Down the Wormhole

Conflict Language Part 3 (Gator Santa is the Only True Santa)

In the age of fake news, Photoshop, and social media echo chambers, what is truth and who has the authority to decide? What are the limits of pluralism, and what do we do when society gets it wrong?
Support this podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/DowntheWormholepodcast
More information at https://www.downthewormhole.com/
 
Produced by Zack JacksonMusic by Zack Jackson and Barton Willis
 
Show Notes:
Bud! 
Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westoverhttps://amzn.to/2LoVGJr
The Legend of Papa Noel: A Cajun Christmas Story by Terri Hoover Dunhamhttps://amzn.to/2NWojzq
Cajun Night Before Christmas by J.B. Kling, Jr.https://amzn.to/34DSh1e
Full House of Mustaches - Nick Offerman Deepfakehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUphMqs1vFw

Conflict Language Part 2 (Whose Authority Is It Anyway?)

Part 2 of our conflict series asks the important questions like, "Who has the authority over truth?" "Is science truth or just consensus?" "Where can I binge watch the classic 90's cartoon, Street Sharks?"
These and many more questions lie just down the wormhole...
Support this podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/DowntheWormholepodcast
More information at https://www.downthewormhole.com/
 
Produced by Zack JacksonMusic by Zack Jackson and Barton Willis
PS - Zack's audio did not record properly, so we had to use the backup recording which is why it sounds so bad compared to the others. 
Show Notes:
Street Sharks and the problem with history:https://www.geek.com/tech/how-i-used-lies-about-a-cartoon-to-prove-history-is-meaningless-on-the-internet-1656188/
The definitive guide to the Denver Airport conspiracy:https://www.denverpost.com/2016/10/31/definitive-guide-to-denver-international-airport-conspiracy-theories/
Hawaii Telescope Project, Long Disputed, Will Begin Construction:https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/10/science/hawaii-telescope-tmt-mauna-kea.html
The Oven of Akhnai:https://www.sefaria.org/Bava_Metzia.59b.1?ven=William_Davidson_Edition_-_English&lang=bi
Thomas Paine's Bordentown NJ house which is now a dentist:
Note from Zack: After editing the past few episodes, I realized that I've mentioned Thomas Paine at least five or six thousand times. This is because I just finished a massive biography on him, and have had no one to process it with. I do apologize and will henceforth make every effort to diversify my 18th/19th century pop culture references in future episodes. I will leave you with this gem from the October 1783 edition of The Onion...https://www.theonion.com/historical-archives-i-cannot-help-that-women-are-oft-a-1819584502

Conflict Language Part 1 (We Didn't Start the Fire)

When did the science/religion conflict begin? Is it inevitable? Is there a better way? Of course there is or this would be a much shorter episode!
Support this podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/DowntheWormholepodcast
More information at https://www.downthewormhole.com/
 
produced by Zack Jacksonmusic by Zack Jackson and Barton Willis

Foundations Part 3 (What's in Your Museum?)

In part 3 of our Foundations Miniseries, we get personal. Rachael, Ian, Zack, and Kendra discuss their own religious/spiritual identities and histories by answering the question, "What's in your museum?" and then following that wonderful wormhole though mysticism, ritual, community, sensory deprivation tanks, and storytelling. 
So what's in your museum? Record a voice note on your phone or leave us a comment and we'll feature your answers on the show!
Support this podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/DowntheWormholepodcast
More information at https://www.downthewormhole.com/
 
Produced by Zack JacksonMusic by Zack Jackson and Barton Willis 
----------------
Show notes:
If you're in Southeastern PA or New Jersey, you definitely should try out the East Coast Float Spa. Tell them that Zack Jackson sent you. https://www.eastcoastfloatspa.com/
There are thousands of spas like this popping up around the country. If you go, let us know how it was!
If you're ever in the Boston area on a Sunday, make sure to stop by United Parish and say hi to Kendra. https://www.unitedparishbrookline.org/

Foundations Part 2 (Science)

What is science? Who gets to do it? Who gets shut out? Why should we trust it? What counts as evidence? Who decides? Why do we care so much about it? Is science just another tool of oppression or is it a tool to discover truth?
Episode 2 of our Foundations miniseries is all about science in broad strokes. Our hosts share what it is about science that drives them and, despite its abuses, how scientific literacy has the potential to bring us all together. 
Support this podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/DowntheWormholepodcast
More information at https://www.downthewormhole.com/
 
produced by Zack Jacksonmusic by Zack Jackson and Barton Willis
---------
Notes:
Uncovering gender bias in scientific conferences https://biaswatchneuro.com/
50 years of the “Draw a Scientist Test” https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2018/03/what-we-learn-from-50-years-of-asking-children-to-draw-scientists/556025/
Science as Social Knowledge: Values and Objectivity in Scientific Inquiry by Helen Longino https://amzn.to/31B3FZh
Ian’s pictures of the eclipse https://ianbinns.com/2019/08/13/sinai-and-synapses-solar-eclipse-and-a-new-podcast/
 

Foundations Part 1 (Religion)

Welcome to episode 1 of the Down the Wormhole Podcast. Before we dive into all of the fun topics in science and religion that we can't wait to talk about, we thought it would be a good idea to lay the foundations of our work. The five of us come from different religious traditions and have varied scientific/theological training, so we want to be clear up front about who we are, how we are doing this work, and why we care so much.
What has been your experience with organized religion? What role has doubt played in your faith? What is the difference between religion and spirituality? What is sacred? What is profane? Does that even matter? What relevance does religion even have anymore? Does losing your faith mean losing your religion? 
Ian, Rachael, Zack, Kendra, and Adam will get this conversation started, but if you'd like to join the conversation, then find us on Facebook, Twitter, or email us at admin@downthewormhole.com 
Support this podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/DowntheWormholepodcast
More information at https://www.downthewormhole.com/
 
 
notes: 
The "first century trashy romance novel" that Zack referred to is called Callirhoe: Love Story in Syracuse by Chariton. It's a great beach read. Everyone will think you're super intellectual for reading a 2,000 year old book, and they'll have no idea it's really about sex, pirates, treasure, and violence! Purchase a copy from our Amazon link to give a little bit back to the show.
 
--------------
Thanks to our hosts Ian Binns, Rachael Jackson, Zack Jackson, Kendra Holt-Moore, and Adam Pryor
This episode was produced by Zack Jackson with music by Zack Jackson and Barton Willis 
 
Continue the conversation on Facebook and Twitter or send us an email with any ideas, questions, or corrections. 

Down the Wormhole Podcast Trailer

When you hear the phrase, “religion and science,” do you think of polar opposites, warfare, and sworn enemies? Most people do, but it doesn’t have to be that way. We see people finding ways to navigate their scientific and religious commitments every day!
This leaves us with a question: How do we hold both in tension without compromising on either?
Our hosts will try to answer that question as we explore the strange and fascinating relationship between science and religion. This relationship is sometimes generative and sometimes destructive, but it always requires a closer look to understand the committed people on either side of the aisle, and often in-between.
New episodes every Wednesday.
Come join us on this new and exciting adventure!
 
Production and music by Zack Jackson
 
Support this podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/DowntheWormholepodcast
More information at https://www.downthewormhole.com/