The Daily Bolt

Episode 161: Profiles in Science: Benjamin Franklin, Part 1

Part 1 of 2 episodes discussing the scientific contributions of Benjamin Franklin.    Represents the start of another new recurring feature on the Daily Bolt

Episode 160: Unusual Cold Will Bring Higher Coffee Prices in 2022

Rare July frosts in Brazil's prime coffee growing region will result in higher, and perhaps sharply higher, coffee prices in 2022.

Episode 159: Why Does It Work? Baking Soda and Vinegar as Cleaning Agents

First of a recurring series featuring why, from a scientific perspective, things work they way they do.  Today:  Why, chemically, vinegar and baking soda are good cleaning agents and alternatives to other cleaning products. 

Episode 158: This Day in Science August 2

On this day in 1695, a patent for a portable barometer was issued to a British inventor.  Such an invention was an important step towards our modern understanding of atmospheric pressure and weather systems.   Learn more in this podcast. Video of this podcast, including images of the portable instrument, is available on YouTube (search for 'The Daily Bolt'). 

Episode 157: Mixed News on the 2021 Western Drought

I provide an update as to how the drought that much of the Western US has been experiencing through much of 2021 is progressing.  There's some good news and some not-so-good news.  Listen to find out!

Episode 156: Who is Vladimir Zworkyin and Why Should We care?

On this date in 1889, Vladimir Zworkyin was born.  Why should we care?  If you own a television, you should certainly care.  Listen to find out why!

Daily Bolt Episode 155: Coffee may be bad for your brain!

We briefly discuss a new study from the University of South Australia that suggests that people who drink more coffee daily end up with smaller brain volumes. And a bigger risk of developing dementia.  Maybe it's time to switch to tea...

Episode 154: How Government Helps Form Scientific Consensus

In an originally unplanned addition to the discussion on Scientific Consensus, we discuss how government agencies and programs, by their ability to control research funding, can contribute to the formation of a specific consensus on a specific scientific issue.  It's not as far-fetched as you might think.  I've seen it in action. 

Episode 153: More on the Validity of "Scientific Consensus"

We continue the discussion as to instances when scientific consensus was wrong, and how the current call to "follow the science" , meaning, "follow the scientific consensus", could be dangerous. 

The Daily Bolt Episode 152: How Valuable is Scientific Consensus?

We tackle the idea of "scientific consensus" and whether it has value and under what conditions.  Part 1 of 2.