Topic: Leap

Criminal lawyer Peter Gersten claimed that human existence is a computer program scheduled to shut down during the 2012 winter solstice. Gersten planned a "leap of faith" off Bell Rock in Sedona, Arizona, believing he could save the world by jumping through a sky portal at exactly 11:11 a.m. The segment notes the financial motivations often tied to doomsday prophecies.

A study from the Scripps Institute of Oceanography suggests that melting polar ice is redistributing water weight and slowing the Earth's rotation. Researcher Duncan Agnew claims this may require the subtraction of a "leap second" from atomic clocks by 2029. The hosts dismiss the story as "climate kookery" designed to create a new Y2K-style panic regarding financial and satellite systems.

The rarity of Leap Day falling on a show day is noted, with the next occurrence not scheduled until 2032. A new Joe Biden campaign ad is played, where the President acknowledges his age but touts his accomplishments in lowering drug prices and passing climate legislation. The ad's focus on Roe v. Wade and infrastructure is analyzed for its strategic messaging.

The hosts discussed a new children's book project being developed by a producer, which aims to teach values and the alphabet with a "No Agenda" twist. The book is expected to be 33 pages long and will generate royalties for the show. Additionally, the hosts admitted to being "hoaxed" by a producer regarding a false claim about the next leap year occurring in 2033.

The hosts open the 1638th episode of the program on February 29, 2024, noting the rarity of broadcasting on Leap Day. They highlight the "value for value" model, encouraging listeners to support the show through time, talent, and treasure via the official donation website.

The final list of $50 producers is read, including Scott Brinkley and Alan Bean. The hosts highlight the unique situation of Leap Day birthdays, specifically noting producer Colin Ayres turning 44 on February 29th.

The history of the Great Leap Forward under Mao Zedong serves as a backdrop to China's current obsession with food security. The failed industrialization plan of 1958 led to a massive man-made famine that resulted in the deaths of an estimated 45 million people.

The hosts read the names of executive and associate executive producers for episode 1325, thanking them for their financial support. A lengthy list of birthdays is announced, including several "Leap Day" celebrations.

A comprehensive list of birthdays is read, followed by the formal knighting of Sir Yuri Meows-A-Lot and Sir Craig Kohler. The hosts celebrate the inclusion of the first animal in the No Agenda Roundtable.

John Dvorak announces he will attend the Bay Area "troll moot" at Drake's Dealership in Oakland. A list of upcoming Leap Year Day meetups on February 29th is read, including locations in Montreal, Zurich, Chicago, and Busan, South Korea.

A rundown of upcoming listener meetups in San Francisco, London, Vancouver, and Nuremberg. The hosts highlight a "bonanza" of events scheduled for the February 29th leap year, spanning multiple countries and cities.

A rare fatality occurred on Japan's high-speed bullet train after an individual committed suicide by self-immolation. Additionally, the world successfully navigated the "leap second" adjustment without the widespread computer failures predicted by some tech analysts.

Google recently addressed the upcoming "leap second," explaining that the Earth's rotation speed varies due to climatic and geological events. The suggestion that climate change is actively slowing or altering the planet's rotation is met with skepticism. The adjustment is necessary to keep atomic clocks synchronized with the Earth's irregular rotation.

A new KFC commercial featuring a "phony" Colonel Sanders is criticized for its bizarre dialogue. Separately, financial markets are preparing for a "leap second" to be added on June 30th. NASDAQ reports that traders are concerned the one-second time change could cause havoc in high-frequency "flash trading" systems, drawing comparisons to the Y2K bug.

The discussion returns to Donald Gregg's insights on the failed 2012 "Leap Day Agreement" with North Korea, which Gregg blames on John Kerry's diplomatic approach. The hosts argue that the U.S. military-industrial complex benefits from maintaining North Korea as a perpetual threat to justify arms sales to South Korea.

The Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEAP) is explained as a method using electrified wire to remove tissue, often marketed by "providers" rather than doctors. The hosts also investigate the ethics of "fee splitting" and referral fees among physicians, noting that while the World Medical Association deems it unethical, the practice persists in various forms.

Mexico has moved toward decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana, cocaine, and heroin to combat drug-related violence. Meanwhile, in Oklahoma City, a group called Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP) is using billboards to advocate for drug legalization, facing opposition from active narcotics officers.

Microsoft's 30GB Zune MP3 players were "bricked" on December 31st due to a programming error related to the leap second. The US Navy began implementing leap seconds in 1972 to sync solar time with atomic time. The hosts express frustration with artificial time adjustments, including daylight savings time, questioning their actual energy efficiency.