# Things you think are awesome and other dopers should know about **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 19, 2011, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-think-are-awesome-and-other-dopers-should-know-about/568208 "2011-01-19T16:21:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2011, 7:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-think-are-awesome-and-other-dopers-should-know-about/568208/41 "2011-01-26T07:16:12Z")
[Knorr Chicken Powder](http://www.unileverfoodsolutionsasia.com/country_explorer/ce_hongkong/products/show/1519-3807-0-7515190.knorr_chicken_powder.html) Best chicken-stock EVAH, and I do regular 700km return trips to make sure my pantry always has some on the shelf. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![interface2x](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@interface2x](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/interface2x)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2011, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-think-are-awesome-and-other-dopers-should-know-about/568208/42 "2011-01-26T14:40:52Z")
> [@velvetjones](#): > > That and [This American Life](http://thisamericanlife.org) which is another funny, fascinating, entertaining, educational radio show on NPR that I listen to on podcast. On that same concept, I was turned onto [The Moth](http://www.themoth.org/) by someone here in a podcast thread and I’ve been addicted ever since. Roughly 15 minutes per week and frequently quite awesome. ---
**Author:** ![chromaticity](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cc9497/32.png) [@chromaticity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chromaticity)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2011, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-think-are-awesome-and-other-dopers-should-know-about/568208/43 "2011-01-27T11:40:14Z")
> [@Rex\_Goliath](#): > > The OKCupid blog. They troll through the few million users to answer with statistical certainty questions like [How your race affects whether people respond to your messages](http://blog.okcupid.com/index.php/your-race-affects-whether-people-write-you-back/) and [“myspace angles” don’t work, do they? Surely they don’t.](http://blog.okcupid.com/index.php/the-4-big-myths-of-profile-pictures/) > > Consistently well researched, interesting premises immediately relevant to anyone on the dating scene. Yes! I came here to suggest this one. And also, [wolframalpha](http://www.wolframalpha.com/) It can visualize all kinds of stuff, and it provides cites! ---
**Author:** ![Truman\_Burbank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@Truman\_Burbank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Truman_Burbank)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2011, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-think-are-awesome-and-other-dopers-should-know-about/568208/44 "2011-01-27T16:59:33Z")
Probably not new to many dopers, but: Firefly/Serenity was just brilliantly realized, I thought. How I wish there was more. The book _American Gods_ by Neil Gaimon My newest discovery, the music of Eva Cassidy, who died tragically young - if you like Bonnie Riatt, you ought to love Eva. I’m listening to ‘Live at Blues Alley’ and, well, wow. ---
**Author:** ![ArrMatey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/arrmatey/32/3522_2.png) [@ArrMatey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArrMatey)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2011, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-think-are-awesome-and-other-dopers-should-know-about/568208/45 "2011-01-29T16:24:25Z")
[www.decoderringtheatre.com](http://www.decoderringtheatre.com) Fans of pulp hero adventures should check out the Red Panda section. It starts a -little- slow, but I’m now a heavy addict and follower of Canada’s Greatest Superhero (and his partner, the Flying Squirrel). The names sound comedic, but it’s really a great take on 1930’s pulp superheroes. ---
**Author:** ![irishgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@irishgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irishgirl)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2011, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-think-are-awesome-and-other-dopers-should-know-about/568208/46 "2011-01-29T17:32:52Z")
I love Radio 4. In Our Time, ISIHAC, the News Quiz- all of that. I really enjoyed the recent [_History of the World in 100 Objects._](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_History_of_the_World_in_100_Objects) Another national in-joke- the various versions of the “Upshares, Downshares” theme, eventually sold for charity. > **[PM (BBC Radio 4)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PM_(Radio_4))** > > PM, sometimes referred to as the PM programme to avoid ambiguity, is BBC Radio 4's long-running early evening news and current affairs programme. It is currently presented by Evan Davis and produced by BBC News. Easter holiday cover in 2023 was provided by Paddy O'Connell. > Launched in 1970, PM became the first radio news program to feature its theme tune. PM is known for its serious news content and occasional satirical commentary. Evan Davis serves as the lead presenter since 2018. The show ... Thousands of people bought a CD consisting entirely of versions of the theme tune to the financial segment of the early evening current affairs show. My contributions: [Mrs Ball’s Chutney](http://www.mrsballschutney.com/) [Branston Pickle](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Branston_Pickle) [Heinz Salad Cream](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salad_cream) All of which will make leftover cold roast chicken taste yummy. ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_Stimulus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@Digital\_Stimulus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_Stimulus)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2011, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-think-are-awesome-and-other-dopers-should-know-about/568208/47 "2011-01-30T00:16:52Z")
[Jasper Fforde](http://www.jasperfforde.com/index2.html)’s books, especially the _Tuesday Next_ series. (Oooo – looks like the 6th book is due in March!) ---
**Author:** ![Illuminatiprimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/illuminatiprimus/32/11520_2.png) [@Illuminatiprimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Illuminatiprimus)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2011, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-think-are-awesome-and-other-dopers-should-know-about/568208/48 "2011-01-30T01:03:01Z")
> [@Digital\_Stimulus](#): > > [Jasper Fforde](http://www.jasperfforde.com/index2.html)’s books, especially the _Tuesday Next_ series. (Oooo – looks like the 6th book is due in March!) I’d second that - although I want the sequel to Shades of Grey dammit! ---
**Author:** ![gardentraveler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gardentraveler/32/3576_2.png) [@gardentraveler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gardentraveler)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2011, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-think-are-awesome-and-other-dopers-should-know-about/568208/49 "2011-01-31T17:51:57Z")
I also love Hyperbole & a Half. If you’re a knitter or know a knitter, you should know 2 sites: [ravelry](https://www.ravelry.com/account/login) - Great yarn-oriented community, lots and lots of patterns - many of them free. I’m not a big pattern follower, but I’ve done all kinds of improvisations based on patterns I’ve found there. Also, you can organize and track everything you’re knitting and/or crocheting. You need to be a member to look at patterns, but it’s free. [Knitting Help](http://www.knittinghelp.com/) - Also has some nice forums, but the biggest asset is the free video collection; lots of brief videos that very clearly explain knitting techniques. Amazing resource. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2011, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-think-are-awesome-and-other-dopers-should-know-about/568208/50 "2011-01-31T19:31:07Z")
[Down For Everyone Or Just Me?](http://www.downforeveryoneorjustme.com/): Ever frantically tried to access a website and been denied access? Then you post a frantic thread on the boards seeing if anyone else is having the same problem, but no one is responding, and you’re freaking out as every second goes by? Just use this website instead, and save yourself the agony of waiting for someone else to plug in a website for you. [Google](http://www.google.com/): This seems like an odd inclusion, but I’m constantly amazed at how poorly some people search on a topic. “I did a quick search on Google, but didn’t come up with anything on 12th century horseback riding”, and it turns out they didn’t actually google the phrase “12th century horseback riding”, but rather searched on “horses” or something equally stupid and broad. Someone stole my NPR nuggets of Radiolab, This American Life, and The Moth. And for anyone who loves Top Gear but could care less about cars (as I do), add [Car Talk](http://www.cartalk.com/) to the mix. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Who](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Doctor\_Who](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Who)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2011, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-think-are-awesome-and-other-dopers-should-know-about/568208/51 "2011-01-31T19:40:41Z")
Since there are so many radio program/podcasts listed here, I just want to throw in a few I love: (1) [The Solid Verbal](http://www.solidverbal.com/) - the BEST college football podcast on the web. Seriously. I’ll admit, it took me a little while to get used to these guys, but now it’s a must-listen podcast for me. (2) [WTF with Marc Maron](http://www.wtfpod.com/) - got really popular recently with an article in … the NY Times I think. Anyways, awesome interviews with comedians. (3) Any podcast by [Dan Carlin](http://www.dancarlin.com/), but especially Hardcore History. I’m also (like most people) a big fan of Radiolab, The Bugle, NPR’s Car Talk, Wait Wait, All Songs Considered, and Fresh Air. Finally, the History of Rome podcast is great, even if it seems a little dry after listening to Dan Carlin’s Rome episodes. Also, if you are a big podcast listener with a smartphone, I recommend [Stitcher](http://www.stitcher.com/home.php). ---
**Author:** ![ITR\_champion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c67d28/32.png) [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2011, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-think-are-awesome-and-other-dopers-should-know-about/568208/52 "2011-02-01T16:31:54Z")
G. K. Chesterton’s novel _The Man Who Was Thursday_. [Full text available here](http://www.gkc.org.uk/gkc/books/thursday.txt). Not only one of the greatest short novels ever written–short enough to read in one sitting–but also a hilarious take on conspiracy theories, paranoia, and everything else we love. ---
**Author:** ![Lust4Life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecc23a/32.png) [@Lust4Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lust4Life)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2011, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-think-are-awesome-and-other-dopers-should-know-about/568208/53 "2011-02-02T12:46:00Z")
Just want to second Radio 4. Also the Aubery/Maturin series, Discworld, Inspector Morse on T.V., strawberry milk and the Union Jack Club. (In case you’re thinking that its some sort of nationalist organisation the U.J. is a sort of a hotel for ex and current servicemen in London) ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-think-are-awesome-and-other-dopers-should-know-about/568208/54 "2011-02-03T00:53:38Z")
I’ll second car talk. How come only the one brother gives the tech answer alla time? ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-think-are-awesome-and-other-dopers-should-know-about/568208/55 "2011-02-03T02:34:22Z")
Car Talk: One guy plays the “straight man” (Ray) and Tom plays the goof. It’s a common setup used over the years (Abbot and Costello, Laurel and Hardy). Need I say more? ---
**Author:** ![CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crankyasanoldman/32/11670_2.png) [@CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrankyAsAnOldMan)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-think-are-awesome-and-other-dopers-should-know-about/568208/56 "2011-02-03T19:36:50Z")
I have to thank the Dopers who mentioned Top Gear. I’d not heard of it before, but we checked it out and laughed ourselves sick on the episode where they were trying to claim that British Leyland made decent cars. It’s now being recorded regularly by our Tivo. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-think-are-awesome-and-other-dopers-should-know-about/568208/57 "2011-02-03T20:24:56Z")
[The Territory Ahead](http://www.territoryahead.com/jump.jsp?itemID=14&itemType=CATEGORY&path=1%2C2%2C4%2C14) For the first time in my life I was compelled to buy stuff online and they don’t disappoint. Good lookin’ stuff and really nice quality and fit. I’m sold on 'em. ---
**Author:** ![Gukumatz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/74df32/32.png) [@Gukumatz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gukumatz)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-think-are-awesome-and-other-dopers-should-know-about/568208/58 "2011-02-03T20:44:50Z")
[Cracked.com](http://Cracked.com) and the (Irish?) TV show called Mock The Week. (Featuring Dara O’Briain as the host!) ---
**Author:** ![Illuminatiprimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/illuminatiprimus/32/11520_2.png) [@Illuminatiprimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Illuminatiprimus)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-think-are-awesome-and-other-dopers-should-know-about/568208/59 "2011-02-03T21:22:12Z")
> [@Gukumatz](#): > > [Cracked.com](http://Cracked.com) and the (Irish?) TV show called Mock The Week. (Featuring Dara O’Briain as the host!) I love Cracked too, although it amuses me how it’s a fairly intelligent site designed to look low-brow. ---
**Author:** ![loshan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ce73a5/32.png) [@loshan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/loshan)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-think-are-awesome-and-other-dopers-should-know-about/568208/60 "2011-02-03T22:13:41Z")
I second (or 3rd or 4th) Hyperbole and a Half and The Age of Persuasion on CBC I also love The Debaters on CBC. In another vein, my find of the month is [Malibu Hair Care](http://www.malibuwellness.com/content/CN_Catalog.aspx?id=7#9) for well water. Our well has alot of iron in it and was slowly turning my normally pretty silver hair a nasty shade of rusty orange. Yuck. This stuff actually works and was well worth the price. YMMV. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-think-are-awesome-and-other-dopers-should-know-about/568208.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-think-are-awesome-and-other-dopers-should-know-about/568208.md?page=4)