6 chapters across the catalog
The discussion touches on the persistent influx of spam from China promoting "no-touch thermometers" and the broader infiltration of the CCP into American media. Outlets like the New York Times and Washington Post are noted for carrying "China Daily" advertising inserts, which provide significant revenue. This financial connection is suggested to compromise the editorial independence of the "papers of record."
Coronavirus Economic Impact and Digital Thermometer Scanning
The discussion shifts to the economic ramifications of the coronavirus, referred to by the hosts as the "Kung Flu." They note the downturn in financial markets and job losses at travel companies like Expedia. Concerns are raised regarding the use of digital thermometers at checkpoints, which the hosts liken to scanning pets or a precursor to human barcodes.
KNMI Temperature Data Manipulation in the Netherlands
The Royal Dutch Meteorological Institute (KNMI) is accused of manipulating historical temperature data to make modern heat waves appear more frequent. Critics point out that the institute lowered temperature readings from 100 years ago by two degrees Celsius, effectively changing the baseline for what constitutes a heat wave. The hosts discuss the historical accuracy of mercury thermometers compared to modern electronic sensors.
The hosts discuss the pitfalls of smart home technology and "algorithms" taking over daily life. One host describes his preference for an old-school mercury thermometer over a Nest thermostat, coining the term "Hu-Mel-Go" (Human-Manual-Algorithm). The segment ends with a clip of Neil deGrasse Tyson.
A new trend in high-end restaurants involves servers asking for the specific "temperature" of meat rather than traditional doneness levels. The hosts find this practice annoying and pretentious, joking about bringing their own pocket thermometers to verify the exact degrees. They speculate this trend started in Los Angeles and is spreading to other major cities.
A YouTube video from a flight arriving at Shanghai's Pudong Airport shows officials in white containment suits boarding a plane to check passenger temperatures. The hosts debate the authenticity of the footage, which depicts the use of radar thermometer guns to screen for H1N1 symptoms.
