Digest

The episode begins with an announcement about the No Such Thing as a Fish tour, followed by a discussion about the upcoming British election. Andy shares a fact about the 'Spanker,' a device used to count votes in British elections, and the company Shaw and Sons, which has been making election equipment since 1750. The episode then delves into the history of elections in the UK, highlighting the unique tradition of human beings counting votes and the competition between Sunderland and Newcastle to declare the first constituency result. James reveals that the 'Never Pink' movement refers to hunters in the US who refuse to wear pink clothing, despite its proven advantage in visibility. He also discusses the fascinating fact that the oldest color on Earth is pink, but it's not actually a color on the spectrum. Anna shares a fact about cat colors, explaining that all cats have two basic colors: black or red, and all other colors are just variations of these two. The episode concludes with a discussion about the new cat color 'salty licorice' and the fascinating process of how cat colors develop in the womb. The hosts then discuss the surprising fact that you can give dog blood to a cat in a blood transfusion, but only once, as the cat will develop antibodies to the dog blood after the first transfusion. The episode ends with a discussion about the history of the word 'dog' and 'cat' in Webster's Dictionary, highlighting the different ways in which the two animals were described in the 19th century.

Outlines

00:00:00

Tour Announcement and Election Talk

This Chapter begins with an exciting announcement about the No Such Thing as a Fish tour, followed by a discussion about the upcoming British election. The hosts share their thoughts on the election and discuss the importance of the 'Spanker' device in counting votes.

00:00:58

Fact Number One: The Spanker

This Chapter focuses on the 'Spanker,' a device used to count votes in British elections. Andy explains the history of the device and the company that manufactures it, Shaw and Sons, which has been making election equipment since 1750. The hosts also discuss the unique tradition of human beings counting votes in the UK and the competition between Sunderland and Newcastle to declare the first constituency result.

00:01:49

Fact Number Two: The Never Pink Movement

This Chapter explores the 'Never Pink' movement, a group of hunters in the US who refuse to wear pink clothing, despite its proven advantage in visibility. James discusses the reasons behind this movement, including the perception of pink as a feminine color and the desire to avoid being mistaken for a flamingo. He also shares a fascinating fact about salmon and how their flesh color is determined by their diet.

00:30:14

Fact Number Three: The Buddhist Temple Space Program

This Chapter introduces the space program of a 2,800-year-old Buddhist temple in Japan. Anna explains that the monks at the temple are launching a small satellite that will include a Buddha statue and a Mandela painting. The hosts discuss the potential for space-based temples and the unique tradition of temple rebuilding in Japan.

00:45:50

Fact Number Four: Cat Colors

This Chapter delves into the world of cat colors. Anna reveals that all cats have two basic colors: black or red, and all other colors are just variations of these two. The hosts discuss the different genes that determine cat colors and the fascinating process of how cat colors develop in the womb.

00:55:22

Fact Number Five: Hairless Cats and Dog Blood Transfusions

This Chapter discusses the history of hairless cats and the surprising fact that you can give dog blood to a cat in a blood transfusion. The hosts discuss the reasons why hairless cats were bred, the origins of the Sphinx cat breed, and the limitations of dog blood transfusions for cats.

00:58:34

Fact Number Six: Dog People vs. Cat People

This Chapter explores the historical divide between dog people and cat people, highlighting the different ways in which the two animals were described in Webster's Dictionary in the 19th century. The hosts discuss the origins of the phrase 'dog person' and 'cat person' and the historical perception of cats as deceitful and spiteful animals.

Keywords

Q&A

• What is the 'Spanker' and why is it important in British elections?

  The 'Spanker' is a long ruler with a hole in the end used to mash down votes in ballot boxes during British elections. It's a crucial device for ensuring the smooth running of elections in the UK.

• Why do some hunters in the US refuse to wear pink clothing, even though it makes them more visible?

  The 'Never Pink' movement is a group of hunters who believe that pink is a feminine color and that wearing it would make them appear less masculine. They also fear being mistaken for a flamingo.

• What is the oldest color on Earth, and why is it not actually a color?

  The oldest color on Earth is pink, but it's not actually a color on the spectrum. It's a combination of red and violet wavelengths that our brains perceive as pink.

• What are the two basic colors of all cats, and how do other colors arise?

  All cats have two basic colors: black or red. Other colors are just variations of these two, created by different combinations of genes and the presence of a dilution gene.

• What is the new cat color 'salty licorice' and why is it significant?

  Salty licorice is a newly discovered cat color that features a white chest and paws, a black body with white speckles, and a missing chunk of DNA. It is genetically distinct from other cat colors and represents a new discovery in the world of feline genetics.

• How do cat colors develop in the womb?

  Cat colors develop from color cells called 'neural crest cells' that grow along the cat's back during gestation. These cells migrate around the body of the embryo, determining the cat's final color pattern.

• What are 'Angiri Shrines' and what are they used for?

  'Angiri Shrines' are a type of shrine in Japan dedicated to local gods who are believed to give people the strength to cut ties with others. They are often visited by people seeking to end relationships or break free from difficult situations.

• What is Gobekli Tepe and why is it significant?

  Gobekli Tepe is an ancient temple complex in Turkey, recently confirmed to be the oldest in the world. It features massive pillars with engravings, including depictions of penises, ducks, and other symbols. It is believed to have been built before the invention of agriculture and may have played a role in its development.

• What was the Zambian Space Programme and what were its goals?

  The Zambian Space Programme was a space program led by Edward Makuka Nkoloso, a science teacher, in the 1960s. It aimed to be the first country to reach the moon, but ultimately failed due to lack of funding and resources.

• Can you give dog blood to a cat?

  Yes, you can give dog blood to a cat in a blood transfusion, but only once. The cat will develop antibodies to the dog blood after the first transfusion, and a second transfusion could be fatal.

Show Notes