Just a few notes can …
Podcast Transcript After the Prophet Mohammed’s death in 632, his followers faced a dilemma. Mohammed was not only their spiritual leader but also their political leader. While no one could replace Mohammed, they still needed a leader for their community. The result was the creation of the position of the caliph, or “successor.” A series …
Podcast Transcript For more than 350 years, a single problem stumped the world of mathematics. The problem was extremely simple to state, yet it proved fiendishly difficult to prove. Bounties were placed on finding a solution, and yet many failed to prove it. Finally, in 1994, seemingly out of nowhere, a proof was offered, but …
Podcast Transcript There are many things in our world that have surprisingly ancient origins. One of the things that most definitely does not have ancient origins in the concept of prison and incarceration as punishment. Today, almost everywhere in the world, the primary form of punishment for crimes is incarceration. Yet historically speaking, this form …
Podcast Transcript Since the ratification of the United States Constitution in 1788, there have been 60 presidential elections, which have been run every four years. Over time, a system was developed for the election of the president, including how parties select a candidate and how votes are counted. Some of this has been done via …
Podcast Transcript A little over 400 years ago, the world was undergoing a revolution, although most people who lived at that time probably didn’t know it. For better or worse, long-term and short-term changes were underway. Parts of the Earth that had never been in contact began to make contact with each other, even if …