Podcast Summary
Cops canceled, debates about policing and public safety: Protesters call for defunding police, suggesting non-police professionals handle non-law enforcement tasks, while some argue it could change dynamic of certain situations, and Planet Oat offers dairy-free milk alternative that is rich, creamy, and fortified with essential nutrients
The long-running reality TV show "Cops" has been canceled after 32 seasons, sparking debates about policing and public safety. Protesters and activists are calling for defunding the police, suggesting that other professionals could handle non-police related tasks. The idea is to have police focus solely on law enforcement. However, some argue that this would change the dynamic of situations where a police presence is expected, such as at bachelorette parties or other social events. Meanwhile, Planet Oat offers a dairy-free alternative to milk that is rich, creamy, and fortified with calcium, vitamins A and D, and unsweetened varieties have zero grams of sugar.
Media representation and the importance of diverse jobs: The discussion emphasized the significance of seeing various professions and jobs portrayed positively in media, challenging the notion of 'cops as the sexiest job'. The Defund the Police movement was also discussed as a potential alternative form of activism, while the pandemic's impact on New York City streets was explored with humor and frustration.
Representation matters, especially in media. The discussion touched on the importance of seeing diverse jobs and professions portrayed in a positive and sexy light. The idea that "cops are the sexiest job" was challenged, with suggestions for more friendly jobs to be represented instead. The conversation also touched on the Defund the Police movement, suggesting it could be seen as a less aggressive version of activism. Additionally, the discussion addressed the unusual circumstances of the pandemic, with people expressing frustration and humor about the state of New York City streets. Some joked about the lack of proper sanitation and the presence of trash and even rats. Lastly, the topic shifted to Looney Tunes and its reboot on HBO Max. The removal of guns and replacement with less violent tools was discussed, with some expressing concern about the potential for excessive cartoon violence. Overall, the conversation highlighted the importance of representation, the challenges of the pandemic, and the ongoing evolution of media.
The Impact of Violence and Writing During Challenging Times: Violence in cartoons can be entertaining but remembering real-life impact is crucial. Writing during pandemics presents challenges, but persistence is key.
Even though cartoon violence can be entertaining, it's important to remember the real-life impact of violence and tragedy. A friend of one of the panelists unfortunately experienced this firsthand when a friend died due to a misunderstanding of their surroundings as a child. Meanwhile, in less serious news, the literary world is flooded with pandemic-themed novels, many of which are met with criticism and rejection from agents. The panelists discuss the challenges of writing during these times and the importance of persisting despite the difficulties. In the game segment, listeners call in to try and guess which panelist's unsolved mystery is fact or fiction. Overall, the episode touches on the balance between reality and fiction, and the importance of staying true to oneself and one's craft.
Mysteries of Life: Unexplained Phenomena: Life's mysteries, from unexplained behaviors to unsolved pranks, remind us to keep questioning and searching for answers, even when logic fails us.
There are mysteries in life that defy logical explanation. In the first story, researchers were baffled by why young men continue to wear shorts in the winter, despite it making no logical sense. Their theories, from mating signals to genetic predispositions, were debunked, leaving them with the only explanation that these men might be descendants of a distinct ancestor who ignores common sense. In the second story, a man in Belgium has been plagued with unwanted pizza deliveries for nearly a decade, leaving him feeling tortured by the sound and timbre of the deliveries. The mystery of who is behind this prank remains unsolved. In the third story, a man named Josh Gondelman is on a mission to uncover the truth behind the Russian folktale of Anatoli the bone stealer. Despite his efforts, he has been unable to find any answers, leaving him feeling discouraged but not defeated. These stories serve as a reminder that sometimes, life's mysteries may never be solved, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't keep trying.
The Mystery of Belgian Pizzas and Ashima's Passion for Rock Climbing: Life can present us with intriguing mysteries and unexpected passions, like the unsolved Belgian pizza mystery and Ashima's discovery of rock climbing in Central Park.
Sometimes mysteries remain unsolved, even when they involve intriguing questions like the source of mysterious pizza deliveries in Belgium or the reason why someone became passionate about rock climbing in Central Park. Jeff Van Newton, a reporter in Belgium, is trying to unravel the pizza mystery, but so far, the culprit remains elusive. Ashima Shirishi, a rock climbing prodigy, discovered her passion for climbing at a young age in Central Park, despite growing up in New York City. Her parents were initially unaware of her climbing activities, but eventually supported her pursuit. Ashima continues to climb and even finds herself using her skills in everyday life, such as reaching high cabinets in her home. The mystery of the Belgian pizzas and Ashima's unlikely climbing journey demonstrate that life can present us with intriguing mysteries and unexpected passions.
Facing Fears in Climbing and Life: Embrace falls as part of the process, have a plan, and a strong mindset to overcome challenges
Life, like climbing, involves falling and facing fears. During the conversation, Ashima and her friend discussed the fear of falling while climbing and how it's an inevitable part of the process. Ashima shared her mantra of having a quiet but strong soul to face challenges. They also played a game about escalators and learned that the first escalator in the United States was installed in a subway station and people were initially afraid to ride it. Harrods, the first escalator in the United Kingdom, provided cognac to riders to help them overcome their fear. This conversation emphasizes the importance of being prepared for falls and facing fears in both climbing and life. It's essential to have a plan and a strong mindset to overcome challenges and keep moving forward.
Finding Passion in Unexpected Places: Escalators: People find joy in the mundane, like escalators, through podcasts, conventions, and races. Passionately exploring escalators' impact on everyday life.
There are various ways to appreciate the mundane aspects of life, such as escalators, and people find joy in unexpected places. For instance, there are podcasts, conventions, and even races dedicated to escalators. Ashima, a top mountain climber, showed her versatility by participating in a podcast quiz about escalators and expressing her unique connection to them. The podcast, "People Movers," highlights the impact of escalators on everyday life, and there are events like the International Escalator Derby and EskaCon for enthusiasts. Even though the escalator race doesn't involve running, it still attracts people who enjoy comparing the speeds of different escalators. Ultimately, it's fascinating how people find passion in the most unexpected things, like escalators.
The Stretchability of Words and New Theme Park Safety Measures: Researchers found that some words are more stretchable than others, while theme parks in Japan implemented a ban on screaming on roller coasters for safety reasons. Our brains also edit sounds in dreams to create a cohesive experience.
Language continues to evolve, with new discoveries being made about the stretchability of certain words. Researchers at the University of Vermont found that some words, like "defund," are more stretchable than others due to their vowel and consonant structures. Meanwhile, in the world of theme parks, a new safety measure has been implemented in Japan – a ban on screaming on roller coasters to prevent disease transmission. Instead, riders are expected to sit quietly and still. Lastly, new research suggests that our brains edit the sounds that enter our dreams, acting as a sound engineer to create a more cohesive dream experience. These findings offer intriguing insights into the complexities of language and the human mind.
Clear Communication and Understanding: Effective communication requires careful word choice and understanding of context. Technology and new concepts can add complexity, highlighting the importance of interpreting intended meanings.
The importance of clear and effective communication was a recurring theme in the discussion on Wait Wait Don't Tell Me. In the first segment, the husband-wife dynamic showcased the misunderstandings that can arise when words are not carefully chosen. In the quiz, the correct answers required understanding the context and meaning behind the limerick lines. The technology and animal-related limericks highlighted the importance of being able to interpret the intended meaning, especially when dealing with new and unfamiliar concepts. The quiz winner, Josh, demonstrated this skill by correctly answering all three limericks. The discussion also touched on the impact of technology on our lives and the desire for simplicity and focus in a world full of distractions. Overall, the episode emphasized the importance of clear communication and understanding in various aspects of life.
Quiz Results and Current Events: Capella University's FlexPath lets students learn at their own pace, while Jesse and Josh led the quiz with 13 points each. Notable events included DOJ's dismissal attempt, police reform bill, US recession, donut shop's decision, Moderna's vaccine testing, Trump's military base stance, and a Canadian man's complaint about his Mercedes.
Capella University's FlexPath learning format allows students to earn degrees at their own pace and apply learned skills immediately. In the quiz game, Jesse took the lead with 13 points, followed by Josh with also 13 points. Notable events included the DOJ's attempt to dismiss charges against Michael Flynn being labeled a gross abuse of power, the unveiling of a police reform bill, and the US entering a recession. Surprisingly, a donut shop in Rhode Island announced it would no longer offer a discount to police, and Moderna began phase 3 testing of a coronavirus vaccine. Trump rejected calls to rename military bases named after Confederate soldiers, and a man from Canada flew to Germany to complain about his Mercedes Benz. The quiz covered various topics from politics to pop culture, with questions about George Floyd's funeral, the Federal Reserve's unemployment rate prediction, and Trump's claim that a man injured in Buffalo may have faked his fall.
The Intersection of Technology and Human Behavior: Unexpected stories of technology's impact on human behavior remind us to stay curious and open-minded.
Technology and human behavior continue to intersect in unexpected ways. IBM's decision to discontinue facial recognition technology was announced the same week that police in Pakistan arrested a donkey on suspicion of illegal gambling. The absurdity of the situation highlights the complex relationship between technology and human behavior. Elsewhere, on the quiz show "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me," the panelists speculated on the mystery of a man in Belgium who has been receiving pizzas for ten years. The possibilities ranged from the man living out his dreams to being the heir to a murderous pizza magnate. These stories remind us that technology and human behavior are intertwined, and both can surprise us in unexpected ways. It's important to stay curious and open-minded as we navigate this complex world.
