Thing Explainer // Randall Munroe

In the spirit of Thing Explainer, this word thing is getting done in simple words using simple writer.  

Why I'm reading
That computer funny image with four letters.

Where I got the book
My local book place; also new job!) It was sticking out of the book holder as I walked by -- probably should be in the big books area, but whatever -- and I grabbed it.

What I think will happen
Things we've learned and done and created written in very simple language.

So how was it?

It was… not not like a school book, to tell the truth. A lot of blue pictures with lots of information and tiny words everywhere. I don’t think it would teach you anything unless you already understand the ideas -- they’re not simple blue pictures; they’re blue pictures with lots of information, written in simple language.

With that said, it’s a fun read. It makes you see things in a new way… and half the fun is trying to figure out what the hell Munroe’s talking about. What is a key lock? It’s used to keep things locked up, but what does it really do? It checks the shape of a piece of metal, and opens for the right shape; so it's really a “shape checker.”

I’d really love something like this for languages, history, and that kind of thing.

Recommendation
[Neeeeeerds.] ;) It’s also a lot like the Green brothers’ Things Hitting Each Other Course!

Feels
Fun and school-book-y?

Parts I like the most
The US Laws of the Land (especially the “serious office” branch!) and the Pieces Everything is Made Of.

Parts I don't like the most
It’s a lot to take in, and to be truth-telling, I rushed through some of the pages I wasn’t interested in (or already mostly understood). The simple language is fun, but I already know how the body and washing machines and ships work, and the language is only fun for so long.

Podcasting...

I spent pretty much all of February listening to hours and hours and hours of podcasts, so why not post them? Summaries taken from each podcast's respective website.


Ask Me Another (NPR)
"Ask Me Another blends brainteasers and local pub trivia night with comedy and music into a rambunctious hour-long show.

Fantastic for keeping me awake on my two-hour commute to work. The trivia is fun, but it's really the interactions (and awful puns) that make AMA so much fun. Plus, there are usually celebrity guests!




Click (BBC)
“the best debate on global technology, social media and the internet,” or “your guide to all the latest gadgets, websites, games and computer industry news”

Fun and conversational updates on technology.






Discovery (BBC)
"Explorations in the world of science."

'Explorations' is exactly the right word for Discovery. The podcast spends about 20 minutes exploring random issues in science, from editing the genome to Einstein's refrigerator patent.






Faith Middleton Food Schmooze (NPR)
Faith and her foodie friends talk about food, share recipes, review cookbooks, and make you SUPER hungry.





  

Freakonomics 
 "...surprising conversations that explore the riddles of everyday life and the weird wrinkles of human nature... with Nobel laureates and provocateurs, social scientists and entrepreneurs" 


 
Fresh Air (NPR)
 "Hosted by Terry Gross, the show features intimate conversations with today's biggest luminaries."

Interviews and other interesting tidbits on a variety of contemporary subjects. Terry's interviews are great (and it seems like she's interviewed everyone at some point...)



Graham Norton (BBC)
"Graham hosts a vibrant Saturday mix of music, problems and celebrity chat."

Graham Norton is a talk show host for the BBC (pretty much the best talk show host ever, check him out)... and this is his podcast.

Inside Science (BBC)
"...illuminate the mysteries and challenge the controversies behind the science that's changing our world."

More quick stories about random scientific discoveries and problems.


NPR Books (NPR)
A mix of 4-5 minute reviews and 20-30 minute interviews with authors.



NPR Interviews (NPR)
Gathers together a host of interviews from other NPR podcasts: scientists, authors, actors, politicians, comedians, regular people.


NPR Movies (NPR)
5-10 minute reviews of upcoming movies, including many movies I otherwise would never have discovered. Also gathers together movie topics from other NPR podcasts.


NPR Politics (NPR)
 "...where NPR's political reporters talk to you like they talk to each other. With weekly roundups, quick takes on news of the day, and reporting from the campaign trail, you don't have to keep up with politics to know what's happening this election year. You just have to keep up with us."

A relaxed, conversational, and well-informed take on current American politics.


NPR Technology (NPR)
Quick 3-5 minute updates on new advances in technology.

NPR World (NPR)
Quick, 5-10 minute updates on current politics and social issues around the world.


Science Hour (BBC)
"Science, health and technology news and highlights of the week."

More science! I think I'm noticing a trend. This one gets a little deeper into the subjects it covers.







 Seriously... (BBC)
"A rich selection of documentaries aimed at relentlessly curious minds. No subject is too strange, no idea too weird."




 
TED Radio Hour (NPR)
 "The TED Radio Hour is a journey through fascinating ideas: astonishing inventions, fresh approaches to old problems, new ways to think and create. Based on Talks given by riveting speakers on the world-renowned TED stage..."

Unlike the Ted Talks podcast below, this gathers together several TED talks on similar topics, and knits them together with interviews and new information.



Ted Talks Audio
Audio from new and popular TED Talks. These can be a little frustrating if the TED presenter uses a lot of visual information in their talk.




Wait Wait Don't Tell Me (NPR)
"NPR's weekly current events quiz. Have a laugh and test your news knowledge while figuring out what's real and what we've made up."
 

Very similar to Ask Me Another (I couldn't tell the difference until I moved from radio to podcast).

Earth : the Book // Stephen Colbert {Audiobook}

I barely remember listening to this, and I’ve read it before, so… yeah. I probably won’t ever review it, but I promised myself I’d at least mention everything I read/write/see, so I’m trying to make a habit of it. And hey, just making this post reminded me of several movies I forgot to write up!