The Daily Bolt

Episode 156: Who is Vladimir Zworkyin and Why Should We care? 31.07.2021 9:00 ↓

On this date in 1889, Vladimir Zworkyin was born.  Why should we care?  If you own a television, you should certainly care.  Listen to find out why!

Daily Bolt Episode 155: Coffee may be bad for your brain! 30.07.2021 5:37 ↓

We briefly discuss a new study from the University of South Australia that suggests that people who drink more coffee daily end up with smaller brain volumes. And a bigger risk of developing dementia.  Maybe it's time to switch to tea...

Episode 154: How Government Helps Form Scientific Consensus 29.07.2021 6:10 ↓

In an originally unplanned addition to the discussion on Scientific Consensus, we discuss how government agencies and programs, by their ability to control research funding, can contribute to the formation of a specific consensus on a specific scientific issue.  It's not as far-fetched as you might think.  I've seen it in action. 

Episode 153: More on the Validity of "Scientific Consensus" 28.07.2021 9:37 ↓

We continue the discussion as to instances when scientific consensus was wrong, and how the current call to "follow the science" , meaning, "follow the scientific consensus", could be dangerous. 

The Daily Bolt Episode 152: How Valuable is Scientific Consensus? 27.07.2021 10:55 ↓

We tackle the idea of "scientific consensus" and whether it has value and under what conditions.  Part 1 of 2. 

Episode 151: Reflections on Humility from C.M. Christensen 25.07.2021 7:23 ↓

In a first departure from science/education topics, a few wise words about humility from the late Professor C. M. Christensen of Harvard's Business school.   There is much that applies in the current "cancel culture" climate. 

Episode 150: We're Back...and: Using Drones for Rain Enhancement 25.07.2021 13:09 ↓

We are BACK after a long hiatus, with some changes:  more video episodes (see them on Facebook or YouTube), with audio for those episodes posted here;  Expanded range of topics including my own words of wisdom and insight (when I have them!).  And, no postings on Sundays. ALSO:  new research on uses for quad-copter drones to enhance rain electrostatically!

Oct 10, 2020 Episode 149: Think you know the speed of sound? Think again. 11.10.2020 8:28 ↓

New research discovers a theoretical upper limit to the speed of sound. And it’s much faster than you think.

Oct 6, 2020 Episode 148: Delta may or may not have hit it's peak but is still headed for the Gulf Coast 07.10.2020 9:23 ↓

The latest on major hurricane Delta

The Daily Bolt Episode 147 (10-3-20): California Wildfires: Climate Change,Forest Management, or Both? 04.10.2020 13:41 ↓

A first look at the controversy surrounding whether California's wildfires this summer are due to climate change or forest mismanagement.   

Sep 16, 2020 Episode 146; and then there were three...but Sally still poses threats 17.09.2020 14:06 ↓

A bit of a Sally recap plus more on Teddy and Vicky

Sep 15, 2020 Episode 145: Crawl, Sally, Crawl! Plus more on Paulette and the Western fires 16.09.2020 15:02 ↓

Sally still offshore but headed for Mobile; Paulette and some hope for the Pacific Northwest

Sep 14, 2020 Episode 144: Sally and Paulette stronger; goodbye Rene, hello Teddy amd Vicky 15.09.2020 13:00 ↓

The latest on the tropical Atlantic and Gulf storms

Sep 13, 2020 Episode 143: Paulette approaches Bermuda as a strong category 1 hurricane; Sally to strengthen 14.09.2020 8:45 ↓

More on Paulette and Sally

Sep 12, 2020 episode 142: Not one, not two, not three, but for Atlantic tropical systems, and maybe a fifth soon. Plus, fires raging on in the west 12.09.2020 11:42 ↓

Good news for Pac NW firefighters;bad news for the central Gulf coast

Sep 10, 2020 Episode 141: Extreme fire co ditio s spread morthward into the Pacific Northwest. Tens of millions affected by air quality alerts 11.09.2020 13:30 ↓

Fire activity increases in Washington and Oregon. Both states in their entirety are under Air Quality alerts

Sep 8, 2020 Episode 140: Weather contrasts in the West; Paulette and Rene to be around for awhile 09.09.2020 8:43 ↓

We are back after a Labor Day weekend hiatus. Two tropical storms in the Atlantic and the changing weather in the West

Sep 4, 2020 Episode 138: New genetic information regsrding the Tree of Life 05.09.2020 7:47 ↓

A story about the African baobab tree.

Sep 3, 2020 Episode 137: Steroids a new weapon in the COVID fight? Or overblown hype? 04.09.2020 8:12 ↓

More encouraging news on the COVID front.

Sep 3, 2020 Episode 136: Nana and Omar both weaken to Tropical Depression strength and expected to dissipate in about 2 Days 04.09.2020 5:30 ↓

A short podcast, the first of two to be released today.

Sep 1, 2020 Episode 135: Nana and Omar provide some tropical surprises today. Belize and Guatemala to be seriously impacted. 02.09.2020 8:44 ↓

Not One but two Atlantic tropical systems tonight.

Aug 31, 2020 Episode 134: Tropical Depression 15 likely to become Tropical Storm Nana overnight 01.09.2020 6:03 ↓

We finish out a busy tropical storm month with one more before we hit September. But don’t worry unlesss you own a freighter, barge or fishing boat.

Aug 30, 2020 Episode 133: Watch those naps---you may be hurting your health! Wait...what? 30.08.2020 7:45 ↓

A new meta analysis into napping has some surprising results.

Aug 29, 2020 Episode 132: An update on wildfires in the Amazon 29.08.2020 11:18 ↓

A look at this year’s Amazonian wildfire season