3 chapters across the catalog
Scientific Deconstruction of Lead in Gasoline and Violence Rates
An in-depth technical discussion explains the transition from leaded to unleaded gasoline and the implementation of catalytic converters. The analysis highlights the toxic effects of tetraethyl lead and presents the theory that the removal of lead from the environment correlates with the significant drop in violent crime rates since the 1970s.
The hosts process various donations and karma requests from listeners in Australia, Canada, and the U.S. One donor, Thomas Imbrex, shares a story of being punched by a stranger in Germany who broke his expensive glasses shortly after his last donation. The hosts humorously attribute the bad luck to a lack of requested karma in the previous show.
Violent Video Games, Hollywood Influence
Massachusetts removed violent arcade games from highway service plazas to avoid offending residents following the Sandy Hook shooting. A C-SPAN discussion featuring a Harvard researcher noted that while M-rated games correlate with bullying, the relationship disappears when factoring in parental supervision. The hosts argue that Hollywood is attacking the video game industry to deflect blame for violent media.
