Historically, an army would have days, weeks, or even months to prepare for war.
However, with the development of intercontinental missiles and nuclear weapons, the time for preparation was reduced to hours or even minutes.
In light of these changes, it was necessary to develop a system that allowed for rapid mobilization and readiness.
Learn more about the DEFCON system, and the history of its level changes, on this episode of Everything Everywhere Daily.
If I were to say “prisoner of war interrogator” something rather menacing probably comes to mind.
If I were to say “Nazi prisoner of war interrogator” something really menacing probably comes to mind.
And If I were to say the “the greatest Nazi prisoner of war interrogator”, you are probably imagining a truly horrifying, evil person.
Learn more about Hanns Schraff, and his surprising story, on this episode of Everything Everywhere Daily.
There are already examples around the world where the manufacturer helps to pay for the safe disposal of waste from their goods once used - such as electronic items or bottles. But what about the carbon dioxide produced from fossil fuels?
Tom hears about the 'Carbon Take Back Obligation' concept - in which oil and gas producers would have to capture and store C02 - ratcheting up from 1% of what they produce by 2023, to 10% in 2030 and 100% by 2050. Some say it's impossible to meet the aims of the Paris Climate Agreement without it.
But where would all that carbon dioxide go? How much storage space would we need for it and how much of the cost would trickle down to the petrol pump?
Dr Tamsin Edwards of King's College, London, armed with statistics gathered by the Royal Geographical Society, joins Tom to add up the numbers.
Producer: Anne-Marie Bullock
Researcher: Sarah Goodman
Produced in conjunction with the Royal Geographical Society. Particular thanks for this episode to Professor Stephen Peake of the Open University and Dr Chris Hope of the University of Cambridge.
For more information on the Carbon Take Back Obligation www.carbontakeback.org
Navigation on the open ocean is extremely difficult. It is a skill that takes years to master.
Even with years of skill, an experienced mariner was still able to ground their ship on an unseen reef, underwater rocks, or a sandbar, because they didn’t know their precise location.
The main problem, which was unsolved for centuries, was determining your longitude.
Learn more about the longitude problem, and how it was eventually solved, on this episode of Everything Everywhere Daily.
Standing next to an extremely tall structure can be an exhilarating experience. Something which was no less exhilarating to early humans.
Ever since humans created the first pile of rocks, we have been trying to build ever-larger piles of rocks. These piles of rocks eventually evolved into structures hundreds of meters tall.
Learn more about the structures which have held the title of the tallest in the world, on this episode of Everything Everywhere Daily.
Many people in our community are experiencing homelessness -- about 35,000 throughout the Bay Area at last count. Matthew Schmitz was shocked by how wealth and poverty exist side by side when he moved to the Mission District of San Francisco. He wanted to know how homelessness here compares to other places around the world.
*This audio has been updated to correct an error. A previous version misstated the number of NYC public school children experiencing homelessness. We regret the error.
Reported by Erin Baldassari and Molly Solomon. Bay Curious is made by Katrina Schwartz, Suzie Racho, Katie McMurran and Erika Kelly. Additional support from Erika Aguilar, Jessica Placzek, Kyana Moghadam, Paul Lancour, Carly Severn, Ethan Lindsey, Vinnee Tong and Don Clyde.
The Memory Palace is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX.
A note on notes: We’d much rather you just went into each episode of The Memory Palace cold. And just let the story take you where it well. So, we don’t suggest looking into the show notes first.
Music:
Individuation by Eluvium
Kola - Lighthouse Version by amiina
Seeming by Helios
Portrait Gallery by Luke Howard
Disillusionment for the Emotional Type by You’ll Never Get to Heaven
Clouds by Hiroshi Yoshimura
Notes:
Leviathan: the History of Whaling in America by Eric Jay Dolan was super useful and very readable.
You can find the study on Sperm Whale adaptation in the North Pacific here.
In 1969, Chicago was home to one of history’s most high-profile trials. Known as the Trial of the Chicago 8 — and sometimes the Trial of the Chicago 7 — the trial pitted anti-war protesters against the federal government. Eight men were accused of conspiring to incite a riot during protests that took place in Chicago during the Democratic National Convention of 1968. Outside the courtroom, protesters and onlookers gathered. Some chanted to free the men. Some came with signs and posters of protest and solidarity. In this episode, reporter Arionne Nettles explores the intersection of art and protest movements as she tries to track down the artist behind one of these posters.
Hollywood is known the world over for being the center of the motion picture industry.
But did you ever wonder why the movie business is centered there or why it hasn’t moved somewhere else?
Well, it all has to do with a clause in various union contracts.
Learn more about the Thirty Mile Zone, or the TMZ, on this episode of Everything Everywhere Daily.
