Lateral with Tom Scott 53: The criminal caught by a toy
Oct 13, 2023
Topics discussed include deciphering numbers on steps in Japan, a criminal caught by a child's toy, unconventional methods of evading security systems, armed policemen in perspex boxes, dangers of dropping phones on roller coasters, the invention of Cheesy Bites pizza, and a playful conversation about corn and water varieties.
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Calories Marked On Stairs
- Tokyo train stations sometimes mark stairs with cumulative calories burned to nudge people to take stairs.
- The markings show fractional kilocalories per step starting at zero at the bottom to encourage incidental exercise.
Tiger Talismans Stopped Coups
- In 4th–3rd century BC China generals carried left-facing tiger talismans that fitted with right-facing halves held by the ruler.
- The paired talismans acted like a two-person authentication to prevent unilateral military action.
Thief Caught By Play‑Doh Print
- A shoplifter used Play-Doh to interfere with electronic tagging and dropped it while fleeing.
- Police matched the Play-Doh impression to his fingerprints on file and charged him with attempted theft.