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PODCAST

Cool Stuff Daily

Cool Stuff Daily

Cool Stuff Daily covers the most interesting and coolest stories in the world of science, progress, life-hacks, memes, exciting art, and hope. This is the antidote to depressing headlines. Smart stuff in podcast form. Cool news, as a service. Hosted by Reggie Risseeuw and Marques Pfaff.

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All Episodes

16:17

Tue. 09/21 - Making 26,000 People Out of 20: Ted...

Cool Stuff Daily ·

2021/09/21

How Ted Lasso filled a whole stadium for a crowd scene during the pandemic, and how advances, especially in AI, are beginning to change filmmaking. Plus, a Colorado man has won a yearlong treasure hunt for golden tickets, making him the new owner of a candy factory. That last part wasn’t a joke. It was literally a golden ticket competition for a candy factory. And finally, an ambient noise website for the most chaotic among you. Sponsors: Raycon, Get 15% off at buyraycon.com/kottke Novo,

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15:47

Mon. 09/20 - Poison Ivy Vaccines & A Mosh Pit History

Cool Stuff Daily ·

2021/09/20

The history and science of mosh pits. Exciting developments in the treatment of poison ivy reactions, including a possible vaccine. And how to catch tonight’s Harvest Moon, and why we call it that. Sponsors: Novo, BankNovo.com/kottke Raycon, Get 15% off at buyraycon.com/kottke Links: Moshing: The History, Anatomy & Art Of The Dance Form (Consequence of Sound) The Science Behind Mosh Pits (Professor Politics, YouTube) Moshpits.js (Jesse Silverberg et al) Mosh Pits Teach Us About the Physics of

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15:44

Fri. 09/17 - Night-Lunch and the Origin of Food Trucks

Cool Stuff Daily ·

2021/09/17

The history and future of food trucks, and a look at the old tradition of “night lunch.” The visually-striking lanternfly that eastern US states are begging people to kill. And why you may not be getting that book you ordered anytime soon. Sponsors: Indeed, Get a free $75 credit at Indeed.com/goodnews Upstart, upstart.com/kottke Links: Before Food Trucks, Americans Ate 'Night Lunch' From Beautiful Wagons (Atlas Obscura) The Rise of the Taco Truck (JSTOR Daily) Taco Bell's Subscription Service:

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18:46

Thu. 09/16 - Jane Austen's Advice for Social Media Users

Cool Stuff Daily ·

2021/09/16

How the social lives of the characters from Jane Austen’s novels are analogous to our digital ones today, and what we can learn from them about being over-stimulated. Plus, a study illustrating how we could build bases on Mars out of astronaut blood. And a couple of updates from the world of LEGO. Sponsors: Upstart, upstart.com/kottke Indeed, Get a free $75 credit at Indeed.com/goodnews Links: Is Jane Austen the Antidote to Social Media Overload? (JSTOR Daily) Scientists Want to Build Mars Bases

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16:56

Wed. 09/15 - Civilian? Amateur? Private? Whatever,...

Cool Stuff Daily ·

2021/09/15

SpaceX’s Inspiration4 all-civilian crew is blasting off tonight in Cape Canaveral. Here’s everything you need to know about the historic launch. Plus, the Māori Party in New Zealand has introduced a petition to rename the country its Māori language name, Aotearoa. And a newly identified species of insect has been named after RuPaul. Sponsors: Indeed, Get a free $75 credit at Indeed.com/goodnews Upstart, upstart.com/kottke Links: SpaceX's Latest Mission Will Launch Four People Into Orbit (NY

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17:06

Tue. 09/14 - Steve Wozniak's New Space Company

Cool Stuff Daily ·

2021/09/14

How gas stations actually make money, and their prospects for the future. Steve Wozniak says Don’t Mess With Space. And, a timeless question for the ages: how many s’mores could you make from the giant Stay Puft Marshmallow Man from Ghostbusters? Sponsors: Upstart, upstart.com/kottke Indeed, Get a free $75 credit at Indeed.com/goodnews Links: Why most gas stations don't make money from selling gas (The Hustle) Apple Cofounder Steve Wozniak Starting Space Company Privateer (Business Insider) Steve

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15:06

Mon. 09/13 - De-Extinct Woolly Mammoths &...

Cool Stuff Daily ·

2021/09/13

Could woolly mammoths help slow the effects of the climate emergency? It’s not just a theoretical question. One entrepreneur is betting on it, and working to bring woolly mammoths back from extinction to prove it. Lorde has re-released part of her latest album with Māori language translations. And a new effort to potty train cows, for the environment. Sponsors: Indeed, Get a free $75 credit at Indeed.com/goodnews Upstart, upstart.com/kottke Links: Firm raises $15m to bring back woolly mammoth

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16:30

Fri. 09/10 - The Mystery of Blue Moon Ice Cream

Cool Stuff Daily ·

2021/09/10

What exactly is blue moon-flavored ice cream and where did it come from? Plus, NASA is planning to purposefully hit an asteroid with a spacecraft, more on why and when. And this year’s Ig Nobel Prize winners have been announced! Links: The Enduring Midwestern Mystery of Blue Moon Ice Cream (Atlas Obscura) BLUE MOON (Chicago Tribune) The Cult of Blue Moon Ice Cream (Food & Wine) Blue Moon Core Area (BMCA) (somethingaboutmaps) NASA is going to slam a spacecraft into an asteroid. Things might get

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15:46

Thu. 09/09 - Roof Panels That Cool Your Home, No A/C...

Cool Stuff Daily ·

2021/09/09

Forget air conditioners, give me radiative cooling panels on my roof! That’s what I hope I’ll be saying a few years from now. Plus, a new species of giant carnivorous dinosaur with shark-like teeth has been identified. And Moderna has announced they’re moving forward with their COVID-19 and seasonal flu combo vaccine. Links: Can nanoscience help make AC more efficient? (Popular Science) Designing an Air Conditioner That Doesn't Heat the Earth (Architect Magazine) Radiative cooling and solar heating

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19:50

Wed. 09/08 - What Happens When You Get Struck By...

Cool Stuff Daily ·

2021/09/08

What it’s actually like getting struck by lightning, and the community of survivors helping each other cope. Plus, another team of scientists say they have achieved a crucial and record-breaking milestone in the quest for clean fusion power. And an iconic 1970s band that has spawned countless tribute acts over the years is about to reunite to become their own tribute act, with a little help from Lucasfilm’s Industrial Light and Magic. Links: Lightning strikes: A man hit seven times (Washington

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17:45

Tue. 09/07 - Mars Rocks, A Billionaire's Utopia, &...

Cool Stuff Daily ·

2021/09/07

The Mars Perseverance Rover has secured its first rock sample, with big promise for insights to come. A billionaire is working on plans to build a new sustainable city “for the people” somewhere in America. And you may have heard of Little Free Libraries, but what about Little Free Blockbusters? Links: Mars rover grabs first rock sample, a major step in hunt for alien life (National Geographic) "I've got it!" (NASA’s Perseverance Rover, Twitter) NASA says the Mars Perseverance rover has collected

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16:52

Fri. 09/03 - The Billion Year Gap In the Grand...

Cool Stuff Daily ·

2021/09/03

What if a room could charge all of your devices just by them being in there? Like no wires, no charging pads, just being in the room. Some engineers have made that a reality. Plus, new insights into the billion years of time that are missing from the rock layers in the Grand Canyon. And why Red Delicious apples are so common in the U.S. even though they’re not really that great. Sponsor: Raycon, Get 15% off at buyraycon.com/kottke Links: This Room Could Wirelessly Charge All Your Devices

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17:42

Thu. 09/02 - What Is Grimace & Why Are Hyperlinks Blue?

Cool Stuff Daily ·

2021/09/02

Why are hyperlinks blue? You ever think about that before? Plus, a look at the tech behind the wheelchairs and prostheses used by Paralympians. And what the heck is Grimace, the big purple McDonald’s mascot? A manager at a Canadian McDonald’s dropped a bombshell on the internet, but is he correct? Sponsor: Raycon, Get 15% off at buyraycon.com/kottke Links: Why are hyperlinks blue? (Mozilla Distilled) How Paralympic Wheelchairs and Prostheses Are Optimized for Speed and Performance (Scientific

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18:03

Wed. 09/01 - Flying EVs, Bedroom Pop, & Murder...

Cool Stuff Daily ·

2021/09/01

Would you take a flying rideshare taxi? NASA is betting on it. Plus, murder hornets are back and badder than ever. And the growing genre of “bedroom pop,” which isn’t what it maybe sounds like. Sponsor: Raycon, Get 15% off at buyraycon.com/kottke Links: NASA is testing electric air taxis with Joby Aviation (The Verge) Your air taxi has arrived: Why Joby could be the first commercial eVTOL (CNBC, Youtube) A Special Message from our CEO and Founder, JoeBen Bevirt (Joby Aviation, YouTube) NASA

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16:42

Tue. 08/31 - Could We Delete Our Memories One Day?

Cool Stuff Daily ·

2021/08/31

The climate crisis is causing some animals to shrink, and that’s definitely not a good thing. Experts weigh in on the possibility of humans ever being able to edit or delete their own memories. And Netflix cheat codes to help you shake off the algorithm. Sponsor: Raycon, Get 15% off at buyraycon.com/kottke Links: When Insects Lost Their Homes, Evolution Clipped Their Wings (NY Times) Some birds, mammals, and fish are shrinking. Blame climate change. (Vox) Urbanization is Causing Mammals to Grow

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15:22

Mon. 08/30 - Electric Cars Almost Became the Norm in...

Cool Stuff Daily ·

2021/08/30

Electric cars were being made as far back at the late 19th century, with entire fleets of electric cabs roaming the streets of several major cities. So what happened? Why didn’t they become the go-to vehicle from the beginning? Plus, the history of the very delicious and confusingly-named Boston Cooler. And the middle schoolers trying to clear the name of a woman accused of being a witch back in 1693. Sponsor: Raycon, Get 15% off at buyraycon.com/kottke Links: Why weren't cars electric from the

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15:22

Fri. 08/27 - The History of the ICEE, The Coolest...

Cool Stuff Daily ·

2021/08/27

The history of and science behind the ICEE. Plus, Glenfiddich is now powering their delivering trucks with spent whisky. And some tips on cleaning your earbuds because, c’mon, how long has it been since you’ve actually done that? Sponsors: Upstart, upstart.com/kottke Links: ICEE History: The Tech (and Science) Beyond a Sugary Frozen Drink (Tedium) Flashback: Raise your Slurpees to the drink that almost wasn't (Dallas Morning News) US3044878A - Process for the preparation of a beverage (Google

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15:18

Thu. 08/26 - What If All Food Was Square?

Cool Stuff Daily ·

2021/08/26

The 7,200 year old skeleton of a teenage girl is shaking up what we thought we knew about ancient human migration. The creative solution an Oregon hospital has come up with to support its overworked staff, and what we can do to help lessen their load. And a new startup that wants to disrupt the way we eat our meals, specifically by making all of our food look like identical little bricks. Sponsor: Upstart, upstart.com/kottke Links: ‘Genetic fossil’: intact DNA from woman who lived 7,200 years ago

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17:36

Wed. 08/25 - Comirnaty? How Pfizer's Vaccine Got Its...

Cool Stuff Daily ·

2021/08/25

The Paralympic Games kicked off in Tokyo last night. Here’s what you need to know and a brief history of the games. Plus, how did the Pfizer vaccine end up with the brand name Comirnaty, and what were some of the other contenders? Sponsor: Upstart, upstart.com/kottke Links: Badminton And Taekwondo Make Their Paralympic Debut In Tokyo (NPR) When Did The Paralympics Start, And How Did The Event Get Its Name? (NPR) The Paralympics Finally Get To Prime Time (1A) Paralympics History - Evolution of the

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16:38

Tue. 08/24 - Pixels Aren't Square. Or Visible.

Cool Stuff Daily ·

2021/08/24

What exactly is a pixel? Pixar co-founder Alvy Ray Smith discusses its math and history and his new book. Plus, farmer’s markets, once a cornerstone of in-person weekend outings, have gone digital. And Liquid Death Mountain Water is selling skateboards infused with Tony Hawk’s blood. For real. Sponsor: Upstart, upstart.com/kottke Links: A biography of the pixel, the elementary particle of pictures (Aeon) Hitting the Books: How our lying eyes trick the brain into seeing motion during movies

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1,126 results

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