That Which is Known

Sleep deprivation is a natural high. This episode is all about not getting enough sleep. I never do, yet I'm always tempted to stay up later and later to try and get more done. Give a listen and learn about how this is a terrible idea. We start off talking about how much sleep we need, then move on to what happens if we don't get it. We touch on sleep disorders, and Fatal Familial Insomnia. UPDATE: After recording this but before publishing it, it came to my attention that the National Sleep Foundation published new recommendations (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/02/how-much-sleep-durations-changes_n_6581628.html) for the amount of sleep people should be getting. You can read about those here. As always, If you enjoyed the podcast, you're encouraged to make a donation (http://www.mcoorlim.com/donate-known/). Sleep Study I've been researching sleep deprivation for a web series I've been producing, Sleep Study. It's got a kickstarter (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/burningbrigid/sleep-study-season-one-a-trans-media-horror-web-se) running until the 17th, and if successful it'll start filming in May. Links * Insufficient sleep is a public health epidemic (http://www.cdc.gov/features/dssleep/) * Circadian Rhythm Fact Sheet (http://www.nigms.nih.gov/Education/Pages/Factsheet_CircadianRhythms.aspx) * Mayo Clinic on Sleep Apnea (http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sleep-apnea/basics/definition/con-20020286) * Students aren't getting enough sleep (http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2014/08/surprise-students-arent-getting-enough-sleep/379020/) * JAMA article linking sleep deprivation to diabetes and gluten intolerance (http://archinte.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=486518) * Research linking sleep deprivation to psychiatric disorders (http://berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2007/10/22_sleeploss.shtml) * Article on Polyphasic sleep (http://www.supermemo.com/articles/polyphasic.htm) * Fact page on Fatal Familial Insomnia (http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/tse/tse.htm)

Steampunk. What is it? Where did it come from? What's with all the goggles? First of all, I'd like to thank Professor Elemental (http://www.professorelemental.com) for his permission to use his music. The intro music comes from Steam Powered. The song played mid-episode is Brown Cup of Joy. Go check him out, if you haven't already. This episode begins with a discussion of steampunk's origin as a literary genre, and its evolution into contemporary maker culture and a legitimate artistic movement. We cover its mainstream manifestations in movies, television, fashion, and music, then touch upon its growing multiculturalism beyond Anglo-centric stories set in London. If you enjoyed the podcast, you're encouraged to make a donation (http://www.mcoorlim.com/donate-known/). It's appreciated! Galvanic Century I researched Steampunk while planning and writing the stories that later became the free novel Bartleby and James (http://www.mcoorlim.com/book/bartleby-james/). Sales have been strong enough to expand the premise into the Galvanic Century (http://www.galvaniccentury.com) series. Future episodes of the podcast will drill down into more specific topics related to the Galvanic Century books, including various Edwardian cultural artifacts and some of the more interesting pseudo-scientific beliefs that those in the era held. Links: Here are links to things mentioned in the podcast, and a few additional items I didn't mention. * K.W. Jeter's note (http://www.lettersofnote.com/2011/03/birth-of-steampunk.html) to Locus magazine (http://www.locusmag.com/), wherein he coins the term 'steampunk' * The Teslacon (http://teslacon.com/) website * The Steamcon (http://www.steamcon.org/steamcon_vi/index.php) website * Kinetic Steam Works (http://kineticsteamworks.org/) * Steampunk exhibit (http://www.mhs.ox.ac.uk/exhibits/steampunk/) at the Museum of the History of Science * Steampunk Coture (www.steampunkcouture.com/) * IBM Social Sentiment report on Steampunk (https://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/40120.wss) * Steampunk Hands Across the World (https://airshipambassador.wordpress.com/2015/01/17/announce-hands-2015/) * Beyond Victoriana (http://beyondvictoriana.com) * Steampunk India (http://www.steampunkindia.com) Steampunk Authors and books, past and present * K.W. Jeter (https://www.facebook.com/AuthorK.W.Jeter) on Facebook * William Gibson (www.williamgibsonbooks.com) * Bruce Sterling (http://brucesterling.tumblr.com/) * Alyson Grauer (https://www.facebook.com/authorgrauer) * China Mieville (http://chinamieville.net/) * The Difference Engine (www.amazon.com/Difference-Engine-William-Gibson-ebook/dp/B004WY1FPE/?tag=mcoorlim-20) on Amazon (Affiliate Link) Steampunk Music * Steamstock (http://www.steamstock.org/) * My Steampunk youtube playlist (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1mX8ptsmBM&list=PLnQIIsbub-nmrOv0R8hGbUbSpk_t_sFbm) * Thomas Dolby (http://www.thomasdolby.com/) * Abney Park (www.abneypark.com/) * Steam Powered Giraffe (www.steampoweredgiraffe.com/) * Professor Elemental (www.professorelemental.com/) * The Cog is Dead (http://www.johnmondelliproductions.com/thecogisdead/home.html) * The Clockwork Quartet (http://www.clockworkquartet.com/) Steampunk film and movies * Tai Chi Zero (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AjjShISK20) trailer * Warehouse 13 (www.syfy.com/warehouse13) * The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (www.imdb.com/title/tt0311429/) on IMDB * Fritz Lang's Metropolis (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWVYrtmxUrQ) on Youtube Steampunk Video Games * Myst gameplay video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AjjShISK20) * Bioshock Infinite (https://www.bioshockinfinite.com/) * Clockwork Empires (www.clockworkempires.com/) This is only a very brief overview. If you've any steampunk links to add, feel free to do so in the comments.

Welcome to the first episode of the That Which is Known podcast. I do a lot of research for my books and screenplays, usually more than actually makes it to publication, so TWIK gives me the opportunity to share some of the cool stuff that I discover. Content In practice? I write genre fiction, so expect to see a lot of historical, esoteric, and scientific topics covered, like sleep deprivation, steampunk, and occult phenomena. The first couple episodes will be based on research I've already done for the books I've already written, but after we've run through those you'll hear about things soon after I've studied them. Format For the most part episodes will just be me rambling on into a microphone, but from time to time I might bring on experts to talk about particular topics, or friends I've collared if they've had the misfortune to wander on by while I'm recording. Some episodes will be short, five to ten minutes long, but others might go twice as long. It all depends on the topic. Frequency Starting out I'll be posting one episode a week, though if I can smooth out my workflow I'll double that. I'm a full-time author, though, so most of my time is spent writing and researching – we'll have to see how it all works out. I hope you'll enjoy what you hear, and that you'll come back to listen next week when I cover the topic of steampunk. That Which is Known will be available through iTunes eventually, but until then you are welcome to subscribe to my RSS feed.