• Listener Mail: Election Conspiracies, Wild Animal Legislation, and What To Do When You Find An Injured Animal
    Nov 21 2024

    In this week's listener mail segment: Old Makalya responds to the hubbub surrounding the tragic death of Peanut the Squirrel. Bones prompts a larger conversation about elections and conspiracies. Anonymous Owl provides a step-by-step guide for saving animals in the wild. All this and more - plus, side note, we absolutely called it on the undersea cable sabotage.

    They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Show more Show less
    51 mins
  • The Troubled Border of Myanmar, Chapter One: A Peaceful History. A Terrifying Present.
    Nov 20 2024

    Most people in the global west aren't too familiar with Myanmar. Formerly known as Burma, the Southeast Asian country has a deep history as a cultural and geographical crossroads -- and this has become both a gift and a curse. In the first part of this special two-part episode, Ben and Matt explore the history of Myanmar, its descent into chaos, and how multiple forces conspired to make it a modern hotbed of instability, crime, and corruption.

    They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Show more Show less
    50 mins
  • CLASSIC: The Windover Bog Bodies
    Nov 19 2024

    In 1982, in Titusville, Florida, construction worker Steve Vandejagt happened across a skull amid the muck and debris of the job site. And this was only the beginning of the mystery. Steve had accidentally uncovered one of the oldest gravesites in the United States, proof of an ancient, mysterious culture that existed more than 7,000 years ago. Join the guys as they dive into the story of the Windover Bog Bodies.

    They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Show more Show less
    55 mins
  • Strange News: Did Russia Just Threaten The Next President? A Wicked Debacle. FDA Pulls Decongestant From The Market
    Nov 18 2024

    In this week's strange news segment: In the wake of the recent US Presidential Election, Russian President Putin's aide Nikolai Patrushev releases a bizarre statement about "obligations." A misprint on merchandise for the film adaptation of Wicked takes some consumers to adult content. The US FDA announced a proposal to remove oral phenylephrine from the market, citing evidence that it doesn’t work. All this and more, plus a lot of puns.

    They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Show more Show less
    59 mins
  • The Disappearance of Andreen McDonald: A Larger Context
    Nov 15 2024

    On paper, Andreen and her husband Andre McDonald lived a life most Americans would envy - a self-made millionaire power couple, the McDonalds regularly contributed to philanthropic causes in their native community, as well as in their San Antonio community. On March 1st, 2019, Andreen McDonald was reported missing. In tonight's exploration, Ben, Matt and Noel map out the heartbreaking events, while also examining the larger, multigenerational context often left unexplored. Warning: this episode may not be appropriate for all audiences. If you or someone you know may be experiencing domestic violence, please don't hesitate to reach out for resources and support. The US Domestic Abuse Hotline is available 24/7 at the following number: 800-799-7233.

    They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 1 min
  • Listener Mail: Chinese Spyware, The Amish, DC, and Letters From Home
    Nov 15 2024

    Don Vee shares on-the-ground experience with Amish millionaires. Wonko the Sane reaches out on the story of Chinese tech espionage. A Phlounder reacts to Ben's earlier question about social media, and the gang gives Dupont Dave some choice recommendations for tourism in Washington, DC. All this and more in tonight's listener mail segment, hurtling headward toward the American celebration of Thanksgiving.

    They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Show more Show less
    41 mins
  • Are TV Court Shows Real?
    Nov 13 2024

    If you've ever had the dubious pleasure of watching daytime TV in the US -- possibly in a waiting room -- then you've probably witnessed a particular genre of programming: the TV court show. From far enough away, these shows look a lot like an actual court. You've got the usual courtroom cast, along with an escalated version of actual courtroom events. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel ask: Are these shows real? What exactly do we mean by "real"?

    They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 1 min
  • CLASSIC: Eye tracking and Advertising
    Nov 12 2024

    Ads are ubiquitous on the internet, and even if you use an ad blocker or two, you're bound to see a few things slip through. Luckily, those ads don't really give advertisers any new information about you unless you interact with them... right? Not so fast. Eye tracking technology can glean an enormous amount about your attention, as well as your reactions to a given image or piece of language, just by watching how you watch, gaze or glance at an ad. So how much can they learn, exactly? Does eye tracking allow companies to, in some sense, read your thoughts? Strap in for the answers to these questions and more in tonight's Classic episode.

    They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Show more Show less
    57 mins