c101: October 2007 Archives

Subterranean Homesick Alien

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One of my first posts on c101 was about space - you know the final frontier. Basically, I said space was dumb, or at least our space program is dumb. And I think OpAmp wrote back and said that because of our space program there have been oodles of innovations. And my retort was that while that's great, isn't there plenty of more important stuff we should be worrying about down here?

And being the stubborn mule that I am, I still think I'm right. Especially after listening to Radio Lab. Yep, Radio Lab again. I think I'm going to keep talking about it until somebody other than Fresh starts listening to it. Please listen to their latest podcast about space here.

It's a fantastic episode - they talk about a space project by Carl Sagen called the Voyager expedition, which was a golden record that travels through space with all sorts of tidbits about mankind. Jab and Robert also interview an astrophysicist who explains the Coepernican Principle and just how insignificant we are. I think he says something like, "We are a speck on a speck on a speck on a speck." Come on. This kind of statement only defends my point. If we are that small, why don't we spend all those billions down here? Maybe we could focus on figuring out how to solve world peace and not melting our planet before the sun does. But, that's just me.

Here's Radiohead (back to their old from, me thinks) with "Nude" from In Rainbows and "Subterranean Homesick Alien" from the best album of our generation, OK Computer.

Nude.mp3

Subterranean Homesick Alien.mp3

Me & Ira

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Me & Ira (Small).jpg
 
As you well know, I am fascinated with This American Life and by extension, the mesmerizing voice and enthusiasm of host, Ira Glass. I truly question how one couldn't be fascinated - that is how good this show is.

Don't believe me? Read here (I already spoke about it, so did Fresh) and then listen to any episode for FREE on iTunes or pick some from of their favorites from the Web site. Well, Ira has a new book called "The New Kings of Non-Fiction" (NKNF) and it features excerpts from some of his favorite books. Oh, yeah. That's me at the signing, the Barnes & Noble is 10 minutes from my work, how could I not go and meet Ira?

Anyway, one of the excerpts is from Bill Buford's gem, "Among the Thugs" which I have my nose in now. Buford thought it would be interesting to befriend a bunch of English hooligans and see why the hell they need to destroy everything in their path - under the guise of supporting football. You don't need to be a footie lover to enjoy this one - this book is more a sociological study than anything else. Also featured in NKNF is a excerpt from Chuck Klosterman, who writes about Val Kilmer. Yes, Val. Read NKNF to find out more.

As for tunes, how about some Air with "Run" (this one has been in my brain for days and is best listened to with head phones) and yet another break beat, this time Sharron and Harrell Lucky "Pease Porridge in the Pot." Guess who sampled it and I'll reward you with praise and adoration.

Run.mp3
Pease.mp3


About this Archive

This page is a archive of entries in the c101 category from October 2007.

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