Topic: Sailing

Swedish activist Greta Thunberg has begun a two-week journey across the Atlantic to New York on the Malizia II, a high-speed racing yacht with no toilet or kitchen. The voyage is intended to be a zero-carbon alternative to flying for the UN Climate Action Summit. While the trip is presented as a grassroots effort, it is noted that the vessel and mission are heavily supported by United Nations-affiliated interests.

The mystery of the "wandering rocks" in Death Valley's Racetrack Playa was solved by researchers who observed thin sheets of ice pushing the stones across the mud. NASA's involvement in a 10-year study of these rocks is questioned as a potential waste of space-exploration funds.

Adam Curry describes an upcoming trip to Panama with his wife Mickey and producer Mark Workman. They plan to travel by sailboat to visit indigenous islands that are inaccessible by the Pan-American Highway. Dvorak expresses humorous concern about the logistics of the trip and the group dynamic on the boat.

The rescue of 16-year-old sailor Abby Sunderland in the Indian Ocean sparked a debate over whether her parents committed child abuse by allowing the solo voyage. The hosts compare the situation to parents who put children in dangerous equestrian or racing sports. They contrast Sunderland with a similar Australian teen sailor, suggesting the American media focus was driven by a failed reality TV deal.

Dvorak describes seeing Tom Perkins' world-famous automated sailing ship while traveling to a dinner party at Larry Ellison's residence. He clarifies that while the ship is a technological marvel built in Turkey, he has no desire to attend parties on boats. The dinner took place at Ellison's house, which Dvorak characterizes as a "crash pad" designed like a Four Seasons lobby where guests must remove their shoes.