Topic: 1987

The Guadalupe River region, known as Flash Flood Alley, has a documented history of devastating floods dating back to 1838. Historical data highlights major events in 1932, 1978, and 1987, the latter of which killed ten teenagers from a Baptist church camp. Despite modern access to real-time weather data and historical precedents, public awareness of flood plain risks remains low, leading to preventable tragedies during heavy rain events.

Sir Animus of Dogpatch sent a donation of $1,907, which the hosts interpret as a reference to the 1907 bankers' panic. They compare historical market "hiccups" like the 1987 Black Monday crash to current economic volatility. The note also commemorates the anniversary of the "Angelic Knight's" passing.

A host recounts watching the 1987 James Bond film, The Living Daylights, noting its portrayal of the Mujahideen and British MI6 operations in Afghanistan. The film is described as a revealing look at the geopolitical structures of the late Cold War era before the fall of the Berlin Wall. The segment recommends the movie for its grounded, less fantastical approach to the Bond franchise during the Timothy Dalton era.

The hosts compare modern, corporate-sponsored New Year's Eve celebrations in Times Square to the "grungy" atmosphere of the 1980s. One host recalls a 1987 live broadcast for MTV featuring Paul Reiser, describing a time when the area was filled with sex shops and lacked the current "Disneyland" feel of rubberized tiles and heavy security cordons.

A 1987 study by researcher Paul Slovic explores how the American public perceives risk, focusing on "unfamiliar systems" like nuclear energy or DNA labs. The research suggests that small accidents in these systems create immense social disturbance because they signal catastrophic potential. This psychological framework is used by governments to manufacture crises, such as cyber terrorism or Y2K, to drive policy.