Shows
Cool Stuff Ride HomePresenting: It's All FluffJoin Reggie every Thursday for his new podcast, "It's All Fluff". It is a podcast that aims to have ZERO hard news, just fun, entertaining, and interesting stories to make your week a little better.
"It's All Fluff" - Every Thursday
Apple Podcasts
Spotify Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2025-06-0502 minCool Stuff Ride HomeThe Plan to Re-Freeze the Arctic, Could Geo-Thermal Be Our Long-Term Energy Solution? & TDIH: NASA's Plan for a Moon Base ... in 1988On today's episode, we've got details on the plan to refreeze the Arctic. Plus, could geo-thermal prove to be the renewable energy source we've all been waiting for? And on 'This Day in History', NASA's 1988 plan for a moon base and manned trips to MarsSponsored by Factor - use promo code coolstuff50 to get 50% off your first box plus free shipping Factormeals.com/50coolstuff A controversial plan to refreeze the Arctic is seeing promising results. But scientists warn of big risks | CNNThe plan to refreeze Arctic ice | The WeekPl...2024-12-1924 minCool Stuff Ride HomeDrones Inspired by Birds, Weird Wednesday - Salmon Hats for Orcas, Another Word of the Year, and Interesting Spanish Scrabble Champion. Plus TDIH - Anesthetic Use in DentistryNew drones inspired by birds that jump for take-off. It’s Weird Wednesday and Reggie has orcas that are wearing salmon for hats, the Merriam-Webster’s word of the year, and the winner of the Spanish Scrabble Championship who doesn’t speak Spanish. Plus, on This Day in History, Dr. Horace Wells and the first use of anesthetic in dentistry. Bird-inspired drone can jump for take-off | ScienceDailyFor Orcas, Dead Salmon Hats Are Back in Fashion | Scientific AmericanNo, Orcas Probably Aren't Reviving the 'Dead Salmon Hat' Trend, Despite a Viral Photo, Experts Say. H...2024-12-1125 minCool Stuff Ride HomeWeird Wednesday - 2024 Word of the Year, Fake Gibson Guitars Seized, Underwater Living Record Attempt, and the Defective Candy Bar; plus TDIH - Henry Ford's Peach ShipIt’s Weird Wednesday and Reggie has the Oxford Word of the Year, fake Gibson guitars, a 'living underwater' record attempt, and a defective candy bar. Plus, on 'This Day in History', Henry Ford’s Peace Ship expedition fails miserably during WWI … or perhaps it did not? We've got the details of this peculiar story featuring the famous industrialist. 'Brain rot' is the Oxford University Press word of the year | AP NewsWhy ‘Brain Rot’ Is 2024’s Word of the Year | Scientific AmericanMore than 3,000 fake Gibson guitars seized at Los Angeles port | AP News2024-12-0424 minCool Stuff Ride HomeExtinct Volcanoes Could Hold the Key to Rare Earth Minerals, Weird Wednesday Includes a Message in a Bottle from an Archeologist 200 Years Ago & on TDIH, the Remote Control is BornExtinct volcanoes could hold the key to the rare earth minerals require for today’s electronics. Plus it’s Weird Wednesday and Reggie has a host of stories, including a message in a bottle from an archeologist 200 years ago. On 'This Day in History,' the telekino, aka a remote control is born in 1906. Extinct volcanoes a 'rich' source of rare earth elementsLook: Archaeologist's message in a bottle found at dig site 200 years later - UPI.comMessage in a bottle, written 200 years ago by an archaeologist, found on a French clifftop - CB...2024-09-2519 minCool Stuff Ride HomeCardiovascular Issues a Daughter Can Have Due to a Father's Diet, Ig Nobel Prizes Announced, and TDIH - The NYC Riot That Started with a HatLike father, like daughter – a new study finds fathers with unhealthy diets can actually cardiovascular disease on to their daughters specifically. Plus, you won’t want to miss the Ig Nobel award-winning research this year – Reggie has details. And on TDIH, the NYC riot that started with a hat!Like father, like daughter | ScienceDailyIg Nobel prize: Scientists who discovered mammals can breathe through their anuses receive award | CNNStudies on pigeon-guided missiles, swimming abilities of dead fish among Ig Nobels winners | AP News100 Years Ago Men and Boys Fought on the St...2024-09-1320 minCool Stuff Ride HomeMaking Skin Transparent, How Rare Are Colorful Lobsters? Plus, TDIH - The TV DinnerScientists may have discovered the key to making skin transparent and like Reggie, some scientists are questioning how rare some of those colorful lobsters are. Plus, on This Day in History, the tv dinner comes to the table…or maybe the living room.Scientists make tissue of living animals see-through | ScienceDailyRainbow colored lobsters spark curiosity, but how rare are they? | AP NewsA Brief History of the TV Dinner | Smithsonian (smithsonianmag.com)Contact the show - coolstuffcommute@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit me...2024-09-1020 minCool Stuff Ride HomeA New Computer Interface Gives Those Suffering from ALS Their Voice Back. A New Lunar Timezone, a Runaway Star, and on TDIH; William Beebe Descends Into The Ocean Depths in his BathysphereREMINDER: Reggie and Marques will be off August 19-23, attending a podcast conference. They'll be back with episodes beginning Monday, August 26.A new computer interface could give those suffering from ALS their voice back. Plus, scientists look to implement a universal lunar clock to keep tabs on time on the moon. A runaway star that’s faster than anything we've ever heard of. And on TDIH; William Beebe descends into the ocean depths in his bathysphere.New brain-computer interface allows man with ALS to 'speak' againInternational astronomy group joins calls for a lu...2024-08-1625 minCool Stuff Ride HomeSonic Boom-less Aircraft, Space Plane Experiments, and Largest Australian Venomous Spider
Beware of the record-setting spider in Australia, plus a couple experiments take to the skies for NASA and the military. This Week in History focuses on an anniversary for Reggie’s namesake. X-59 Supersonic Jet (Gizmodo) (CNET) X-37B Space Plane (AP News) Australian Spider (Sky News) Contact the show - coolstuffcommute@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2024-01-0517 minCool Stuff Ride Home2024 Predictions, "Beer Goggles" Research, and A Proper Introduction
What could be in store for 2024 – we ask a famous (dead) French astrologist, the science behind the phenomenon known as “beer goggles,” and on this day in history – I (and you too) can’t drive 55 mph … thanks Richard Nixon. Plus a proper introduction from Reggie and Marques – just what you’ve been craving. Nostadamus 2024 Predictions (NDTV) (IFLScience) (Daily Mail) Beer Goggles Research (SkyNews) Contact us - coolstuffcommute@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.2024-01-0220 minCool Stuff Ride HomeMon. 11/13 - Cool Stuff Ride Home Returns
Cool Stuff Ride Home returns with new hosts, Reggie Risseeuw and Marques Pfaff. The latest Picasso painting to be sold brings in the second highest price for one of his pieces, Google will start deleting inactive accounts, The Toy Hall of Fame inductees have been announced, a show of goodwill in New York, Jared Leto scales the Empire State Building, and a look at this day in history. contact the show - coolstuffcommute@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Learn more a...2023-11-1318 min
The Sonic TruthTaking Risks, Measuring ROI, And Development of Long-Term Strategy in Audio
Season six of The Sonic Truth is here, and we are kicking off by welcoming Katie Boline of Hubspot and Marques Pfaff and Reggie Risseeuw of AdvertiseCast. Katie, Marques, and Reggie sit down Kristin Charron, VP of Marketing at Veritonic, to discuss the inclusion of audio in Hubspot’s marketing strategy, including the ideation, creation, and measurement of their audio ads, the role that the powerful channel will play in their current and long-term advertising strategy, and more. Welcome back to The Sonic Truth.
Transcript (.txt)
The post Taking Risks, Measuring ROI, And Development of Lo...2022-11-0833 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeTue. 1/12 - 16th Century Disease Prevention & Beer Can Archaeology
The sixteenth-century manual on containing the spread of disease that is eerily reminiscent of current COVID guidelines. Bitcoin millionaires who can’t access their digital wallets due to forgotten passwords. And the guy whose massive beer collection is playing an important role in archaeological studies. Sponsors: Skillshare, get a free trial of Premium Membership at skillshare.com/kottke Fitbod, Get 25% off a membership when you sign up now through 2/28 at Fitbod.me/kottke
Links:
The 432-year-old manual on social distancing (BBC)
As Bitcoin Prices Swing, Millionaires Lose Sleep Over Lost Keys (NY Times)
The Arc...2021-01-1215 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeMon. 1/11 - Tim Berners-Lee's Quest to Restore Balance to the Web
It’s time for two writers to pay up on a 25-year-old bet about whether tech would destroy civilization. Tim Berners-Lee’s new quest to transform the web into the one he envisioned when he created it. How the most recent COVID-19 Stimulus Bill created a new National Park––and also may reveal previously classified government research on UFOs? Sponsors: Fitbod, Get 25% off a membership when you sign up now through 2/28 at Fitbod.me/kottke
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A 25-Year-Old Bet Comes Due: Has Tech Des...2021-01-1116 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeFri. 1/8 - What Folklore Can Teach Us About Conspiracy Theories
What folklorists can teach us about the structure and resilience of conspiracy theories. The genome of the platypus has been sequenced, and it’s just as weird as you’d expect. And a Swedish film festival that’s sending one person to an abandoned lighthouse on a remote island for a weeklong stay without any human contact or outside communication. Sponsors: Magic Spoon, Save $5 at magicspoon.com/kottke and use code KOTTKE NordVPN, Get 68% off plus an additional free month––at nordvpn.com/kottke or use coupon KOTTKE Links:
Folklore structure reveals how conspiracy theories e...2021-01-0816 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeThu. 1/7 - Dude, IceBots on Mars!
A prototype for self-repairing planetary exploration robots made of ice. The surprising history of the word “dude.” And a new Danish children’s cartoon about the misadventures of a man with a huge dong. Yep. Sponsors: NordVPN, Get 68% off plus an additional free month––at nordvpn.com/kottke or use coupon KOTTKE Magic Spoon, Save $5 at magicspoon.com/kottke and use code KOTTKE Links:
Robots Made of Ice Could Build and Repair Themselves on Other Planets (IEEE)
The surprising history of the word ‘dude’ (BBC)
dude, n., adj., and int. (Oxford English Dictionary)
mobile, n.2. (Oxford E...2021-01-0717 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeWed. 1/6 - The 60s Spy Satellite Helping Today's Environmental Scientists
Space missions to keep your eye on in 2021. How satellites built to spy on the Soviets have helped unravel environmental mysteries. Why the dark ages aren’t considered so dark anymore. And a completely perplexing auction from David Hasselhoff and his 14 foot replica doll. Sponsors: Magic Spoon, Save $5 at magicspoon.com/kottke and use code KOTTKE NordVPN, Get 68% off plus an additional free month––at nordvpn.com/kottke or use coupon KOTTKE Links:
Six space missions to look forward to in 2021 (The Next Web)
It Spied on Soviet Atomic Bombs. Now It’s S...2021-01-0617 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeTue. 1/5 - A Nanny Cam to Keep You On-Task?
People who are choosing to be surveilled by strangers and productivity nannies in order to stay on task while remote working. A 3D-printed hydrogel inspired by cephalopods that changes shape when exposed to light. And UK officials have arguably messed up a commemorative coin, again. Sponsors: NordVPN, Get 68% off plus an additional free month––at nordvpn.com/kottke or use coupon KOTTKE Magic Spoon, Save $5 at magicspoon.com/kottke and use code KOTTKE Links:
People are hiring productivity nannies to watch them work (Wired)
Shape-Shifting Hydrogel Mimics Octopus Skin (Futurity)
Let us finally resolve the...2021-01-0516 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeMon. 1/4 - Time Confetti & the Quantum Internet
What “time confetti” is and how to stop spreading it everywhere. A new development in the teleportation of information that means good things for the possibility of quantum internet. And how TikTokers raised a million dollars for The Actors Fund over the weekend with a crowd-sourced fan-created musical, inspired by Ratatouille. Sponsors: Magic Spoon, Save $5 at magicspoon.com/kottke and use code KOTTKE NordVPN, Get 68% off plus FOUR additional free months––at nordvpn.com/kottke or use coupon KOTTKE Links:
How to get your time confetti under control (Timely)
Everything You Need to Enjoy One Tech...2021-01-0417 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeWed. 12/30 - The Cognitive Case for Talking To Yourself
Why talking out loud to yourself is actually an important cognitive skill, or so I’m telling myself. A new population of blue whales with a distinct song was recently discovered in the Indian Ocean. And a new AI that will hilariously and viciously judge your taste in music. Sponsors: Skillshare, get a free trial of Premium Membership at skillshare.com/kottke The Jordan Harbinger Show, jordanharbinger.com/subscribe
Links:
Talking out loud to yourself is a technology for thinking (Psyche)
A New Population of Blue Whales Was Discovered Hiding in the Indian Ocean (NY...2020-12-3020 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeTue. 12/29 - How Humans Began to Read and Write
How is it that humans figured out how to read? New cosmological findings that may finally solve the Hubble tension. And, more monoliths continue to pop up, a look at two of the more interesting ones from this past week. Sponsors: Skillshare, get a free trial of Premium Membership at skillshare.com/kottke BitTrust IRA, Waive your signup fee BitTrustIRA.com/kottke
Links:
Reading, That Strange and Uniquely Human Thing (Nautilus)
Language is a tool, a technology (NomeDaBarbarian, Twitter)
Astronomers Get Their Wish, and the Hubble Crisis Gets Worse (Quanta)
Mysterious monolith appears in P...2020-12-2915 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeMon. 12/28 - What If 2020 Was Just One Big MMORPG?
How your brain takes out the trash while you sleep. The English man who crossed the Alps on a space hopper. And a subreddit where over half a million people pretend our world is just one big MMORPG. Sponsors: BitTrust IRA, Waive your signup fee BitTrustIRA.com/kottke
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Links:
Deep sleep drives brain fluid oscillations (Science)
During deep sleep, the brain does housekeeping (Reuters)
Brain pumps comment (Christopher Mims, Twitter)
Experience: I crossed the Alps on a space hopper (The Guardian)
The E...2020-12-2816 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeWed. 12/23 - Leave Out Porridge for Belligerent Elves on Christmas Eve
How Star Wars toys have changed over the years and why it may not be a good thing for kids. What if there were tons of alien civilizations elsewhere in the Milky Way but they’re all long since dead? And the Danish tradition of leaving porridge out on Christmas Eve to bribe mischievous elves. Sponsors: Skillshare, get a free trial of Premium Membership at skillshare.com/kottke BitTrust IRA, Waive your signup fee BitTrustIRA.com/kottke
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Star Wars toys and Mandalorian figures aren't really for kids anymore (Polygon)
How Star Wars used the...2020-12-2317 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeTue. 12/22 - The Holy Pooper & the Curse of the Targeted Butt-flap PJs Ad
Down the rabbit hole of targeted marketing through the lens of some strange, butt-flap onesie pajamas for adults. Don’t trust the sea foam in Australia. And some Catalonian Christmas traditions that are pretty crappy. Sponsors: BitTrust IRA, Waive your signup fee at BitTrustIRA.com/kottke
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Links:
Why are ads for pajamas with a butt flap taking over the internet? (Business Insider)
Why Is This Woman's Left A-- Cheek Following Me Around the Internet? (Vice)
The Pajamas Suit lets you pretend you’re d...2020-12-2217 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeMon. 12/21 - How Will Movie Theaters Stay Afloat Post-Pandemic?
What will movie theaters look like in a post-pandemic world? And what do companies need to do to weather the storm? New research that suggests our early human ancestors could have hibernated. And the pyrotechnic German punch that Atlas Obscura describes as “mulled wine’s metal cousin.” Sponsors: NordVPN, Get 68% off plus FOUR additional free months––at nordvpn.com/kottke or use coupon KOTTKE BitTrust IRA, Waive your signup fee BitTrustIRA.com/kottke
Links:
How movie theaters will survive beyond the Covid-19 era (Quartz)
Early humans may have survived the harsh winters by hibernating (The Guardi...2020-12-2117 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeFri. 12/18 - The Business of X-Mas Trees & How COVID Changed Science
Some ways that COVID could change science forever––both good and bad. The business of Christmas trees and why we’re still seeing the effects of the Great Recession in tree prices today. And a site that plays ambient noise from the forests of the world. Sponsors: HelloFresh, Use code ridehome80 to get $80 off including free shipping at HelloFresh.com/ridehome80
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Links:
COVID-19 Changed Science Forever (The Atlantic)
How Christmas trees are made, explained by a tree farmer (Vox)
We Buy a Lot of Christmas Trees...2020-12-1818 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeThu. 12/17 – Snowflake Toast & The Sound of a Perfect Fluid
Physicists have measured sound diffusion in a perfect fluid for the first time ever and created a surprisingly popular SoundCloud track. A bunch of new works are entering the public domain in just a few weeks. And the Kellogg brothers are best remembered for inventing cornflakes, but in their time they were known for a number of other odd foods; a look at their B-side, including snowflake toast and the world’s first patented meat substitute. Sponsors: Fitbod, Get one month free at Fitbod.me/kottke
HelloFresh, Use code ridehome80 to get $80 off including free shipping at...2020-12-1716 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeWed. 12/16 - What Pfizer Can Learn From Dippin’ Dots
Genetically-engineered pigs have gotten the all clear. Digging into the field of galactic archaeology. And how Dippin’ Dots can help us better understand the leading COVID-19 vaccines, and may play a role of their own. Sponsors: HelloFresh, Use code ridehome80 to get $80 off including free shipping at HelloFresh.com/ridehome80
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Links:
FDA approves genetically engineered pigs (The Verge)
Gene editing has made pigs immune to a deadly epidemic (MIT Technology Review)
Galactic archaeology: astronomers are using stars as fossils to study the Milky Way (Horizon Maga...2020-12-1617 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeTue. 12/15 – The Origins of the Emoticon
What are tone indicators? Where do they come from, how are they used, and a look at both the pre-internet history of tone indicators as well as the origin of the emoticon. And, a question for the ages, what was the deal with the leg lamp in A Christmas Story? Sponsors: Fitbod, Get one month free at Fitbod.me/kottke
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Links:
Tone Indicators and How to Use Them (NY Times)
"Joke" Conversation Thread in which the :-) Was Invented (Carnegie...2020-12-1516 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeMon. 12/14 - How To Remember More of What You Read
Some practical tips to help you remember more of what you read. After 51 years, one of the Zodiac Killer’s ciphers has been solved. And Brussels sprouts kind of became cool in the last few years, and it’s not just because bars started serving them with a whole bunch of spices and bacon; it’s also due to some pretty fascinating cross-breeding. Sponsors: BetterHelp, Get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/REPORT
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How to Remember Everything You Want From Non-Fiction Books (Better Humans...2020-12-1416 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeFri. 12/11 - How Our Homes Were Shaped By Epidemics + Hot Dr Pepper
The household features that were shaped by previous epidemics. An ethics committee has approved the French military to start making bionic soldiers. And hot Dr Pepper. Sponsors: NordVPN, Get 68% off plus FOUR additional free months at nordvpn.com/kottke or use coupon KOTTKE BitTrust IRA, Waive your signup fee BitTrustIRA.com/kottke
Links:
The Curious History of Steam Heat and Pandemics (Bloomberg)
From Closets to Subway Tile: How Previous Epidemics Shaped Design (Architectural Digest)
French army gets ethical go-ahead for bionic soldiers (CNN)
US military closer to making cyborgs a reality (CNN)
TIL: People...2020-12-1118 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeThu. 12/10 - Deepfake Santa & The Great Conjunction
The Great Conjunction is upon us. Learn when and how to see Saturn and Jupiter closer than they’ve visibly been in 800 years. The Austin, Texas pop-up bringing canceled Taco Bell menu items back to life. Advice from a Japanese wellness expert on staying fit without entering a gym. And deepfake Santa is here to spread Christmas cheer. Sponsors: Fundrise, Get your first 90 days of advisory fees waived at fundrise.com/kottke
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Jupiter and Saturn Head for C...2020-12-1017 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeWed. 12/9 - Space Booze: It's... For Science
Why did a French company send a whole case of wine into space last year? And, if NASA technically bans alcohol, how come so many astronauts drink it and why are so many companies designing microgravity alcoholic beverage options? All is not merry and bright behind the scenes of some of the more unlikely Christmas songs that have been banned in the past. And you can blast into the past with this site that broadcasts classic old radio shows all day and night. Sponsors: NordVPN, Get 68% off––only $3.71/month, plus FOUR additional free months––at nordvpn.com/kott...2020-12-0917 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeTue. 12/8 - Can We Pre-Design Vaccines For Future Pandemics?
The COVID vaccines headed for distribution were developed on the fastest timeline in the history of vaccines. But could we do it even quicker next time? Or even make the vaccine before an outbreak? Speaking of vaccines, William Shakespeare officially got vaccinated for COVID-19 today. Yep, you heard that right. And in other weird news, Mount Everest is taller than we thought. Plus, a website to help you stop judging books by their covers. Sponsors: Fundrise, Get your first 90 days of advisory fees waived at fundrise.com/kottke
NordVPN, Get 68% off––only $3.71/month, plus an additional free...2020-12-0816 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeMon. 12/7 - What It's Like Finding Buried Treasure in 2020
The finder of Forrest Fenn’s treasure chest has been revealed. Also, what does one do with actual buried treasure in the twenty-first century? A special delivery for the astronauts on board the International Space Station. How you can help save bumblebees. And the latest sport to be added to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games lineup. Sponsors: StoryWorth, Get $10 off your first purchase at StoryWorth.com/ridehome
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Links:
The Man Who Found Forrest Fenn's Treasure (Outside)
NASA and SpaceX Launch a New Ai...2020-12-0714 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeFri. 12/4 - When You Find Out You're a Meme
The latest in deep sea luxury tourism. The story of a guy who just found out this week that he’s been a meme for years. The fascinating geometry of Pringles. And an actually kinda sweet story about the polio vaccine. Sponsors: CastleGrade, Enter code KOTTKE for 10% off at CastleGrade.com
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Links:
Triton's latest submarine puts six people in a bubble, 3,300 feet under (New Atlas)
Guy who became a meme thread (Adrian Smith, Twitter)
I Accidentally Became A Meme (BuzzFeed, YouTube)
Geometry of Pringles: The...2020-12-0416 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeThu. 12/3 - Proximity Chats: A Solution to Bad Zoom Parties?
A few reasons why Zoom parties suck so much, some science-backed proposals to make them better, and a few platforms that are trying to do it. A website that will play that radio for you from anywhere in the world and any time going all the way back to 1900. And J.R.R. Tolkien’s house is up for sale. Sponsors: StoryWorth, Get $10 off your first purchase at StoryWorth.com/ridehome
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Links:
A Mission to Make Virtual Parties Actually Fun (Wired)
Radiooooo
Radiooooo: The Hit Tun...2020-12-0317 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeWed. 12/2 – Competitive Tetris Champions & Christmas Carols For Dogs
The Classic Tetris World Championship final is this Sunday, streaming live online, and if you were also surprised there is a Classic Tetris World Championship, then have I got a documentary recommendation for you. Archaeologists have discovered tens of thousands of Ice Age paintings on a remote cliff in the Amazonian rainforest. And a Christmas song that has been designed especially for dogs. Sponsors: CastleGrade, Enter code KOTTKE for 10% off at CastleGrade.com
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Links:
Best of Five: The Classic Tetris Champions (Kickstarter)
Ecstasy of...2020-12-0216 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeTue. 12/01 - China's Chang'e 5 Lands on the Moon
Scientists have used AI to make a massive breakthrough in protein folding that could cause huge ripples in drug treatments and understanding the human body. China has landed a robotic spacecraft on the moon and is bringing back souvenirs. Leave some milk and cookies in the Zoom chat because Santa Claus is officially going virtual. And another quick update on The Monolith. Sponsors: CastleGrade, Enter code KOTTKE for 10% off at CastleGrade.com
StoryWorth, Get $10 off your first purchase at StoryWorth.com/ridehome
Links:
London A.I. Lab Claims Breakthrough That Could Accelerate Drug Discovery...2020-12-0117 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeMon. 11/30 - The Utah Monolith Has VANISHED
An update on the mysterious monolith in Utah. The plant-based seafood companies vying to become the fishy equivalent of Beyond Meat. And some tips for socializing outside during the cold winter months. Sponsors: BetterHelp, Get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/REPORT
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Links:
Utah's Mystery Monolith Appeared Around 2016 Near Site of Old Movie and TV Locations (Gizmodo)
Here is our official statement on the rumors surrounding the #Monolith (Utah Bureau of Land Management, Facebook)
Mysterious silver monolith disappears from Utah desert (Associated Press)
Mystery me...2020-11-3015 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeWed. 11/25 - Did Devo & Green Day Predict 2020?
The Thanksgiving Day prank at NASA that ensured Thanksgiving Day pranks never happened again. How artificial intelligence could finally end the spread of tuberculosis. The new EP from a new wave band that is definitely not just Green Day in masks. And Dr. Fauci’s ruling on whether it’s safe for Santa Claus to visit this year. Links:
How a Thanksgiving Day gag ruffled feathers in Mission Control (Ars Technica)
These Algorithms Could End the Scourge of Tuberculosis (NY Times)
The Network, Which Isn't a Green Day Side Project, Returns With New Music (Rolling Stone)
Did...2020-11-2516 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeTue. 11/24 - An Unexplained Monolith in the Utah Desert
The saga of the infamous pig couch on Craigslist. A strange metal monolith has appeared without explanation in a deserted red rock cove in Utah. What does Yellowstone National Park have to do with the COVID-19 test kits? And a new device that will let you listen to things privately, without others being able to hear them, and with no headphones required. Sponsors: The Jordan Harbinger Show, jordanharbinger.com/subscribe BitTrust IRA, Waive your signup fee BitTrustIRA.com/kottke
Links:
Craigslist Pig Couch: Where Is It? (NY Times)
Utah helicopter crew discovers mysterious metal m...2020-11-2416 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeMon. 11/23 - Oxford's Vaccine & "Word" of the Year
Mars may still be volcanically active, which could mean positive things for the potential of life on the planet. More good vaccine news, this time from Oxford and AstraZeneca. And speaking of Oxford, the dictionary took a weird turn for their Word of the Year. Sponsors: BitTrust IRA, Waive your signup fee BitTrustIRA.com/kottke
The Jordan Harbinger Show, jordanharbinger.com/subscribe
Links:
Signs of Recent Volcanic Eruption on Mars Hint at Habitats for Life (NY Times)
Oxford-AstraZeneca's Covid-19 Vaccine Up to 90% Effective (Kottke)
AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine is 70% effective on average, data show (STAT)
3...2020-11-2315 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeFeed Drop - Jacked: Rise of the New Jack
Hosted by Taraji P. Henson, Wondery (Dr. Death, Dirty John, The Shrink Next Door) and Universal Music Group present Jacked: Rise of the New Jack Sound. The story begins with a keyboard player in the heart of Harlem: Teddy Riley. Teddy’s entire world was music. Playing it. Composing it. Producing it. Teddy and his friend Timmy Gatling followed their dreams and started a revolution in the world of hip-hop and R&B.They crafted hit after hit, and were on top of the world. Their group’s quick rise to fame came with betrayals and...2020-11-2107 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeFri. 11/20 - Did Ben Franklin Want to Replace the Eagle With the Turkey as the National Bird?
Did Ben Franklin really think the turkey should replace the eagle as America’s national bird? Analyzing the microbiome of Leonardo DaVinci’s drawings. And scientists who have figured out a way to rewind cellular aging in humans. Sponsors: Fitbod, Get one month free at Fitbod.me/kottke
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Links:
Should the Turkey Replace the Bald Eagle as the National Bird? Ben Franklin Thought So (Discover Magazine)
From Benjamin Franklin to Sarah Bache, 26 January 1784 (National Archives)
The microbiome of Da Vinci's drawings (Phys.Org)
In a Firs...2020-11-2016 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeThu. 11/19 - Paleomixology & the Baskin-Robbins Turkey Cake: Tips For Spending the Holidays Alone
Advice for enjoying the holidays even if you’re spending them alone this year. AI researchers have made a sarcasm detector. And a look at the burgeoning field of paleomixology. Sponsors: Fundrise, Get your first 90 days of advisory fees waived at fundrise.com/kottke
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Links:
How To Enjoy the Holidays if You'll Be Alone This Year (Vice)
22 Ways to Make Thanksgiving Into Your Own Weird, Perfect Holiday (Vice)
Baskin-Robbins Turkey Cake (Baskin-Robbins)
AI researchers made a sarcasm detection model and it’s sooo impressive (Venture Beat...2020-11-1917 min
Cool Stuff Ride Home11/18 - Real Talk on Thanksgiving Celebrations in 2020
Some real talk about celebrating Thanksgiving this year. How artificial intelligence is being used to recreate smells from history. And Bunny the Talking Dog, the latest viral star on Tiktok. Sponsors: Fitbod, Get one month free at Fitbod.me/kottke
Fundrise, Get your first 90 days of advisory fees waived at fundrise.com/kottke
Links:
How to Reduce (but Not Eliminate) Covid Risk at Holiday Gatherings (Wired)
A Pandemic Winter Safety Rule: Don't Spend Time Indoors (The Atlantic)
How to Decide if It's Safe to Get Together For the Holidays (Kitchn)
One-Pot Thanksgiving Dinner Recipe...2020-11-1819 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeTue. 11/17 - The Little-Known History of Transgender People
A look at trans figures in history in honor of Transgender Awareness Week. New stretchable sensor gloves that could change the game for robots, physical therapy, and VR. Liquid Death, the over-the-top canned water company, has released their second album of the year. Plus a new release from Waffle House. And a quick extra detail about the Moderna vaccine to add to my rundown from yesterday. Sponsors: Fundrise, Get your first 90 days of advisory fees waived at fundrise.com/kottke
Fitbod, Get one month free at Fitbod.me/kottke
Links:
Murdered, Suffocated And Burned...2020-11-1719 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeMon. 11/16 - The Moderna Vaccine: What You Need To Know
A second potential COVID-19 vaccine is showing incredible efficacy and bringing us a modest dash of hope. The future of sustainable air conditioning. The French media outlet that accidentally published obituaries for nearly a hundred public figures today… all of whom are still alive. And the Star Wars character that the SpaceX Crew Dragon astronauts brought to space this weekend. Sponsors: Fitbod, Get one month free at Fitbod.me/kottke
Fundrise, Get your first 90 days of advisory fees waived at fundrise.com/kottke
Links:
Moderna says its covid-19 vaccine is nearly 95% effective (MIT Technology Re...2020-11-1617 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeFri. 11/13 - How Did Friday the 13th Become Unlucky?
Why do we associate Friday the 13th with being unlucky? The weird and creative solutions some offices are coming up with for virtual holiday parties this year. And don’t miss the next, and first official, SpaceX astronaut flight launch tomorrow. Sponsor: BitTrust IRA, Waive your signup fee BitTrustIRA.com/kottke
Link:
2020’s second Friday the 13th is this Friday (EarthSky)
Friday the 13th isn’t unlucky. It’s a meme disguised as superstition. (Vox)
Why is Friday the 13th So Unlucky? (Snopes)
These companies are hosting the weirdest office Christmas parties (Wired)
NASA certifie...2020-11-1317 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeThu. 11/12 - How Many Holes Does a Straw Have?
A simple question with a very, very complicated answer: how many holes does a straw have? Why the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine could be significant beyond COVID-19. And yet another botched art restoration in Spain. Sponsor: Gabi Insurance, gabi.com/kottke
Links:
Q: What Is a Hole? A: We're Not Sure! (Kottke)
How Many Holes Does a Human Have? (Vsauce, YouTube)
What We Talk about When We Talk about Holes (Scientific American)
GOING DEEP DISCUSSION TOPIC: "What is a hole?" (David Rees, YouTube)
Why It’s a Big Deal If the First Covid Vaccine Is ‘Gene...2020-11-1218 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeWed. 11/11 - Why People Are Mad About Mary Wollstonecraft in 2020
A deep dive into why a statue of an eighteenth century feminist writer has caused such a stir in England. A new YouTube show to watch, made by Hungarian scientists, called The Genius Dog Challenge. And Collins Dictionary’s word of the year. Sponsor: Gabi Insurance, gabi.com/kottke
Links:
Mary Wollstonecraft finally honoured with statue after 200 years (The Guardian)
On women's bodies in statues (Mona Eltahawy, Twitter)
On women in parks (Tracy King, Twitter)
For Three Suffragists, a Monument Well Past Due (NY Times)
9/23 episode discussing UK statues (Kottke Ride Home)
Who Will Wi...2020-11-1116 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeTue. 11/10 - Make Better Habits By Being Bad At Them
Australian scientists have discovered two new mammals. The trick to sticking to new habits that requires letting yourself be bad at things. A new perfume that smells like books. And a calming, hand-drawn web-based game to help you chill out. Sponsor: Gabi Insurance, gabi.com/kottke
Links:
Two new species of greater glider discovered (Sydney Morning Herald)
Here's how I finally got myself to start exercising (TED Ideas Blog)
Portland's iconic Powell's Books is selling a book-scented unisex fragrance (CNN)
Short Trip (Alexander Perrin) Kottke.Org Jackson Bird on Twitter ...2020-11-1015 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeMon. 11/09 - What To Know About the Pfizer Vaccine
Pfizer has good news about a potential COVID-19 vaccine. Here’s what you need to know. Meet the man who went viral over the weekend for interrupting a French newscaster. And high fashion scratch-and-sniff t-shirts; plus a brief history of the technology that enabled them. Sponsor: Gabi Insurance, gabi.com/kottke
Links:
Vaccine efficacy 101 (Natalie E. Dean, PhD, Twitter)
Biden's Plans for Halting the Unchecked Spread of Covid-19 in the US (Kottke)
Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine is more than 90 percent effective in first analysis, company reports (Washington Post)
Pfizer Vaccine Is 90% Effective, Study Says (Buzzf...2020-11-0920 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeFri. 11/06 - The Most Extreme, Hellish Planet Yet Discovered
Scientists have discovered more information about an absolutely hellish, inhospitable planet. And it’s not the one you think. Colorado passed a first-ever of its kind ballot measure to reintroduce a species of animal to its state. An intriguing if not-yet-promising coronavirus deterrent in the form of a nasal spray. And the secret writing life of former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams. Sponsors: HelloFresh, Get $90 off including shipping at HelloFresh.com/ridehome90
Fitbod, Get one month free at Fitbod.me/kottke
Links:
Scientists discover bizarre hell planet where it rains rocks and oceans are ma...2020-11-0616 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeThu. 11/05 - Why Nebraska Splits Its Electoral Votes
Remember, remember the fifth of November. Here are some thoughts on the complicated legacy of the Gunpowder Plot. Why Nebraska’s electoral votes are so weird, and the man responsible for keeping them weird. And, inspired by the Korean practice of nunchi, some tips on being a better communicator in virtual spaces. Sponsors: Fitbod, Get one month free at Fitbod.me/kottke
HelloFresh, Get $90 off including shipping at HelloFresh.com/ridehome90
Links:
Guy Fawkes's Misunderstood Legacy (The Atlantic)
Thread on Senator Ernie Chambers (Dr. Andrew R. Schrock, Twitter)
Read the (Virtual) Room! How to Im...2020-11-0516 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeWed. 11/04 - Brian Eno & the Atomization of Society
Brian Eno’s thoughts on social media and the role of the artist in these trying times, as well as a related new finding that smartphones may actually be helping to pop people’s filter bubbles when it comes to news consumption. A new archaeological discovery that has upended previous conceptions about gender roles in ancient hunter-gatherer societies. And Belgium’s cuddle buddy mandate. Sponsors: HelloFresh, Get $90 off including shipping at HelloFresh.com/ridehome90
Fitbod, Get one month free at Fitbod.me/kottke
Links:
Brian Eno's Music for Anxious Times (NY Times)
Phones Actually Pop Sk...2020-11-0415 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeTue. 11/3 - The Atheist Ban
It’s Election Day in the US. I’ve got some good and some weird tips for staying calm amidst the election storm. An AI that can tell if you have COVID-19 just by listening to your cough. And a deep dive on one type of U.S. citizen who can’t run for public office in eight states. Sponsors: Fitbod, Get one month free at Fitbod.me/kottke
HelloFresh, Get $90 off including shipping at HelloFresh.com/ridehome90
Links:
Activities to reduce stress waiting for 2020 Election Day results (CNBC)
How The Verge is coping with e...2020-11-0318 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeMon. 11/02 - Debunking & Distracting From Election Coverage
Heading into the U.S. general election tomorrow, a refresher on why polls can be unreliable and how to read them responsibly. An opportunity to own the vintage spyware gadgets of your dreams. It’s 2020: platypuses glow in the dark now. And a new site that will distract you from the election. Sponsors: BetterHelp, Get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/REPORT
Fitbod, Get one month free at Fitbod.me/kottke
Links:
How claims of voter fraud were supercharged by bad science (MIT Technology Review)
Why Pollsters Were Completely and Utterly Wrong (Harvard Bu...2020-11-0216 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeFri. 10/30 - Is the Pandemic Causing Prohibition-esque Ripple Effects?
Why you’re seeing more young Black students working the polls this year. How the pandemic might parallel Prohibition's effect on the American brewing industry. NASA followed up a viral tweet with a literal link to their Soundcloud, and it’s definitely worth listening to, especially this weekend. And Play-Doh has just introduced a new line for adults. Yes, really. Sponsors: Fundrise, Get your first 90 days of advisory fees waived at fundrise.com/kottke
The Jordan Harbinger Show, jordanharbinger.com/subscribe
Links:
Why young Black students are stepping in as poll workers this election seas...2020-10-3016 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeThu. 10/29 - Haunted Bathrooms & Lab-Grown Brains
Can lab-grown brains become conscious? And should we let them? Burger King’s latest creepy stunt to try to rile up McDonald’s. And why do we say trick-or-treat, and what is Mischief Night anyways? Sponsors: The Jordan Harbinger Show, jordanharbinger.com/subscribe Fundrise, Get your first 90 days of advisory fees waived at fundrise.com/kottke
Links:
Can lab-grown brains become conscious? (Nature)
Burger King Halloween stunt makes Ronald McDonald appear in restrooms (Business Insider)
Wonder Fair's Virtual Haunted Bathroom (Wonder Fair)
Mischief Night and Halloween: A Brief History of the Term (TIME)
Why Do We...2020-10-2916 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeWed. 10/28 - 2020's Best Game Is a Cursed Real Estate Listing
A look back at one hundred years ago when women ruled a notorious wild west town. Some thoughts on the effects of technology on our ability to remember our thoughts in the long-term. And the internet is calling it the best game of 2020, but it’s actually just a virtual 3D tour of a house for sale. What’s going on? Sponsors: Fundrise, Get your first 90 days of advisory fees waived at fundrise.com/kottke
The Jordan Harbinger Show, jordanharbinger.com/subscribe
Links:
Remembering When Women Ruled a Wild West Town (Atlas Obscura)
Gaining, Losi...2020-10-2819 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeTue. 10/27 - Kazakhstan Is Very Nice, But Venus Is Not
Throwing cold water on that whole signs-of-life-on-Venus news. A new travel guide to haunted hotels, based on bad Tripadvisor reviews. A study looking into why we don’t click or comment on certain posts online. And Kazakhstan changes their stance on Borat. Sponsors: The Jordan Harbinger Show, jordanharbinger.com/subscribe Fundrise, Get your first 90 days of advisory fees waived at fundrise.com/kottke
Links:
New analysis casts serious doubt on the claim of phosphine in the atmosphere of Venus (Bad Astronomy)
12th order polynomial explanation (Bad Astronomy)
Ghost Stories of Tripadvisor is...2020-10-2716 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeMon. 10/26 - Water on the Moon & Oreo’s Arctic Vault
NASA’s big announcement has been revealed: there is way more water on the moon than we thought. An update on the murder hornet situation. Oreo has built a vault in Norway to preserve a stash of Oreos in case that Election Day asteroid, which is absolutely not going to hit the Earth, hits the Earth. And mutant crayfish clones have taken over a Belgian cemetery just in time for Halloween. Sponsors: FightCamp, joinfightcamp.com/ride The Jordan Harbinger Show, jordanharbinger.com/subscribe
Links:
NASA's Big Moon News: There's Water All Over the Place (Giz...2020-10-2616 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeFri. 10/23 - The Bat Who Went To Space
Do Venus Flytraps have a short-term memory? A new interactive database of every lifeform that’s ever gone into space from Earth. The Seattle bar that made a pandemic-safe pinball machine. And Burger King is getting in on the zero-waste game with reusable containers in select markets. Sponsors: FightCamp, joinfightcamp.com/ride Fitbod, Get one month free at Fitbod.me/kottke
Links:
The secret of how the Venus flytrap “remembers” when it captures prey (Ars Technica)
"The Astronaut Database" (Supercluster)
Bat Hung onto Shuttle During Liftoff (NASA)
Seattle arcade thinks on its feet, introduces touchles...2020-10-2315 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeThu. 10/22 - The Rare Tree Needed for a COVID-19 Vaccine
What does root beer have to do with a potential COVID-19 vaccine? A deep dive on that connection. A peek into the world of people who grow giant vegetables. And the Iowa woman who had her cat successfully cloned. Sponsors: Fitbod, Get one month free at Fitbod.me/kottke
FightCamp, joinfightcamp.com/ride
Links:
A COVID-19 Vaccine Could Rely on Rare Trees in Chile (The Atlantic)
COVID-19 tracker: Roche taps Atea for oral antiviral; AstraZeneca's US vaccine trial to resume 'imminently' (Fierce Pharma)
‘We’re like athletes’: the secret lives of giant-vegetable growers (The Guardi...2020-10-2218 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeWed. 10/21 - Co-Working On A Ferris Wheel
Today is International Pronoun Day so here are some historical facts about pronouns. Scientists have discovered a previously unknown organ in the human body. And forget about WeWork, a Japanese amusement park has offered up their ferris wheel as a co-working space. Sponsors: FightCamp, joinfightcamp.com/ride Fitbod, Get one month free at Fitbod.me/kottke
Links:
A brief history of singular 'they' (Oxford English Dictionary)
He, she, or ... ? Gender-neutral pronouns reduce biases – study (The Guardian)
Gender-neutral pronouns: When 'they' doesn't identify as either male or female (Washington Post)
Kamala versus Daenerys (The.Ink)
Inte...2020-10-2116 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeTue. 10/20 - Tardigrade Sunscreen & Cursed Twinkies
Tardigrade sunscreen. Coming soon? How to enjoy a socially-distanced holiday season. Some promising methods for upcycling plastic into more valuable materials. And the curious case of the extremely moldy Twinkie. Sponsors: Fitbod, Get one month free at Fitbod.me/kottke
FightCamp, joinfightcamp.com/ride
Links:
This tardigrade can glow to protect itself when exposed to UV rays (CNN)
How to Make Socially Distanced Holidays Actually Feel Special (Vice)
If recycling plastics isn’t making sense, remake the plastics (Ars Technica)
Scientists Are Fascinated By An 8-Year-Old, Moldy Twinkie (NPR) Kottke.Org Jackson Bird on Tw...2020-10-2017 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeMon. 10/19 - The Moon Is Getting a Nokia Cellular Network
The fourteen-year-old Texan who may have just made an important discovery for potential COVID-19 treatments. An update on the safety and new norms surrounding air travel. Nokia is building a mobile network on the moon. And the website that’s basically a more organized Chat Roulette but for trying to heal the US’s political divide. Sponsors: BetterHelp, Get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/REPORT
Fitbod, Get one month free at Fitbod.me/kottke
Links:
This 14-Year-Old's Discovery Could Lead to a Cure for COVID-19 (Vice)
3M Young Scientist Challenge winner is Anik...2020-10-1917 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeFri. 10/16 - Will Plastic Bubbles Save Live Music? The Flaming Lips Think So.
More and more humans these days have an extra artery. The 2020 Tony Award nominations and the very strange case of Mr. Aaron Tveit. A calculator that will tell you how much time you’re wasting in your day not listening to podcasts. And The Flaming Lips have a plan to bring concerts back, responsibly. Sponsor: FightCamp, joinfightcamp.com/ride
Links:
More Humans Are Growing an Extra Artery in Our Arms, Showing We're Still Evolving (Science Alert)
2020 Tony Award Nominations: Jagged Little Pill, Moulin Rouge!, Slave Play Lead the Pack (Playbill)
The 2020 Tony nominations have be...2020-10-1615 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeThu. 10/15 – 50/50 Odds We Live In a Simulation, New Study Finds
A new study puts our odds of living in a simulation at about 50-50. So, that’s a thing. There has been a second sighting of a person on a jetpack flying through LAX’s flight path. And tips to curb your phone habit, adapted from methods used to quit smoking. Sponsor: FightCamp, joinfightcamp.com/ride
Links:
Do We Live in a Simulation? Chances Are about 50–50 (Scientific American)
LAX reports another sighting of person wearing jet pack (LA Times)
A jetpack at LAX? Maybe. Jetpacks are very real (LA Times)
Quit Your Phone Addiction Using...2020-10-1518 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeWed. 10/14 - Can Virtual Public Parks Save Democracy?
A thought-provoking proposal from Eli Pariser on how we can fix the broken parts of the internet by creating digital public parks. NASA drops their latest single: the sounds of the Milky Way. And how to make your own AR jack o’lantern using an Amazon Prime box. Sponsor: FightCamp, joinfightcamp.com/ride
Links:
To Mend a Broken Internet, Create Online Parks (Wired)
Data Sonification: Sounds from Around the Milky Way (NASA)
How to View Augmented Reality Experiences Hiding on Your Amazon Boxes (LifeHacker) Kottke.Org Jackson Bird on Twitter See Privacy Policy at...2020-10-1415 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeTue. 10/13 - A Star Spaghettified By a Black Hole (Yes, that's the technical term)
What’s up with all those merpeople and sea monsters on old maps? Why Peru opened up Machu Picchu after seven months for one single man to visit. The supermassive black hole that spaghettified a star. And the Anti-Ad Ad Club paying influencers to trash talk corporations. Sponsor: FightCamp, joinfightcamp.com/RIDE
Links:
Why Did Renaissance Europeans See Merpeople Everywhere? (Literary Hub)
In 1562 Map-Makers Thought America Was Full of Mermaids, Giants, and Dragons (Atlas Obscura)
Peru opens Machu Picchu for a single Japanese tourist after almost seven-month wait (Reuters)
After a 7-Month Wait, This To...2020-10-1320 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeMon. 10/12 - The Indigenous Practice of Controlled Burning to Prevent Wildfires
It’s Indigenous People’s Day today. How and when did this start becoming a thing? How west coast governments are finally turning to tribal leaders for assistance preventing wildfires. A serious collaboration between Weird Al Yankovic and Portugal. the Man. And an interactive website that shows you a global map of tribal territories and languages. Sponsor: FightCamp, JoinFightCamp.com/RIDE Links:
The Native History of Indigenous Peoples Day (Yes Magazine)
Indigenous Peoples Day: 4 Things to Know (Teen Vogue) Native America Calling All My Relations This Land
Suppressing Indigenous Knowledge Created Uncontrollable Wildfires (Bitch Medi...2020-10-1218 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeFri. 10/09 - What OS Do They Use In Space?
What kind of operating system do they use in space? The science behind cocktails, to up your at-home mixology game. The 22-year-old responsible for the most viral beats on Tiktok. And the Connecticut mayor who isn’t taking any of John Oliver’s crap. Links:
Definitely not Windows 95: What operating systems keep things running in space? (Ars Technica)
Cocktail Chemistry: 10 Science-Backed Tips for the Perfect Drink (Discover Magazine)
Good Drinks: Alcohol-Free Recipes for When You're Not Drinking for Whatever Reason (Kottke, Bookshop)
Meet Ricky Desktop, the most viral beatmaker on TikTok (The Verge)
Danbury to Name Sewa...2020-10-0920 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeThu. 10/08 – 1000 Years Before Darwin, Islamic Scholars Wrote About Evolution
The Islamic scholars who beat Darwin to the punch by about a thousand years. A cool site for finding new books to read. The world’s largest ouija board. And naked celebrities teaching us about naked ballots. Links:
A Thousand Years Before Darwin, Islamic Scholars Were Writing About Natural Selection (Vice) Whichbook | A new way of choosing what book to read next
World's Largest Ouija Board (Rob Allam, Twitter)
World’s Largest Ouija Board Unveiled in Salem, Massachusetts (Mental Floss)
OUIJAZILLA! (Talking Boards Historical Society)
These Naked Celebs Have an Important Message for Voters (Represent Us, YouTu...2020-10-0818 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeWed. 10/07 - Paid to Gate-Crash Funerals
The twenty-four possible super-habitable planets that could be better than Earth. The man you can pay to gatecrash your funeral. The perfect conclusion to the skateboarding cranberry juice trend, and what the heck that trend was. And the winner of Fat Bear Week 2020. Links:
Scientists Have Identified 24 Possible 'Superhabitable' Planets (Vice)
'Coffin confessor' Bill Edgar paid to gatecrash Queensland funerals and speak up for the dead (ABC)
Cranberry Juice Skateboarder Gets Surprised With A New Truck Full Of Juice From Ocean Spray (Digg)
The Internet Has An Embarrassing, Dancing Mexican Uncle In Tío TikTok (Mitú)
All...2020-10-0717 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeTue. 10/06 - Asbestos: The Secret Weapon Against Climate Change?
How the pandemic is changing our taste in music. The most ironic thing that could happen to a newly-published book titled Word Perfect. How asbestos might actually be a weapon against the climate crisis. And a Rocky Horror Picture Show-themed monument in New Zealand. Links:
Is Pandemic Brain Changing Your Taste in Music? You're Not Alone (Vice)
"Music is 5x as good right now" (Demi Adejuyigbe, Twitter)
Famed lexicographer's new book "Word Perfect" released with a ton of typos (Boing Boing)
Asbestos could be a powerful weapon against climate change (you read that right) (MIT Technology R...2020-10-0618 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeMon. 10/05 - Vending Machine Operators Are Trending
Archaeologists have found evidence of neurons in the brain of a Mount Vesuvius victim that basically turned to glass. The latest entrepreneurial trend of the pandemic taking off, in part thanks to influencers? Vending machine ownership. A Wikipedia hack for learning new-to-you complex topics. And another U.S. president whose illness had the potential to throw the nation into chaos. Sponsor: BetterHelp, Get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/REPORT
Links:
Archaeologists find evidence of neurons in glassy brain of Vesuvius victim (Ars Technica)
The economics of vending machines (The Hustle) Simple Wikipedia
...2020-10-0516 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeFri. 10/02 - Witchy Ingredients Aren't What They Seem
It turns out crows have some skills we once thought were unique to humans. Breaking down what exactly ingredients like “eye of newt” and “tongue of dog” actually are. And Neil Cicierega’s latest mash-up album, Mouth Dreams, is here to bring you a smile in this tough year, but also give you nightmares. Links:
Crows possess higher intelligence long thought primarily human (STAT News)
Smartest Birds: How Smart Are Crows Compared to Humans? (Popular Mechanics)
Please Pass Me The Eye Of Newt; What's Really In That Witch's Cauldron (Dave’s Garden)
Neil Cicierega's Mouth Sounds mashes up St...2020-10-0220 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeThu. 10/01 - The Earth Does NOT Have a Black Hole Inside It... Right?
Why are people saying there’s a black hole at the center of the Earth? The Irish Supreme Court declares that Subway’s bread is not actually bread. The surprising controllers the US Navy uses for its subway periscopes. And winter is coming. So here are some practical tips for preparing for it. Links:
No, There Isn’t A Black Hole At The Center Of The Earth (Forbes)
Strange Research Paper Claims There's a Black Hole at the Center of the Earth (Futurism)
Subway sandwiches contain 'too much sugar' to legally be considered bread, Supreme Court rules...2020-10-0120 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeWed. 09/30 - Edward Hopper Copied Others in Early Paintings
A guide to the lunar spectacles in October. Some tips for improving communication when wearing masks. The surprising discovery that some of Edward Hopper’s early works were copied. And the wearable social-distancing tech allowing the London Marathon to go forward. Links:
Moon Today
Halloween Blue Moon in 2020: How Rare Is a Full Moon on Halloween? (Old Farmer’s Almanac)
All you need to know: 2019’s Hunter’s Moon (EarthSky)
What is a Hunter's Moon? (Universe Today)
2020, October 31: Rare Halloween Full Moon (When the Curves Line Up)
How to Use Nonverbal Cues to Make Your Point While Wear...2020-09-3018 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeTue. 09/29 - The Dark Origins of Nike's "Just Do It" Slogan
A Halloween rocket launch. A brief peek into the history of book burnings in honor of Banned Books Week. The surprising and grim origins of Nike’s “Just Do It” slogan. More water has been found on Mars. And the return of Fat Bear Week. Links:
NASA targeting Halloween for next SpaceX Crew Dragon astronaut launch (CBS News)
The Shockingly Grim Origins of Nike’s Famous Slogan (Better Marketing)
Nike 'Just Do It' slogan inspired by Utah spree killer Gary Gilmore (Business Insider)
Buried lakes of liquid water discovered on Mars (BBC)
Bad Astronomy | Scientists find several...2020-09-2917 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeMon. 09/28 - Time Travel, Biomedical Tattoos, & Satanic Tea
An undergrad has proven that paradox-free time travel is indeed possible. If you thought email newsletters were ubiquitous now, let me introduce you to the world of 1930s mimeograph newsletters. The emerging field of biomedical tattoos. And the Satanic tea company here to bust stereotypes. Links:
Time Travel Theoretically Possible Without Leading To Paradoxes, Researchers Say (NPR)
Time Travel Is Possible: Math Proves Paradox-Free Time Travel (Popular Mechanics)
Time Travel - Is It Possible? (Popular Mechanics)
Peak Newsletter? That Was 80 Years Ago (Wired)
We’re at Peak Newsletter, and I Feel Fine (Vanity Fair)
Dynamic tattoos pr...2020-09-2819 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeFri. 09/25 - Making Millions on Face Masks
The face mask economy––how everyone from high fashion designers to mom and pop shops on Etsy met the demand, and where they go from here. The origins of the phrase “jack of all trades.” Arnold Schwarzenegger is trying to fund polling locations. And Vin Diesel pivots to singer-songwriter. Sponsor: Indeed, Get a $75 credit at Indeed.com/GOODNEWS
Links:
How a couple of mom-and-pop Etsy shops made millions off masks (The Verge)
The Real Reason Every Fashion Company Is Now Making Face Masks (Marker)
Vistaprint, Gap, and Etsy Sellers Pivoted to Making Masks. What Happens W...2020-09-2518 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeThu. 09/24 - The Secret Mancave Beneath Grand Central Terminal
A guide to saying no for people-pleaser’s. A recently discovered secret party room located under Grand Central Terminal and other strange breaking news from the New York City subway. Experts weigh in on why humans evolved to have butts. And the mysterious reason the internet went out every morning at seven am across an entire village in Wales. Sponsor: Indeed, Get a $75 credit at Indeed.com/GOODNEWS
Links:
How To Say No, For The People Pleaser Who Always Says Yes (NPR)
Secret 'Man Cave' Discovered in Room in Beneath Grand Central Station (Gizmodo)
Sub...2020-09-2419 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeWed. 09/23 - Eat a Five Star Dinner, From Your Car
A new discovery indicates chromium is about a thousand years older than we thought. Why it’s sometimes better not to use your full potential on things. A group of chefs trying to make drive-thru fine dining a thing. And an Enola Holmes PR stunt from Netflix that’s shining a light on women’s representation. Sponsor: Indeed, Get a $75 credit at Indeed.com/GOODNEWS
Links:
1,000-Year-Old Precursor to Stainless Steel Found in Iran, Surprising Archaeologists (Gizmodo)
This 'Modern' Invention Is Really 1,000 Years Old, Researchers Discover (Vice)
In Defence of Half-Arsing (David R. MacIver)
Why th...2020-09-2319 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeTue. 09/22 - Horror Fans Fare Better During the Pandemic
A new study has found that fans of horror movies are having an easier time coping with the pandemic. The woman who serves as the Queen of England’s body double. A new species of dinosaur discovered with perfectly preserved fossils in China. And a few ways to get your nature fix from the National Parks Service, including one that will make you $50,000 richer. Sponsors: Indeed, Get a $75 credit at Indeed.com/GOODNEWS
Links:
Horror Movie Fans Are Having an Easier Time Dealing With the Pandemic, Study Says (Vice)
The Morbid Curiosity Scale Coltan Sc...2020-09-2214 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeMon. 09/21 - Get Vacation Stress-Relief Without the Vacation
Why do we eat fish sticks? The story behind those viral annual 21st of September videos. How to get the mental health benefits of “vacation anticipation” without going on vacation. And one of Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s favorite teachers. Sponsors: BetterHelp, Get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/REPORT
Indeed, Get a $75 credit at Indeed.com/GOODNEWS
Links:
How marketers convinced America to eat fish sticks (The Hustle)
The shifting popularity of fish throughout American history (Splendid Table)
Interview: Demi Adejuyigbe's 'September 21' Videos (Vulture)
9/21 (Demi Adejuyigbe, YouTube)
September 21st! A Charity Fundraiser (Action N...2020-09-2117 min
Cool Stuff Ride Home(Bonus) A Conversation with Jason Kottke
Jason Kottke started Kottke.org in 1998, making it one of the oldest, still maintained blogs on the web with over 26,000 posts spanning topics from art and technology to design, culture, and general knowledge. This is a peek behind the scenes of Jason's process, his philosophies, and general thoughts on the internet––where it’s been, and maybe where it’s going. We talked about what running the blog looks like now, how it’s changed over the years. The evolution of patronage models, and his current thoughts on them. We talked a bit about burn out and managing that tension be...2020-09-1955 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeFri. 09/18 - How Bras Inspired the N95
The 2020 Ig Nobel Prize winners were announced last night. Some people are trying to make CD players a thing again. How algorithms can detect our mood based on what we write online. And the surprising connection between Frozen and Arrested Development. Sponsor: Beachbody on Demand, Text "GOODNEWS" to 303030 for a free trial membership Links:
2020 Ig Nobel Prize Winners (Improbable Research)
Emergency Bra
Scientific American Endorses Joe Biden (Scientific American)
Sara Little Turnbull Inspired the N95 Respirator From a Bra Cup Design (House Beautiful)
CD Players Are Back From the Dead and Now Work With Ai...2020-09-1821 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeThu. 09/17 - Practice Friluftsliv This Winter
Some tips for tricking the algorithms and having a more neutral social media feed. Scientists have discovered a possible way to prevent motion sickness. The Norwegian concept of friluftsliv and how it could be just what we need this winter. And the latest installment in the sad saga of Chuck E. Cheese versus the pandemic. Sponsor: Beachbody on Demand, Text "GOODNEWS" to 303030 for a free trial membership Links:
How to Break Out of Your Social Media Echo Chamber (Wired)
Firefighter fighting conspiracies (WildlandMike, Tiktok)
You can train your brain to reduce motion sickness (Eurekalert)
W...2020-09-1717 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeWed. 09/16 - No Seasonal Peeps, Yes Taco Bell Wine
A completely preserved extinct cave bear specimen from the Ice Age has been found in Siberia. Why our dreams have been more intense since the pandemic began. Strange new food and drinks hitting the market, and some beloved ones we won’t be seeing this year. And the billionaire who just accomplished his lifelong goal of giving away all of his money. Sponsor: Beachbody on Demand, Text "GOODNEWS" to 303030 for a free trial membership Links:
Bear from Ice Age found 'completely preserved' in Russian Arctic (BBC)
Cave bear carcass found in Siberian permafrost with or...2020-09-1617 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeTue. 09/15 - Life on Venus & Responsible Shrek Fans
Scientists have detected phosphine on Venus. Is it a sign of life? What it’s like to be in the virtual audience of a televised game. If you have trouble breathing when wearing a mask, here’s an explanation why and some tips to help. And Shrekfest is going virtual this year. Also, Shrekfest is a thing that exists. Sponsor: Beachbody on Demand, Text "GOODNEWS" to 303030 for a free trial membership Links:
Life on Venus? Astronomers See a Signal in Its Clouds (NY Times)
Announcement About Research on Venus's Chemistry (NASA)
Carl Sagan predicted life...2020-09-1618 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeMon. 09/14 - Preventing "Mask Breath" & Worse
Have you become intimately acquainted with your own breath since you began wearing a mask? Here’s how to curb the stench. Some insight into how non-human animals use numbers and quantitative information. The sad truth about plastic recycling. And Bielefeld, Germany––a town that may or may not exist––offered a million euro prize to anyone who could prove it definitively does not exist. Sponsor: Beachbody on Demand, Text "GOODNEWS" to 303030 for a free trial membership Links:
How to Avoid 'Mask Breath' (NY Times)
Anti-Maskers Forced to Dig Graves for Covid-19 Victims in Indonesia...2020-09-1417 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeFri. 09/11 - Why Do Americans Love Rotisserie Chicken?
Why the cheap rotisserie chicken is ubiquitous in American grocery stores. The new, true proportions of the megalodon. Unpacking the enormous size of Houston, Texas and its highway interchanges, as compared to a tiny Italian city center. And the 2020 finalists of the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards. Links:
The Convenient Truth of Rotisserie Chicken (Taste)
Palaeontologists Reveal What Could Be The True Proportions of The Fearsome Megalodon (Science Alert)
Yes, This Interchange in Houston Is the Same Size as an Entire City Center in Italy (Texas Monthly)
As If You Needed It, Further Proof That Houston Is S...2020-09-1118 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeThu. 09/10 - How Where You Live Determines Your Personality
The big, underlying reason why so many items were tough to find at the start of the pandemic, and why some may still be for a long time to come. The sea anemones who grow extra tentacles when they eat too much. The psychological makeup of mountain-dwellers in the US still matches that of wild west pioneers, a study finds. And the offbeat candy canes that the internet can’t get enough of. Links:
The real reason there was a beer, sanitizer, yeast, and pasta shortage in the pandemic. (Slate)
After a Feast, These Sea Anemones Gr...2020-09-1019 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeWed. 09/09 - Modern-Day Willy Wonka Is Giving Away His Candy Factory
The perfectly sealed 2,500 year old coffins recently discovered in Egypt. How lockdown is making us all socially awkward. The gold ticket competition to win a candy factory, and the Willy Wonka-like figure behind it. And a new strategy New Zealand is trying to help out the deaf and hard of hearing. Sponsor: PodCorn, Explore sponsorship opportunities and start monetizing your podcast by signing up at podcorn.com/podcasters
Links:
Egyptian Authorities Have Discovered 13 Completely Sealed 2,500-Year-Old Coffins (Science Alert)
The Coronavirus Made Us Socially Awkward (NY Times)
Jelly Belly's founder has gone full Willy...2020-09-0918 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeTue. 09/08 - Long Live the (Cloned) Woolly Mammoth
The first cloned endangered horse has been born. Next stop woolly mammoth de-extinction? The New Zealand man who won the French Scrabble competition without speaking a single word of French. The rising popularity of produce prescription programs. And have you been more clumsy during lockdown? If so, you’re not alone. Sponsors: PodCorn, Explore sponsorship opportunities and start monetizing your podcast by signing up at podcorn.com/podcasters
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Links:
First Clone of Endangered Horse Born in Effort to Save Species (TIME)
Revive & Restore | Genetic Re...2020-09-0820 min
Cool Stuff Ride HomeFri. 09/04 - Meditate With a Squid
New research indicates that Stonehenge may have been able to produce surround sound and was used to amplify rituals. The bizarre tradition of excessively-huge homecoming mums in Texas. A Finnish town is bribing its residents with cake to make them more eco-friendly. And the surprisingly crowded market of squid-based guided meditations. Links:
A Remarkable New Study Suggests That Stonehenge Was Built to Amplify Sound During Ancient Ruling-Class Rituals (ArtNet)
Homecoming May Feature ‘Mum Mask' This Year (NBC DFW)
In Texas, You Don’t Wear a Corsage to Homecoming. It Wears You (Wall Street Journal)
In Texas, Home...2020-09-0418 min