Learn It From A Layman

We continue our World War II podcast series. What is the D in D-Day for? How did French shrubs cause an issue in retaking France? What was the fallout from Operation Valkyrie? What is Operation Bagration? What happened in the Warsaw Uprising and did the Soviets leave the Poles out to dry? What is the story behind A Bridge Too Far? When did the B-29s join the Pacific Theatre? What were the V-1 and V-2 bombs used for? How many hand grenades were used in the Battle of Peleliu? We discuss one of the most amazing acts of heroism in Naval history at the Battle off Samar at Leyte Gulf.

We are joined by Katie Christensen, Master of Fine Arts, and we discuss the basics of photography. What happens in a film camera? Are there any benefits for film photography over digital? What do all of those settings like ISO and F-stop on your camera mean? Are there camera considerations more than the number of megapixels when buying a camera? Who are some famous historical photographers and what did they do? How do you deal with shadows? How useful is Cameron as a reflective device?

Mike Vedomske, PhD in Systems and Information Engineering and Senior Data Scientist at Nike, joins the podcast to discuss data science. Is data science different than machine learning? What kind of data do you use and how is it collected or mined? What types of algorithms do you use? What is multiple linear regression? What kind of tools are available? How do you use visualization to explore data? How is data science improving the world?

We discuss the basics of DNA. How is DNA organized in a cell? What is RNA? What are chromosomes, how are the structured, and how big are they? How much of our DNA is not used? Do proteins rule the world? How can researchers figure out which part of DNA comes from specific regions of the world? Why is cloning hard? What are stem cells? What does DNA have to do with cancer and what can you do to protect your DNA?

We discuss the basics of international travel. When does your passport actually expire? What's a visa and do you need one? What considerations are there if you drive to another country? Should you fly standby if you can? How can you layover in Iceland for free? What are ways you can save money, and what are ways you shouldn't save money? What are the dos and don'ts of security when traveling? Should you try to learn the language?

We discuss the basics of browsers. What is a browser and what does it do? Is Google Chrome the best browser? How does a browser affect internet privacy? What is a Virtual Private Network (VPN)? Are different browsers better or worse? Is incognito mode useful? What can I do if a website isn't working? What are Dev Tools in a browser and how can they help the layman?

We discuss the basics of conspiracy theories. Did the US really land on the moon? Who killed JFK? Was Obama born in the United States? Is Earth flat? Why do people believe conspiracy theories? How do you tell if something is a conspiracy theory and how do you avoid falling prey to one? Is Tim trying to bring down the podcast? We lay out four steps to help arm yourself against misinformation.

We discuss fixed vs growth mindsets. Should you tell kids that they're "smart" or "pretty"? What problems can that cause? What are growth attributes and how do we encourage and adopt them? Is Brad Pitt Brad Pitt because he's good looking? Is success defined by our abilities? What effects do fixed mindsets have on life? 

We continue our WWII podcast series and discuss the events of the first half of 1944. How did American strategy in bombing runs change in 1944 and was it effective? What happened at Monte Cassino? What was the battle of Anzio? How effective are stranded whales in the military? What did General Clark order and why was it one of the most controversial orders of WWII? What was the Soviet's military doctrine and how does it relate to today? How did the Allied forces distract Germany prior to D-Day? What happened to Allied tanks at Omaha Beach on D-Day? What is Operation Ichi-Go? What was happening in China in 1944?

We discuss the basics of accountability. What steps should you need to go through before taking action? What is an axiom? How do you apply axioms to specific situations? What influence should experience have on action? Who can we look at for examples of taking responsible action? Can understanding school subjects be useful in enacting political change? What are affective ways to enact change?

We discuss the basics of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). What's the difference between ADD and ADHD? What percentage of children have ADHD? How is it diagnosed? How do teachers deal with it? Is it inherited or caused by environment? Does screen time cause ADHD? When should you get your child checked out? What accommodations are made at school for kids with ADHD? Do international schools have juice in the drinking fountains? Do you grow out of ADHD as you get older? Do adults ever get diagnosed? 

We discuss the basics of electromagnetic forces. What is an electromagnetic field? Can you make a magnet by smacking a metal pole with a rock? How does a medium affect an electromagnetic field? Why does it travel in waves? How does electricity work inside your house? What's a coaxial cable? Why does your hair stand on end when you're close to a lightning strike? Does temperature affect electricity? What's a superconductor? Why does the dentist make you wear that silly vest when taking x-rays? 

We are joined by Dr. Larry Walters--PhD in public policy and management--to discuss tax policy. What are the various types of taxes governments use? Why do governments use multiple types of taxes instead of just one? How is the electric grid in Texas run? Are all/any taxes tied to specific government projects? What's a flat tax? How do the wealthy avoid paying taxes so often? Do Tim's taxes cover most of the federal budget? How do taxes affect corporations differently than individuals? What limits are there on a government's ability to tax? Do countries/states that tax less just offer less government services? Are there specific states where you pay less in taxes?

We discuss the basics of memory. How does memory work in the brain? We talk about encoding, storage, and retrieval of memory from the brain. Is there subconscious memory? What is a flashbulb memory? Was Cameron a butterfly once? Why isn't your wedding day a flashbulb memory? How does forgetting work? Why can't you find your keys and how is that different than forgetting an old friend's name? Can you suppress memories? Did Jonny get his medical degree from the mafia? Is photographic memory real? What is Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory? How can you improve your memory?

We continue our WWII podcast series by discussing the events of 1943. What is the unconditional surrender doctrine? Who was Friedrich Paulus and why did Hitler promote him to field marshal? What is the Mareth Line and how did the Codebreakers affect the war in North Africa? What is heavy water? What are operations Freshman and Gunnerside and did they help avert nuclear war? How did the attack on Pearl Harbor help turn the tide on the war in the Atlantic? What is the Dambusters raid and was Rogue Squadron involved? What was the V2 rocket? What were the Hamburg air raids and did the Allied forces bomb civilians? How was the battleship USS Iowa that FDR was riding on fired on by another US destroyer? And how did that prove FDR is a boss?

We discuss the basics of college. What factors do you need to consider when selecting a college or university? Is selecting a college and major a calculus problem? Do public servants burn money? What are AP classes and are they worth taking? What is concurrent enrollment? Should you try to get as much college credit as quickly as possible? How do you prep for college entry essays? Should you deliver a baby to help your college application stand out? Can you get a scholarship for underwater basket weaving? What factors should you consider when selecting your major? Should you chase your dreams? Do you really need to go to college at all?

We continue discussing WWII. What happened at the battle of Midway? Was radar used and why was it not very effective? What is Leningrad and where is it? Where and what is Stalingrad? Why are there so many grads? What happened at the Wannsee Conference? What were the 1000 bomber raids? Why was Malta important in WWII (and so many other wars)? Did the airplanes Faith, Hope, and Charity really hold off the Luftwaffe? What was the German "Happy Time" in the battle of the Atlantic? Who was Erich Hartmann and why were the Germans the highest scoring pilots of all-time? What did Charles Charles de Gaulle do? How did Erwin Rommel's North African campaign go in 1942? What happened at Guadalcanal?  Did Japan ever hit American mainland during WWII? Who was Enrico Fermi and what did he do?

We discuss the basics of William Shakespeare. Where was Shakespeare from? How prolific was he? Was Shakespeare poor? Are there direct descendants of Shakespeare today? Did Shakespeare actually write the plays and sonnets attributed to him? Why should the layman be familiar with his works and is there a practical way to read Shakespeare? Come learn with us.

We discuss the basics of the first half of WWII. What was happening in Spain before WWII? Does Luftwaffe mean "air waffle"? Why did Hitler hate the Jews? What was the Winter War? Who was Simo Häyhä? What was the Maginot Line? What was the Vichy government? How long could the German airplanes fly once over England? What did the German navy look like? Who was Francisco Franco? Had the Japanese officially declared war on the US before the attack on Pearl Harbor? What was the Bataan Death March? How did the Americans know to prepare for the Battle of Midway? Come learn it from a layman.

We discuss some basic philosophical or logical razors. What is a razor? What is Hanlon's razor? When someone calls you stupid are they just cutting you some slack? What does the Sagan Standard have to do with cold fusion? What is Popper's falsifiability principle? Should scientists be passionate? What name is better than Newton's Flaming Laser Sword? What is Grice's razor and is it related to the Mines of Moria? How many blades should a razor have?