Kickpuncher

I try to just enjoy the comedy value of PB and ignore the frequent scientific misinformation and logic gaps (mostly on David's part), but this episode was kind of infuriating. Steven, you say "Citing 'nearly universal consensus' is another technique used to argue the point without addressing the science." I think NE's point is that WE don't need to address the science because most of the brilliant people who study this for a living are doing that for us. Why would that level be reached if evidence wasn't strongly on their side? If "nearly universal consensus" isn't acceptable, what is? 'Vast majority'? 'Majority'? Which of those levels is enough of a burden of proof to demand action? And what are the negative consequences of taking mitigating action? I agree about the politicization being shameful (and find it really sad that it's come to a point where no one wants to touch it, as evidenced by the debates), but I also think that framing this sort of discussion strictly in 'global warming'/'climate change' terms is reductive. Granted, that was the topic of this episode, but still. I've seen a lot of data about the cyclical nature of weather (I actually created/adapted the figures for a book which is largely about this subject, and some related papers), but those medium-term drops don't negate the fact that the long-term trend is upward. Steven also brought up the complicated nature of CO2/temperature data, effect on oceans, etc. Regarding the oceans, I think the accepted view is that there is a sort of avalanche effect where higher temperatures in the oceans melts polar ice, which 1) releases even more CO2 into the atmosphere, and 2) causes the ocean to absorb more light/heat from the sun rather than reflecting it, both of which amplify the temperature increase. Anyway, I'm sorry if this is coming across as too strong of an 'attack mode', because I do appreciate the opportunity for discussion and have always enjoyed Steven's appearances on the show. I'm also directing this at Steven because David isn't going to come in here and defend his views, many of which seem to come from ignorance or misinformation more than a difference in informed opinions. But I'd also love to hear an opposing view from an expert on the show given that I'm a little rusty on all of this and that only a very small fraction of Blastronauts will see what any of us say in the forum.

COUSY ON A LOOP! Great episode, Brody is always a treat.

For a few bars, I was REALLY worried that we wouldn't get to hear Scott's signature "Well my name's Rappin' Scott". Scott suggested "MC Penny" as a rap name for Casey, but I would have gone with "One Cent".

Apollo 9 gets me fired up for some chart action, so I'd hate to lose it, but as long as it stays with Hooch, I'd never say no to another Kremer original. Speaking of themes, I've picked up the habit of making spanking motions along with the six snare shots leading up to the vocals in the Wie-Wie Chart theme. Only in private, of course...so far.

Get out! (Incidentally, is anyone here familiar with the Pop Culture and Philosophy book series? I recently became aware of this and it seems interesting, and of particular interest to Blastronauts. Well, wouldn't you know it, there is a Star Trek edition, which you can buy on Amazon and support Earwolf! http://www.amazon.com/Star-Trek-Philosophy-Popular-Culture/dp/0812696492/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350437330&sr=8-1&keywords=philosophy+star+trek) Anyway, thanks for answering. Admittedly I'm not really familiar with the Prime Directive, and I wasn't thinking of it in terms of forcing anything on anybody so much as introducing them to new things, so maybe that was just a misunderstanding on my part. But I can definitely see how religious conversion would take more teaching/learning/deciding than something like technology where you can see an obvious, immediate benefit.

"We'll be back with more $10,000 Pyramid." GOLD!

Nice job, Aaron. You managed to keep me interested despite being one person talking for an hour about a subject that I don't really like. I'm not trying to play "Gotcha", but I do have a question relating to your discussion of the Prime Directive. Obviously technology and religion are different, but philosophically speaking, how do you reconcile your endorsement of the Prime Directive (i.e. leaving other cultures alone to develop on their own rather than introducing something that could hep them) with the practice of Mormon missions?

This is either going to be amazing, or the worst thing ever. Or both. I have no interest in Star Trek at all, but I can't wait to listen to this.

I loved Gillian's reaction to the first time Scott said that, and that he kept running it into the ground, almost certainly because of said reaction. After Garry and Gillian were married, I was disappointed that it took Scott so long to say "My wife!" On the other hand, congrats to the Choctaw for breaking his record for consecutive episodes mentioning President Obamacare. On the other hand, a great silence fell over the nation. Lauren has been really funny on I4H and was great here. Would like to hear more of this character or others. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go grab some Five Guys. #ripossibly this post

Yeah, these really took me back. Awesome episode all around.

Does anyone else think it's weird that Rocktober has 30 days even though October has 31? And furthermore, that the 31st is the one that's typically associated with costumes? I liked the new charts theme, but I think Ulrich is gonna come down hard on them for dropping the "pullin' a movie chart from out of her knee-high socks" theme just as the Kulap Kneehighsocks are about to be released. Corporate synergy!

Seriously, how could drinking water possibly make that much noise?!?

I think he's actually Scott Jeffries. Aaaanyway... This has quickly become one of my favorite podcasts as well. It seems sort of remarkable that someone could still come up with a podcast format that feels totally fresh, but I think Jake has done it. This episode was a great mix of clips and an interview/discussion with the guest blended together. I've never seen Liz's show and didn't know anything about it, but she seems like a perfectly well-adjusted young woman despite what sounds like a very weird experience for someone in their formative years (both the format of the show and all the ancillary stuff that comes with it). Also, as someone who was totally fascinated with Wesley Willis, I think it's pretty awesome that Jake 1) had him on his MTV show, and 2) chose that clip to represent the show on here.

If anyone cares, it should be "Scheisse".

CRAZY CALLS! I hate to say it, but "Nobody's hooooome..." has been seared into my subconscious for 25 years to the point that I literally cannot hear Beethoven's Fifth without thinking of it. It's not that I ever had the tape, or even remember thinking it was all that hilarious or that I wanted it, just a weird example of the way that music can stick in your brain.

If there were a "Not Impressed" button next to the "Like This" button, I would click it for this post. (Wait, that probably sounds negative, but you know what I mean!) Tig talked about her prognosis on Conan a few weeks ago, so it wasn't really news to me, but it was nice to hear the details fleshed out a bit and the related stories.

This was one of my favorite Tooches ever. "I desperately want you to have a girlfriend" was so perfectly timed and hilarious, yet strangely affecting.

Maybe just wishful thinking, but the way they were talking about it here, I kind of thought it's really in the works. Great episode, I just hope Kulap doesn't listen. I'm intrigued by the Choctaw's political views and wish to subscribe to his newsletter.

That was fantastic. Such a perfectly Zach joke. Really fun episode all around.

Yes, this was fantastic. The Beaver Trilogy sounds amazing.

Oliver! I guess none of these guys listened to The Ricky Gervais Show.

No idea if Jacob Sanders posts here, but AWESOME job on the 4 Horsemen art that was posted on the blog today. http://blog.earwolf.com/post/31846051216

Absolutely. Did anyone else think the dog walking with shoes on looked a little like Rocky?

Yep, some of my favorite editions of Southie Corner on the Pod F Tompkast are the ones heavily featuring impressions of her family, particularly the one where her dad takes her to the 'cure your fear of flying' classes and then they fly to New York. "He did it" was my favorite Aaronism ever.

I've never seen it (I'll get to the UCB series in my Netflix queue one of these years), but one of my friends in high school had an AOL Instant Messenger (ah, the good old days) screen name that was some derivation of "ass pennies" based on this sketch.