Monday, June 30, 2008

Friday, June 27, 2008

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Podcasts


My daily commute adds up to about ten hours a week. A good portion of it is in tunnels, so listening to the radio is not possible. I used to read a lot but podcasts have just about pushed this activity out. I always have a printout of an article handy in case I do feel like reading something. I'm currently making my way through this excellent set of recommendations at Ask MetaFilter. As I said though, listening to podcasts is what I do mostly. This is where I get my ten hours:
First, a range of ABC Radio National programmes – All In The MindCounterpointLate Night LiveLife MattersNational InterestThe Philosopher's ZoneThe Science Show. MeFiPodcast duh! Open Source with Christopher Lydon, invariably has interesting and informative interviews. As their catchphrase says "An American conversation with global attitude". The often funny, always entertaining, with great science content - The Skeptics Guide to the Universe. Always funny and hugely entertaining with obscure facts, flying tangents and stories - Widely Ranging Interests.

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Deafness In Disguise











Concealed hearing devices from the Becker Medical Library, Washington University School of Medicine. If you're wondering how the first three pictures relate to listening devices, search for 'audiophone' and 'dentaphone'. Link…

Monday, June 23, 2008

Medical Botany






Illustrations credited to J. H. Colen but some of them were drawn and coloured by Carson. Link…

Friday, June 20, 2008

The Sexual Life of Japan






I've posted from this source before (Insect-Musicians) and this tome is an absolute pearler - 'Being An Exhaustive Study of the Nightless City' or the "History of the Yosiwara Yukwaku" by Joseph De Becker. It's a 418 page report from the late 1800s covering the history of brothels and prostitutes. It includes government regulations, classifications, dress, coiffure, tips and etiquette, fees, advertisements, contracts, medical matters, entertainment skills, biographies of famous courtesans, statistics, newspaper reports and much more. Link…

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Early New Zealand Books











Significant books published about New Zealand in the nineteenth century. There are some fascinating and detailed accounts of early contact with the Maori people to be found here. Link…

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

The Gems of the East







PREFACE
By a curious coincidence the journey from England, described in this work, occupied exactly 365 days, I having sailed from Liverpool on November 12, 1902, at 3.30 P.M., and arrived in that city again at 3.30 P.M. on November 12, 1903.
Sixteen thousand miles of research travel among wild and tame tribes of enchanting islands - Arnold Henry Savage Landor (1904). Link…