Cool Stuff!

I like to learn, laugh, and experience new things. I have compiled a list of some things that I consider 'Cool Stuff'. You are probably not very interested in what your CPA thinks is cool, but this is my way of letting my clients know a little bit more about me.

Science

Voyager - The Interstellar Mission

In 1977 Voyager 1 and 2 spacecraft were launched. These crafts are designed to not come back, but rather travel beyond our solar system and send back data. Inside these crafts was something called 'The Golden Record', which containted a significant amount of music, images, literature and other samplings of our worlds culture. This is to act as an introduction to other races, in the event that it is found. I believe the craft is supposed to be able to operate for over 10,000 years. Learn more here

Watson the Amazing Computer

Watson is the supercomputer that IBM created to access information super fast in such a way that it could understand a question and play Jeopardy. Scary, and awesome. This computer does not really represent AI in the way that I understand it, but it is super cool Learn more here
Watch part of the documentary

Clever Bot

Clever Bot is learning! It is a very simple computer program that was created a few decades ago. The concept is that it learns what you give it. While it is not sentient, it is learning to communicate by mimicing user inputs. I love the idea behind this because I like programming in general, and because it is evolving. I like the idea that those that provide the content are essentially raising this baby robot. Go say hi to Clever Bot and have a short chat.

Entertainment

Podcasts

I listen to a variety of podcasts to keep me informed and laughing throughout the day. All of these are available through iTunes, but I have provided links to their websites as well. ~There is almost nothing better than finding an amazing show that you are several seasons behind on.

Radiolab - Generally considered one of the best podcasts of all times, this show attacks all sorts of subjects, commonly science related from different angles. It is very well produced, they have experts and people with a story interwoven into an examination of a topic from many different angles. My favorite one to start with would be Stochastisity, or Emergence
Stop Podcasting Yourself - If you would like to listen to a couple of hilarious Canadian Comedians hang out with other comedians, laugh, free associate, tell stories, and otherwise entertain you on a weekly basis for about an hour... this is the podcast for you.
Nerd Poker with Brian Posehn - If you like Roleplaying Games, or specifically Dungeons and Dragons, you will love listening to these Comedians playing the game together. It is not so much about the games, as it is about the hilarious things the players do and say while playing.
Freakonomics Podcast - Exploring the hidden side of everything with Steven Dubner and Steven Levitt, the writers of the successful book of the same name. Since the Freakonomics book is one of my favorite books I gave the podcast a chance, and it has not let me down. Listen to a bunch of economist academics talk about a lot of interesting topics. Highly produced, and never boring. Numbers! Numbers! Numbers!
Comedy Bang Bang! - Scot Aukerman invites some of the worlds funnies people on the show to discuss their carriers, but they are regularly railroaded by the parade of 'characters' that interupt the show. The show itself is a kind of long form improv, where the real people and the characters are continually constructing a hilarious and unbelievable universe of laughs.
Improv4Humans with Matt Besser - Founding father of the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre (famous improv troup, teaching company, and theatre) leads an all-star group of improv artist through normal conversations that eventually lead to long form improv skits. I am amazed by the skill of these artists. When they fail to make me laugh they still show an amazing amount of skill in their ability to create characters and situations on the fly.
How Did This Get Made? - I am a fan of movies, and regularly enjoy watching an absolutely terrible movie with friends and making fun of it. On this podcast Paul Scheer, jason Mantzoukas and June Diane Raphael discuss terrible movies and do it in a hilarious way. It is best to watch the movies before listening to the shows, but I often have a great time listening about movies I have never seen.
Story Collider Podcast - Relatively unknown scientists, writers and orators tell short stories with a scientific theme. Some make you laugh, some make you cry, and some just make you say hmmmm. Perfect for your daily commute, because by the time you get into it, it is over.

Television Shows

I couldn't possibly list all of my favorite television shows, but there are a few that I think really matter to some people, and will probably mean as much to other as they do to me. If you like these shows as much as I do, then I should be your CPA.

Doctor Who - While I have not watched all of the old ones yet, the new series(2005) has blown me away. This is my number one best show. It has all of the elements that make a show great, and last forever. Lets all hope that the 13th incarnation of The Doctor will not be the last.
Firefly - Space western... How can you go wrong with that combonation? How did this show get cancelled? Brown coats forever!
Battlestar Gallactica - The new one. I know there are a lot of purists that liked the old one, but I am not one of them. Space battle, survival drama.... Did I mention it was in space. The ending of the series was disappointing, but ending a show is a hard thing to do. BSG!
Seinfeld - When I am not working, I like to fill my heart and mind with laughter. This does it. Great characters, great story arcs, great ending. Yes! Soup for me!