Big Stupid Grin.

Edit: I'm not actually sure WHAT Radiolab is about. But at least this episode's about science.

I just made another wonderful discovery, this time, another podcast called "Radiolab." This is something I've heard in passing on NPR at extremely random hours, but never really latched onto. This week, This American Life included a snippet from the show, followed by effusive praise from Ira Glass - an individual that I grant unconditional credibility and who now has my absolute fullest attention. So...I decided to add the Radiolab podcast and gave it a listen...and I have to say that I definitely like it.

As a start, it's a podcast about science, but from the perspective of geeks who continue to view the world with wonder and remain continually engaged with the universe and our place in it. It's really hard to explain, but is one of those things where you feel comforted because the speakers and thinkers are people who think and function in the same universe as you. In some sense, it's the comfort you get from Jon Stewart. When Jon Stewart comments on the news and speaks to his guests, I can't help but feel like he lives in the same universe as me. Evil people doing stupid things is evil and stupid. Up is up. Down is Down. The world is as the world appears to me. I also have the same reaction to Ira Glass, who has the keenest ability to be fascinated with people and the minutiae of human behavior. I'm not drawn to them because I agree with them, but because they are mirrors that reflect the world I know. The reverse, of course, are George Bush, cable news anchors, advertising, marketing, religious people, and all such things that act and communicate an idea of the world I don't share.

In any case, this week's Radiolab opens with a story of a kid who feels the visceral creeped out feeling of first entering an awareness of the mathematical/metaphysical nature of the universe while plotting out a parabola...followed by a story of a man's love for the periodic table and the story of Mendeleev, pushing ultimately at the question of whether the elegance and function of the periodic table is a discovery of the nature of the universe, or merely the imposition of some sort of framework on the chaos. This may sound a little boring...but I was definitely not bored. For my sake, if you have an hour...or even 20 minutes...you may just want to give the episode a listen while doing the dishes or something. It may or may not be your thing. You can find it here. (And if you listen to NPR, it's NOTHING like Science Friday or anything like that.)

On a broader note, which I've sounded several times already...I have to say that I think podcasting has enriched my life immensely. As someone who has a huge appetite for knowledge in things that interest me, it allows me to pass the time pleasurably while constantly learning more and more everyday about all the things I want to know. If you have a commute, or you like to take walks, or you like books on tape, or you like NPR, or you simply like a little background noise in your life...take my advice and give this a shot. They are all free, they automatically update, and it only takes the click of a single button to subscribe off iTunes.

Currently, my list of daily/weekly podcasts is:
1) This American Life (weekly) - If you haven't heard this, if I have any credibility with you, give it a shot.
2) Marketplace (daily) - 30 minute NPR show about the economy and financial news
3) Planet Money (daily) - 15 minute podcast that was spun off from those incredible financial crisis This American Life episodes that explores the financial crisis from a layman's perspective and tries to teach about issues as they arise (e.g., wtf is the commercial paper market and who cares? What is money? Who prints money? How much US currency exists today and where is it? (900 billion and probably overseas)
4) The Splendid Table (weekly) - a "show about food for people who love to eat." Totally awesome if you like food.
5) Pardon the Interruption (daily) - the ESPN show, except just the audio.
6) Radiolab (weekly) - see above. I just downloaded 49 back episodes.

Now that I look at the list, this looks like a LOT of time I spend with my iPod and/or computer speakers...but given that my total walk/commute is about 40 to 60 minutes a day, and on average I spend 45 minutes in the gym each day, and the time I spend just taking care of stuff around the house...I actually still run out of stuff to listen to daily.