2.19.14: Jeopardy, Law & Order, Sad YouTube, Sexism & Nick Fairall

Today on Word of Mouth, we take a trip to the land of Trebek for a lesson on Jeopardy theory. And who doesn't love a good Netflix binge? But what if that Netflix binge takes a year and a half and covers 20 years worth of episodes? We hear from the man who watched 456 episodes of Law & Order to document the use of computers in the show.

Next, we head over to Sad YouTube, a project meant to highlight humanity in a sea of negative YouTube comments.

Our last two segments bring us back to reality. First, a look at sexism in the Philosophy department of University of Colorado-Boulder. And finally, NHPR's Amanda Loder visits the NH ski club of a US Olympian. 

Jeopardy Theory

• With the help of a little ‘game theory’, Arthur Chu has won four consecutive rounds of Jeopardy, and will be returning to the podium on February 24^th.  Author and Mental Floss contributor Chris Higgins interviewed Chu to find out more about his strategy. Chris is with us to explain what Chu is doing so differently.

Computers on Law & Order

•  Do you love Law & Order? Do you love it enough to watch 20 years worth of the show in a year and  half? That's exactly what artist Jeff Thompson did, watching 456 episodes at 1.5 and documented when computers were used and how.  His project was commissioned by the arts and technology organization Rhizome.

Sad YouTube

• The continuous consumption rolls on with a man who combs through YouTube's comment section -- pretty much the dreck of the internet. There isn’t much there, except for hate speech, Obama conspiracy theories and the occasional bit of spam on the face cream that keeps Ellen Degeneres looking so young. On the Media’s PJ Vogt and Alex Goldman put together this story of  writer & filmmaker Mark Slutsky who combs through the avalanche of banality for nuggets of humanity.

Sexism in Philosophy

• There are a number of cultural pockets, many of them online, where misogyny and sexism run rampant.  Sadly, the high-brow academic discipline of philosophy is among the offenders:  a damning report from the University of Colorado-Boulder reveals that its philosophy department has maintained a culture of sexual harrasment more akin to a locker room than a lecture hall. Slate’s education columnist Rebecca Schuman wrote about the fallout from the report and whether it reflects the field of philosophy at large.

Nick Fairall

• Germany took the gold medal at the men’s large hill ski jumping event in Sochi. Although the US team didn’t have its best run, we’re proud to say that two of the three members of the US men’s team are from New Hampshire:  Nick Alexander from Lebanon and Nick Fairall, from Andover. Recently, NHPR's Amanda Loder visited the ski club where Fairall got his start.