Podcast Summary
Discussing Influence of Media and Infomercials on President Trump's Promotion of Hydroxychloroquine: Media and infomercials can significantly impact public figures' decisions, even when scientific evidence contradicts their claims.
During a Wait Wait, Don't Tell Me episode, listeners were introduced to astronaut Christina Koch and were asked to identify quotes from the news. One quote was about President Trump's promotion of hydroxychloroquine as a coronavirus cure despite scientific evidence to the contrary. The panel discussed how the president's actions might be influenced by media and infomercials. Another quote was about a waiter being sarcastically applauded by customers at an Applebee's. The episode also featured comedians Maz Jobrani, Tom Bodette, and Alison Wybie, and listeners could win a voice message from any of the show's hosts as a prize.
Is Being a Jerk Necessary to Win?: The documentary 'The Last Dance' explores Michael Jordan's competitive nature and its impact on his relationships, raising the question of whether winning requires being a jerk.
That the documentary "The Last Dance" on ESPN, which focuses on Michael Jordan's career in Chicago basketball, raises the question of whether being a jerk is necessary to win. Despite Jordan being a producer of the documentary, it still portrays him in a negative light, with former teammates and rivals sharing stories of his trash-talking and competitive nature. While some argue that athletes often engage in such behavior, others found Jordan's continued grudges from decades ago to be remarkable. Additionally, the discussion touched on the impact of the pandemic on graduations, with virtual ceremonies becoming the norm and even leading to a humorous moment during a live Facebook broadcast by the governor of Mississippi.
Notable Figures Offer Inspiring Words to Graduates: Former President Obama and Bill Curtis shared inspiring messages with graduates during virtual ceremonies, urging them to embrace challenges and reach for their goals.
Despite the unusual circumstances of the 2020 graduations, notable figures like former President Obama and Bill Curtis offered inspiring words to the graduates. Obama encouraged them to "go positively toward the negative," while Curtis urged them to embrace adulthood and reach for their goals. The virtual graduations, including nationally televised events, provided a unique experience for the graduates, and although there was much focus on criticisms of President Trump during Obama's speeches, the poignant and interesting parts were often overlooked. Craig Hall, a caller from Macon, Georgia, joined the show to play the Bluff the Listener game and add some lightheartedness to the episode.
Replicating Negative Work Routines in Virtual Spaces: People are finding innovative ways to replicate social connections and office camaraderie in the era of remote work, from virtual reality commuter simulators to virtual birthday parties and video game work meetings.
Despite the convenience and flexibility of working from home, many people are missing the social interactions and office camaraderie that come with traditional workplaces. Tom Bodette introduced us to Gauntlet, a virtual reality commuter simulator designed to replicate the misery of commuting to work, showing how some people are going to great lengths to recreate the negative aspects of their old work routines. Alison Libby shared the story of Sharon Thompson, who missed the office parties and developed Home Office Party, a service that delivers a sad birthday celebration to your doorstep. Lastly, Maz Jobrani talked about the novelty of Zoom meetings wearing off and the emergence of video games as a new platform for work meetings, with its own unique challenges. Overall, these stories highlight the importance of social connection in the workplace and the creative ways people are finding to replicate it in the era of remote work.
Creative virtual meetings and space survival insights: People find joy and engagement in unique remote work setups and long-term isolation, emphasizing the importance of focus and gratitude.
People are finding creative ways to make working from home more enjoyable and engaging, even in unusual circumstances. This was highlighted in a discussion about virtual meetings in the video game Red Dead Redemption 2, which have been successful for companies looking to add a unique twist to their remote work setup. Space pioneer Christina Koch, who recently returned from a record-breaking long-term stay in space, also shared her insights on surviving long periods of time in one place, emphasizing the importance of focusing on what one has and embracing the role of a homebody. Despite the challenges of being away from loved ones for extended periods, she expressed gratitude for the opportunity to reintegrate into her home life. Overall, these stories illustrate the importance of finding new ways to adapt and thrive in unexpected situations.
Astronaut Christina Koch talks about her record-breaking space journey and the challenges faced in space: Astronaut Christina Koch discussed her experiences in space, highlighting both the awe-inspiring wonders and the unexpected challenges, including misplaced items and ill-fitting space suits. She expressed admiration for the Mercury 13 women and the first all-women spacewalk, which was hindered by a poorly-sized space suit due to NASA's focus on safety.
Space exploration, much like everyday life, comes with its own unique challenges. Astronaut Christina Koch shared her experiences during her record-breaking stay in space, revealing both the wonders of the universe and the unexpected difficulties, such as misplaced items and ill-fitting space suits. Despite these hurdles, Koch expressed admiration for the pioneering women of the Mercury 13 program, who demonstrated remarkable resilience under pressure. The conversation also touched on the first all-women spacewalk, which was hindered by a poorly-sized space suit. NASA's focus on checklists and safety precautions led to an oversight in configuring the suit in time. The discussion concluded with a light-hearted game, "Suit Up for a Walk in Cyberspace," where Koch answered questions about the early days of the web. The first question was about the first known instance of ecommerce, which occurred in 1972, with Michael Aldrich making the first transaction.
Surprising First Sales on the Early Internet: The early internet was not just a platform for technological innovation, but also for unusual commerce and unexpected surprises, as seen in eBay's first sale of a broken laser pointer, ARPANET's use for shipping pot, and the Queen's Award for a simple plastic ball used to keep Guinness fizzy.
The early days of the internet were filled with unexpected and unusual first sales. Contrary to popular belief, eBay did not start with the sale of PEZ dispensers, but rather a broken laser pointer for $14.83. Meanwhile, the first use of ARPANET, a precursor to the modern internet, was not for sharing candid photos or even buying weed, but for arranging a shipment of pot from Stanford to MIT. Lastly, the UK's prestigious Queen's Award for technical achievement surprisingly did not go to the internet, but to a simple plastic ball used to keep Guinness fizzy in the can. These stories show that the early internet was not just a place for technological innovation, but also for unusual commerce and unexpected surprises.
Embracing the Unusual During Lockdown: Adaptability and creativity are crucial during lockdown as people find unique ways to cope with the situation, such as DIY projects and embracing unusual trends
During the lockdown, people have been getting creative with their DIY projects, including giving themselves haircuts and using unconventional methods for bathroom breaks on flights. Balding has become a trend, and even celebrities like Kim Kardashian have joined in with the release of shapewear for faces in the form of masks. While some may find these adjustments challenging, others see it as an opportunity to embrace the unusual and make the best of the situation. So whether you're learning to cut hair or raising your hand to use the restroom, remember that adaptability and creativity are key during these unprecedented times.
Creative Mask Ideas from Clothing Items: During a lighthearted conversation on NPR, a caller suggested using clothing items like leggings and waist trainers as masks. The show's playful nature and sponsor message highlighted the importance of staying connected and prioritizing mental health.
During a conversation on NPR's Wait Wait, Don't Tell Me, the topic of masks made from clothing materials akin to leggings and waist trainers came up. Alec, a caller from Minnesota, jokingly suggested that various clothing items could double as masks. In the game segment of the show, Alec correctly answered limericks related to snakes forming friendships, hybrids, and a woman's revenge on her ex-boyfriend using onions. The conversation and game showcased the creativity and playful nature of the participants, as well as the importance of staying connected and entertained during challenging times. Additionally, the sponsor message from BetterHelp emphasized the importance of mental health and the availability of online counseling services to help individuals navigate their emotions and challenges.
Embracing Change and Staying Informed: Being open to new ideas and approaches can lead to better outcomes. Stay informed to make informed decisions and stay engaged in your community.
Flexibility and adaptability are crucial in today's ever-changing world. Whether it's requesting a new counselor on BetterHelp or adjusting to new situations like the ongoing pandemic, being open to change can lead to better outcomes. For instance, a new study suggests that the US could have prevented nearly 40,000 COVID-19 deaths if social distancing measures were implemented a week earlier. Similarly, researchers have found a new way to test for COVID-19 by sneezing on your phone. These discoveries show the importance of being open to new ideas and approaches. Moreover, the discussion also highlighted the importance of being informed. For example, the Supreme Court temporarily blocked the House from accessing documents related to the Mueller investigation, and the New York Board of Elections was unable to cancel the primary. Being aware of current events can help individuals make informed decisions and stay engaged in their communities. Finally, the quiz portion of the discussion demonstrated the importance of knowledge and learning. Each player answered fill-in-the-blank questions related to current events, and the correct answers earned points. This activity showcased the value of staying informed and expanding one's knowledge base. In summary, the discussion emphasized the importance of flexibility, adaptability, being informed, and continuous learning in the face of change.
Recent Events and Trivia: From college scandals to penguin poop, recent events offer a reminder of life's unpredictability. Consider real estate investments during high interest rates and try therapy for emotional relief.
The world continues to be a fascinating and unpredictable place, as evidenced by recent events such as Lori Loughlin's involvement in the college admission scandal, Ken Osmond's passing, and researchers discovering the effects of inhaling too much penguin poop in Antarctica. Meanwhile, in the world of trivia, Bill Kurtis and the panelists entertained listeners with their predictions for Harry Azkack's future. In more serious news, NPR reminded listeners of the importance of considering investment opportunities in real estate during times of high interest rates, and BetterHelp encouraged those carrying stress to try therapy as a safe space for emotional release. And on a lighter note, Shortwave, a new NPR podcast, invites listeners to explore the wondrous world of animal science and its connections to human life.
