We discuss how technology is moving faster than society can figure out the boundaries of politeness, real-life trends being used in science fiction, discover a surprising revelation about the Jetsons, discuss what makes good dirt, talk about catholic voodoo, and The Repeater starts a disturbing new advertising trend. Discussion Pit Paul Walker Death Hoax Hoax: http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/hoaxes/paulwalker.asp Live tweeting airplane feud a hoax: http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/elan-gale-made-e...
Dec 10, 2013•1 hr 6 min
This week, on the tower of technobabble, previously recorded, we entrust me with the preparation of the thanksgiving day meal while we goof off. Or, in other words, business as usual. Show Notes: For the love of God, someone please get Towerbot the following books for Christmas? http://www.amazon.com/Grays-Anatomy-Unabridged-Running-American/dp/0914294083/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1386086855&sr=8-2&keywords=gray%27s+anatomy+book http://www.amazon.com/Cooking-Basics-Dummies-Bryan-Miller/...
Dec 03, 2013•5 min
We get ready to rock (Ragnarok, that is), discuss how the educational system let us down in a big way and what we plan to do about it, half-ass some more JFK conspiracy theories, and then examine how 2013's biggest Bigfoot hoax finally ended, not with a bang, but with a whimper. Show Notes: Shout-outs to our fellow Podcast denizens who have recently been lovely to us: Movie Meltdown: http://moviemeltdown.libsyn.com/251-totally-who-less Hillbilly Nerd Talk: http://www.hillbillynerdtalk.com/episod...
Nov 26, 2013•1 hr 11 min
We get ready for the big Doctor Who anniversary, celebrate the glut of superhero stuff about to be on streaming video, complain about the hipsters who will complain about the glut of superhero stuff about to be on streaming video and then go into why the key to the JFK assassination might have been closer to the oval office than anyone ever thought. Also, how history teaching in high school has been a dismal failure. Show Notes: Intro: Ben doesn't get country music (!) Lyrics to Brad Paisley's "...
Nov 19, 2013•1 hr 3 min
With the news of Blockbuster Video closing down its remaining stores, we wax nostalgic about Elisabeth Shue movies, the distinctive odor of movie rental stores, the special rooms shamefully tucked away in the mom and pop video shops and whatever happened to Red Giraffe. Then we look at Bigfoot hunting gone horribly wrong, and start to wish that the bigfeet would just start shooting back. Show Notes: Discussion Pit: RIP Blockbuster — Is there a place for video stores anymore? Do Rental places sti...
Nov 12, 2013•1 hr 2 min
We pull back the curtains of time to examine the alleged riots that Orson Welles' War of the Worlds caused 75 years ago, and then look at the resurgence of a method of transportation best known for its spectacular explosions. Show Notes: • Did War of the Worlds Broadcast really cause a panic? http://paleofuture.gizmodo.com/did-the-war-of-the-worlds-radio-broadcast-really-caus-1453582944/@barrett http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/10/30/241797346/75-years-ago-war-of-the-worlds-started-a-pan...
Nov 05, 2013•48 min
With the approaching 50th anniversary of Doctor Who, we consult an expert from the United Kingdom to school us on the BBC show, do a run down of each actor who has played the character, and what might be coming in the future. Show Notes The book that our guest, JR Southall created and edited: http://youandwho.weebly.com/ The magazine JR writes for: http://www.starburstmagazine.com/ The Doctor Who podcast that JR hosts: http://www.starburstmagazine.com/podcasts/blue-box-podcast-listen-to-the-late...
Oct 29, 2013•1 hr 34 min
We've got more truth than you can shake the proverbial stick at. First, we face some hard truths from last week's episode, and then discover the truth about a bigfoot attack, alien autopsies, photos of Christ and a surprising revelation about one of our own team members. Show Notes: • House stenographer goes just a little nuts: http://gawker.com/house-stenographer-dragged-off-floor-yelling-about-free-144683081 • Naked Sasquatch Attack: http://q13fox.com/2013/10/10/police-naked-man-attacks-hunter...
Oct 22, 2013•56 min
It's the inaugural Tower of Technobabble October Salute to the 50 states of the United States of America, with a list of the biggest failings of each state! Oh, and we have huge problems with Ohio's problems. It's a patriotic free-for-all. Show Notes: A Web show of all the various problems of all the various states; http://www.weather.com/health/worst-thing-about-your-state-20130924 And this is the site that takes the same info and turns it into an infograph map: http://www.policymic.com/article...
Oct 15, 2013•1 hr 25 min
SHUTDOWN: The Tower Crew deals with incompetence beyond their control in a Very Special Episode. Show Notes: There is currently no money in the budget for notes. Once reasonable people knuckle under to yahoos, we hope this will be restored. Thank you, and may God Bless the Tower.
Oct 07, 2013•5 min
The he-men of the Tower of Technobabble take on the unlikely topic of what it means to be a man in today's society. We compare and contrast recent camping information guides with a guide from the 1940s, where men were men and women liked it that way. Show Notes: What’s it mean to be a man in 2013? http://nymag.com/thecut/2013/09/what-does-manhood-mean-in-2013.html Point/Counterpoint: Lost in the woods 2013... http://www.wikihow.com/Survive-if-You%27re-Lost-in-the-Woods ...Versus Lost in the wood...
Oct 01, 2013•1 hr 6 min
We explore the totally gross reason trains in Australia are slipping around, why a totally grody dude is dressing like a horror clown in England, and why, like, a bitchin' Canadian couple are going back in time to teach their kids a valuable lesson. Fer shure. Show Notes: Thousands of millipedes! Millions of legs! http://www.livescience.com/39418-millipedes-caused-train-wreck.html Clown is creepy on purpose in England: http://gawker.com/creepy-northampton-clown-speaks-its-just-a-bit-of-134876243...
Sep 24, 2013•52 min
We find out how the man is sticking it to Star Trek fans yet again, then talk about the last place you'd want a nasty surprise, party down with more Chick Lit Theater, and look at the latest attempt by the Syfy channel to torpedo geek culture with it's show "Heroes of Cosplay." it's a deep dive into the rabbit hole this week. Show Notes: • Paramount STICKS IT to the Star Trek Fans again: http://www.thedigitalbits.com/columns/my-two-cents/082813_1415 • Starbucks surprise! http://wtvr.com/2013/09/...
Sep 17, 2013•1 hr 33 min
Towerbot set a geek snob straight, then we discuss underground real estate, stuff that happened a longer time ago in a galaxy slightly closer, rampant lesbianism at DC comics, try to make heads or tales of a fuzzy conspiracy theory, and then learn how someone's dead grandpa became a town's mascot. Oh, and Ben figures out what he's going as for halloween. Show Notes: • They’ve made a comic out of the First Draft of George Lucas’ “The Star Wars” script. It’s...different: http://www.darkhorse.com/Z...
Sep 10, 2013•1 hr 14 min
Towerbot, the Repeater and the Conduit had to go save the world or something, leaving Kentucky Slim to man the fort solo. Seriously, we have no idea what's on this podcast, but we trust Slim. We think his brother, L'il Jimmy Slim might have stopped by or something? Direct all mail to [email protected]. Show Notes: Absoluely no frickin' idea.
Sep 03, 2013•46 min
We ponder the mighty dinosaur, get into a fight about whether or not they had feathers, discuss what makes a dinosaur a dinosaur, famous robot dinosaurs of history, wonder if the dinosaurs wondered about stuff, and then manage to take it to a whole other level. Show notes: It’s Jurassic Park’s 20th anniversary, and science of Dinos has changed a bit in that time: http://www.livescience.com/37297-science-of-jurassic-park-evolved.html Kentucky Slim has a question (about the dino-pocalypse) http://...
Aug 27, 2013•1 hr 3 min
We take our made up radio show on the road and talk about the film "Starship Troopers," the target of the recent live RiffTrax show. Show Notes: Starship Troopers: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120201/?ref_=sr_1 Rifftrax: http://www.rifftrax.com Behind the scenes Vines!: The Great Shake Debate: https://vine.co/v/hMQYq9YhaqK Mic Check: https://vine.co/v/hMQYMpUep39 Man on Man Action: https://vine.co/v/hMQYe9WJgnm Ben Tries to Explain Something in Six Seconds: https://vine.co/v/hMQYJIrJ9EW...
Aug 20, 2013•43 min
Daggor gives us his report on the 2013 Fandom Fest in Louisville (spoiler alert: a lot of people, including a former doctor and two former captains weren't happy). We then look at the latest Doctor Who, and see if we approve. Then, just when you think the story of the "homeless Hank" bigfoot couldn't get any more strange, it really, really, really does. Show Notes: FandomFest 2013 (Things did not go well….) Colin Baker's Twitter Feed: @SawbonesHex Barrowman Panel (NSFW!): http://www.youtube.com/...
Aug 13, 2013•1 hr 4 min
Daggor returns to help us discuss the nature of robotic slavery, if there's a new planet on the horizon, three different ways Jesus is in the news this week, and then go way, way, way out on a slender, shaky limb to discuss the treatment of women at various geeky conventions. Show Notes: New Planet? http://gizmodo.com/5759865/the-mystery-of-the-giant-planet-hidden-in-our-solar-system Jesus Roundup: Former IT Specialist Claims to be Jesus Reborn: http://news.sky.com/story/1096687/former-it-specia...
Aug 06, 2013•1 hr 21 min
Daggor fills in for the AWOL Kentucky Slim to talk about robot on monster violence, ways angry people can share their alcohol abuse with their children and still get into heaven, and new and exciting ways to be disappointed in the bigfoot-finding scene. Show Notes: Pacific Rim! • Info: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1663662/?ref_=sr_1 • Dave's Review of Pacific Rim: http://moviemeltdown.bravesites.com/entries/general/pacific-rim Chick Audio Theater! • This time, we'll be performing "The Bully," the...
Jul 30, 2013•1 hr 7 min
This week, we consider what would happen if extraterrestrial life were to land on earth, and examine the impact on society, pop culture, religion and politics, and then look at tales that say it's already happened. Show Notes: • The question that started our discussion: http://gizmodo.com/what-would-we-do-if-aliens-just-showed-up-tomorrow-767233907 • The John Leer DISCLOSURE: http://www.coasttocoastam.com/shows/2003/11/02 • The RIO Scale: http://www.setileague.org/iaaseti/rioscale.htm • Fictiona...
Jul 23, 2013•1 hr 14 min
We examine some recent cases of government going berserk, and then people going berserk on an individual basis. Also, there might be evidence that the Loch Ness Monster may be all Scotland's fault. Then, we pick back up the strange case of a redneck cult of personality that may or may not have a bigfoot body count. Show Notes: • We get a voice mail from Bryan, the proprietor of Movie Meltdown, who, despite what you might have heard on certain podcasts who shall not be named, it not an a-hole. Fe...
Jul 16, 2013•1 hr 3 min
The Fourth of July fell on podcast night, but never fear! We're here to kick some knowledge, American History style. Also, fireworks safety. Show Notes: The United States Bill of Rights - http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/bill_of_rights.html The National Council on Fireworks Safety - http://fireworkssafety.org
Jul 08, 2013•3 min
In order to get to the bottom of our night terrors, we have consulted a professional. L. Andrew Cooper, author of "Burning the Middle Ground" and several other fiction and non-fiction horror books, enters the Tower to discuss all aspects of horror: what makes horror, how he became involved with the horrible, and what scares him when things go bump in the night. Show Notes: L. Andrew Cooper's blog - http://landrewcooper.com L. Andrew Cooper's Amazon page - http://www.amazon.com/L.-Andrew-Cooper/e...
Jul 02, 2013•1 hr 12 min
One of the Tower crew gets gainfully employed, Microsoft shoots itself in the foot while Sony holds the gun, the death toll in Man of Steel, the real-world risks of ghost hunting, and then we go on a ramble about the Lone Ranger, Fringe, The Flying Nun and the many mechanics of the Knight Industries 2000. Show Notes: • XBox backtracks on requirements - http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2013/06/xbox-one-drm/ • Damage done to Metropolis in “Man of Steel” fight: http://www.avclub.com/articles/science-e...
Jun 25, 2013•1 hr 8 min
Model Maker Paul Francis stops by to discuss props, movies, geek culture and all manner of things from the film world, including Boba Fett rivalries, rescuing a submarine from Planet Hollywood, shooting props with shotguns, and which sci-fi spaceship has the biggest boobs. Believe it or not, that last one actually has an answer. Show Notes: Lucas Francis Studios: http://www.lucasfrancisstudio.com Paul Francis IMDB Page: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3199202/?ref_=fn_nm_nm_16 Moebius Models: http://...
Jun 18, 2013•1 hr 16 min
We explore the made up world of mermaid reality television, and then dive into a deep black pool of conspiracies. Is the water you drink making you stupid? Are the jets in the sky controlling your mind, or the weather? Is the government hiding bigfoot to protect big timber? Tune in for the answer to these exciting questions! Unless the government shuts us down. Water Fluoridation: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_fluoridation_controversy Chemtrails: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemtrail_consp...
Jun 11, 2013•58 min
We look at how Battle of the Planets may help the lovelorn, why Chicago will soon be looking a lot blurrier, and then dive back into the never ending pool of Commander Ashtar lore, and the Repeater calls shenanigans on the claims that a listener once hit a manatee. Show Notes: • Chicago Sun-Times lays off entire photography staff: http://gawker.com/sun-times-lays-off-its-photographers-on-slow-crawl-to-i-510490745 http://jimromenesko.com/2013/05/30/report-sun-times-lays-off-entire-photo-staff/ • ...
Jun 04, 2013•56 min
We discuss terrible drivers, terrible daughters, potentially good news on the star wars front and the troubling onset of nerd-on-nerd violence. Pick your side and come out swingin'! Personally, we'll pick whichever side Towerbot is on (military laser and all). Show Notes: • Idiot Hits a biker, drives off, and then Tweets about it. http://jalopnik.com/woman-brags-about-hitting-cyclist-discovers-police-als-509059331 • Mom punishes bully daughter by making her wear ugly clothes: http://fashionablyg...
May 27, 2013•52 min
We discuss the concept of "too soon" when it comes to comedy and pop culture. Does comedy equal tragedy plus time, or are some people just jerks looking for an excuse? Also, spoiler alert, the Titanic sinks at the end. Show Notes: • Titanic Museum - Titanic Pigeon Forge (http://www.titanicpigeonforge.com) and Titanic Branson (http://www.titanicbranson.com): Available for church groups, weddings, vow renewals, corporate outings, sales team meetings and all manner of other inappropriate events. • ...
May 21, 2013•49 min
