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 We talk about the definition, usage, history, and etymology of the phrase "on the fly", as requested by a listener. Where do you think that phrase came from? See if you're right; there's actually two different prevailing theories on the origin of that phrase.

Then we have a conversation on Daylight Savings Time, the impact it has on our lives, and potential alternatives to this practice. Enjoy all the results of our mid-episode research, but through the magic of podcast editing you don't have to wait around while we do our online searches and research.

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Special thanks to Tim Wright aka CoLD SToRAGE for his permission to use the song Operatique.

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 Adam talks about the etymology of two words, encouragement and endurance. Heart and hardness are the two themes.

Then, for this special episode, an original sermon from a Scout Service in late 2024 is recited.

Finally, some brief thoughts on the need for "softness" versus "hardness" when dealing with life.

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Any views expressed on this podcast are those solely of the hosts and is for entertainment purposes only. None of the content is medical advice or financial advice.

Special thanks to Tim Wright aka CoLD SToRAGE for his permission to use the song Operatique.

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 We have an unstructured conversation about Operation Mockingbird. But first we talk about the Northern Mockingbird and How to Kill a Mockingbird.

Then we dive into the conspiracy theory that the US Government infiltrated large media organizations. Supposedly this project was shut down in the 19070s, but does it continue secretly to this day?

One of the sources on the legitimacy that this project did  in fact exist at one time can be found here (PDF warning).

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Any views expressed on this podcast are those solely of the hosts and is for entertainment purposes only. None of the content is medical advice or financial advice.

Special thanks to Tim Wright aka CoLD SToRAGE for his permission to use the song Operatique.

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 The long awaited sourdough episode is finally here. We talk about autolyse, a word coined by a French chef in regards to baking. 

Then we talk about our sourdough journey including the validation that Steph found in this endeavor. 

Finally, we try to determine what women sourdough bakers should call themselves as we discuss both the positive and negative connotations associated with “trad wives.”

Find the Joe Rogan clip about McDonald’s Coke here (warning: language). 

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Any views expressed on this podcast are those solely of the hosts and is for entertainment purposes only. None of the content is medical advice or financial advice.

Special thanks to Tim Wright aka CoLD SToRAGE for his permission to use the song Operatique.

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 Word of the Episode: Per Se

• The episode centers on the phrase "per se", often miswritten as one word but correctly written as two ("per se"). The hosts discuss its meaning: "by or in itself; intrinsically." For example, "It is not these facts per se that are important" means the facts themselves aren’t what matter most.
• The hosts share a personal anecdote about mistakenly writing "per se" as one word in previous show notes and being corrected by spellcheck, leading to this episode’s topic.

Scouting Skit Story

• The hosts recount a humorous story about preparing a scouting skit, choosing one that accommodates a range of ages and personalities. They joke about the "short runway airplane" skit and share a pun that initially went unnoticed.

Discussion of Recent Air Disasters

• The conversation shifts to two tragic airspace events in January 2025:
  1. Mid-Air Collision: A passenger jet and a military Black Hawk helicopter collided over Washington, DC, with no survivors. The hosts discuss the details, including:
     • The jet was on an alternate approach as instructed by air traffic control.
     • The helicopter was flying higher than its usual route.
     • There was speculation about whether the jet or helicopter was at fault, but it appears both were following protocols.
     • Air traffic control’s role is examined, noting the high-stress, high-burnout nature of the job, especially at busy airports like Reagan National.
     • One passenger may have texted a loved one about something feeling "off" before the crash.
  2. Empathy for Victims: The hosts express sympathy for those affected, reflecting on how such tragedies change families forever.

Broader Reflections

• The episode touches on the complexity and stress of air traffic control, the challenges of maintaining attention in high-stakes jobs, and the importance of empathy for those involved in such incidents.
• The hosts also note that while their podcast isn’t "conspiracy" themed per se, they sometimes discuss topics that are "conspiracy adjacent."

Conclusion

• The episode blends a language lesson on "per se" with thoughtful discussion of recent aviation tragedies, personal anecdotes, and reflections on responsibility, empathy, and the pressures of high-stakes professions.

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Any views expressed on this podcast are those solely of the hosts and is for entertainment purposes only. None of the content is medical advice or financial advice.

Special thanks to Tim Wright aka CoLD SToRAGE for his permission to use the song Operatique.

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 In episode 44, the hosts begin with light banter about podcast audio issues and reminders for listeners to like, share, and subscribe. They pick up on topics left unfinished from the previous episode, especially the idea of how people see themselves and others in everyday life.

Neologism Explained

• The hosts clarify the meaning of neologism: a newly coined word or expression. While "neologism" literally means "new word" (from Greek roots "neo" for new and "logos" for word), the term itself is not new-it dates back to the early 1800s. The hosts note that "sonder," discussed in the previous episode, is an example of a neologism, having been coined in 2012.

Main Word of the Episode: NPC

• The episode’s main focus is the acronym NPC, which stands for "non-player character" (sometimes "non-playable character") which is a term from video games describing characters not controlled by a human player but by the game’s programming.
• The hosts discuss the evolution of the term, noting that "non-player character" has become more common in the last five years, while "non-playable character" is less used now.
• They explain the difference: a "non-playable character" is simply a character you cannot control, while a "non-player character" is one not controlled by a human, even if it can be interacted with or customized.

NPCs, Empathy, and Human Interaction

• The conversation shifts to how the NPC concept is used as a metaphor in real life. People sometimes treat others as "NPCs" where they overlook people's individuality and complexity, especially in mundane interactions (like waiting in line or driving).
• The hosts link this to the concept of sonder: realizing that everyone has a rich, complex inner life. They propose a playful new term, "sonder intelligence," as a measure of how well someone recognizes others’ humanity, akin to emotional intelligence.
• Examples include being more patient with slow service by imagining the other person’s story, or recognizing that online and road rage often stem from not seeing others as fully human.

Dehumanization and Empathy

• They discuss how seeing someone’s face increases empathy, citing examples from traffic, warfare (like masked soldiers or stormtroopers in Star Wars), and even poker (where players hide their eyes).
• The hosts note that face-to-face interaction, body language, and visible facial expressions all enhance our ability to empathize, while anonymity or obscured faces can lead to dehumanization.

Conclusion

• The episode blends linguistic exploration (neologism, NPC) with a thoughtful discussion on empathy, perception, and how modern life can make it easy to treat others as background characters rather than individuals. The hosts encourage listeners to practice "sonder intelligence" and see the humanity in everyone they encounter.

You can find more about some of the people mentioned at the following links:

• Spidey Hypnosis
• The Masked Magician

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Special thanks to Tim Wright aka CoLD SToRAGE for his permission to use the song Operatique.

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 In episode 43, the hosts discuss the concept of sonder, a neologism coined by John Koenig in 2012 in his blog The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows. A word with no etymology per se, the episode unpacks the word’s meaning, origins, and how it applies to daily life.

Key Points:

• Definition and Origin:
  "Sonder" is defined as the realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own, with their own ambitions, routines, and worries. The word is a recent invention (neologism) and, while it may draw on French and German roots, it was created specifically to fill a gap in English vocabulary.
• Clarifying Usage:
  The hosts clarify that "sonder" is not about being the main character in your own story, but about recognizing that everyone else is the main character in theirs. You are just a minor figure in the vast, intricate stories of others.
• Examples and Misconceptions:
  The hosts discuss personal anecdotes-such as interactions in a Costco line and reactions to commercials-to distinguish between experiencing sonder and simply reflecting on your own perspective. True sonder involves actively considering the complexity of others’ lives, not just your own role in their stories.
• Practical Application:
  The conversation highlights that experiencing sonder can lead to greater empathy, patience, and understanding-especially in situations like driving, where it’s easy to forget that other people have their own urgent reasons and challenges.
• Cultural Impact:
  The word "sonder" is not yet found in official dictionaries but is gaining traction online and in popular culture. It resonates with people who appreciate the philosophical idea that everyone’s life is rich and complicated, even if we only glimpse it in passing.

Conclusion:
The episode uses "sonder" to explore the depth of human experience and the value of recognizing other people’s inner worlds. By understanding sonder, listeners are encouraged to approach daily interactions with more empathy and awareness.

Find more about sonder, the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows, and John Koenig here: https://www.thedictionaryofobscuresorrows.com/concept/sonder

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Any views expressed on this podcast are those solely of the hosts and is for entertainment purposes only. None of the content is medical advice or financial advice.

Special thanks to Tim Wright aka CoLD SToRAGE for his permission to use the song Operatique.

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 In episode 42, the hosts celebrate a podcast milestone and thank their loyal listeners before diving into the long-awaited topic of synesthesia-a phenomenon where stimulation of one sense involuntarily triggers experiences in another.

Key Points:

• Definition & Etymology:
  Synesthesia comes from Greek roots: "syn" (together) and "esthesia" (sensation). Unlike "anesthesia" (without sensation), synesthesia means combined or blended sensations. For example, someone might see colors when hearing music or associate numbers with specific colors.
• Prevalence & Research:
  Synesthesia is estimated to occur in about 2–4% of the population, more commonly in women, and is often hereditary. Research into synesthesia has grown over the past 40 years, partly because modern psychology now values self-reported experiences and has better neuroscience tools to study the phenomenon.
• Types of Synesthesia:
  Common forms include:
  • Seeing colors when hearing sounds or reading numbers/letters (grapheme-color or chromesthesia).
  • Auditory-tactile synesthesia, where sounds trigger physical sensations.
  • Mirror-touch synesthesia, where observing touch on others produces a tactile sensation in the observer.
• Personal Experiences:
  The hosts suspect one of their children experiences synesthesia and share personal anecdotes. One host describes associating shapes with numbers and being able to intuitively sense when a mathematical answer "feels" wrong, a skill that persists into adulthood. They reflect on how such abilities may be more pronounced in childhood and sometimes "trained out" by conventional education.
• Development & Awareness:
  Synesthesia typically appears in early childhood and is rarely acquired in adulthood. Many with synesthesia may not realize their experiences are unusual, assuming everyone perceives the world similarly. This lack of awareness can lead to underreporting.
• Overlap with Other Conditions:
  There is some overlap between synesthesia and autism spectrum conditions, with both sometimes involving unique sensory experiences.
• Reflection on Mental Load:
  The hosts discuss how the topic of synesthesia has lingered on their mental to-do list for months, using it as an example of how different priorities and mental loads can affect collaboration and communication.

Conclusion:
The episode offers a detailed yet accessible exploration of synesthesia, blending scientific background, etymology, and personal stories. The hosts highlight how synesthesia reveals the diversity of human perception and the importance of recognizing and discussing unique sensory experiences.

Want to listen to the episode that first generated this topic? Find it from November 21, 2024 (episode 34) or find it here: https://ihatetalking.buzzsprout.com/2354991/episodes/16138566-under-the-auspices-of-i-hate-talking-a-new-podcast-appears.

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Any views expressed on this podcast are those solely of the hosts and is for entertainment purposes only. None of the content is medical advice or financial advice.

Special thanks to Tim Wright aka CoLD SToRAGE for his permission to use the song Operatique.

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 In episode 41, recorded in January 2025, the hosts discuss the lingering presence of Christmas in their lives, prompted by one wearing a Christmas sweater well after the holiday. This leads to a deep dive into the word of the episode: Christmastide.

Key Points:

• Christmastide Defined:
  Christmastide refers to the traditional Christian season of Christmas, beginning at sunset on Christmas Eve (December 24) and ending at sunset on January 6 (Epiphany). This period encompasses the "12 Days of Christmas," a concept often misunderstood in popular culture as the days leading up to Christmas, when it actually starts on Christmas Day and continues afterward.
• Cultural and Personal Traditions:
  The hosts reflect on their own practices, noting that while all Christmas decorations are down by January, the emotional transition away from the holiday can be difficult. Extending the season through Christmastide helps ease post-holiday sadness for one host, who admits to feeling a "melancholy sadness" when festivities end abruptly.
• Debate Over Timing:
  A recurring family debate centers on when it is appropriate to begin Christmas celebrations. One host prefers to wait until after Thanksgiving, emphasizing the importance of keeping Thanksgiving distinct and undistracted by Christmas preparations. The other host enjoys starting Christmas music and festivities as early as May or June, finding joy in the anticipation.
• Compromise and Family Logistics:
  The family tradition is to begin decorating for Christmas right after Thanksgiving, never before, except for rare circumstances (such as pregnancy or travel). They discuss the challenges of balancing holiday traditions with practical realities, like a December birthday for one of their children, and how to keep that celebration distinct from Christmas.
• Cultural Norms and Flexibility:
  The hosts acknowledge that while cultural norms generally dictate Christmas follows Thanksgiving, practical considerations (like work schedules for first responders) sometimes require flexibility in holiday observance. Even so, they agree that, ideally, Christmas activities should begin only after Thanksgiving is celebrated.

Conclusion:
The episode uses the concept of Christmastide to explore both the historical and emotional rhythms of the holiday season, highlighting family traditions, debates about timing, and the ways people navigate the transition from one celebration to the next. The discussion underscores how holiday timing can be both a matter of tradition and personal well-being.

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Any views expressed on this podcast are those solely of the hosts and is for entertainment purposes only. None of the content is medical advice or financial advice.

Special thanks to Tim Wright aka CoLD SToRAGE for his permission to use the song Operatique.

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 Word of the Episode: Mawkish

• The hosts introduce the word mawkish, which neither of them initially knows. They discuss its pronunciation and origins, noting confusion with similar-sounding words like "mockish" or "moccasins."
• Looking up the word in historical dictionaries, they find that "mawkish" means:
  • Having a faint, sickly, or unpleasantly sweet taste (insipid).
  • Being weakly sentimental or feebly emotional, often used to describe something exaggeratedly or childishly emotional (e.g., a "mawkish love story").
  • The word’s roots are linked to the Greek for "masticate" (to chew), and the noun "mawk" refers to a maggot or worm.
• The hosts note that "mawkish" is now rare and mostly archaic, with usage peaking in the 1800s and declining in modern English. They consider reviving its use and give the example: “the film lapsed into mawkish sentimentality near the end.”

Discussion on Pronunciation and Similar Words

• The hosts discuss how some English words retain a long "E" sound at the end due to Greek and Latin roots (e.g., epitome, apostrophe, catastrophe, hyperbole, simile), which can be confusing for English speakers.

Then, in this episode, the hosts continue their story about navigating an unexpected winter storm while driving home with their family. They reflect on how staying calm in a crisis can make a significant difference in outcomes and safety.

Key Points:

• Crisis Situation:
  The family encountered icy roads and dangerous driving conditions after a winter event. Many drivers around them were inexperienced with ice, leading to hazardous situations.
• Decision-Making Under Pressure:
  The hosts describe how, despite initial anxiety, they focused on making rational, step-by-step decisions-such as switching drivers to the one with more winter driving experience and choosing the safest route home. They emphasize the importance of not letting panic take over, as panic can cloud judgment and lead to mistakes.
• Staying Calm:
  The episode explores how calmness is not just a personality trait but a skill that can be developed through practice, preparation, and experience. The hosts share personal strategies for staying calm, including deep breathing, focusing on immediate next steps, and maintaining perspective.
• Teaching Calmness:
  They discuss how modeling calm behavior helps children and others around them remain composed in stressful situations. The hosts note that calmness can be contagious, just as panic can spread quickly in a group.
• Broader Reflection:
  The conversation expands to other scenarios where staying calm is crucial-medical emergencies, parenting challenges, and unexpected life events. They encourage listeners to practice calmness and to prepare for emergencies so that, when real crises arise, they can respond thoughtfully and safely.

Conclusion:
The episode uses a real-life winter driving scare as a springboard to discuss the value of calmness in crisis. The hosts offer practical advice and personal insights, highlighting that calm, rational action can turn a potentially dangerous situation into a manageable one-and that this skill is vital for both personal safety and leadership.

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Any views expressed on this podcast are those solely of the hosts and is for entertainment purposes only. None of the content is medical advice or financial advice.

Special thanks to Tim Wright aka CoLD SToRAGE for his permission to use the song Operatique.