Topic: Incubators

Former FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb discussed the Hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship, noting a two-to-six-week incubation period. He disagreed with other experts by suggesting a longer window of observation is needed to determine if additional cases will emerge from the initial exposure.

Reports from Jerusalem indicate a dire situation at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, where 36 newborn babies are at risk due to a lack of power for incubators. The Israeli Defense Force claimed they attempted to deliver 300 liters of fuel to the facility for emergency generators. However, the IDF alleges that Hamas prevented hospital staff from collecting the fuel, leading to a standoff over the life-saving energy supply.

Dr. Anthony Fauci discusses the challenges of testing for the coronavirus, noting that detectable virus levels can fluctuate in hospitalized patients. He clarifies that current CDC tests are not being used as release criteria for the 195 Americans in quarantine. The hosts interpret his statements as an indication that the 14-day quarantine period may be extended.

President Xi Jinping warns of an accelerating spread of the virus as the death toll rises and 48 million people face travel bans. Technical aspects of the virus are discussed, specifically the R-naught (R0) value being over two, indicating high virality. While the incubation period is estimated at two weeks, the primary cause of death is identified as pneumonia resulting from the virus, particularly in elderly patients.

A producer's note explores the psychological effects of "speed listening" to podcasts at 2x speed. The discussion suggests that over-saturation of information inhibits the brain's ability to transition into "incubation and illumination" phases, potentially retarding the ability to learn.

CBS News featured drawings by children in border custody to highlight conditions at the southern border. The hosts compare this media strategy to the 1990 "Nayyirah" testimony regarding Iraqi soldiers and incubators, which was later revealed to be a public relations fabrication.

A discussion ensues regarding the historical use of children in media to influence public opinion, referencing the debunked 1990 story of Iraqi soldiers removing babies from incubators in Kuwait. The hosts point out that many viral photos of "children in cages" circulating on Twitter in 2018 actually date back to the Obama administration in 2014.

NBC's Richard Engel is criticized for his reporting on hospital bombings in Aleppo, Syria. The hosts compare the narrative of babies being removed from incubators to the "Nayirah testimony" from the Gulf War. They highlight a moment in the raw footage where Engel appears to coach a local source to say "food is running out" for the camera.

A donor email from a listener who claims to play the show for "hookers" during commutes prompts a discussion about the lifestyle of long-haul truckers. The conversation shifts to a potential dinner meeting with a representative from Hill & Knowlton. Dvorak suggests mocking the firm's history regarding the fabricated Nayirah testimony about Iraqi soldiers removing babies from incubators in Kuwait.

The 1990 "Nayirah" testimony, which alleged that Iraqi soldiers removed babies from incubators in Kuwait, is revisited as a classic example of PR-driven war propaganda. The testimony was orchestrated by the firm Hill & Knowlton and delivered by the daughter of the Kuwaiti ambassador, who was later revealed to have fabricated the story. This historical context is used to analyze modern psychological operations and media manipulation.

Google Fiber's expansion into Austin, Texas, is viewed as a political move tied to mayoral elections rather than a pure infrastructure play. While the city anticipates a tech boom, local experts warn that venture capital remains concentrated in Silicon Valley, with firms rarely investing outside of "Fisker range." Concerns are raised that the fiber rollout will primarily benefit real estate speculators and high-priced "incubator" spaces.

Adam Curry discusses his experiences with the Austin startup and incubator scene, expressing frustration with "euro trash fever" and people seeking free consulting. He jokingly suggests reviving the "Daily Source Code" with illegal music to see if listeners would donate to support the risk.

Changing a Facebook status to "engaged" results in an immediate influx of targeted wedding industry spam, demonstrating the platform's aggressive data mining. Furthermore, the trend of universities creating "incubators" to find the next Mark Zuckerberg is criticized as a scam that encourages students to drop out without gaining real skills.

The 1990 testimony of a 15-year-old Kuwaiti girl claiming Iraqi soldiers removed babies from incubators is revisited as a confirmed fabrication. Investigative reporting by the CBC's Fifth Estate revealed the girl was the daughter of the Kuwaiti ambassador and had been coached by the PR firm Hill & Knowlton. This deception is cited as a primary driver for shifting American public opinion in favor of the first Gulf War.