Podcast Summary
President and First Lady Test Positive for Coronavirus: Unexpected events can occur, emphasizing the importance of taking precautions like wearing masks and social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The unexpected can happen to anyone, even the President of the United States, as he and the First Lady tested positive for coronavirus. During a segment on NPR's Wait Wait Don't Tell Me, the hosts and panelists discussed the significance of the news and emphasized the importance of taking precautions such as wearing masks and social distancing to prevent the spread of the virus. Chrissy, a listener from Grand Rapids, Michigan, played a game of "Who's Bill" and correctly identified that the first quote was from the President's announcement of his coronavirus diagnosis. The panelists joked about the situation and expressed concern for the President's health, while also encouraging everyone to take the virus seriously and follow safety guidelines.
Navigating the pandemic and dealing with chaos: Despite the tools to navigate the pandemic, many people sought comforting activities and relaxation after the chaotic 2020 presidential debate. Trump's actions during the debate and the naming of political groups were also topics of controversy.
The tools we have to navigate the pandemic, such as masks and social distancing, are crucial. Meanwhile, the first presidential debate of 2020 was a chaotic event that left many feeling overwhelmed and in need of relaxation. Mark Hamill famously expressed his disdain for the debate, comparing it to an unruly class of old men. Many people turned to comforting activities, like making banana splits and indulging in treats, to cope with the stress. The debate's aftermath saw President Trump attempting to change the news cycle by refusing to condemn the far-right Proud Boys during the debate. The naming of political groups, such as the Proud Boys and Antifa, was also criticized for being unappealing and reminiscent of failed food products. Lastly, a spokesperson for Subway faced controversy when their bread was ruled not to be considered bread due to its high sugar content in the Irish Supreme Court.
Parrots curse after eating high-sugar subway bread, Irish tax authorities reclassify it as cake: Parrots learned curse words from each other after consuming high-sugar subway bread, leading Irish tax authorities to reclassify it as cake due to its sugar content.
Subway bread, despite being sold as bread, was determined by Irish tax authorities to be more akin to cake due to its high sugar content. This revelation came to light when parrots at a UK national parrot sanctuary, recently acquired and quarantined together, learned to curse from each other and swore at visitors. The unruly parrots, reminiscent of Disney's crows, prompted concerns about inappropriate language around children. Meanwhile, the Dorr brothers, notorious for their pro-gun advocacy on Facebook, were also found to be promoting the elimination of public education and its replacement with Christian schooling. In the Wait Wait Don't Tell Me quiz game, Michael White from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, proved his knowledge of NBA bubble-related topics by distinguishing truth from fiction. The game, which challenges players to identify true statements from false ones, showcased Michael's impressive basketball trivia skills.
Creative ways NBA players found in the bubble: NBA players in the bubble found innovative ways to connect, learn, and have fun, despite the challenges and isolation.
Despite the challenges and limitations of being in the NBA bubble, players have found creative ways to make the most of their time. Maz Jobrani shared the story of Majid Jahanzan, an Iranian-born NBA player who started a language school to teach his teammates Persian. Jimmy Butler, a star player for the Miami Heat, started selling coffee out of his hotel room, leading to a price war. And then there was DJ Karshmallo, the mysterious figure who brought the sounds of the basketball court to life through dance music in the hotel lobby. These examples show that even in isolation, the human spirit remains strong and innovative. Players have found ways to connect, learn, and have fun, proving that the NBA bubble isn't all bad.
Creative ways to amuse and build businesses in unusual circumstances: Jimmy Butler's coffee shop, Maz Jobrani's Farsi lessons, and Brian Babylon's DJ Karshmello are entertaining examples of people finding creative ways to amuse themselves and build businesses during the NBA bubble. Diplomats like Dame Karen Pierce also adapt, respecting local laws and revealing that some leaders may have different personas in private.
Even in the most unusual circumstances, like the NBA bubble, people find creative ways to amuse themselves and build businesses. Jimmy Butler's $20 a cup coffee shop became a hot topic, but there were also other entertaining stories, such as Maz Jobrani teaching Farsi for trash talking and Brian Babylon's DJ Karshmello. Meanwhile, in a different realm, Dame Karen Pierce, the British Ambassador to the US, shared insights about diplomacy and her experiences serving in America. She clarified that diplomats respect the laws of the countries they serve in and do not misuse their diplomatic immunity. Pierce also revealed that some world leaders may come across as harsh or aggressive in public, but in person, they can be quite different and even approachable. Overall, these stories showcase the resilience and adaptability of individuals, whether they're basketball players or diplomats, and how they find ways to thrive in unexpected situations.
Discussing Diplomacy and Tea-Making Traditions: The Security Council presidency grants special privileges, like controlling speaking buttons, and the British disapprove of using microwaves to heat tea.
Being the president of the Security Council comes with unique privileges, such as controlling the speaking buttons, which can be quite helpful. Another interesting topic discussed was the British tradition of making tea, with a strong preference against using a microwave. The British are known for their passion for tea, and using a microwave to heat it up is considered a faux pas. In a lighter moment, Dame Karen Pierce, the British Ambassador to the United States, was put through a quiz about the AMC Ambassador, a classic American car from the 1950s and 60s. Despite her best efforts, she was unable to answer all the questions correctly, but it was all in good fun. Overall, the conversation covered a range of topics, from diplomacy to tea-making traditions, and showcased the unique perspectives and sense of humor of the guests.
Sometimes things slip away unexpectedly: Appreciate and cherish possessions while they're with us as they can disappear unexpectedly
Even beloved possessions, like Tom Malliotze's 1966 Ambassador convertible, can be lost unexpectedly. In the case of Tom, his brother Ray took the car to the crusher due to its severe rust without Tom noticing for six months. This anecdote from Car Talk serves as a reminder that sometimes, things can slip away from us unexpectedly. Meanwhile, on a lighter note, a current fashion trend involves wearing socks with sandals, a look once considered a fashion faux pas. Despite this, even popular figures like David Beckham have been spotted wearing the combination, but not everyone is convinced it's a cool look. Ultimately, it's essential to appreciate and cherish our possessions while they're with us, as they can be gone before we know it.
Impact of Personal Appearance and Lifestyle Choices on Professional Life and Animal Intelligence: Personal appearances and lifestyle choices can affect job prospects, while crows exhibit advanced problem-solving skills and good memory
Personal appearance and lifestyle choices can have unexpected consequences, especially in professional settings. The man with extensive tattoos and blackened eyes learned this the hard way when he lost his job as a kindergarten teacher due to children's fear and nightmares. Meanwhile, during the lockdown, people continue to adapt to new situations, such as teaching theater online. Another interesting topic discussed was the intelligence of crows. They have been observed using tools and possessing problem-solving skills, which was once attributed to instinct but now believed to be thought-driven. Research shows that crows have a good memory and awareness of time and place, making them one of the few non-primate species with such abilities. In the spirit of Wait Wait Don't Tell Me, we had a fun exchange with a caller from Chicago, who shared her experience as an actor and youth theater educator transitioning to online classes. She found creative ways to engage students and let them explore their imagination over Zoom. In summary, personal appearances and lifestyle choices can impact our professional lives, while animals like crows continue to surprise us with their intelligence, and people adapt to new ways of teaching and learning.
Microsoft's Teams update offers daily commute reflection time: Microsoft's new Teams update offers daily reflection time, including goal setting and replaying workday moments, to help employees zone out and recreate the sensation of a daily commute.
Microsoft's new update to their Teams software aims to recreate the sensation of a daily commute by providing reflection time at the start and end of the workday. This includes setting goals for the day and replaying awkward moments from the day. The idea is to give employees a moment to zone out and reflect, similar to how commuting allowed for this in the past. However, Microsoft could also encourage taking breaks to look at nature instead. In other news, NASA partnered with Estee Lauder to send advanced night repair face cream to the International Space Station, which seems extravagant but may be necessary in zero gravity conditions. The quiz results showed Britney aced it with a perfect score. In a light-hearted moment, Grammarly and Stearns and Foster were promoted as NPR sponsors. The final segment was a lightning fill in the blank game where players answered as many questions as possible within 60 seconds. Brian was in third place with 2 points, and the game began with him.
President Trump Signs TikTok Bill, Wildfires Force Evacuations, and NFL Postpones Game: The week saw political developments, natural disasters, and unusual incidents. Trump signed a bill to prevent a TikTok ban, wildfires forced evacuations, and the NFL postponed a game due to COVID-19.
The news cycle this week was filled with various events, from political developments to natural disasters and unusual incidents. President Trump signed a bill to prevent a TikTok ban hours before the presidential debate, while Joe Biden and Kamala Harris released their tax returns. Wildfires forced evacuations in California, and a man in Florida was investigated for yelling "shoot" during a hockey game. General Stanley McChrystal endorsed Joe Biden for president, and the Tampa Bay Lightning won the Stanley Cup. A man in Thailand faced a 2-year jail sentence for posting a bad review online, and Amy Coney Barrett met with GOP senators for her Supreme Court confirmation. A federal judge blocked the Trump administration from banning TikTok, and Biden's campaign raised over $4 million in the hour following the debate. The NFL postponed a game due to COVID-19, and realtors in Britain offered a free grave to sell a house. The worldwide death toll for coronavirus surpassed 1 million people, and ICE was planning raids in "sanctuary cities." FBI director James Comey defended the investigation into Russian election meddling, and Moderna's vaccine wouldn't be ready until spring. Disney announced layoffs, and students at the University of Alabama were warned not to press elevator buttons with their genitalia.
Joking about October surprises on Wait Wait Don't Tell Me: Despite the uncertainties of October surprises, Americans might be too exhausted to be surprised anymore. Find joy in simple pleasures during uncertain times.
Despite the unpredictability of October surprises, the world keeps spinning and life goes on. During a light-hearted episode of Wait Wait Don't Tell Me, the panelists joked about potential October surprises, ranging from economic downturns to political revelations. However, they also acknowledged that with the ongoing challenges of the pandemic and political climate, Americans might be too exhausted to be surprised anymore. Amidst the jokes and predictions, the show also bid farewell to their intern, Emma Day, who brought joy and creativity to the team. Through it all, Peter Sagal reminded listeners that they'll continue to navigate the unexpected twists and turns together, and encouraged everyone to find joy in the simple pleasures of life. Whether it's investing in emerging trends, enjoying a good TV show, or simply appreciating the company of others, there's always something to look forward to.
