Science in the Roman World with Richard Carrier [80:17m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (2660)

Part 2 of the Richard Carrier is now live.  We continue our conversation about science in the ancient world, discuss the works and missteps of Rodney Stark and his theory of the scientific revolution, read and discuss ancient documents germaine to the topic, and talk about the reasons for the fall of the Roman Empire.  Hera Flea returns with more Reprobates News, and Danny Schade continues to supply additional questions and commentary.

Next time, in about two weeks, we’ll talk to Cory Doctorow about DRM, Freedom, Surveilance, and Linux.

Enjoy!

 

 Richard Carrier on Ancient Science, 1 of 3 [45:35m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (2644)

Hey Everyone,

It’s been a long time!  Before my life was swallowed by the podcast of my novel Predestination and Other Games of Chance, I recorded quite a bit for Reprobates Hour.  So now, to kick off part 2 of Season 3, Richard Carrier returns to talk about science in the ancient world.  We discuss the works and missteps of Rodney Stark and his theory of the scientific revolution, we talk about the amazing and usually forgotten scientific and technological discoveries and innovations in the ancient world, and have a lot of fun along the way.  In this first of three episodes, we talk about science in the Greek world.  Next week, we talk about the Roman world.  Hope you enjoy!

The Reprobates are back in town — spread the word!

Hey everyone

It’s been pretty insane here at the Reprobates Lair, as my attention has gone to podcasting Antithesis and writing three more novels, as well as to the normal paid sort of work.  However, in bits and snatches over that time, there has been recording going on for Reprobates.  The show format is going to be a little different this year - a little more variety, a little punchier, but still with the intellectualism and irreverence that you’ve come to expect.

Some guests we’ve already recorded:

Richard Carrier, philosopher and historian of science (2 episodes)

John McCarthy, father of Artificial Intelligence  (1 episode)

D.N. Lynx Crowe, inventor (1 episode)

Cory Doctorow, editor of BoingBoing (1 episode)

Elizabeth Pisani, author of The Wisdom of Whores and former senior member of UNAIDS (1 episode)

Mary Mason, veteran sound engineer, on Building The Wall of Sound (1 episode)

I’m currently also working on wrangling interviews with economist Russ Roberts, the production team of The Man From Earth, and Joe Moe, the writer and producer of Red Velvet.  We’ve got a few more open slots, I’d like to do a full 12 episodes this season, so if you are someone (or know someone) who is funny, interesting, challenging, or heretical, email me and I’ll try to get them on the show.

Look for new episodes in January!

-Dan the Demented

 

 S3 E02 Mur Lafferty: Playing For Keeps [37:35m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (3249)

And now, Episode 2 of Season 3, featuring the Grand-Dame of podcasting herself: Mur Lafferty.

Be sure to check out her website here, where you can listen to the excellent Heaven series, The Takeover audio drama series, and many other wonderful works of fiction and geeky essays.

And head on over to Amazon while we’re talking and pick up her new book, Playing For Keeps. Do it today, if you can. This is one talent that the world deserves to discover, and pushing her out into the limelight with her first novel here is a big step towards that discovery.

 

 Double Trouble! Tee and Pip storm the Reprobates Lair!: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (3040)

That’s right, boys and girls, the Reprobates Hour is BACK! To kick off season 3, I’ve got Double Trouble for you - Tee Morris and Phillipa Ballentine join me to talk international travel, sexual politics, nude beaches, scotch, cigars, podcasting, and…what was the other thing? Oh, yeah! Writing! Their new books: Billibub Baddings and the Case of the Pitcher’s Pendant, and Digital Magic, respectively.

Find out what happens when you mix midori, beer, vodka, and tea with three very disreputable reprobates indeed!

Hera Flea returns with the most off-the-wall Reprobates News ever!

Click here to listen to Tee Morris’s first Billibub Baddings book, “The Case of the Singing Sword.”

Click here to listen to Philipa Ballantine’s “Chasing the Bard”

Click here to listen to Dan the Demented’s new novel “Antithesis”

 

 Kiwis in Hell: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (4512)

During a moment of theological epiphany, Tee Morris and Dan the Demented discover the truth about New Zealanders.

An outtake from the Season 3 premier episode.

 

 Tee's Cigar: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (4114)

Later today, the premier of the third season of the Reprobates Hour debuts.  We recorded far more for this episode than we could possibly use, so I’ve excerpted a couple of the funnier outtakes for bonus comments here.

So, for your dis-edification, here’s Tee Morris, Phillipa Ballantine, and myself talking about Tee’s “cigar” and who gets to smoke it.

 

 Important Podcast Fiction News [4:11m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (3332)

It’s been really busy around the Reprobates Lair here recently, but fear not! More episodes are coming, and they’re fun ones, too!

Meantime, check out the promo on the feed. This one is important. You see, there’s only a few days left to pick up Scott Sigler’s Infected.

If you haven’t heard the podcast, you’ve been missing out. I’ll be posting a proper review in a couple days when I have time, but for now suffice it to say that even if you don’t like horror, you’re probably going to enjoy this book. Check out the Amazon reviews and get your copy - and try to get it before the 14th of April so that your purchase will count towards the New York Times Bestseller list. If Scott can make the list, it’s going to mean good things for ALL podcast authors - Sigler, Harwood, Lafferty, Hutchins, Wallace, myself, and all the others who are creating excellent free content for all of you guys out there in podcastland.

If you don’t want to go to Amazon, hit B&N.com or go to a local brick-and-mortar store and look for the book with this disturbing cover:

 

 S2, E9: Podcast Novel Spectacular!: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (3469)

Well, my delightfully demented friends, your patience has been rewarded. This week (okay, month) we have two - count them - TWO of the top tier new media pioneers in the country. First, crime novelist Seth Harwood author of the Jack Palms series comes on to talk about the arrival of Jack Wakes Up on Amazon.com and the sales event he has modestly titled “Palms Sunday.”

Then, in between guests, Hera Flea regails us with tales of Amazon Women, feminism, Parisian fashion, public nudity, and the Vatican’s reaction to Seth Harwood.  Music for this segment from George Hrab and Jonathan Coulton.

Coming back from the Reprobates News, J.C. Hutchins, author of the 7th Son trilogy, joins us to talk about 7th Son, his new projects, and the Ministry of Propaganda. It’s an action packed hour of creative overdrive this week, don’t miss it!

 

 S2 E3: Michael Shermer on Markets, Morality, and Freedom [42:16m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (5839)

This week, Dr. Michael Shermer of the Skeptic’s Society joins us to talk about his latest book “The Mind of the Market,” in which he looks into the evolutionary history of economies, morality, decision making, and human nature. Covering a number of interesting topics that will be new to most listeners, Dr. Shermer lays out food for thought from the provocative to the near-utopian, but manages not to take off on flights of fancy while doing it.
I met Dr. Shermer at Google after he gave an extensive talk on his new book and the implications of his research for how we understand business, ethics, and public policy. That talk is available through the authors@google series on youtube, and is embedded below.

Hera-Flea again brings us the Reprobates’ Newscast, aided with the smooth musical stylings of George Hrab and Jonathan Colton.

Promos Included:

The Going Linux Podcast

Two Smokin’ Hot Freethinkers

See Michael Shermer’s Google Talk on YouTube