Writer and Geek Show

We discuss the evolution of our musical taste over the years.

What happened to our neanderthal cousins? {00:00} Contrary to popular belief, Columbus did not actually discover America. Almost 500 years before Columbus, Lief Ericsson, a Viking, landed on the coast of Newfoundland. But even he wasn’t the first to reach Americas. Native Americans had already migrated to this region thousands of years ago. {02:50} We discovered the existence of Neanderthals in 1856 when quarrymen found the fossils of human-like species in the Neander Valley in Germany. In the 1820s, a skull was discovered which belonged to a neanderthal girl. But this discovery did not get much attention. {04:28} Neanderthals lived in caves which were intricate in design with many passages and were dark. Everything happened inside these caves, everything! They had a social life where the young took care of the old. After death, the buried the corpse and they were very interested in making jewellery, paintings and carvings. {06:32} The biological characteristics of Neanderthals were different from human beings to adapt to the cold climate of Europe. They had a stockier body with muscle mass and were shorter than modern humans. They had to adapt to the severe cold of the ice age as well. They weren’t as athletic as human beings. Once they settled down in Europe, they did not move around much. They had a larger cranial capacity. {08:30} A study of the ear canal of Neanderthals revealed that they were not very agile. The evolutionary changes happened to the Neanderthals when they were settled in Europe. They were comfortable with the conditions in the areas they settled down. There wasn’t much innovation that happened during their time of existence compared to humans who were innovating. {12:20} Humans explored more of the world and migrated to different parts of the world and also the population of modern humans were increasing compared to Neanderthals who never exceeded more than 70,000 in number at any given time. Humans were agiler and made advancements in making weapons and tools like the invention of bow and arrow. {13:58} There was a time where modern humans and Neanderthals co-existed. There are different theories on how Neanderthals became extinct. Some speculate that humans killed them off or we interbred into them and slowly all the purebred neanderthals ceased to exist. {15:42} Since they were stocky, and lived in dense forests, they used heavy spears and hunted in close proximity. Since they were muscular and strong, they could hunt with spears. The dense forests later retreated back and areas turned into grasslands and this caused a difficulty for them to hunt for prey. They had a higher metabolism rate than humans. This meant they had a bigger requirement for food. There are multiple such reasons that ultimately resulted in their extinction. Diseases might also be a reason for their wipe out. Humans migrating from Africa might have carried diseases which Neanderthals weren’t able to survive. For now, it remains a mystery as to why such a species ceased to exist. Image: Pixabay

What happened to our neanderthal cousins? {00:00} Contrary to popular belief, Columbus did not actually discover America. Almost 500 years before Columbus, Lief Ericsson, a Viking, landed on the coast of Newfoundland. But even he wasn’t the first to reach Americas. Native Americans had already migrated to this region thousands of years ago. {02:50} We discovered the existence of Neanderthals in 1856 when quarrymen found the fossils of human-like species in the Neander Valley in Germany. In the 1820s, a skull was discovered which belonged to a neanderthal girl. But this discovery did not get much attention. {04:28} Neanderthals lived in caves which were intricate in design with many passages and were dark. Everything happened inside these caves, everything! They had a social life where the young took care of the old. After death, the buried the corpse and they were very interested in making jewellery, paintings and carvings. {06:32} The biological characteristics of Neanderthals were different from human beings to adapt to the cold climate of Europe. They had a stockier body with muscle mass and were shorter than modern humans. They had to adapt to the severe cold of the ice age as well. They weren’t as athletic as human beings. Once they settled down in Europe, they did not move around much. They had a larger cranial capacity. {08:30} A study of the ear canal of Neanderthals revealed that they were not very agile. The evolutionary changes happened to the Neanderthals when they were settled in Europe. They were comfortable with the conditions in the areas they settled down. There wasn’t much innovation that happened during their time of existence compared to humans who were innovating. {12:20} Humans explored more of the world and migrated to different parts of the world and also the population of modern humans were increasing compared to Neanderthals who never exceeded more than 70,000 in number at any given time. Humans were agiler and made advancements in making weapons and tools like the invention of bow and arrow. {13:58} There was a time where modern humans and Neanderthals co-existed. There are different theories on how Neanderthals became extinct. Some speculate that humans killed them off or we interbred into them and slowly all the purebred neanderthals ceased to exist. {15:42} Since they were stocky, and lived in dense forests, they used heavy spears and hunted in close proximity. Since they were muscular and strong, they could hunt with spears. The dense forests later retreated back and areas turned into grasslands and this caused a difficulty for them to hunt for prey. They had a higher metabolism rate than humans. This meant they had a bigger requirement for food. There are multiple such reasons that ultimately resulted in their extinction. Diseases might also be a reason for their wipe out. Humans migrating from Africa might have carried diseases which Neanderthals weren’t able to survive. For now, it remains a mystery as to why such a species ceased to exist. Image: Pixabay

Neanderthals co-existed with human beings, we wonder where they went.

Podcasting Infrastructure We continue our discussion on podcasting and get into the technical aspects of recording and producing a podcast. {01:00} Podcasting is huge in North America. But the similar growth isn’t seen in Europe and Asia. This is mostly attributed to the fact that English is the primary language in North America whereas there are a wide variety of languages spoken in Europe and Asia. Apart from this, most people in North America use apple devices whereas Android is more popular in Europe and Asia. {03:30} Walkthrough of the podcasting equipment and software used for Writer & Geek Show. We started with a Samson Meteor Mic. But this being a condenser mic, we had to record late nights due to the ambient noise that came through. {06:00} We use Audacity for our software processing. Audacity is a free software that can very well handle the processing required for podcasting. ALong with Audacity we used Voicemeeter as a virtual mixer for combining the inputs from two Knox USB/XLR mics which we use now. We also use a software called Levilator which helps in levelling out the audio volume throughout the episode. We also purchased Yamaha MG10XU mixer. This is very versatile entry-level mixer and has helped us drastically improve our audio. {12:35} Podcast can be managed using CMS like WordPress but for our podcast, we use Jekyll as the CMS. A custom rss feed is created and submitted to iTunes. For submission, an Apple ID is required and the podcast feed is submitted to iTunes. Once verified, the podcast will be available on iTunes. {13:55} There are many apps for listening podcasts for mobile phones and desktops. Our favourite is Pocket Casts. It has an Android app and a web player. It is lightweight and very user-friendly. {15:32} Media file hosting has to be separate from the web hosting. We use Libsyn for media files. there are other services like SoundCloud and Simplecasts etc.

Podcasting Infrastructure We continue our discussion on podcasting and get into the technical aspects of recording and producing a podcast. {01:00} Podcasting is huge in North America. But the similar growth isn’t seen in Europe and Asia. This is mostly attributed to the fact that English is the primary language in North America whereas there are a wide variety of languages spoken in Europe and Asia. Apart from this, most people in North America use apple devices whereas Android is more popular in Europe and Asia. {03:30} Walkthrough of the podcasting equipment and software used for Writer & Geek Show. We started with a Samson Meteor Mic. But this being a condenser mic, we had to record late nights due to the ambient noise that came through. {06:00} We use Audacity for our software processing. Audacity is a free software that can very well handle the processing required for podcasting. ALong with Audacity we used Voicemeeter as a virtual mixer for combining the inputs from two Knox USB/XLR mics which we use now. We also use a software called Levilator which helps in levelling out the audio volume throughout the episode. We also purchased Yamaha MG10XU mixer. This is very versatile entry-level mixer and has helped us drastically improve our audio. {12:35} Podcast can be managed using CMS like WordPress but for our podcast, we use Jekyll as the CMS. A custom rss feed is created and submitted to iTunes. For submission, an Apple ID is required and the podcast feed is submitted to iTunes. Once verified, the podcast will be available on iTunes. {13:55} There are many apps for listening podcasts for mobile phones and desktops. Our favourite is Pocket Casts. It has an Android app and a web player. It is lightweight and very user-friendly. {15:32} Media file hosting has to be separate from the web hosting. We use Libsyn for media files. there are other services like SoundCloud and Simplecasts etc.

We continue our discussion on podcasting and get into the technical aspects.

How we started Our podcasting journey started few months back with the launch of Writer & Geek Show. In this episode we discuss on how we started podcasting and how you can start one too. We also talk about the advantages of having a podcast. {04:15} Vishnu started listening to podcasts back in 2014 starting with Shop Talk Show. Somewhere in 2015 he started a podcast without having a clue as to what the podcast should be all about. Without any good recording setup, he created episodes using his iPad and hosted the mp3 files on Google Drive. {08:52} Interest in podcasts was revived and we decided to start a show. We discuss science, tech and history most of the times, so we decided to put it online for an audience to listen. Motivated to create, we upgraded our podcasting equipment as well. Started with just one USB condenser microphone. Now we have a complete setup with dynamic mics, mixer, headphones etc. {13:00} Motivation is to have these conversations and learn as we produce episodes. Shankar writes at Rambling Joint. WHich serves as an inspiration for the podcast research and vice versa. The discussion then moves on to the Writer & Geek Show and how we started it. Image: Pixabay

How we started Our podcasting journey started few months back with the launch of Writer & Geek Show. In this episode we discuss on how we started podcasting and how you can start one too. We also talk about the advantages of having a podcast. {04:15} Vishnu started listening to podcasts back in 2014 starting with Shop Talk Show. Somewhere in 2015 he started a podcast without having a clue as to what the podcast should be all about. Without any good recording setup, he created episodes using his iPad and hosted the mp3 files on Google Drive. {08:52} Interest in podcasts was revived and we decided to start a show. We discuss science, tech and history most of the times, so we decided to put it online for an audience to listen. Motivated to create, we upgraded our podcasting equipment as well. Started with just one USB condenser microphone. Now we have a complete setup with dynamic mics, mixer, headphones etc. {13:00} Motivation is to have these conversations and learn as we produce episodes. Shankar writes at Rambling Joint. WHich serves as an inspiration for the podcast research and vice versa. The discussion then moves on to the Writer & Geek Show and how we started it. Image: Pixabay

We started a podcast on budget. How can you do it?

What is it? Mars One is a mission started by Dutch entrepreneurs Bas Lansdorp and Arno A. Wielders to put humans on Mars starting with a one-way mission. {00:48} SpaceX has revived the interest in space. Since the golden age of space back in the 60s and 70s, there has never been such interest in space as we have now. Thanks to Elon Musk, the private sector is taking over space. {02:07} A little skepticism on the Mars One mission. {03:42} Founded by Bas Lansdorp and Arno A. Wielders. The project has two entities - Mars On Foundation and Mars One Ventures. The foundation handles the funding and mission development which includes the recruitment of astronauts. Mars One ventures is the monetization part of Mars One Project. {05:05} - Mars One plans to use existing technologies and borrowing hardware from other companies including SpaceX and Lockheed Martin. They believe no scientific breakthrough are needed for the mission. {06:37} - How are the Astronauts are chosen for the mission? How the application process works? It is a one way mission. {08:00} - Mars One have selected 100 personnel for the mission. It will be cut down to forty first. Then further cut down to twenty-four. The group of twenty-four are divided into four groups of six. {09:22} - How many people applied for Mars One. The scam surrounding it. 200,000 estimated applicants, but later found out to be around 2000 to 4000 apllications. {10:43} - The group of twenty-four are divided into four groups of six. We can be part of choosing the first group who goes to Mars. Like whaaat??!! Criteria for choosing the astronauts. {12:29} - How qualified are the founders to take up such an ambitious project? Do they have prior experience in the field of space travel. How is Elon Musk and SpaceX different from Mars One? {13:18} - People from more than 100 countries funding the programme. {14:03} - The Timeline of Mars One. The changes it has gone through over the years. Postponing all the plans by eight to nine years. {15:02} - Explanation on SpaceX Dragon and Falcon Heavy. {17:10} - Mission objectives of Mars One. Setting up communication satellites. {17:51} - Mars One public addressess. And our views on the project. The same old feeling of skepticism. {18:38} - Have Mars One contacted SpaceX to procure the hardware? What was Elon Musk’s response? Reasons why Mars One can be a scam. {20:53} - Build up to a Matt Damon Joke! {21:27} - Funding of Mars One. Mars One Ventures takes care of all the funding part. The main sources of revenue generation are as follows: Broadcasting rights  Intellectual property rights Donations Merchandise {24:33} - Acquiring profit through royalty from Astronauts. 75% of the an astronaut’s income through means such as interviews and sponsorship will go to Mars One. {25:10} - The verdict. The views of Dr Joseph Roche. The biggest success or the biggest scam.

What is it? Mars One is a mission started by Dutch entrepreneurs Bas Lansdorp and Arno A. Wielders to put humans on Mars starting with a one-way mission. {00:48} SpaceX has revived the interest in space. Since the golden age of space back in the 60s and 70s, there has never been such interest in space as we have now. Thanks to Elon Musk, the private sector is taking over space. {02:07} A little skepticism on the Mars One mission. {03:42} Founded by Bas Lansdorp and Arno A. Wielders. The project has two entities - Mars On Foundation and Mars One Ventures. The foundation handles the funding and mission development which includes the recruitment of astronauts. Mars One ventures is the monetization part of Mars One Project. {05:05} - Mars One plans to use existing technologies and borrowing hardware from other companies including SpaceX and Lockheed Martin. They believe no scientific breakthrough are needed for the mission. {06:37} - How are the Astronauts are chosen for the mission? How the application process works? It is a one way mission. {08:00} - Mars One have selected 100 personnel for the mission. It will be cut down to forty first. Then further cut down to twenty-four. The group of twenty-four are divided into four groups of six. {09:22} - How many people applied for Mars One. The scam surrounding it. 200,000 estimated applicants, but later found out to be around 2000 to 4000 apllications. {10:43} - The group of twenty-four are divided into four groups of six. We can be part of choosing the first group who goes to Mars. Like whaaat??!! Criteria for choosing the astronauts. {12:29} - How qualified are the founders to take up such an ambitious project? Do they have prior experience in the field of space travel. How is Elon Musk and SpaceX different from Mars One? {13:18} - People from more than 100 countries funding the programme. {14:03} - The Timeline of Mars One. The changes it has gone through over the years. Postponing all the plans by eight to nine years. {15:02} - Explanation on SpaceX Dragon and Falcon Heavy. {17:10} - Mission objectives of Mars One. Setting up communication satellites. {17:51} - Mars One public addressess. And our views on the project. The same old feeling of skepticism. {18:38} - Have Mars One contacted SpaceX to procure the hardware? What was Elon Musk’s response? Reasons why Mars One can be a scam. {20:53} - Build up to a Matt Damon Joke! {21:27} - Funding of Mars One. Mars One Ventures takes care of all the funding part. The main sources of revenue generation are as follows: Broadcasting rights  Intellectual property rights Donations Merchandise {24:33} - Acquiring profit through royalty from Astronauts. 75% of the an astronaut’s income through means such as interviews and sponsorship will go to Mars One. {25:10} - The verdict. The views of Dr Joseph Roche. The biggest success or the biggest scam.

Mars One makes ambitious claimes of putting man on Mars. How solid is the plan?

It’s elementary Sherlock Holmes is one of the most popular fictional characters ever created in the history of fiction by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Both of us have read these stories since our childhood and have been fans since then. Many TV and film adaptations have come out and Holmes always is the best detective character out there. We just ramble about Sherlock Holmes in this episode. Media Music created using Sound Trap. Check this site out, you can create your own little music clips! Image: Pixabay

It’s elementary Sherlock Holmes is one of the most popular fictional characters ever created in the history of fiction by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Both of us have read these stories since our childhood and have been fans since then. Many TV and film adaptations have come out and Holmes always is the best detective character out there. We just ramble about Sherlock Holmes in this episode. Media Music created using Sound Trap. Check this site out, you can create your own little music clips! Image: Pixabay