Science... sort of

00:00:00 - Not to alarm you, but it's possible we're all living in a simulation (see Rationally Speaking for a primer). Some physicists have thought up a measurement that might prove our reality or show it for the farce it is. Ben poo poos, and the conversation meanders back and forth between philosophy and physics, eventually just settling on The Matrix.

00:36:28 - Drinks can help you simulate happiness. Ben enjoys the oddly spelled Jamaican Cream Soda Sof Drink. Charlie has risks his tongue trying the Voodoo Bacon Maple Ale made from Rogue. And Ryan experiments with a quinoa old-fashioned mixed up with Corsair's new Quinoa Whiskey.

00:44:42 - Trailer Trash Talk tackles the legacy of 007 by breaking down our thoughts on the upcoming 23rd installment of secret agent James Bond, Skyfall.

00:59:34 - Methane on Mars, if it's there the Curiosity rover intends to find it. Charlie helps break down what such a discovery would mean, and the instrumentation that could make it happen.

01:13:147 - PaleoPOWs are a lot like methane on Mars. Hard to detect and we're not sure what they mean if we we find them. Ben has an e-mail from Steven, a fan of Feynman, asking our thoughts on new forms of higher learning like the Khan Academy? A lively discussion on the efficacy of lectures ensues. And be sure to go hear Ben participate in a panel discussion of education in podcasting from Podcast Squared. Ryan reads an iTunes review from Rob G. who makes sure to give his dog longer walks to listen to the show. Good for the dog, good for Rob's brain. And Charlie has an update from Temporal Tony about the merits of being a science teacher over an actual researcher as well as getting an NSF grant to study extremophiles in China even after citing this very show in her personal statement. Risky move, Tony.

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 Grid - Daft Punk

Voodoo Child - Jimi Hendrix

James Bond Theme - Moby

At War With The Sun - The Big Pink

00:00:00 - Elphant hair: curious leftover or useful coolant? New research suggests the latter, and Derek Mead of Motherboard is here to fill in the sparsely haired gaps!

00:18:02 - Elephants spray water on themselves to keep cool. Since humans sweat, we don't waste precious liquids on our skin when they can easily be put in our mouths. Derek is double-fisting a hometown favorite Sierra Nevada Tumbler brown ale and a new experience in the Peak Hop Noir. Patrick justifies his Gnarly Head Zinfandel 2012. And Ryan is excited by the beer availability of Colorado as demonstrated with a Paragon Apricot Blonde.

00:23:27 - Found footage is all the rage, and there is clearly much rage in the upcoming horror film Bigfoot: The Lost Coast Tapes which is the laughable subject of this week's Trailer Trash Talk!

00:34:35 - Noble gases are impressive by nature, especially in sign form. But unfortunately we're running low on some, like helium, and never had that much of others, like xenon. A new study in Nature explores why we may be lacking, and Patrick questions why we have so much of others.

00:50:20 - PaleoPOWs are lot like noble gases, impressive but sometimes hard to pin down. Derek uses his PaleoPOW to plug his own wares at Motherboard.vice.com, but also gives a shoutout to Joakim W. for posting the tardigrade video Derek made on our Facebook page. Synchronicity! Patrick thanks Vincnent B. for starting a new recurring donation, and Vincent calls in to tell us just how to pronounce his last name. Thanks, Vincent! And finally Ryan has a new dual addition to the Brachiolope Gallery as submitted via Twitter by Tommy L

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:

Summer Wind - Frank Sinatra

Drinking With You - Jonathan Coulton

Bigfoot Song - Buddy Knox

All The Way Up To Heaven - Guster

00:00:00 - After some time back east Patrick has started wondering if we should kill all the mosquitos. An article from Nature intern Janet Fang explores the issue and the paleopals discuss their own awesome ideas on the matter.

00:25:00 - Like male mosquitoes, the paleopals also prefer plants to blood, but for the purposes of the show the guys usually weight for it to ferment a bit first. Patrick "enjoys" a Corona light, Ryan points out that his beer is overpriced based on it's isotopic composition. Because he's a jerk. Ryan is having a hard cider with the addition of a bitters infused sugar cube. Jacob is intrigued, but is himself having a Shock Top Pumpkin Wheat, leading to vociferous lamentations of autumnal beers.

00:35:00 - If you survived a plane crash would you care if the pilot happened to be drunk? What if him being drunk was the reason the plane landed at all? These questions and more are explored in Trailer Trash Talk via the preview for the upcoming film Flight.

00:48:30 - Neal Stephenson wrote about the future of the internet in the year 2000. Now he's lamenting the supposed technological stagnation the internet itself has cost. His solution? Build a 20km space tower! The guys talk about the feasibility of such an idea, whether or not it would have the desired effect, and the interplay between innovation and imagination.

01:09:30 - PaleoPOWs are a lot like space towers, neither are actually in space. Patrick begins with a Facebook photo from Aussie fan Rikka P. who wanted to show us his 6 year old son explaining titanoboa to a wizened old paleontologist all thanks to our interview with Jason Head in Ep. 135. It's an adorable photo, be sure to check it out. Ryan has an e-mail from Barbara in Rochester, MN thanking us for touching back on the early days of the show in our celebratory 150th episode. And lastly Jacob addresses Matthew D.'s Facebook post concerning innovation in electric cars. Instead of charging each time, why not just switch out the batteries? Science! That's why. Jacob explains.

Discuss this episode and other podcasts from the Brachiolope Media Network on our forum!

Music for this week's show provided by:

Blood - Abandoned Pools

Bittersweet Symphony - The Verve

Fly (Feat. Super Cat) - Sugar Ray

All Along The Watchtower - Jimi Hendrix

00:00:00 - Diane Kelly decided to tell the story of how she came to accept scientific sacrifice through the lens of the armadillo penis. This, somehow, leads a larger discussion of scientific storytelling prowess.

00:23:55 - Drinks are a lot like penises, often unexpected and sometimes disappointing. Ryan enjoys the Canadian-made Unibroue Grande Réserve 17, because somebody has to represent the beers of the great white north. Ben enjoys the 'soft' version of the piña colada as made by SoBe. And Kelly calls back to the previously enjoyed Leinenkugel Summer shandy, that she enjoys while also calling back to the #SciFund Challenge which is about to start Round 3!

00:30:57 - Kelly is also super stoked for the upcoming found footage horror movie The Bay, which involves the evolution of isopod causing them to parasitize humans instead of cute fishies. THE HORROR!

00:42:22 - Ben talks about how physicists claim that they can build a clock lasting longer than the universe. Ryan and Kelly are skeptical because it involves crystals, which are notoriously pseudoscientific But Ben deftly explains the pros and the cons.

01:01:39 - PaleoPOWs are lot like clocks, they can be hard to interpret. Kelly has an e-mail from Miles T. asking for our help promoting Ada Lovelace Day supporting women in science, technology, engineering and math(s). Which Ryan is all for as soon as Ben explains to him who Ada Lovelace was. Ben wants everyone to know about this year's Podcast Awards, as well as the new and exciting Stitcher Awards! Please consider nominating us today! And finally Ryan reads an iTunes review from Tom, who gave us 5-stars in response to Ryan attempting to trade reviews for new shows.

The Ada Lovelace E-Mail: See show notes for this episode here.

Discuss this episode and other podcasts from the Brachiolope Media Network on our forum!

Music for this week's show provided by:

Killing in the Name - Rage Against the Machine

Alcohol - Barenaked Ladies

(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay - Otis Redding

Rock Around The Clock Tonight - Bill Haley & His Comets

00:00:00 - Dave Hone talks to Patrick and Ryan about his research into tail length. Turns out there is a lack of consistency and it just might throw everything into a tizzy. Ryan seems fixated on mammals like a jerk. Plus we get an update on the state of his various web project including the ever-entertaining Ask a Biologist, of which Ryan is a proud contributor.

00:37:06 - Drinks are a lot like tails, they vary in length and strength. Jacob touts his "perfect" margarita. Charlie and Ryan take issue. Jacob loses. Charlie is ready for fall, thus forcing down a Sierra Nevada Tumbler Brown along with the appropriate autumn sountrack, whatever that means. And Ryan celebrates the Pacific Northwest, friendship, and a tasty brew with Eylsian's The Immortal IPA.

00:43:26 - Trailer Trash Talk makes Jacob feel like he's been pegged into a stereotype, much like the main character in the nostalgic upcoming CG-film Wreck-It Ralph.

00:56:00 - Someone finally had the good sense to ask if wind power was worth it. It is. And then some. The paloepals discuss the current state of alternative energy and why this obvious answer was worth not one, but two, studies.

01:13:56 - PaleoPOWs are a lot like wind energy; there's plenty of them, but are they worth your time? Ryan recounts the discovery of a botanical subspecies of the Brachiolope found by Thomas B-L. Charlie touts symbiosis with the Beta Nerd blog wherein Mike B. writes about discovering Robot and Frank via our infamous Trailer Trash Talk segment. And finally Jacob calls upon Ryan's high-school level physics to help answer a question about speed from Steve B.

Discuss this episode and other podcasts from the Brachiolope Media Network on our forum!

Music for this week's show provided by:

Long Time Coming - The Zutons

Margaritaville - Jimmy Buffet

One Man Wrecking Machine - Guster

Black Wind Blowing -Wilco

00:00:00 - Ryan chats with some of the geographers from the Floating Sheep blog about their stastically rigorous maps charting beer vs. church in the tweets of Americans. What state will win? What state will lose? How will this affect the electoral college? Tune in to find out!

00:36:21 - Big data projects like the one above require alcohol. Literally. It was one of two search parameters. The Paleopals are silmialr in this regard. Patrick has Old Dominion's English Style Ale. Again. Nothing new there. Charlie has homemade soda water. Everyone agrees this is good and that soda water machine companies should sponsor the show. Ryan has a religiously themed beer to try and bridge the gap with a Salvation golden-style ale from Avery Brewing Company.

00:41:04 -Trailer Trash Talk lacks the ability to back in time to assasinate segments we no longer like, but if we did, we may run the risk of being forced to kill ourselves, much like the sexy protagonists of the new time-travel crime thriller Looper.

00:53:04 - There was a time when the US government had the audacity to ask, "What happens to beer if we nuke it?" Having an excess of nukes, they decided to try it. The results? Delicious. Wander the wastelands of taste as the guys discuss Operation Teapot Project 32.2a.

01:05:15 - PaleoPOWs are a lot like nuked beer; they probably aren't worth any money, but some people still seem willing to pay. Patrick has a new recurring donation from Danielle N. who wants us to buy some beer, even though we try to save the cash for more 'legitimate' purposes, but who are we to argue with the fans? Patrick also sneaks in another donation from Wade W., who's more of a serial donator than a recurring donator. Whatever works, for you, man. Thanks, Danielle and Wade! Ryan has an alliterative and imperative iTunes review from Trailrun, who seems to think that the apocaplys is immenent. The almost-forgotten Charlie has an Emerald City originated e-mail from Mike S. who wants to offer us the exclusive use of the Museum of Flight. There's no way this doesn't work out well for everyone involved. Get ready for SSOcon 2013!

Discuss this episode and other podcasts from the Brachiolope Media Network on our forum!

Music for this week's show provided by:

My United States of Whatever - Liam Lynch

Nancy from Now On - Father John Misty

The Boys of Summer - Don Heneley

Atomic Cocktail - Slim Gaillard

00:00:00- Scottish Loch Ness tour guide Captain George Edwards claims to have the best phoot of Nessie yet and Steve D. wants to know what the Paleopals think. We're not impressed, scientists find new species regularly. Neither is the uncredited token skeptic from the clip Benjamin Radford, who hosts the Monster Talk podcast. Ryan attempts to debunk, Charlie finds a conflict of interest, and Patrick comments on the aesthetics. The faithful will no doubt remember that our first episode started with a Nessie story, so it's only right to keep that going on our anniversary.

00:16:31 - Drinks are a lot like Loch Ness, deep, dark, and possibly hiding something wonderful. Charlie returns to a sage-muddled whiskey spritz. Patrick defends the value of wine blends. And Ryan captures a yeti (stout) with a brachiolope (glass).

00:23:19 - Trailer Trash Talk goes back to Santa Cruz with a tangent filled segment obstensibly talking about the preview for the SC-based surf movie Chasing Mavericks.

00:38:37 - Jake C. heard about a new study claiming that glass shape affects the drinking speed of alcoholic beverages and asked us about it via our Facebook page. The Paleopals have nothing but kind words for the new study published in PLOS ONE, but that may just been the booze in a curved glass talking.

00:57:31 - PaleoPOWs are a lot like this episode, already 2/3's done. Patrick presents a donation from Nick W. letting us know he's back on the bandwagon and happy we made it to 150. Thanks, Nick! It's been 3 years and we're all thrilled for 3 more but it's also important to look back so the boys then round out the show reminiscing and talking about emotions, podcasting, and friendship.

Discuss this episode and other podcasts from the Brachiolope Media Network on our forum!

Music for this week's show provided by:

Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - U2

I'll Drink To That - The Mighty Mighty Bosstones

...And Then They Were Upon Us - Reigning Monarchs (Greg Beherent's band, co-host of the Walking the Room podcast)

Pull Shapes - The Pipettes

00:00:00 - Phil Edwards, the Senior Fake Scientists at Fake Science Labs, joins Patrick and Ryan to talk about his new textbook: Fake Science 101, for when facts are too confusing. Be sure to follow the continuing adventures of the unreal reality by following the Fake Science tumblr blog.

00:39:37 - Drinks can make you feel things that a fake, best just to bottle it up. Kelly joins the show just in time to ruin Ryan's surprise by drinking a gifted Yazoo Hefeweizen. Ryan has a long story involving multi-state travel to eventually wind up with a Aviator Brewing Company's Devils Tramping Ground Tripel (bought from the excellent Peabody's Wine & Beer Merchants in Boone, NC) out of a Terrapin Brewing Company glass given to him by Kelly. Was that sentence totally necessary? Yes. Yes, it was. Finally, Patrick continues to enjoy the beers offered by Heavy Seas, even the oft-maligned style exemplified by the Peg Leg Imperial Stout.

00:47:29 - Trailer Trash Talk promises many things, but one thing it never promises is answers, much unlike the protagonist of the totally not based on Scientology movie The Master.

01:00:18 - PaleoPOWs are a lot like being tickled, they're both unexpected and met with mixed results. Patrick has a voicemail from Julian asking about the evolutionary benefits of being ticklish. The Paleopals discuss rat laughter, why you can't tickle yourself, and the two modes of tickling whose individual terms ought to be recognized. Kelly has a glowing new iTunes review from cephyn, which we always appreciate. And Ryan has an e-mail from Ori asking us to change the way we name our files. Patrick explains why 3 long years ago we chose to do it another way.

Discuss this episode and other podcasts from the Brachiolope Media Network on our forum!

Music for this week's show provided by:

Faker - Miike Snow

Friendship - Tenacious D

Master and Slave - Cherry Poppin' Daddies

00:00:00 - PhD Candidate Trey Mack joins the Paleopals to talk about KELT, a tiny telescope that's able to find planets orbiting other stars. Trey gives us the basics, then we get sidetracked asking him just how he got into this whole astronomy gig in the first place.

00:17:53 - Drinks can also be hard to find, especially if you've already have a few to begin with. Ben, who can't have artifical colors, settle for a Glaceau Vitamin Water Lemonade flavor, to help him through a 'hot' Canadian day. Whatever that means. Ryan and Trey share a Brooklyn Black Ops. And Patrick promotes a new East Coast standard in Old Dominion's Dominion Ale.

00:24:11 - This week Trailer Trash Talk takes a page from This American Life whilst discussing the new, possibly funny, film Sleepwalk With Me.

00:38:49 - We decide to let Trey stop talking about himself long enough tell us more about his amazing planet-hunting science.

00:55:33 - PaleoPOWs are lot like planets, it helps if you have some idea where to look for them. Ryan is thrilled by a new recurring donation from Blair C., who has drawn some awesome t-shirts you should definitely buy and wear (after getting your Science... sort of shirt, of course). Ben has a Facebook comment from Brittany V. which questions his relationship with bonobos. It's better not to ask. And finally Patrick has a Twitter conversation initiated by Ty Von P. about how an understanding of punctuation finally convinced him to try the show.

Discuss this episode and other podcasts from the Brachiolope Media Network on our forum!

Music for this week's show provided by:

Astronomy - Blue Oyster Cult

Home Made Lemonade - Black Prarie

Sleepwalkin' - Modest Mouse

Now That We've Found Each Other - Ray Charles (from Brother Ray Is At It Again!)

00:00:00 - Much like podcasters, frogs try to avoid talking over each other. It really screws with getting noticed by a mate. They do such a good job that tech nerds are trying to figure out how have networks work the same way. Ribbit.

00:21:05 - Frogs like to take a dip in the drink, whereas the Paleopals like to dip drinks into their mouths. This week Ryan begins with a Triple Digit Aftermath Scotch Ale, just because he can. Ben is very excited about his not too sweet Jamaican grapefruit pop Ting. Patrick has one of Ryan's favorite IPAs, a Bell's Two-Hearted Ale. And finally Jacob has some whipped-cream vodka and orange soda abomination that he calls a "creamsicle."

00:29:10 - The Paleopals have fun making fun of the trailer for Hit & Run in this week's Trailer Trash Talk.

00:40:55 - The funny sounding lab of Picatinny have developed a FREAKING LIGHTNING GUN. Ben says he had the idea first, but didn't want to unleash such horrors upon the world. At least he can explain it to the rest of us.

00:59:31 - PaleoPOWs are a lot like lightning, random and deadly. Patrick has an excellent iTunes review from Zachary G. Ryan was sent a Triassic sellosaurs on an ice drift from Jesse G., which can be seen in our Art... sort of gallery. Ben finds a foreign iTunes review from UK listener Luke S. And finally, Jacob reads a website comment from Cecilia, left on Episode 142, about how best to exercise one's cheetahs.

Discuss this episode and other podcasts from the Brachiolope Media Network on our forum!

Music for this week's show provided by:

Froggie - The Presidents of the United States of America

I've Got a Gal in Kalamzoo - Glen Miller & His Orchestra

Run Right Back - The Black Keys

The Killing Lights - AFI