Lateral with Tom Scott 61: Instruments made by insects
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Dec 8, 2023 The hosts discuss creating impractical things and odd bus timetables, explore the issue of objectivity with robots in specialized jobs, delve into the origins and construction of the didgeridoo, unravel a puzzle about a watch's complications, analyze a mystery involving a cleaner and a cat, and discover the transformation from 20 to 32 is about the number of teeth humans have.
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Guest Introductions And Backgrounds
- Emily Calandrelli and Evan & Caitlin join Lateral as first-time guests and introduce their backgrounds.
- Emily plugs her A to Lace children's book series and Evan & Caitlin describe their playful DIY channel.
Tides Force Irregular Bus Timetables
- Holy Island's causeway limits vehicle access because tidal timing shifts daily by about an hour.
- The bus timetable uses seven possible start times so buses cross only when the causeway is safe and can return.
Human Bonding Lowers Bomb-Robot Objectivity
- Bomb-disposal robot operators often anthropomorphize their machines and name them.
- This attachment makes operators more risk-averse and reduces objective performance in dangerous tasks.