Topic: Black Death

A King County jury awarded $30 million to the family of Antonio Mays Jr., a teenager killed in Seattle's CHOP zone in 2020. The verdict found the City of Seattle liable for creating dangerous conditions by abandoning the East Precinct and allowing protesters to control the area. This legal precedent may lead to similar wrongful death lawsuits in other cities that permitted autonomous protest zones.

Wolfgang Behringer's book, "A Cultural History of Climate," suggests that historical cooling periods have led to social upheaval, while warming periods have fostered cultural blossoming. The hosts discuss their theory of an impending global cooling phase and criticize the green movement for ignoring the benefits of a warmer climate.

A report in the Journal of Environmental Law suggests that the European Union may require cats to be tethered outdoors to protect biodiversity. This leads to a discussion on the historical role of cats in controlling rodent populations, specifically during the Black Death. One host shares an anecdote about a neighborhood mouse infestation that occurred after a local feral cat colony was removed.

A significant outbreak of the plague in Madagascar has reportedly spread to several African nations, including South Africa and Kenya. The discussion links the timing of the outbreak to shipping routes on the "New Silk Road" and predicts a familiar media cycle involving TSA warnings and vaccine development. The Marburg virus is also mentioned as a related concern in the region.

The history of the Clapham and Battersea areas of London is explored, including their role as refuges during the Black Death. Local rock-and-roll trivia is shared, such as a stolen van belonging to The Who being recovered in the neighborhood.