Not A Thing!

Episode 121
A woman expresses “displeasure” at and wins a settlement from the police.

The federal government will no longer classify medical marijuana illegal, if this bill is signed into law.

The SpaceX program plans to test its reuseable rocket and land it on a floating barge.

DARPA developes a bullet which can change direction to track a target after firing.

Researchers find music and sounds can influence taste.

Sony pulls The Interview from theatrical release in response to alleged terrorist hacker threats.

Spoiler Alert:
We did not originate the phrase “F*ck the Police”

Episode 120

The Senate Intelligence committee releases a report about the CIA and torture.

An identity thief had a novel approach.

China is considering banning puns and other wordplay.

NASA successfully launches the Orion module.

The Navy is cleared to use a ship-mounted laser for destroying drones!

A dress that’s 3d-printed

A mobile phone that fits inside your mobile phone case.

Spoiler Alert:
We somehow got through a segment on puns without making any.

Episode 119

We talked briefly about accountability (again) after a grand jury refused to indict a cop (again), this time in New York which has said they are testing body cameras.

A new web-based short-form newsmagazine, The Basic Report, has an interesting section called Thing and Not A Thing! They should be friends with us!
(bonus, we mentioned The Week magazine)

Sony Pictures was breached fairly seriously including workers’ personal data.

Scientists may have found a non-addictive method to reduce pain.

As we discussed last week, Star Wars released its teaser trailer last week, and someone released the “George Lucas Special Edition”
(bonus: the discussion from Stephen Colbert about the infamous lightsaber)

Spoiler Alert:
Alan and Brendan are Thankful

Episode 118

We come in heavy and talk about #Ferguson. Accountability is A Thing.

Utah legislature moving to cut off water to NSA.

Buying twitter followers is something that happens.

Barbie as a “Computer Engineer” (heading language warning)

Scientists are working on a “reactionless rocket” that doesn’t require a massive amount of fuel.

We talked a couple movies and trailers: Hunger Games: Mockingjay (part 1), Big Hero 6, Star Wars, Jurassic World.

Spoiler Alert:
Alan and Brendan agree about saying “Ahoy!”

Episode 117

Brazil police uses lethal force a lot.

Game wardens in Nevada caught poachers via their facebook.

The website Kickended archives kickstarters noteworthy for not being noteworthy.

Japanese maglev train gets to 500kph!

Bonus link – Tony Hawk rides the hoverboard from episode 113!

Chrome extension Time is Money displays prices in hours worked.

Bonus link – Pooptime app that keeps track of money made while in the bathroom.

We talked John Wick, Birdman, and Interstellar.

Spoiler Alert:
Alan and Brendan disagree about Interstellar

Episode 116
Because F*ck the Police: departments seize property methodically.

The “Silk Road 2” was shut down, too.

A programmer goes to great lengths to understand the reddit front page.

President Obama asks the FCC to reclassify internet as a utility.

bonus: At least one ISP agrees with Obama’s statement.

An infographic we hinted at last week showing the intersection of states of legal same-sex marriage and recreational marijuana.

Bats are shown to jam each others’ sonar and echolocation.

The European Space Agency is landing on a comet.

bonus: (and possibly sound warning) live stream of comet landing.

Spoiler Alert:
Infographics and video live streams make for bad podcasting.

Episode 115
New Zealand MP stripped of post after suggesting homepathy to fight ebola.

Guam becomes first US Territory to allow use of marijuana for medical purposes.

Why would a TV have a 46-page privacy policy?

UAE offical wants to classify binaural beats the same as illegal drugs.

Bonus link for examples of binaural beats. (Quick, before it’s illegal!)

A teaser for the book “Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products” shows some things about brain chemistry and rewards.

Mapping and projecting images of veins to make for easier phlebotomy.

Spoiler Alert:
The Expendables 3 is another Expendables movie.

Episode 114
Secret Service prostitution scandal investigator resigns due to involvement in prostitution scandal.

US FTC sues ATT for mobile bandwidth throttling.

Pizzeria sues for trademark infringement of flavor.

US Forest Service has some words to say about selfies with bears.

Changing from a buying culture to a renting culture.

Alan had a great time at the San Jose Taiko ARC (Adult Recreational Class)

Spoiler Alert:
In the movie Book of Life, people die.

Episode 113
F*ck the Police, Special Agent edition: No special decryption rights for the FBI.

For those tired of 2-D selfies, try 3-D Shapies! (Or not, because it sounds awful)

Harvard creates a frightening, unstoppable, crawling robot.

Hoverboards are real! And will be available via kickstarter!

Plants can tell when they’re being eaten.

Spoiler Alert:
According to Fury (and many movies before it), War is Hell

Episode 112
In the F*ck the Police: International Edition: Hong Kong protestors.

Colorado’s marijuana recreational revenues now beating medicinal revenues.

HBO to produce an all-streaming channel that doesn’t require a TV subscription.

Mars mission analyzed by MIT students and finds bad Things.

Lockheed’s Skunk Works reveals a breakthrough in nuclear fusion for energy generation.

Elon Musk dropped the “D”

Facebook and Apple offering an interesting perk to female workers.

This podcast might be getting an invisible girlfriend.

Spoiler Alert:
The Lockheed Skunk Works should be called the “Cool Sh*t Place”