Episode 364
Small Talk - Can You Land a Plane? Plus, Crazy Idaho Firing Squad!
Small Talk - Pasta’s Not So Fattening, Wildlife Woes, and Crazy Court Cases! Alright folks, grab your spaghetti and hold onto your hats 'cause we're diving into some wild convo starters today! First up, did you hear the news? Apparently, pasta ain’t the villain we thought it was—Italian studies show it could actually help keep those waistlines in check. Like, pass the marinara, am I right? Next, we’re talking about how quiet hikes can lead to surprising bear encounters—so maybe don’t sneak up on Yogi, okay? And just when you thought it couldn’t get weirder, we’ve got a couple of daredevils who decided the Empire State Building was their personal playground! Nothing says romance like breaking the law, huh? So, tune in for laughs, wild tales, and the most random bits of small talk that’ll make you the life of the party!
Takeaways:
- Pasta is making a comeback, and guess what? It might not be as fattening as we thought!
- Turns out 70% of us think we could ace a citizenship test, but let’s be real, what’s the capital of Canada again?
- 18% of Americans think they could land a plane with just instructions—Hollywood, you’ve done a number on us!
- Quiet activities in parks lead to bear encounters—so, shout out your favorite songs while hiking!
- Flu and pneumonia are back on the death list—2023 just got serious, folks!
- Idaho's looking for volunteers for firing squads—talk about a resume that’ll raise eyebrows!
Transcript
Good morning.
Speaker A:I'm Haystack.
Speaker A:It's time for something called small talk, where I run down random things you can discuss in a casual conversation.
Speaker A:Kind of a water cooler chat.
Speaker A:Researchers are saying that pasta may not deserve its fattening reputation.
Speaker A:Italian studies have found pasta consumption is not associated with higher obesity rates and was actually linked with a lower body mass index.
Speaker A:This has got to be my favorite study ever.
Speaker A:Although it may be rigged, it was an Italian study.
Speaker A:That's like asking me what's the best radio station.
Speaker A:All right.
Speaker A:Survey asked what difficult situations Americans think that they could handle.
Speaker A:70% Of us believe we could pass a citizenship test.
Speaker A:55% Could perform the Heimlich.
Speaker A:31% Say we could deliver a baby.
Speaker A:Just 31%.
Speaker A:It's just catch.
Speaker A:Right?
Speaker A:And 18% of Americans think they could land an airplane with instructions.
Speaker A:I would say at least 18% of Americans have watched way too damn many movies.
Speaker A:Researchers have found that quiet, low impact activities are the ones most likely to lead to dangerous wildlife encounters in national parks.
Speaker A:Hiking and wildlife watching account for a fourth of reported incidents.
Speaker A:Because bears and other animals react aggressively when surprised.
Speaker A:They need to hear you coming a mile away.
Speaker A:You may not get as close to see them as well, but they're not going to try to eat you.
Speaker A:Flu and pneumonia have returned to the top 10 causes of death among Americans of all ages.
Speaker A:A very sad statistic.
Speaker A: uenza reached that list since: Speaker A:And researchers say severe strains combined with declining vaccine rates have done it.
Speaker A:I'm sure you saw the news about the couple that climbed the Empire State Building.
Speaker A:They are Russian daredevils and they apparently broke through a security door on the 104th floor to get to the antenna.
Speaker A:Police had to shut the antenna down before they could make the arrests.
Speaker A:And the lovebirds have been in court.
Speaker A:Nothing says romance like felony property damage.
Speaker A:Pretty fascinating photos.
Speaker A:I have to admit, though.
Speaker A:Idaho is recruiting volunteer law enforcement officers for firing squad executions now that the state's primary execution method is firing squad.
Speaker A:In Idaho, the team will include three shooters, alternates and a leader with volunteers screen for discipline records and shooting accuracy.
Speaker A:Can you imagine looking on someone's resume?
Speaker A:Volunteer service.
Speaker A:Youth soccer coach.
Speaker A:Volunteered at the food bank.
Speaker A:Member of firing squad.
Speaker A:What in the world?
Speaker A:The Mega Millions jackpot has jumped up some more after another drawing produced no winner.
Speaker A:The estimated jackpot will be $542 million.
