Podcast Summary
IHeart Radio Music Awards with Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, and more: The iHeart Radio Music Awards features popular artists and a new daily podcast, The Bright Side, discussing culture, trends, and inspiring conversations. Niagara Falls attracts 12 million visitors but sadly, about twenty bodies are recovered annually due to suicides. A few brave individuals have survived going over the falls in barrels.
The iHeart Radio Music Awards is bringing together beloved artists like Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, Green Day, TLC, Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson, and host Ludegris for an exciting award show on April 1st. Meanwhile, Danielle Robe and Simone Boyce invite listeners to join them on The Bright Side, a new daily podcast filled with culture, trends, inspiration, and conversations. Additionally, Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant from Stuff You Should Know shared some fun banter about Niagara Falls, revealing that it attracts around 12 million visitors annually but sadly, about twenty bodies are pulled out of the falls every year due to suicides. However, there is a small group of people who have intentionally gone over the falls in barrels throughout history.
Three Waterfalls that Make Up Niagara Falls: Niagara Falls, a 15,000-year-old natural wonder, is composed of three waterfalls: Horseshoe Falls, American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls, with the largest being Horseshoe Falls at 167 feet and the smallest Bridal Veil Falls. The falls are constantly eroding backward, claiming an estimated 16 lives between 1901 and 2003.
Niagara Falls, which is known for its breathtaking beauty, is actually composed of three waterfalls: the Horseshoe Falls, the American Falls, and the Bridal Veil Falls. The Horseshoe Falls is the largest one, with a drop of approximately 167 feet, followed by the American Falls, which has a drop of about 70 feet. Bridal Veil Falls is the smallest of the three. These falls, which are only about 500 years old, are constantly eroding backward at a rate of about five feet per year due to their impact on the bedrock. The entirety of Niagara Falls is around 15,000 years old and was formed at the end of the last ice age. The falls have claimed many lives throughout history, with an estimated 16 people having drowned there between 1901 and 2003. The island called Goat Island, which split the Niagara River into three, is named after a herd of goats that froze to death there in 1780. The Niagara River, which feeds the falls, has a brink of 2600 feet and flows at an incredible rate of 600,000 gallons per second. Surviving a plunge into the falls would still be a perilous experience due to the massive amount of water that would continue to pummel you.
The Biology Behind Daredevils' Lack of Fear: Daredevils may have higher testosterone levels and a lower sensitivity to fear due to brain chemistry, but they often report lower levels of satisfaction despite the risks.
The allure of taking risks, as seen in daredevils who have gone over Niagara Falls, can be explained by various factors such as higher testosterone levels and a lower sensitivity to fear due to brain chemistry. Despite the risks, these individuals seem to have a lower level of satisfaction. This phenomenon was also observed in a study involving "devil mice" that lacked the gene producing a protein allowing nerve cells to communicate fear. Daredevils often claim they don't fear the danger, but research suggests there might still be some fear involved. Over the past hundred years, 16 people have attempted to go over Niagara Falls, with 11 surviving. Two of these individuals even managed to survive twice. However, it's crucial to remember that attempting such stunts is extremely dangerous and not recommended.
Chasing fame and fortune at Niagara Falls: Attempting dangerous stunts for fame and fortune can lead to unpredictable outcomes, some successful and others tragic
The dominant reason people have for attempting the dangerous stunt of going over Niagara Falls is the pursuit of fame and fortune. However, the outcomes are often unpredictable and not all stories end in success or wealth. For instance, Annie Edson Taylor, the first woman to go over Niagara Falls on purpose in 1901, survived with her cat but failed to make a fortune. Conversely, Bobby Leach, who went over in 1911, survived but died later due to an odd accident. These stories serve as reminders of the uncertainties and risks associated with chasing fame and fortune.
Attempts to Go Over Niagara Falls in Unconventional Ways: Reckless behavior can lead to dangerous and potentially fatal consequences, as shown by individuals who have attempted to go over Niagara Falls in unconventional ways.
Despite the dangers and warnings from others, some individuals have attempted to go over Niagara Falls in various ways, often with poor planning or inadequate preparation. George Stathicus, a chef from New York, attempted to go over in an oak barrel with an anvil as ballast but unfortunately suffocated when the barrel did not break apart as planned. Another man, George Stethicus, went over with his pet turtle Sonny Boy in 1930, but his fate is uncertain. Nathan Boya, the first African-American to go over, did so successfully in 1961 using a metal ball and oxygen tank but was fined for breaking a newly enacted law. These stories serve as a reminder of the risks and consequences of reckless behavior.
Attempting dangerous stunts at Niagara Falls: Throughout history, some have attempted to go over Niagara Falls without safety equipment, leading to serious injury or death. A famous example is Kirk Jones' survival in 2003, but it's crucial to avoid such dangerous stunts.
Throughout history, people have attempted to go over Niagara Falls in various ways, some with permits and safety measures, others without. One of the most famous stunts without proper safety equipment was performed by Kirk Jones in 2003, who reportedly felt suicidal at the time. His survival and subsequent interviews filled him with a newfound will to live. However, it's important to note that attempting such dangerous stunts is highly discouraged and can lead to serious injury or death. In the past, two individuals, Peter Debenardi and Jeffrey Petkovich, went over the falls in a barrel in 1988 with the intention of making a statement against drugs. However, their statement was misleading, as going over Niagara Falls in a barrel is significantly more dangerous than using drugs.
Daredevils and Their Risky Stunts: Attempting dangerous stunts can lead to tragic consequences, it's better to prioritize safety and enjoy music events instead.
Danger and ill-advised stunts, such as going over Niagara Falls in a barrel or attempting to jump off a jet ski with a malfunctioning parachute, are not worth the risk. Furthermore, the discussion touched upon the tragic stories of Jesse Sharp and other daredevils who lost their lives attempting such feats. On a lighter note, the podcast also highlighted upcoming music events and introduced a new podcast called "The Bright Side," which aims to bring positivity and inspiration to listeners. The episode concluded with a segment dedicated to listener haikus, showcasing creative and humorous submissions from the audience.
Unexpected communities through shared experiences: Sharing stories can lead to unexpected connections and communities, no matter where you are or what you're doing.
Community and connection can be found in the most unexpected places, whether it's through teaching English in a Thai village, hiking on the Appalachian Trail, or listening to podcasts. Marianne, an English teacher in Thailand, shared her longing for cheddar cheese while living off rice and noodles, leading to a discussion about haikus sent in by listeners. One haiku from Timothy Sinclair stood out, ending with a refrigerator, sparking curiosity about whether Eric Jones, another listener, hiked the Appalachian Trail naked. Eric shared his haiku story about completing the trail and discovering the Stuff Podcast, leading to an email conversation between him and the hosts. The community formed through sharing these stories brought joy and inspiration to all involved. So, no matter where you are or what you're doing, remember that connections can be made and communities can be found in the most unexpected places.
