Down the Wormhole

Special Announcement
To celebrate our one year anniversary, we are hosting a live episode on Friday August 21st from 4-5 EDT. We will be streaming on Facebook and YouTube, and we will be embedding the link on www.downthewormhole.com to make it easy to find. 
 
This is a listener-driven episode, so we need your questions! Send us all your questions, topics, and conversation starters via email or social media, and make sure to join us on the 21st! 
[email protected]
https://www.facebook.com/downthewormholepodcast
https://twitter.com/downwormhole
https://www.instagram.com/downwormhole/
 

Episode 49
In our first true "crossover" episode, we join forces with the Color Correction Podcast to explore the complicated world of environmental justice. From toxic waste to climate change, we have fought many battles for the sake of the environment, but far too often, we have neglected the human impact of those issues. In this episode, we will talk about soil, water, air, and exploding refineries. 
 
Subscribe to the Color Correction Podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/color-correction/id1472806179
 
Join the Down the Wormhole Conversations grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/downthewormhole
 
Support this podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/DowntheWormholepodcast
 
More information at https://www.downthewormhole.com/
 
produced by Zack Jacksonmusic by Zack Jackson and Barton Willis 

During this miniseries on race and racism in science and religion, we are taking the opportunity to share some of our favorite podcasts with you. This episode comes to you from The Ologies Podcast and (like all of her episodes) is worth a listen. Check out the description below...
 
https://www.alieward.com/ologies/blackafinstem
 
"The most ologists in one Ologies! And maybe my favorite episode ever. #BlackBirdersWeek was such a force that we wanted to keep the energy going by spotlighting not one, but 30 ologists. You’re about to meet 30 new science heroes who are @BlackAFinSTEM and chatting about electric fish snouts, urban birds, falcons, lizards, crocodiles, economics, carnivores, sea turtles, porcupine noses, butt breathing, Ivory Towers, microaggressions, and how being an ally is a learning process we can all get better at. Walk side by side through life as a Black academic and hear their tips to best support them as well as guidance to Black students. Follow and fawn over your 30 glorious new nerd friends."

Episode 47
The Bible is a dangerous collection of writings, written mostly by people who lived under the oppressive thumb of empire. Ironically, especially in the West, it has been co-opted to support the very same kinds of oppression that the writers were fighting against! In this episode, we explore the ways that we have tried to "tame" the Bible, the stubborn power of the prophets, and how the Black Church in the US has helped us all to rediscover the true power and intent of the "Good Book". 
 
https://www.facebook.com/groups/downthewormhole
 
Sign up to nominate us in the People's Choice Podcast Awards 
(we're in the religion and spirituality category)
https://www.podcastawards.com/app/signup/
 
Support this podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/DowntheWormholepodcast
 
More information at https://www.downthewormhole.com/
 
produced by Zack Jacksonmusic by Zack Jackson and Barton Willis 
 
Show Notes
::coming soon::

Episode 46(ish)
A major part of this miniseries on race and racism is our desire to elevate the work of others that we have found particularly helpful. Two weeks ago, Zack introduced us to the Color Correction podcast, and this week, Ian has picked an episode of the Ten Percent Happier Podcast entitled, "White People, Drop the Shame and Get Curious with Shelly Graf". Listen to Ian's explanation of why it had such a profound impact on him, and then click the link below to be magically transported to the episode. 
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/256-white-people-drop-the-shame-and-get-curious-shelly-graf/id1087147821?i=1000477990075
 
Next week, we are going Biblical as we get into the ways that scripture has been used to prop up injustice as well as to overcome it. We’re talking about Moses’ black wife, Paul’s passive aggressive letter to a slaveowner, Jesus’ casual racism, and why white folks love misquoting MLK. It should be fun! And challenging… and a little dangerous… riiiiiight in that sweet spot. 

Episode 45
As we begin our miniseries on race and racism in science and religion, we have to start with where we are as individuals and where we have been. It's so easy for us to teach this stuff academically while keeping our own shame and discomfort hidden away, but we're just going to lay it out there. The good, the bad, the painfully misguided, and the beautifully naive. It all weaves together into an open and honest dialogue about the world we inherited and the world we want to bestow. Join us on our Facebook group and tell us your story as well. 
https://www.facebook.com/groups/downthewormhole
Support this podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/DowntheWormholepodcast
More information at https://www.downthewormhole.com/
produced by Zack Jacksonmusic by Zack Jackson and Barton Willis 
 
Scientists in Synagogues application due July 23 - https://sinaiandsynapses.org/scientists-in-synagogues/
 
Show Notes
What exactly are lederhosen? Wiki page and amazon costume
As compared to a dirndl? Wiki page and amazon costume [but let me just say that I also found many costumes with women wearing lederhosen too]
Bavaria is a region in now-Germany …. Here’s the wiki page and we should all go once pandemic is over, here’s an article for 10 reasons why.
A tiny touch of Ashkenazi Jewish mitochondrial dna, a genetics field still being tested; see this article
Are American Jews white? Two books, here (from 1998) and here (from 2008)
2020 US Census question on race/origin/nationality…
“Science” basis of race terms from 19th century, as explained by National Geographic article
“Social construct” dictionary definition and “race as” article from The Atlantic back in 2013
Bajau free deep dives and their spleen size article
Nepalese natives (aka Sherpas) and oxygen processing ability article
Definition of “whitewash” dictionary and application in history and K-12 curriculum
Implicit association quizzes, list found here
Ibram X Kendi, how to be anti-racist website (and press release of joining BU)

 
Find out more about the Color Correction Podcast at https://circlemobilizing.wordpress.com/podcast/ and be sure to subscribe to them wherever you get your podcasts!
While you're there, make sure you check out their "resources" tab for recommended reading/watching/organizing/supporting. 
 
Join us next week as we begin our own honest, in-depth, and humble miniseries on racial justice in science and religion. 

Episode 43
We've all done it, right? Especially during the pandemic. Our children are bored or unruly so we reach for the tablet, the gaming system, or the phone to give them something to do in the meantime. We talk about screens the way we talk about sugary cereal, but what does the research actually say? Are screens destroying our children or can they help create more empathetic, creative, and curious people than ever before? How can we use modern technology to enhance their (and our) lives? This episode is 100% judgement free and chock full of stories, studies, and suggestions to help us all be better stewards of the time we have. 
 
Support this podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/DowntheWormholepodcast
More information at https://www.downthewormhole.com/
produced by Zack Jacksonmusic by Zack Jackson and Barton Willis 
 
Scientists in Synagogues application due July 23 - https://sinaiandsynapses.org/scientists-in-synagogues/
 
Show Notes
Tetris comeback: world championship here
An example of USB microscope, but there are many examples, here’s just one from Amazon
What is a crane fly? Learn here; or watch a video here; 
What’s the geology of Central Park? Design influence; scholarly article here; short article with some pics;
What are the generations? Here’s a great article from 2014 showing that there is no definitive date for any generation except Baby Boomers (but it makes Rachael feel better that she really is Gen X).
How people consume “TV” broken down by age, article here;
AppsPeakfinder: Identify hills and mountains through AR: website
Rockd: Know what you’re looking at, like mountains: website
Star Chart Infinite, here is link to android and to apple
Sky Guide, website
Some articles on screen time (most address kid usage)
https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Children-And-Watching-TV-054.aspx
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/13/parenting/manage-screen-time-coronavirus.html [this one has good links for changing perspectives during pandemic]
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/education/2019/10/06/screen-time-kids-limit-how-much-tv-video-games-phone/3781282002/ [focusing on slightly older kids]
https://goop.com/wellness/parenthood/why-kids-dont-need-a-digital-detox/ [different view of kids need it]
https://www.technologyreview.com/2019/10/23/132487/screen-time-is-good-for-youmaybe/ [moderation is good]
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/article-abstract/2751330 Meta analysis and review of Screen Media Use and Academic performance