Cool Stuff Daily

NASA isn’t the only one who may launch a rocket to the moon next month. Plus, a Danish political party led by an AI chatbot that’s running for office. A new horror film that’s causing people to faint and puke in theaters. And, bringing all new meaning to “BTS Army,” the members of BTS are officially enlisting. Sponsor: Shopify, Get a 14-day free trial at shopify.com/cool Links: NASA will attempt a...

The FCC has just proposed new rules to combat space junk. Plus, remember the company trying to bring back the woolly mammoth? The CIA just invested in them. Plus, a previously unheard Queen song, featuring Freddie Mercury’s vocals, was just released. Sponsor: Indeed, Indeed.com/goodnews Links: The FCC's Rules on Space Junk Just Got Stricter (Wired) The FCC Is Finally Taking Space Junk Seriously (S...

A Supreme Court case involving Prince and Andy Warhol that could have huge implications on the future of art. Plus, a new book by Galileo just dropped. And a song sung by 100,000 people who didn’t know they were singing together. Sponsor: Indeed, Indeed.com/goodnews Links: The Supreme Court meets Andy Warhol, Prince and a case that could threaten creativity (NPR) How a Supreme Court Case About And...

The verdict on that asteroid NASA hit with a spacecraft last month. Plus, Tom Cruise’s latest plan to make history in space. And the latest Cards Against Humanity expansion pack that you can only buy at Target, and which is submerged within a jar of clam-flavored mayonnaise. Sponsor: Indeed, Indeed.com/goodnews Links: Success! NASA Says DART Really Clocked That Asteroid (Wired) Post-impact images...

Another Halloween, another candy tampering panic. While these panics rarely––if ever––bear fruit, poisoned candy and concerns around it have a longer history than you might suspect. Plus, a voter fraud scandal has rocked the wholesome Fat Bear Week contest. Sponsor: Indeed, Indeed.com/goodnews Links: Rainbow Fentanyl: Poisoned Halloween Candy Rerelease (American Hysteria, Spotify) This Year's Hall...

Just in time for Halloween, we’ve got cyborg cockroaches. As terrifying as it sounds though, they might actually end up saving our lives. Plus, a round-up of recommendations for celebrating Indigenous People today and everyday. And an upcoming slasher horror version of The Grinch. Sponsor: Indeed, Indeed.com/goodnews Links: Robotic engineers are creating cyborg cockroaches, roboflys and more (Wash...

What the heck is a flying purple people eater and why did that song about one stick around for so long? Plus, remember the Ice Bucket Challenge? Eight years later, we’ve got a look at just how big a difference it made. But is the new ALS treatment the challenge helped fund as great as it seems? Sponsors: BetterHelp, Get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/COOLSTUFF I Am Bio, Subscribe at bi...

I’m back with another shortage report. This time? Butter. Plus, sleep tourism is apparently a thing now. And Velma from Scooby-Doo is officially super gay, for real this time. Sponsors: I Am Bio, Subscribe at bio.org/podcast BetterHelp, Get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/COOLSTUFF Links: The price of butter is sky-high and 'not going to come down,' says supply chain expert—here's why (...

It’s Nobel Prize week. With three prizes announced and three yet to come, here are the winners in Physics, Chemistry, and Physiology or Medicine. Plus, Bruce Willis did not sell the rights to his digital twin to a deepfake firm, but could someone choose to do so eventually? More on the murky world of deepfakes and Hollywood. Sponsors: BetterHelp, Get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/COOL...

From the annals of “everyday objects our ancestors were once super concerned about”: electric push buttons. Like, on/off buttons on any basic device. And you know what, they kind of had a point. Plus, on its sixtieth anniversary let’s take a look at one of more pernicious predictions The Jetsons actually got right about our present-day. Sponsors: I Am Bio, Subscribe at bio.org/podcast BetterHelp,...

Answering the age old question: can you eat Crocs? Plus, why it is adults still get stress dreams about school even years after they leave. And a chance to stay at the Sanderson sisters cottage for all the die-hard Hocus Pocus fans out there. Sponsors: BetterHelp, Get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/COOLSTUFF I Am Bio, Subscribe at bio.org/podcast Links: Why Is The Government Suddenly C...

The real story of the Agoji warriors fictionalized in The Woman King. Plus, the Food and Drug Administration just dropped a new definition for the word “healthy.” And the very opposite of a nightmare on Elm Street. Sponsor: American Musical Supply, Use code COOL at https://ter.li/AmericanMusicalSupply-COOL for $20 off your next purchase of over $100 Links: The Real Warriors Behind ‘The Woman King’...

Lawns are terrible for the environment, but is ripping them out all together the right answer? Plus, why decorating your home for the holidays is, actually, really good for your health. And other facts I’m overhyping to justify the many decorative gourds in my house… And a very popular discontinued item that might be returning to McDonald’s next month. Sponsor: American Musical Supply, Use code CO...

Could a change in Jupiter’s orbit make life on Earth more hospitable? Plus, behold the best GIFs of the 90s, uploaded a-fresh by internet strangers. And all the Taco Bell news that’s fit to print. Sponsor: American Musical Supply, Use code COOL at https://ter.li/AmericanMusicalSupply-COOL for $20 off your next purchase of over $100 Links: BAN #466: Jupiter is at its biggest and brightest right now...

How close are we to some kind of invisibility cloak? Plus, when giant lion-sized otters roamed the land. Yes, the land. And Hasbro wants to make you into an action figure. Sponsors: American Musical Supply, Use code COOL at https://ter.li/AmericanMusicalSupply-COOL for $20 off your next purchase of over $100 Indeed, Get a free $75 credit PLUS earn up to $500 extra in sponsored job credits with Ind...

Thanks to a court filing from the largest search engine of its kind, it’s official: GIFs are cringe. How did they fall so far? Plus, the Colorado River is drying up and part of the reason has to do with politicians ignoring the science one hundred years ago. Sponsors: American Musical Supply, Use code COOL at https://ter.li/AmericanMusicalSupply-COOL for $20 off your next purchase of over $100 I A...

Why is NASA slamming a spacecraft into an asteroid on Monday and what will we be able to see of the collision? Plus, a new low-cost, no-lab-required COVID-19 antibody test that could set the stage for more personalized vaccination plans. And a new drill rap duo, made up of old white British men. Sponsors: Indeed, Get a free $75 credit PLUS earn up to $500 extra in sponsored job credits with Indeed...

It’s the first day of fall. Or is it? Everything you need to know about the equinox, plus some seasonal music recommendations. An app you can only use when your phone’s battery is less than 5%. And why Queen Elizabeth II and other royal family members are buried in lead-lined coffins. Sponsors: Shopify, Get a 14-day free trial at shopify.com/cool Indeed, Get a free $75 credit PLUS earn up to $500...

Scientists have conducted an ant census. Or at least that’s what I’m calling it. And the total number they came up with is out of this world. Plus, the return of the Shortage Report. This time? Craft beer. Its cause? An extinct volcano. Sponsors: Indeed, Get a free $75 credit PLUS earn up to $500 extra in sponsored job credits with Indeed’s Virtual Interviews at Indeed.com/goodnews Shopify, Get a...

How did Saturn get its jaunty tilt and cool rings? A new study says it could’ve been caused by an hither-to-unknown ancient moon that got torn apart by its planet. Plus, new findings on just how much misinformation is being spread around TikTok. Sponsors: Shopify, Get a 14-day free trial at shopify.com/cool Indeed, Get a free $75 credit PLUS earn up to $500 extra in sponsored job credits with Inde...

It’s not all about the asteroid. Some scientists are still debating what caused the dinosaurs to go extinct and a new study provides some interesting evidence for the role of volcanoes in the mass extinction event. Plus, we know concrete isn’t great for keeping buildings cool, but just how bad is it? And what other greener methods did its adoption stamp out that could be revived? Sponsors: Indeed,...

From informing the bees to muting self-checkout machines, the many shades of mourning––and not––in the United Kingdom. And, from ice cream prescribed with chemotherapy to synchronized heart beats signaling romantic attraction –– here are the winners of the 2022 Ig Nobel Prizes. Sponsors: Bambee, Schedule a conversation at bambee.com/cool BetterHelp, Get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/C...

China has discovered a new lunar mineral––and more dispatches from space, including the asteroid NASA is intentionally crashing into next week. Plus, a trans DIY retelling of The Joker that got pulled from the Toronto International Film Festival after just one screening. Sponsors: BetterHelp, Get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/COOLSTUFF Bambee, Schedule a conversation at bambee.com/coo...

Several major publishing houses are suing the Internet Archive. Why? And what could the ramifications of the lawsuit have on the archive and on digital access to knowledge more broadly? Sponsors: Bambee, Schedule a conversation at bambee.com/cool BetterHelp, Get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/COOLSTUFF Links: Could the Internet Archive go out like Napster? (Slate) Publishers Worry as E...

We’re approaching overpopulation. Or we’re in danger of population decline. It depends who you ask. As we prepare to pass eight billion humans on Earth, a look at the history of population anxiety and thoughts about where we go from here. Plus, a visually-appealing compostable alternative to Keurig Cups and Nespresso pods. And a vital Muppet-related update. Sponsors: BetterHelp, Get 10% off your f...