Topic: Smog

Gasoline prices in California remain significantly higher than the national average due to unique state-mandated "low smog" fuel blends. Governor Gavin Newsom has called for legislation requiring refineries to maintain higher supplies to prevent price spikes. The discussion notes that Chevron is considering moving its refinery operations to Houston, which could further impact California's fuel supply.

A "super fog" event caused a massive 158-vehicle pileup near New Orleans, resulting in seven deaths. The phenomenon is described as a mix of moisture and smoke from marsh fires. The discussion touches on the historical derivation of the word "smog" and the use of specialized lighting for foggy conditions in Europe.

The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child issued an opinion that governments must address the climate crisis to protect children's lives. Simultaneously, a University of Chicago study claims air pollution reduces global life expectancy by 2.3 years, particularly in South Asia. The hosts compare current air quality to the "photochemical smog" of 1970s Los Angeles, arguing that Western air has become significantly cleaner over decades.

Historical fire management practices in California, including controlled burns and logging, are contrasted with modern environmental policies. The establishment of air pollution districts followed the London Death Smog, leading to stricter regulations that some argue have curtailed necessary forest maintenance. Critics suggest the cessation of regular controlled burns over the last decade has contributed to the current frequency of record-breaking wildfires.

The prevalence of auto start-stop technology in modern vehicles is identified as a tactic to meet strict European emission standards. The hosts share personal anecdotes about the dangers and annoyances of this feature, particularly on steep hills. The discussion extends to how companies like Tesla track driver data and the future of automated traffic enforcement.

An anonymous donor provides technical details on how vehicle "black boxes" (airbag computers) function as event data recorders. The donor warns that upcoming 2020-2021 smog regulations will require all vehicle computers to remain untouched, effectively banning aftermarket tuning products. They mention new "rolling rainbow encryption" that will prevent unauthorized software modifications and could eventually be used to issue retroactive speeding tickets.

The Great Smog of London in December 1952 resulted in the deaths of approximately 4,000 people and left 100,000 ill due to a combination of cold weather and windless conditions trapping coal smoke. This catastrophic event served as the primary catalyst for modern air pollution regulations and the eventual creation of the EPA. Local air pollution districts formed in the mid-1950s were originally intended to have limited lifespans but remain active today.

A controversial segment features a song about "magical shapeshifting Jews" followed by a warning about the health effects of inhaling soot and smog. The audio references the consensus among 99.5% of scientists regarding extreme weather events and rising oceans.

President Obama's claims about 1970s California air pollution are scrutinized for historical accuracy. While Obama claimed the smog was as bad as modern Beijing during Ronald Reagan's governorship, records show Reagan left office in 1975, years before Obama arrived at Occidental College in 1979. A brief technical pause occurs to replace a battery during the fact-checking process.

Nitrogen oxide (NOx) is a primary contributor to smog and respiratory issues, particularly in urban basins like Los Angeles. While gasoline cars use catalytic converters to remove NOx, diesel engines produce high levels of soot that can clog these systems. The technical challenges of cleaning diesel exhaust have led to the current regulatory crisis facing manufacturers like Volkswagen.

The hosts thank "Nick the Rat" and "Martin JZ" for their digital artwork for episode 703, which featured a "douchebag" using an Apple Watch. The art included a subtle reference to "electronic smog," a concept previously discussed on the show regarding the health effects of pervasive wireless signals. The hosts praise the artists for embedding "sub-references" and "side gags" that reward attentive listeners.

The European Union is passing laws requiring tracking devices in all new vehicles, ostensibly for emergency services. There is concern that this data will eventually be used by governments to issue speeding tickets during routine inspections or by insurance companies to mandate monitoring as a condition of coverage.

China is moving aggressively toward nuclear energy to solve its smog and energy security issues. Meanwhile, the hosts debunk a viral video claiming to show Fukushima radiation on a California beach, explaining that the Geiger counter readings were likely caused by naturally occurring radioactive minerals in local rocks.

Adam Curry reports from Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, noting a significant economic downturn characterized by empty strip malls and widespread demolition. He observes a dominant Russian-speaking population among residents and cab drivers, describing the area as being in shambles. The discussion contrasts the decline of Hollywood with a thriving downtown Los Angeles while noting the heavy smog and traffic currently affecting the region.

Representative Earl Blumenauer of Oregon is criticized for praising Chinese emission standards during a speech on the Clean Air Act. Critics point to the extreme smog levels in Chinese cities and the white skies depicted in local art as evidence that China is not a valid model for environmental cleanliness.

Official reports from the Beijing Olympics describe the heavy grey haze over the city as "mist," though observers characterize it as industrial smog. Historical Chinese art often depicts white skies rather than blue, suggesting a long-standing environmental or artistic tradition. Recent travel photos from Mongolia and Tibet show distinct cloud formations and clear skies, contrasting with the overcast conditions in industrial China.

The hosts discuss the general passivity of the public and predict a decline in interest in professional sports among younger generations. They specifically target the upcoming Beijing Olympics, predicting low viewership due to the extreme smog in China. They describe the environmental conditions in Beijing as a "smoke storm" that will make broadcasting the events difficult.

Satellite imagery reveals massive clouds of industrial smog and pollution drifting from China across the Pacific Ocean, heavily affecting air quality in South Korea. The pollution is described as a thick, grimy substance reminiscent of 1960s Los Angeles smog that occasionally reaches as far as the California coast.

Media coverage of the upcoming Beijing Olympics is criticized for failing to address the visible, heavy smog present in live reports. While some outlets like the BBC have made tongue-in-cheek references to the poor air quality during official visits, most mainstream anchors ignore the environmental conditions.