Phrenology

Phrenology

Podcast Transcript In the 19th century, a new discipline swept over the medical and legal professions.  This belief held that a person’s personality could be determined by analyzing the contours or bumps on their head.  The belief had a surprising amount of sway among certain people, and it developed a large following before eventually being …

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Transuranium Elements

Transuranium Elements

Podcast Transcript If you take a look at the periodic table of elements, you will notice something interesting.  Go to the bottom and take a look at any element over, say, number 94. You will find a bunch of elements you have probably never heard of. Don’t worry because most chemists probably aren’t familiar with …

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Marcus Antonius, aka Marc Antony

Marcus Antonius, aka Marc Antony

Podcast Transcript One of the central figures in the drama of the collapse of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire was Marc Antony. He was a rather odd figure in Roman History. He came from a notable but pleblean family.  Neither was he wasn’t a great general. Yet he was at …

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The History of the Super Bowl

The History of the Super Bowl

Transcript One day every year, the United States celebrates its biggest non-official holiday: Super Bowl Sunday.  The championship game of the National Football League is almost always the biggest television audience of the year in the United States and one of the most expensive tickets for any sporting event.  However, it wasn’t always that way. …

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Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Eggs

Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Eggs

Podcast Transcript Every day around the world, over a billion eggs are consumed.  Eggs have become a staple food product used both by itself and as an ingredient in other products.  Humans and our ancestors have been consuming eggs of one sort or another for millions of years, and today, there is a whole system …

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The Desecration at St. Denis

The Desecration at St. Denis

Podcast Transcript The French Revolution was one of the most significant events in history.  It wasn’t just a political revolution where one government replaced another. It was also a social revolution where the revolutionaries attempted to upend the entire foundation of French society. But it wasn’t just enough to change France. There were also efforts …

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Introduction to Formal Logic

Introduction to Formal Logic

Podcast Transcript Located in the area between philosophy and mathematics is the realm of logic. Logic permeates everything we do, from the work of Aristotle to modern computer programming to the musings of Mister Spock.  However, there is more to logic than just making sense and avoiding fallacies. It can also be a highly formal …

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Questions and Answers: Volume 15

Questions and Answers: Volume 15

Podcast Transcript The month of February comes from the Roman month Februarius, which itself comes from the Februa purification ceremony, which was held during the festival of Lupercalia. The Romans would run around wearing goat skins, wielding strips of goat hide, also known as februa, and hitting people with them, which was considered to be …

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The History of Angkor

The History of Angkor

Podcast Transcript Located in Central Cambodia, north of the great Tonle Sap Lake, lies the former city of Angkor.  Today, the city is nothing but the ruins of its many temples and structures. However, during its heyday, it was one of the largest cities in the world and the capital of one of the world’s …

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