DiscoverThe Best of Car Talk#2469: Right Down the Hatch
#2469: Right Down the Hatch

#2469: Right Down the Hatch

Update: 2024-08-27
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The podcast begins with a discussion about General Motors' new instant-win airbag contest, which promises prizes upon violent impact. The hosts find the idea absurd and discuss the potential for a silver lining in a crash. A listener then suggests moving Monday to another day of the week and rearranging the rest of the week, which the hosts humorously critique as a postmodern philosophical deconstructionist's proposal. The podcast then presents a puzzler, where Tom leaves work early and walks home, encountering his wife on the way. They arrive home 20 minutes earlier than usual, and the puzzler asks how long Tom was walking before they met. Finally, a caller describes losing keys, a magnet, and a fish hook down the holes in her car's dashboard. The hosts offer humorous advice, suggesting alternative retrieval methods and cautioning against the potential for a dead mouse.

Outlines

00:00:40
Absurdity of Instant-Win Airbags

General Motors introduces a new instant-win airbag contest, promising prizes upon violent impact. The hosts discuss the absurdity of the idea and the potential for a silver lining in a crash.

00:24:43
Postmodern Philosophical Deconstruction of the Week

A listener suggests moving Monday to another day of the week and rearranging the rest of the week. The hosts humorously critique the idea, suggesting it's a postmodern philosophical deconstructionist's proposal.

00:28:12
The Puzzler: Tom's Early Commute

Tom decides to leave work an hour early and walks home, encountering his wife on the way. They arrive home 20 minutes earlier than usual. The puzzler asks how long Tom was walking before they met.

00:30:48
Grandma Mobile's Dashboard Mystery

A caller describes losing keys, a magnet, and a fish hook down the holes in her car's dashboard. The hosts offer humorous advice, suggesting alternative retrieval methods and cautioning against the potential for a dead mouse.

Keywords

Instant-Win Airbags


A marketing gimmick where airbags in cars award prizes upon violent impact, a humorous and absurd concept.

Postmodern Philosophical Deconstructionist


A philosophical approach that challenges traditional assumptions about meaning and reality, often by deconstructing language and concepts.

Monday Syndrome


The feeling of dread and lack of productivity experienced on Mondays, often attributed to the transition from a relaxing weekend to a busy workweek.

Grandma Mobile


A term used to describe a car driven by an older person, often a large and reliable vehicle.

Car Dashboard Mystery


A humorous situation where objects are lost down the holes in a car's dashboard, often leading to strange noises and potential for unexpected discoveries.

Q&A

  • What is the main point of the instant-win airbag contest?

    The contest is a marketing gimmick designed to attract attention and boost sales, despite its absurdity and potential for unintended consequences.

  • What is the listener's suggestion for rearranging the week?

    The listener proposes moving Monday to another day and rearranging the rest of the week, believing that this will change the essence of the days.

  • What is the puzzler's challenge?

    The puzzler asks how long Tom was walking before he met his wife, given that he left work an hour early and they arrived home 20 minutes earlier than usual.

  • What is the caller's problem with her car?

    The caller has lost keys, a magnet, and a fish hook down the holes in her car's dashboard, resulting in a constant rattle.

Show Notes

Barbara's 'grandmamobile' is perfect except for one thing. Every time she leaves something on the dash it slides into the vents. And just the other day that vent swallowed up her car keys. Surgical extractions with Click and Clack on this episode of the Best of Car Talk.
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#2469: Right Down the Hatch

#2469: Right Down the Hatch