Episodes

  • 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
  • Contemplating Life – Episode 72 – “What’s Your Diagnosis?”

    Contemplating Life – Episode 72 – “What’s Your Diagnosis?”
    Sep 2 2024

    This week, we continue my reminiscences of my college days at IUPUI, where I studied computer science. I include the story of how my mentor, Dr. John Gersting, helped me get my first legitimate programming job.

    Links of Interest

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

    Indianapolis Center for Advanced Research: https://uindy.historyit.com/container.php?id=112877

    Ronald McDonald House of Central Indiana: https://www.rmhccin.org/

    “High and Low” by M.C. Escher: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/High-and-Low-by-M-C-Escher_fig11_2493735

    M.C. Escher on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M._C._Escher

    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

    Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duchenne_muscular_dystrophy

    Article on amyotonia congenita from 1945: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/article-abstract/1180094

    Dr. Donald Merritt obituary: https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-news-obituary-for-a-do/109490297/

    “The Me in the Mirror” by Connie Panzarino on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Me-Mirror-Connie-Panzarino/dp/1878067451/

    Connie Panzarino on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connie_Panzarino

    Spinal Muscular Atrophy on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinal_muscular_atrophy

    Spinraza treatment for SMA: https://www.spinraza.com/

    Evrysdi treatment for SMA: https://www.evrysdi.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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    20 mins
  • Contemplating Life – Episode 71 – “Brotherhood”

    Contemplating Life – Episode 71 – “Brotherhood”
    Aug 26 2024

    This week we continue with my reminiscence of my college days at IUPUI studying computer science. We talk about the service fraternity that I joined in 1975.

    Links of Interest

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

    Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity website: https://apo.org/

    Alpha Phi Omega on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha_Phi_Omega

    Boy Scouts of America on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boy_Scouts_of_America

    Randy Dangerfield on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodney_Dangerfield

    Abbott and Costello on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbott_and_Costello

    “Who’s on First” on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJnm5fuwskY

    Carnac the Magnificent on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnac_the_Magnificent

    Sons of Pericles website: https://www.sonsofpericles.org/

    Note: The Sons of Pericles is part of the American Hellenistic Educational Progressive Association on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Hellenic_Educational_Progressive_Association

    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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    16 mins