Cephalopodcast

Just like Sony to use intellectual property without attribution

The term Cephalopodcast was used on the April 14th episode of the popular television game show Jeopardy!™. No producers or researchers from the program contacted me.

Apparently there is quite an enthusiastic fan-base for the show, and they have meticulously documented nearly every nuance of the program, from the order of questions picked to the contestants’ point spread throughout the game. You can check it out at J! Archive. Because of their effort, you can see all the tentacly questions and answers for the Cephalopodcast topic here.

If anyone has a screen grab or a video sequence from this episode, please let me know. It would be nice to have for archival purposes. Can one order individual episodes of this program?

• J! Archive: Show #5441 - Monday, April 14, 2008

Tip of the tentacle to Eric for the lead.

QUEST is a savvy multimedia (TV, radio, web) series by KQED that explores the science, environment and nature of Northern California. On April 1st they start their second TV season with a feature on Humboldt squid and an interview with humble squid expert Professor Bill Gilly (Stanford University’s Hopkins Marine Station).

If you can’t tune into Channel 9 in the San Francisco area, then head over to iTunes to pick up the podcast.

Also, if you have a story idea germane to their series, they’d like to hear about it. Personally, I think it’d be neat if they did something on the recent (and rare) wolverine sighting in north California. Or better yet, it’d be neat if they did an animal face-off between a wolverine and a Diablo Rojo. Talk about compelling television! But I guess that’s the fare of a different kind of network.

Also, a quibble: they include the scientific name of the Humboldt squid (Dosidicus gigas) on the sneak peek Web site. They get the capitalization correct, which is exceptional, but not the italicization. Why is this matter of styling binomial classification always handled so poorly by journalist and editors?

• Sneak Peek of QUEST’s New Season – Fierce Humboldt Squid

UPDATE: Something mysterious is stirring in the waters of Half-Moon Bay. It’s a “web-exclusive premiere” and additional photos of the new KQED program.

Today is Steve Irwin Day. It has been over a year since the charismatic, animal-loving Aussie passed away in a freak stingray encounter. There are a number of ways you can remember, appreciate and celebrate Steve’s influence and ethic. The most obvious one is to wear some khaki pants. Or just get outside and enjoy nature.

Steve Irwin Day on November 15 will be a day for remembering the one and only Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin. The day will represent the many things Steve was passionate about; family, wildlife and FUN. You can get involved in a number of ways including visiting Australia Zoo for an action packed day, having a Backyard Campout or donning your khakis for Khaki Day.

All proceeds raised from these activities will go to Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors Worldwide.

The NewHour with Jim Lehrer did a profile on Claire Nouvian’s new book, The Deep.

French wildlife journalist Claire Nouvian has put together a book of newly discovered sea life called “The Deep.” Her work demonstrates new techniques scientists are employing to discover and document these creatures.

• PBS NewsHour: Claire Nouvian audio interview download
• PBS NewsHour online slideshow: Deep Ocean Creatures
• Additonal Science Reports from the NewsHour
• The website: The Deep
• The book: The Deep

Discovery Channel is celebrating their 20th anniversary of Shark Week beginning July 29. Not everyone is enthusiastic.

How can we support Discovery Channel when we are fighting for shark conservation, and its biggest obstacle is the monster image given to sharks by the media, including Shark Week programs? Further, some of us who have been directly involved in the production of your documentaries feel disgusted at the way that our interviews were censored and our words twisted around.

• Letter to the Discovery Network