Cool Stuff Ride Home
Covering the most interesting and coolest stories that you may have missed around the world in about 15 minutes a day. Cool Stuff Ride Home looks at 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.
676
Mon. 01/17 - What's In a Name? From Dr. Martin ...
The thought leaders who inspired Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Plus, his childhood name change, what to make of his legacy, and more. Also today, what caused the massive volcanic eruption in Tonga over the weekend? And gather up your silver bullets,...
16 min
677
Fri. 01/14 - The Internet's (and French Dressin...
What is slow internet and is it a thing we should still be striving towards? What about slow email? Plus, in some very pressing news, the US Food & Drug Administration has officially deregulated French dressing. And Welsh scientists have...
16 min
678
Thu. 01/13 - Un-distilled Non-Whiskey & the Kin...
The growing market for non-alcoholic beers, and a new “undistilled non-whiskey” that’s arrived just in time for Dry January. Plus, the search for a new king of a tiny island. And, the debate over “ghost flights” is heating up in Europe....
17 min
679
Wed. 01/12 - Go Ahead and Listen To This Episod...
The real physics of Wile E. Coyote’s 10 billion volt electromagnet. Plus, cannabis can prevent SARS CoV-2 from spreading. Technically. And does listening to this podcast at double speed decrease your comprehension? Sponsors: Indeed, Get a free $75...
14 min
680
Tue. 01/11 - Wordle Wordle Everywhere
A human has received a genetically-altered pig’s heart in a transplant for the first time ever. Plus, China’s lunar lander found water on the moon. And a look into the origins and phenomenon of Wordle. Sponsors: Lendtable, Use code KOTTKE at to...
17 min
681
Mon. 01/10 - Deep Space Tardigrades
Scientists are working on a plan to shoot tardigrades into interstellar space on lasers. Plus, the James Webb Space Telescope is so-far going better than anyone had dared to imagine. And alpaca’s favorite new year snack: Christmas trees. Sponsors: ...
14 min
682
Fri. 01/07 - Boaty McBoatface and the Doomsday ...
How Boaty McBoatface is helping diagnose the severity of the situation at the Doomsday Glacier in Antarctica. Plus, it looks like solar shingles are finally actually a thing. And something to try this weekend––the Dutch practice of uitwaaien....
17 min
683
Thu. 01/06 - 1922's Predictions for 2022 + FOVs...
A look at predictions for today from a 1922 article in The New York Herald. Plus, move over self-driving cars, introducing fish-operated vehicles. And car commercials in France will soon require advertisers to tell people not to drive. Sponsors: ...
18 min
684
Wed. 01/05 - The Climate Emergency: Reasons to ...
Gravity as a possible solution to one major drawback of wind and solar power, and reasons to be cautiously optimistic about our prospects for the climate overall. Plus, the link between physical strength and mental health. And the CDC’s zombie...
16 min
685
Tue. 01/04 - Time Capsules in a Confederate Sta...
The history and future of predicting the future. Plus, a new “open-source” COVID vaccine that could help way more people around the world get vaccinated. And, after taking down a statue of Robert E. Lee in Virginia, local experts found two time...
17 min
686
Mon. 01/03 - It's Raining Fish (Hallelujah)
A fresh argument for reclassifying Pluto as a full-fledged planet that would open the doors for way more planets than just the OG nine. Plus, it was raining fish in Texas last week. And if you’ve been trying to remember the title of a book you read...
15 min
687
Wed. 12/29 - Why Donuts Are Emblems of America ...
A history of the humble donut as a symbol of American patriotism, and a circular source of joy world round. Plus, a round-up of New Year’s traditions from around the world––in case you’re looking for a little inspiration on this perhaps...
20 min
688
Tue. 12/28 - Emojis As Folklore & Cows On Water...
The argument for emojis as folklore, the top emojis of 2021, and why an emoji reference site is being archived in the Library of Congress. Plus, it turns out gray hair can return to its original color… sometimes, and temporarily. And, waterbeds...
22 min
689
Mon. 12/27 - I'm Disgusted
What is the real driver of all of humanity’s innovations, doctrines, and oddities? According to some psychologists, disgust. Plus, the surprisingly recent history of counting down to midnight on New Year’s Eve. And forget smell-o-vision, now...
19 min
690
Wed. 12/22 - Rollerskating, The Holy Pooper, & ...
A round-up of Christmas traditions from around the world and throughout time. Plus, the US Army is working on a vaccine that could protect against all COVID and SARS variants, including omicron. And there’s a cream cheese shortage so Kraft Heinz is...
19 min
691
Tue. 12/21 - Why the Webb Telescope Launch Is F...
The James Webb Space Telescope is launching on Friday. Here’s what to expect, and why astronomers are so stressed out about it. Plus, Scotland may soon be issuing a three centuries overdue pardon to victims of its many witchcraft trials. And when...
17 min
692
Mon. 12/20 - Athletes' Supercharged Blood & Pro...
How an athlete’s blood could boost cognitive function, potentially in non-athletic people. Plus, the origin and meanings of the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” And, Christmas in July takes on a whole new meaning with cruises designed...
15 min
693
Fri. 12/17 - The Mystery of the Secret Library ...
How a librarian discovered a secret library within her library. Plus, some tips for unplugging more deeply when you’re on vacation. And the group of actual birds knocking Adele and Ed Sheeran off the top of the Australian music charts. Sponsors: ...
16 min
694
Thu. 12/16 - DOOM BLOOM: Spotted Lanternfly-Tai...
It turns out those pesky spotted lanternflies have changed the local honey in Pennsylvania, and it’s… kind of good? Plus, the FDA has approved eye drops that fix age-related vision problems. And one company is trying to prevent new staff turnover...
14 min
695
Wed. 12/15 - Are Floating Neighborhoods the Fut...
A NASA spacecraft has just touched the sun for the first time in human history. Plus, are floating neighborhoods the future for coastal towns? And a look back at the origin of online reviews, and a question about their future. Sponsors: GiveWell,...
17 min
696
Tue. 12/14 - Sad Keanu & A Sleeping Bag to Save...
When did we first start sending holiday cards and will the tradition ever end? Plus, the health risks for humans in space and a high-tech sleeping bag that could prevent astronauts’ vision from deteriorating. And, Keanu Reeves explains what was...
16 min
697
Mon. 12/13 - Science-Backed Nap Hacks From Salv...
Need a creative boost? Try this napping hack from Thomas Edison and Salvador Dalí––research from this month says it actually works. The woman who successfully traded a bobby pin for a house. And Swedish towns are trying to reclaim their names...
15 min
698
Fri. 12/10 - The Science (& Ethics) of Netflix’...
Insights from the real-life NASA scientist behind Netflix’s new killer-comet movie, Don’t Look Up. Plus, reindeers are the only mammals whose eyes change color with the seasons. And their noses kind of do too––the science behind that, and the...
16 min
699
Thu. 12/09 - Birds Aren't Real (And Neither Is ...
Finally we get some truth from bird truthers. Everything you need to know about the Birds Aren’t Real movement. Plus, New Zealand is banning tobacco completely for the upcoming generations. And Instagram is bringing back the chronological feed! Kind...
16 min
700
Wed. 12/08 - Cleaning Hacks From Victorians
Cleaning advice from nineteenth century housekeepers. An upcoming feminist retelling of 1984. How to watch the Geminid meteor shower next week. And MST3K is officially coming back next year. Sponsors: GiveWell, Have your donation matched up to $250...
15 min