Topic: Plague

As public health officials monitor bird flu and rising dengue fever cases in Honduras and Malaysia, a case of the plague was reported in Colorado. While the media often uses such reports to incite fear of new lockdowns, the plague remains endemic in the western United States. Historical data shows that similar cases occurred in 2015 without causing widespread public alarm or policy changes.

A listener points out that a character in a recent piece of show art was a "plague doctor" from the Dark Ages, known for wearing a beak filled with herbs. The hosts use this as a segue to encourage listeners to switch to modern "Podcasting 2.0" apps to protect the medium from the influence of Apple and Spotify.

A massive mouse plague is devastating rural New South Wales and spreading toward Sydney and Canberra, causing millions of dollars in crop damage. While farmers are using strong poisons and homemade traps to manage the infestation, PETA has drawn criticism for suggesting "humane trapping" and "birth control" for the rodents. Residents describe the psychological stress of cleaning excrement and seeing thousands of mice blanketing the roads at night.

New South Wales is currently experiencing a massive mouse plague that has infested homes, schools, and farms across a 500-mile stretch. Broadcaster Alan Jones reported on the psychological and economic toll of the infestation, which has destroyed grain stores and caused significant distress to families in the Australian bush.

The historical context of the Dutch Tulip Craze of the 1630s is re-examined, highlighting that the crash was driven by the invention of contract-based trading rather than the flowers themselves. The peak of the speculation coincided with the Black Plague, which killed many primary traders and left the market in the hands of inexperienced successors. This led to a 1637 bailout where trades could be unwound for a 10% fee.

A story is shared about a student who wore a medieval plague mask to school for book drop-off, which was surprisingly well-received by teachers. The hosts also acknowledge several new producers who joined the show after hearing Adam Curry on the Joe Rogan Experience. Plans for a local "512 meetup" in Austin are confirmed for the upcoming Saturday.

Adam Curry reveals he ordered a "steampunk" version of a plague doctor beak mask in dark brown leather. While he finds it "unsettling" and "frightening" to look at, he plans to take a picture of it for the show's newsletter. The hosts discuss the "creepy vibe" of the mask and whether it would ever be worn in public.

A historical account of the 1518 Dancing Plague in Strasbourg is compared to modern events through the lens of astrological cycles. The alignment of Pluto and Saturn in 2020 mirrors the conditions of 1518, leading to discussions on mass hysteria and its physical symptoms.

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.

Dr. Drew Pinsky warned of a "medieval" public health crisis in Los Angeles, citing outbreaks of typhus and the potential for bubonic plague due to rodent infestations. Pinsky criticized the city government for focusing on housing while ignoring chronic mental illness and addiction among the homeless population. The discussion highlights the breakdown of basic sanitation and the risk of a major measles outbreak in the city.

Major California cities are facing crises related to homelessness, trash accumulation, and rodent infestations, with some reports warning of a potential bubonic plague outbreak in Los Angeles. Businesses are reportedly paying individuals to illegally dump trash on existing street piles to avoid high recycling fees.

Dr. Drew Pinsky predicted an imminent outbreak of the bubonic plague and murine typhus in Los Angeles due to the city's deteriorating sanitary conditions and homeless encampments. Pinsky contrasted the filth of Los Angeles with the well-maintained services of nearby Pasadena. He also noted that the prevalence of bicycle parts in homeless camps is often a sign of methamphetamine use, as the drug causes users to compulsively dismantle mechanical objects.

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.

A teenage girl in Bend, Oregon, contracted the bubonic plague, likely from a flea bite during a hunting trip. NBC News reports that while rare, there have been 16 cases in the US this year, primarily transmitted through rodents like rats and squirrels. The disease remains treatable with antibiotics if caught early, but it still poses a threat in certain wild areas.

CNN reports on a "Terror Laptop of Doom" found in an ISIS hideout containing documents on weaponizing the bubonic plague and ricin. The hosts mock the report as sensationalist filler. They also consider "Tech Obsessive Compulsive Disorder" (TOCD) as a name for the modern smartphone addiction.

The hosts deconstruct a CNN interview between Jake Tapper and Harald Doornbos regarding a laptop allegedly captured from an ISIS safe house. The laptop reportedly contained manuals for weaponizing the bubonic plague. Curry and Dvorak mock the "Terror Laptop of Doom" branding and the lack of encryption on the device, suggesting the entire story is a staged intelligence plant.

Former Dutch central banker Nout Wellink compared Bitcoin to the 17th-century "Tulip Mania" bubble. Historical analysis suggests the tulip crash in 1637 was exacerbated by the Black Plague, which killed many primary traders and left the market to inexperienced successors. The comparison focuses on the shift from trading physical commodities to trading speculative contracts.

The hosts play a 1984 clip of Prince Philip describing the human population as reaching "plague proportions." They link this elitist worldview to modern environmental movements and the Gates Foundation's focus on reducing birth rates in the developing world.

Miami International Airport was shut down for several hours after screeners found a suspicious package belonging to a scientist with a prior conviction for shipping bubonic plague. CNN reported the incident as a potential pipe bomb threat, though it was later cleared by the bomb squad. The hosts suggest the event was a staged "setup" to coincide with National Preparedness Month and instill fear of biological warfare.

Reports from Kiev, Ukraine, claim that aircraft were seen spraying a mysterious substance over the city days before a major pneumonic plague outbreak. While some dismiss these as "chemtrail" conspiracies, local residents reported being advised to stay indoors during the spraying. The discussion links the incident to Baxter International, a pharmaceutical company with facilities in the region previously involved in a vaccine contamination scandal.