Parking Laws Are Strangling America • Climate Town
What the printing press did to English
RobWords with host Rob Watts
The invention of the printing press ushered in a literary revolution, helping to create the world as we know it. However… it also made a terrible mess of English. In my latest YouTube video I explore the impact of Johannes Gutenberg’s contraption on the world and on our language. Plus, with the help of design master and font fanatic @LinusBoman, I delve into the everyday terms we get from the world of printing.
What’s the Conway Effect and What Does It Say About Tech?
Over 20+ years ago, on my first day transitioning on-the-job at Fifth Third Bank HQ, the only person on earth to call me with a word of support was Lynn Conway.
The Surprising Genius of Sewing Machines
The Amazing Recording History of: “Here Comes The Sun”
You Can’t Unhear This
Here Comes The Sun has become one of the most popular and treasured Beatles songs, a gateway into their music for many new fans. This 3-minute gem of unforgettable songwriting is also packed with intriguing anomalies, production quirks and even a mystery.
Unlike the vast majority of Beatles songs, Here Comes the Sun was not written by the main songwriting duo of Paul McCartney and John Lennon, but rather by George Harrison, the youngest member of the quartet, who contributed two memorable pieces to the Abbey Road album – an endearing love song called Something, and the effervescent Here Comes the Sun.
The Untold History of Black Country Music
Why we should go back to writing in runes
RobWords with host Rob Watts
Before the Roman or Latin alphabet, English was written out using runes ᚠᚢᚦᚩᚱᚳ.
And I think… they were better. Allow me to explain why as we explore how runes were used in the distant past, how they’ve been abused by groups like the Nazis, and how they could be used in the future.
If it’s good enough for J. R. R. Tolkien and his dwarves, it’s good enough for us!
StarTalk: Scientists Discuss Epigenetics & Generational Trauma
Was Lamarckian evolution actually right? Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-hosts Chuck Nice and Gary O’Reilly learn about the new field of epigenetics and how the lived experiences of past generations can get genetically passed down with neuroscientist & epigeneticist Bianca Jones Marlin.
Do Boycotts Actually Work? • PBS Origins
Have you ever been encouraged to “vote with your wallet”? From the Boston Tea Party to the Montgomery Bus Boycott, and the nationwide grape boycott of the 1960s, boycotts have long been a powerful tool for social change. But in today’s world, where viral boycotts come and go in the blink of an eye, do they still hold the same power? Discover the historical roots of boycotts, their lasting impact, and explore whether this form of resistance is still effective in our modern society.