Podcast Recommendations

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I've been a fan of podcasts (or recorded audio/radio for those intimidated by the term) ever since I started picking foraminifera, a task which involves hours under the microscope. While music and audiobooks are always welcome companions, the sheer variety of podcasts have made it my go-to for laboratory work and commuting (apart from NPR). 

Though I have come across many podcasts, I still don't think that the optimal way to search for podcasts of interest has been streamlined yet. This, on hindsight, might perhaps add to the lure of podcasts as they are things that you discover from a good source.

Here's a list of some of the extant podcasts that I'm listening to right now and would earnestly recommend. I've kept NPR-based podcasts out of this list. I would appreciate your thoughts on your favorites in the comments. Hover for details and click for links:

Science

 
 

Music

 
 

Miscellaneous

 
 

 Note: If you're looking for a podcast app on an iPhone, I would highly recommend Overcast.

A Day in the Life

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Looking outside the sedimentologists' window. This was on a particularly rocky day!

Looking outside the sedimentologists' window. This was on a particularly rocky day!

I could really do with some fresh cow's milk...

I could really do with some fresh cow's milk...

  • 09:45 – Alarm rings; Hit snooze.
  • 10:00 – Slowly climb down from bunk bed.
  • 10:10 – Brush/shower/shave. Leave laundry bag outside.
  • 10:30 – Breakfast: All bran cereal and Gossner Whole Milk. Grab a quick cup of Ahmed Tea (‘England’s Finest’)
  • 11:00 – Head to the core lab for a quick update from the night-shift sedimentologists.
  • 11:30 – Catch some sunlight outside.
  • 11:45 – ‘Official’ crossover meeting with the night-shift scientists.
  • 12:00 – Shift begins; Start describing mud.
  • 12:15 – Periodically bug our smear-slide person for lithology estimates.
  • 12:45 – Annoy the biostratigraphers about the latest age estimate.
  • 13:00 – Enter descriptions into database software DESCLogik.
  • 13:05 – DESCLogik woes.
  • 13:10 – DESCLogik works!
  • 13:15 – DESCLogik hangs.
  • 13:20 – Gripe about DESCLogik-induced rollercoaster of emotions.
  • 13:30 – Resume logging mud on tracks and describe sediments.
  • 14:00 – Another cup of tea.
  • 14:10 – More mud!! And interesting sediments!
  • 14:30 – “Oh look, a nodule!”
  • 15:00 – Down to the Galley for a cookie break. And yet another cup of tea.
  • 15:30 – Make a decision about music preferences for the afternoon.
  • 16:00 - Annoy the biostratigraphers. For ages and for amusement.
  • 16:30 – “Core on deck!” More DESCLogik fun.
  • 16:45 – Joke around with paleomagnetism and physical properties’ scientists. Also get updates/data.
  • 17:00 – Lunchtime: Vegetarian meal of the day and Pocari Sweat for refreshment.
  • 17:30 – Back to the mud!
  • 18:00 – More aggressive music to avert drowsiness.
  • 18:30 – Go outside on the bridge deck to catch the sunset.
A gorgeous sunset in the Mahanadi Basin.

A gorgeous sunset in the Mahanadi Basin.

  • 18:31 – Gawk at the sunset and the ocean and congratulate yourself on choice of profession.
  • 18:45 – Reluctantly go back inside.
  • 18:46 – More cores? Wow.
  • 19:00 – DESCLogik apathy.
  • 20:00 – Try not to look at the clock.
  • 21:00 – Last cup of tea and cookie break.
  • 21:30 – Frantic DESCLogik cleanup prior to crossover.
  • 22:00 – More mud…
  • 22:30 – Gather thoughts and data for crossover meeting.
  • 22:45 – “Oh look an anomaly!”
  • 23:00 – “That’s really interesting!”
  • 23:30 – Head down to Galley to order and store a meal.
  • 23:45 – ‘Official’ crossover meeting with the night-shift scientists. Our turn to present this time.
  • 00:00 – Satisfied with the amount of science for the day.
  • 00:10 – Get off shift! Yay!
  • 00:11 – Run down to the room to throw on some gym clothes.
  • 00:14 – Head to the movie room for “INSANITY” workout session.
  • 00:50 – Regain self-respect and composure after workout.
  • 01:30 – Dinner: Beans, rice, boiled vegetables, and one boiled egg with pepper. More Pocari Sweat.
  • 02:00 – Actual free time! (Catch a movie/show, depending on level of fatigue)
  • 02:45 – Sleep!

iMonsoon Playlist

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It's been about 15 days since my last blog post and we have already finished drilling five different holes at two different sites, despite downtime. We've seen a lot of core! As I may have mentioned, I'm on the PM-to-AM shift, so I get off my shift at midnight. Though we (lightly) listen to music during our shift, most of my music listening happens off my shift; either in the gym or on the deck (outside). Here's a (mostly complete) list of albums I've been listening to thus far:

  • Mastodon - Once More Round the Sun (most played by far! Which was JUST now promptly deleted thanks to Spotify Offline lasting only for 30 days! #%@&*@#*)
  • Godflesh - A World Lit Only by Fire
  • Yob - Clearing the Path to Ascend
  • Electric Wizard - Time To Die
  • Devin Townsend Band - Accelerated Evolution
  • Aphex Twin - Syro
  • The War on Drugs - Lost in the Dream
  • Crustation - Bloom
  • Bethlehem - Dark Metal
  • Three Mile Pilot - Another Desert, Another Sea
  • Isis - Oceanic
  • Pelican - Australasia
  • The Jesus Lizard - Goat
  • Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - Let Love In
  • Polvo - Exploded Drawing
  • Nitroseed - Molt
  • Anathema - A Fine Day to Exit
  • Miles Davis - A Kind of Blue
  • Built To Spill - Keep it like a Secret
  • Samael - Passage
  • The Obsessed - Lunar Womb
  • Gorillaz - Plastic Beach
  • Nightingale - I