Episodes

  • Contemplating Life – Episode 79 – “Last One Out Turn Off the Lights”

    Contemplating Life – Episode 79 – “Last One Out Turn Off the Lights”
    Nov 18 2024
    In this episode, we wrap up talking about my brief two years working at the IU Department of Medical Genetics. Links of Interest Prof. Emeritus Dr. John Gersting on IUPUI website: https://science.iupui.edu/people-directory/people/gersting-john.html Prof. Emeritus Dr. Judith Gersting on the IUPUI website: https://science.iupui.edu/people-directory/people/gersting-judith.html Indiana University Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics: https://medicine.iu.edu/genetics Riley Children’s Hospital Indianapolis: https://www.rileychildrens.org/ Hoosier Vintage Thunderbird Club (I don’t know if Gersting is a member): https://www.facebook.com/groups/397144866030/ Info on James Fryman (1931-1994) in his son Christopher Fryman (1955-1983): https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/34880523/james_arthur-fryman Obituary for Chris Fryman’s mother, Pamela: https://obituaries.timessentinel.com/obituary/pamela-harmon-953036961 Photo of Drs. Merritt and Kang: https://iuidigital.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/IUPUIphotos/id/32692 Obituary for Dr. A. Donald Merritt: https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-news-obituary-for-a-do/120082601/ Photo of IUPUI Union Building 2004: https://cdm17475.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/IUPUIphotos/id/19064/rec/349 Image collection of IUPUI Union Building: https://iuidigital.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/IUPUIphotos/search/searchterm/Union%20Building%20(IUPUI%20(Campus))/field/subjec/mode/exact/conn/and History of IU Indianapolis and IUPUI: https://indianapolis.iu.edu/about/history/ MS-DOS 6.0 on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MS-DOS#MS-DOS_6.x For more episodes: https://contemplating-life.com/ Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/contemplatinglife Where to listen to this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/contemplatinglife YouTube playlist of this and all other episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFFRYfZfNjHL8bFCmGDOBvEiRbzUiiHpq
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    26 mins
  • Contemplating Life – Episode 78 – “Buz is Cool”

    Contemplating Life – Episode 78 – “Buz is Cool”
    Nov 11 2024

    In this episode, we continue discussing my brief two years working at the IU Department of Medical Genetics. I tell the story of my friendship with one of my department colleagues.

    Links of Interest

    Prof. Emeritus Dr. John Gersting on IUPUI website: https://science.iupui.edu/people-directory/people/gersting-john.html

    Indiana University Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics: https://medicine.iu.edu/genetics

    Riley Children’s Hospital Indianapolis: https://www.rileychildrens.org/

    DEC GT40 Graphics Terminal: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DEC_GT40

    History of Lunar Lander games: https://technologizer.com/2009/07/19/lunar-lander/

    GT 40 lunar Lander restoration video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6h6r6MGWyI

    Buz obituary: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/lansing-mi/roy-buzdor-9872223

    For more episodes: https://contemplating-life.com/

    Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/contemplatinglife

    Where to listen to this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/contemplatinglife

    YouTube playlist of this and all other episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFFRYfZfNjHL8bFCmGDOBvEiRbzUiiHpq
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    24 mins
  • Contemplating Life – Episode 77 – “Genetics 101”

    Contemplating Life – Episode 77 – “Genetics 101”
    Nov 4 2024
    In recent weeks, I’ve been talking about my work as a computer programmer for the Indiana University Department of Medical Genetics. This week, we take a departure to talk about the work that we did in that department. We will take a deep dive into basic genetics, and you will learn a little bit about the genetic disorder that causes my disability. Links of Interest Indiana University Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics: https://medicine.iu.edu/genetics Article about DNA: https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Deoxyribonucleic-Acid Where to start reading DNA: https://www.genomicseducation.hee.nhs.uk/blog/reading-dna-where-to-start/ How DNA gets copied: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lv89fSt5jBY Codon to amino acid translation table on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DNA_and_RNA_codon_tables#Standard_DNA_codon_table Genes on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene Size of human chromosomes: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/grc/human/data Intersex on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intersex Biologist’s explanation of gender behind the typical 2: https://x.com/RebeccaRHelm/status/1207834357639139328 Autosomal dominant inheritance: https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/genetics-dictionary/def/autosomal-dominant-inheritance X-linked inheritance on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-linked_recessive_inheritance Meiosis on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meiosis Excellent video on meiosis that anyone could understand: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzDMG7ke69g Pseudoautosomal region on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudoautosomal_region Allele on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allele Spinal Muscular Atrophy on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinal_muscular_atrophy Evrysdi oral treatment for SMA: https://www.evrysdi-hcp.com/ Huntington’s disease on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huntington%27s_disease Article in “Nature” announcing the discovery of Huntington’s marker co-authored by P. Michael Conneally of the IU Department of Medical Genetics: https://www.nature.com/articles/306234a0 P. Michael Conneally on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P._Michael_Conneally Human Genome Project on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_Genome_Project For more episodes: https://contemplating-life.com/ Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/contemplatinglife Where to listen to this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/contemplatinglife YouTube playlist of this and all other episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFFRYfZfNjHL8bFCmGDOBvEiRbzUiiHpq
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    34 mins
  • Contemplating Life – Episode 76a – “There is Always More to Learn”

    Contemplating Life – Episode 76a – “There is Always More to Learn”
    Oct 28 2024

    This week, I discussed my obsessive need to leave no gaps in these stories. I discovered some additional information that should’ve been in the previous episode, and I just couldn’t proceed without filling in the extra details. I also tried creating some illustrations using ChatGPT in this episode, so I highly recommend that you watch the YouTube version rather than listen to this episode.

    Links of Interest

    Indiana University Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics: https://medicine.iu.edu/genetics

    Riley Children’s Hospital Indianapolis: https://www.rileychildrens.org/

    Episode 22 “The Reunion”: https://contemplating-life.com/?p=149

    DEC PDP 11/70 on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PDP-11

    Photo of Drs. Merritt and Kang with our PDP 11/70: https://iuidigital.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/IUPUIphotos/id/32692

    DECtape on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DECtape

    DECtape reels for sale on eBay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/276614284951

    TU56 DECtape technical information: https://www.pdp8online.com/tu56/tu56.shtml

    RK05 DECpack drive on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RK05

    RK05 technical details: https://www.computerhistory.org/collections/catalog/102667965

    ChatGPT artificial intelligence engine: https://chatgpt.com/

    For more episodes: https://contemplating-life.com/

    Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/contemplatinglife

    Where to listen to this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/contemplatinglife

    YouTube playlist of this and all other episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFFRYfZfNjHL8bFCmGDOBvEiRbzUiiHpq
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    15 mins
  • Contemplating Life – Episode 76 – “The Quality of the Debate”

    Contemplating Life – Episode 76 – “The Quality of the Debate”
    Oct 21 2024

    This week, we continue reminiscing about my first and only full-time job as a computer programmer. I worked in the IU Department of Medical Genetics along with my college mentor, Dr. John Gersting.

    Links of Interest

    IUPUI website: https://www.iupui.edu/

    Prof. Emeritus Dr. John Gersting on IUPUI website: https://science.iupui.edu/people-directory/people/gersting-john.html

    Indiana University Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics: https://medicine.iu.edu/genetics

    Riley Children’s Hospital Indianapolis: https://www.rileychildrens.org/

    US inflation calculator: https://www.usinflationcalculator.com/

    Entry Level Programmer Salaries in Indiana: https://www.indeed.com/career/entry-level-software-engineer/salaries/Indianapolis--IN

    DEC PDP 11/70 on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PDP-11

    RM05 Disk Drive: https://gunkies.org/wiki/RM05_Disk_Drive

    DECwriter on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DECwriter

    Revelation 6:12: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/revelation/6?12

    Blood Moon Prophecy on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_moon_prophecy

    For more episodes: https://contemplating-life.com/

    Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/contemplatinglife

    Where to listen to this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/contemplatinglife

    YouTube playlist of this and all other episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFFRYfZfNjHL8bFCmGDOBvEiRbzUiiHpq
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    17 mins
  • Contemplating Life – Episode 75 – “TV reviews: Fall 2024 Part 1”

    Contemplating Life – Episode 75 – “TV reviews: Fall 2024 Part 1”
    Oct 7 2024
    This week, we have a special episode where I review six new TV shows and one movie that have recently premiered. TV Shows and Films Reviewed Note: I’m only linking movies and TV series. You can click on the links to find the actors mentioned. “Agatha All Along” (TV series 2024-) on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15571732/ “The Penguin” (miniseries 2024) on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15435876/ “Brilliant Minds” (TV series 2024-) on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt26448526/ “Doctor Odyssey” (TV series 2024-) on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31849826/ “Matlock” (TV series 2024-) on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt26591147/ “High Potential” (TV series 2024-) on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt26748649/ “Wolfs” (2024 movie) on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14257582/ Other Links of Interest “Ted Lasso” (TV series 2020-2023) on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10986410/ My TV Rating System: https://entertainment.cyborg5.com/?p=171 “WandaVision” (TV series 2021) on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9140560/ “The Dick Van Dyke Show” (TV series 1961-1966) on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054533/ “The Batman” (2022 film) on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1877830/ “Star Trek” (2009 film) on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0796366/ Dr. Benjamin Spock on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Spock “The Good Doctor” (TV series 2017-2024) on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6470478/ “The Love Boat” (TV series 1977-1987) on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075529/ “Grey’s Anatomy” (TV series 2005-) on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0413573/ “Fantasy Island” (TV series 1977-1984) on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077008/ “Matlock” (TV series 1986-1995) on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090481/ Edgar Allen Poe’s character C. Auguste Dupin on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C._Auguste_Dupin Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's character Sherlock Holmes on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sherlock_Holmes For more episodes: https://contemplating-life.com/ Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/contemplatinglife Where to listen to this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/contemplatinglife YouTube playlist of this and all other episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFFRYfZfNjHL8bFCmGDOBvEiRbzUiiHpq
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    34 mins
  • Contemplating Life – Episode 74 – “Finishing at Last”

    Contemplating Life – Episode 74 – “Finishing at Last”
    Sep 28 2024
    This week, we continue my reminiscences of my college days at IUPUI, where I studied computer science. We also cover my final semester and my work at the IU Department of Medical Genetics. Links of Interest IUPUI website: https://www.iupui.edu/ Prof. Emeritus Dr. John Gersting on IUPUI website: https://science.iupui.edu/people-directory/people/gersting-john.html Indiana University Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics: https://medicine.iu.edu/genetics Riley Children’s Hospital Indianapolis: https://www.rileychildrens.org/ Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BIOS Read-Only Memory (ROM) on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Read-only_memory Operating System Kernel on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kernel_(operating_system) Programmable ROM (PROM) on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Programmable_ROM EPROM on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EPROM Electrically Erasable PROM (EEPROM) on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EEPROM Persistence of Vision Ray-Tracer (POV-Ray): https://www.povray.org/ How to draw a family tree: https://www.genome.gov/Pages/Education/Modules/YourFamilyHealthHistory.pdf IUPUI Commencement 1978 photo: https://iuidigital.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/IUPUIphotos/id/34215 Mayor William H. Hudnut, III on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_H._Hudnut_III Baltimore Colts relocation to Indianapolis on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baltimore_Colts_relocation_to_Indianapolis For more episodes: https://contemplating-life.com/ Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/contemplatinglife Where to listen to this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/contemplatinglife YouTube playlist of this and all other episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFFRYfZfNjHL8bFCmGDOBvEiRbzUiiHpq
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    25 mins
  • Contemplating Life – Episode 73 – “Simulating and Stimulating Work”

    Contemplating Life – Episode 73 – “Simulating and Stimulating Work”
    Sep 16 2024

    This week, we continue my reminiscences of my college days at IUPUI, where I studied computer science and worked as a programmer at the IU Department of Medical Genetics.

    Links of Interest

    IUPUI website: https://www.iupui.edu/

    Prof. Emeritus Dr. John Gersting on IUPUI website: https://science.iupui.edu/people-directory/people/gersting-john.html

    Indiana University Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics: https://medicine.iu.edu/genetics

    Riley Children’s Hospital Indianapolis: https://www.rileychildrens.org/

    In memoriam, Dr. Nancy Arnold Roeske: https://blogs.iu.edu/bicentennialblogs/2020/05/18/nancy-arnold-roeske-public-servant/

    Obituary for Roger William Roeske: https://www.flannerbuchanan.com/obituaries/roger-william-roeske

    Family search for Christine Ann Roeske (1957-1991): https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/GQ2Y-NM7/christine-ann-roeske-1957-1991

    For more episodes: https://contemplating-life.com/

    Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/contemplatinglife

    Where to listen to this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/contemplatinglife

    YouTube playlist of this and all other episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFFRYfZfNjHL8bFCmGDOBvEiRbzUiiHpq
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    21 mins