00:32:27 – Having been told that reporters drinks, the Paleopals decide to do the same. Derek downs a Modelo Especial sin Lima, because apparently cirtrus in “chincy.” Don’t worry, Ryan asks what it means while he also drinks a Restraining Order cocktail. Patrick isn’t sure if he’s drinking a Magic Hat #9, and he also isn’t sure if he likes it.

00:36:40 – Time travel may not yet be possible, but if it was don’t expect a warranty especially if you’re responding to the classfied ad which inspired this week’s Trailer Trash Talk: Safety Not Guaranteed.

00:42:41 – The Paleopals et al. discuss the recent failures of mainstream science journalism that prompted the discussion part 1 of this very episode! Brian has been hard at work debunking the recently promoted nonsense concerning space dinosaurs, aquatic dinosaurs, and of course, flatulent dinosaurs.

01:15:36 – PaleoPOWs are a lot like bogus science reporting, they happen more often than your might expect. Patrick regales us all with tales from Betsy and her adventures taming a supposedly aquatic brachiolope, which you can judge for yourself in the Brachiolope Gallery. And Ryan has an e-mail from an Aussie in exile, Graeme N., concerning some of our fruit and marsupial based distinctions discussed in episode 131. Thanks for the clarifications, mate!

And finally,we didn’t have time to talk about them but helps the theme make sense: FOSSIL FLEAS FEEDING ON DINOSAURS

Thanks for listening and be sure to check out the Brachiolope Media Network for more great science podcasts!

Music for this week’s show provided by:

I Got News – Sweatshop Union

Bozo’s Lament – Jonathan Coulton

Push It (Feat. Sean Kingston) (REMIX) - Be South 13

Where We Went Wrong – The Hush Sound

Image credit: The Inspiration Room

My name is Ryan Haupt, I’m a graduate student at Vanderbilt University. I came to Nashville specifically to study how species evolve in response to climate change, so this bill hits very close to home. I was raised in a state where evolution and other “controversial topics” were not taught in schools, but in my home I was taught to question everything, so by actively taking courses that challenged me in college, I was able to learn about evolution and its role in the natural world. This knowledge inflamed a passion that has driven me to dedicate my life to the study of science, and the exploration of the natural world through the scientific method.

However, my story is likely the exception, not the rule. I should not have had to wait until college to be taught about the basic fundamental principles of biology. My story is a story of luck, and students in Tennessee should not have to rely on luck to get a good education.

Furthermore, allowing special interests to push forward legislation that singles out particular politically-charged theories does nothing but damage the educational reputation of our state. Just the other week Governor Haslam announced funding for new schools designed specifically to promote science and technology education, but with him allowing this bill to become law he might as well give back the money because what good are schools designed to promote science when teachers are going to be encouraged to teach inaccurate science?

The bill claims to be one of academic freedom.  However, academic freedom should not include the freedom to teach falsehoods to students, and enough freedom already exists to allow the teaching of the most up to date and accurate science.

The thing that most angers people of my generation is that laws like this are enacted by people much older than me and my peers. Climate change is a real problem; a problem created unknowingly by our ancestors, but now willfully ignored by our elders, only for my peers and my descendants to suffer. Legislation that undermines those younger than me from having a complete understanding of climate change creates a legacy of ignorance that threatens efforts to actually confront and deal with forthcoming problems. This is the exact opposite of what legislation should be doing. It is the exact opposite of what the majority of my generation thinks they should be doing. I am reminded of a Greek proverb, “A society flourishes when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.”

All this bill does is grant license to those who would salt the Earth rather than plant a tree. It presents a Trojan horse of academic freedom but actually carries troops of disinformation and political propaganda, neither of which belongs in a science classroom. I have been opposing this bill for over a year because I believe it is at best unnecessary and at worst a detriment to the education of young people inTennessee. I think the best thing we can do now is let our teachers know that we support them teaching sound science and that they don’t need to “teach the controversy.”  Instead, we want the next generation to be a best prepared as possible and that means sound science education. Thank you.

 

Image credit: NCSE via the author

00:27:29 – Some snakes function better in the water, some scientists podcast better with a drink. Charlie tries his hand at cider, Patrick calls back to an old-faithful Pinot Noir, and Ryan compliments his recently acquired Bière De Mars from Jolly Pumpkin.

00:31:28 – Trailer Trash Talk tangents into board game territory, i.e. anything to avoid talking about how bad Battleship looks.

00:43:50 – Part 2 of our interview with Dr. Jason Head finishes the story of The Infamous Biting of John Bloch, as well as discussing the paleoecological significance of this awesome find. We also ask about the process of having a documentary made about your work. All in all, a good time is had.

01:02:10 – PaleoPOWs are a lot like fossil snakes, easily lost to the rigors of time. Charlie has an iTunes review from an underaged fluffyraptor decrying his lack of ability to donate. We come up with an alternate, more collegiate use for the money. Speaking of money, Eric C. decides to set up a recurring donation, and Patrick is quick with the praise. And finally, Ryan has a question from Kyle H. concerning which scientific topic the guys would most like to see animated.

Thanks for listening and be sure to check out the Brachiolope Media Network for more great science podcasts!

Music for this week’s show provided by:

Crawling Snake King – The Doors

Johnny Appleseed – Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros

The Battle of Who Could Care Less – Ben Folds Five

So Long – Guster

Image Credit: Jason Bourque

00:16:55 – In the future drinks might come from asteroids. For now they just come from bottles. Ryan B. has a Down Under Stout by Red Hook. Charlie believes in Ninkasi’s Believer. Patrick wades into Heavy Seas with a Loose Canon. And Ryan H. tries to balance confusing weather with a Dogfishhead 75 Minute IPA.

00:23:34 – This week on Trailer Trash Talk the guys all start by giving their opinion of Wes Anderson, then their opinion of fonts, then finally their opinions on his new movie Moonrise Kingdom.

00:36:33 – Charlie pulls his PaleoPOW trigger early by using an e-mail from Michael S. as the introduction to our second segment discussion the new startup Planetary Resources, which hopes to mine asteroids for all their astro-goodness. Can they do it? What does Jacob think? Will they hire Charlie? We tackle the big questions!

00:54:11 – PaleoPOWs are lot like startups, everyone starts off really excited but most just fall apart. Ryan Brown is his own PaleoPOW, promoting his various internet wares mostly concerning his blog and twitter feed. Check them out! Ryan H. has a Facebook post from Charles Insandiego who’s working his way through the old shows. Good luck! And Patrick praises Bob M. for tossing a bit of cash our way via a donation. Thanks, Bob!

Thanks for listening and be sure to check out the Brachiolope Media Network for more great science podcasts!

Music for this week’s show provided by:

The Sky is Fallin’ – Queens of the Stone Age

Beer Beer Beer – The Clancy Brothers

Full Moon in June – Black Prarie

Planetary (GO!) – My Chemical Romance

Image credit: Space Studies Institute

00:27:57 – With new dinos out of the way the guys kick back for a cold one. Charlie keeps consistent with a Coors Light, Patrick thinks it’s a lovely day for a Guinness, Zach Weiner has a NEW handcrafted cocktail: Thai Iced Weiner. And Ryan harkens back to Zach’s first appearance and tries to show him how to do a fruity malt beverage right with a Bridgeport Brewing Stumptown Tart!

00:34:14 – The criticisms flow like water for the upcoming shock-umentary Last Call at the Oasis which is the subject of this week’s Trailer Trash Talk!

00:49:36 – Hyenas will eat just aobut anything, so what happens when the nearby humans drastically change their diet for 40 days? Well the hyenas have to go on lent too, at least that what scientists have found by going through their poop. Donkeys beware when Ethopians stop chowing down on delicious goats. Plus, special bonus content concerning hyena taxonomy. YAY!

00:59:39 – PaleoPOWs are lot like hyenas, people say they steal your children, but they really don’t. Zach Weiner is his own PaleoPOW, which also makes him an oroboros. He’s got his fingers all over the internets, go enjoy his wares, won’t you? Patrick brings us a different sort of bones from Great A. in the form of a donation. Thanks, Greg!  Ryan has a randomly selected iTunes review from mattgoranson chosen out of the many after the deluge from the offering of prize packs. And finally Charlie has an e-mail from Daniel R. asking about how to design a baby Brachiolope costume. Halloween can’t come soon enough!

Thanks for listening and be sure to check out the Brachiolope Media Network for more great science podcasts!

Music for this week’s show provided by:

Fuzzy – The Incredible Moses Leroy

Silver and Cold – AFI

Treading Water – Alex Clare

Give It Up – The Format

Image Credit: Juliana Olsson

00:11:39 – Drinks, they’re what monkeys wish they had to unwind. Charlie ups the ante with a Drake’s IPA. Patrick keeps it local with a Starr Hill Jomo lager. And Ryan is perplexed by the hipster can of his Sixpoint Resin Imperial IPA.

00:16:11 – This week’s Trailer Trash Talks discusses the pleasant lack of found footage, the creepiness of little girls, and the propensity of Russians for drink all contained within the preview of Chernobyl Diaries.

00:26:04 – Fossil raindrops be falling! We know they happened, but under what conditions? A new study sheds light upon the status of the atmosphere whence old rain fell. Further, this also helps explain the ‘faint young sun paradox‘. All that science from one old rock with dimples! Thanks for Manuel G. for submitting this story via our Facebook page!

00:38:09 – PaleoPOWs are a lot like fossil raindrops, they can both be used as proxies for the atmosphere of the room. Patrick rejoices in the addition of a NEW RECURRING DONATION via Tommy G. all the way from Lund, Sweden! Ryan gets slightly self conscious over a website comment left by Shanna. And Charlie reads our first new iTunes review in over a month from Sciencer44, who may just want a prize pack, but was willing to give us 5 stars to get it!

Thanks for listening and be sure to check out the Brachiolope Media Network for more great science podcasts!

Music for this week’s show provided by:

My Monkey – Jonathan Coulton

I Like Beer – Tom T. Hall

Under Pressure – Queen

Have You Ever Seen The Rain? – Creedence Clearwater Revival

Image credit: eschipul

00:27:09 – While there may be no real distinction between left and right, we know for sure that at least one hand of each Paleopal holds a drink, the question is, what is it? For Patrick it’s and Old Dominion Oak Barrel Stout. Kelly enjoys a Real Ale Rio Blanco, complete with a drawl. Ryan enjoys an Aviation from Juliana. It’s a classic pre-prohibition cocktail, and Juli has been mixing up a storm. Finally, Charlie imbibes a silver bullet.

00:32:42 – Will Ryan been able to let the others speak when Trailer Trash Talk tackles Marvel’s The Avengers? The only way to find out is to listen.

00:45:37 – We now know newts use their kidneys for sex. We’re not sure exactly how, we’re not sure exactly why, but we know that it happens. Thank you, science!

00:54:24 – PaleoPOWs are a lot like sex kidneys, if you really want one you’ll have to go and find it. Ryan has a bit of coin in the form of a donation from Doug S. Thanks Dough! Patrick answers a question from retroflatus, who in return promises to buy a mug. How’d we do, retroflatus? Charlie has an e-mail from Pedro P. critiquing the decline of our transitional powers. We do our best. And lastly, Kelly has a comment from Bob about where the atmosphere ends. How appropriate!

Thanks for listening and be sure to check out the Brachiolope Media Network for more great science podcasts!

Music for this week’s show provided by:

All Hands Against His Own – The Black Keys

The Bullet – The Devil Makes Three

Superheroes – Daft Punk

Kidney In a Cooler – Keller Williams

Image credit: Big Screen Animation