The Poor Goaile is… Everywhere | feat. Tom Scott · That's Absurd Please Elaborate summary

Key takeaways

The theoretical limits of selfie sticks raise interesting questions about physics, engineering, and how human interaction with technology can stretch practical limits.
The shooting power of a hockey puck is immense, and understanding of physics and reaction times reveals the impossible nature of certain scenarios presented in popular media.
Hypothetical discussions involving the moon reveal our imaginative and scientific understanding, showcasing how myths can lead to explorations of real-world physics and environmental impacts.

Summary

The Longest Theoretical Selfie Stick

The episode opens with a humorous exploration of theoretical selfie sticks, inspired by a question from Tom Scott. Discussion centers around the practicality of making a selfie stick as long as theoretically possible. The hosts discuss Guinness World Record measurements, the mechanics behind selfie sticks, and the physics involved, exploring potential lengths and implications of a selfie stick lasting 30 meters or more. Ultimately, they conclude that while it's theoretically possible, there are significant challenges in terms of weight and construction.

Impact of Hyperspeed Hockey Pucks

The hosts then tackle a question about a hockey puck hitting a goalie with such force that it could launch them backward through the net. They use elementary physics to analyze the scenario, concluding that it would require an impossible speed (allegedly close to 6,000 miles per hour) to achieve such a feat. Discussions also touch on the nature of hockey equipment and the realities of physics in sports, with a humorous twist on what would actually happen to a goalie receiving such an impact.

What if the Moon Were Made of Cheese?

The final segment dives into a whimsical, hypothetical discussion about what would occur if the moon were actually made of cheese, sparked by a question from listeners Cody and Shane. They explore the origins of the 'moon made of cheese' myth, how such a body would behave in space, and the consequences on Earth, such as tides and lighting in the night sky. The hosts provide scientific insight into the processes of cheese creation and what would happen over time, ultimately concluding that a moon of cheese would evolve significantly, creating a shiny, reflective surface with potentially catastrophic effects.

Show notes

You’re at a hockey game. You grabbed nachos and your favorite sports beverage. The Mighty Ducks are playing their rivals, and you look away from the ice to take a selfie with a selfie stick so long you have to brace it against your hip to snap the pic.

You’re smiling with your crew, when a flash of white light envelops the stadium as the air catches fire. The noise is deafening. When you whip around, you see a hole in the stadium where the Duck’s goal used to be … outside the full moon is melting. You wonder if the nachos would taste good covered in moon cheese. You snap the photo.

Ohhhh, the good ol’ hockey game; it’s the best game you can name, and the best game you can name? It’s the good old hockey game.

QUESTIONS

Trace: "Theoretically, how long could you make a selfie stick?" from Tom Scott

Tom: "Would it be possible to hit a hockey puck so hard that when it hits the goalie, they fly backward through the net and hit the back wall?" from Steven

Julian: "What if the moon was actually made of cheese?" from Cody, and seprately, Shane

Do you have an absurd question? Maybe it's silly idea you had, a shower thought about the nature of reality, or a ridiculous musing about your favorite food? If you want an answer, no matter the question, tell us!

HOW TO ASK A QUESTION

🖥️ Submit on our website: thatsabsurdshow.com/ask

☎️ Leave a voicemail: (302) TAPE-SHO [+1-302-827-3746‬]

📬 E-mail questions to hello at thatsabsurdshow.com

If we use your question we’ll give you a shout out in the episode.

SUPPORT THE SHOW: JOIN NEBULA

Want to listen to the show without any ads and support the show? You can, just join Nebula with our link. Not only do you get to listen to our show ad-free, but you'll also get it early and it directly supports That's Absurd Please Elaborate and tons of other independent creators. To join visit go.nebula.tv/thatsabsurdshow.

SOCIALS

[[ FOLLOW OUR SHOW ]]

Instagram: @ThatsAbsurdShow

Threads: @ThatsAbsurdShow

[[ JULIAN ]]

Instagram: @Huggetout

Threads: @Huggetout

X (formerly, Twitter): @Huggetout

[[ TOM SCOTT ]]

Listen to Lateral with Tom Scott

Listen anywhere https://pod.link/1648140033

Visit their website: https://www.lateralcast.com

If somehow you haven’t seen Tom’s incredible YouTube channel, find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@tomscottgo

If you want to know more about Tom visit his website: https://www.tomscott.com/

[[ TRACE ]]

Instagram: @tracedominguez

YouTube: @tracedominguez

Threads: @tracedominguez

BlueSky: @tracedominguez

X (formerly, Twitter): @tracedominguez

And don’t sleep on ThatsAbsurdShow.com. There you can browse images and videos we find during our research and listen to every episode of the show.

CREDITS

This episode of That's Absurd Please Elaborate was written by Trace Dominguez and Julian Huguet, edited by Kyle Sisk, and produced by all three of us.

Theme Music by Epidemic Sound; learn more here: http://nebula.tv/epidemic

Thanks for listening to That's Absurd Please Elaborate. We appreciate you!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Poor Goaile is… Everywhere | feat. Tom Scott