REMORANDOM Everything Interesting

REMORANDOM Everything Interesting

By REMO Since 1988Society & Culture
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REMORANDOM Everything Interesting episodes

  • 36: Special Guest | Matthew Curlewis re L’Inconnue de la Seine

    The idea for L’Inconnue de la Seine [RR3:40] was contributed by Amsterdam-based Australian writer Matthew Curlewis. In this episode I speak with Matthew about that story of mystery, myth and invention. We also do some reminiscing about 20th century REMO (Matthew worked there briefly), and we finish with an interesting chat about the impact of AI on creative writing. Matthew is involved in some cool initiatives for writers. Watch to learn more – and I’ve included some links below.

    Matthew’s Links

    WriteOn! November with AWA
    Information HERE

    Amsterdam Writers
    Write first, ask questions later. Link HERE.

    Bright Side Writings
    Optimism-led stories to brighten these dark times of chaos & collapse. Link HERE.

    Artwork

    “Guardian” keeps watch behind Matthew, from Australian artist Tom Keukenmeester. His website HERE.

    About REMORANDOM

    REMORANDOM is a printed biannual book series that celebrates Uncommon knowledge and everything interesting.

    Browse and order REMORANDOM books and/or subscribe to the series via the REMORANDOM.com website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

    Subscribe to this companion “REMORANDOM” podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts … or watch in video format HERE on Spotify, ⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on YouTube or ⁠HERE⁠ on Substack.

    About REMO

    REMO was founded as a General Store in Sydney in 1988, and was famous for its mail order catalogues. Those catalogues were the inspiration for REMORANDOM, but this new leg of the REMO journey is not so much about selling THINGS, as it is about telling STORIES … in celebration of what’s interesting. Inspiring curious minds.

    More about REMO Since 1988 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    You can contact REMO via the website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Credits

    REMORANDOM is produced and published by REMO Since 1988. 

    Podcast co-hosts: Remo Giuffré & Claudia Chan Shaw

    Original REMORANDOM theme music by Tom Thum … using only his voice. Watch his 2013 TEDxSydney talk ⁠HERE⁠

    Copyright © EOLO Pty Limited. All rights reserved.


    30 min
  • 35: Special Guest | Melanie (Remo's Wife)

    In this episode of the REMORANDOM video podcast, Remo chats with his wife (34 years and counting) Melanie, joining him from the kitchen in the same apartment. Melanie is the source of many ideas that are given life as REMORANDOM chapters. In this chatty husband and wife exchange, she talks about a few of them: Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board [RR2:42], Pebbling [RR4:54], The Smell of Rain [RR2:68] and If– [RR5:38]. They also run through a handful of potential future topics, with Melanie giving them either a thumbs-up or the “yeah-nah”.

    About REMORANDOM

    REMORANDOM is a printed biannual book series that celebrates Uncommon knowledge and everything interesting.

    Browse and order REMORANDOM books and/or subscribe to the series via the REMORANDOM.com website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

    Subscribe to this companion “REMORANDOM” podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts … or watch in video format HERE on Spotify, ⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on YouTube or ⁠HERE⁠ on Substack.

    About REMO

    REMO was founded as a General Store in Sydney in 1988, and was famous for its mail order catalogues. Those catalogues were the inspiration for REMORANDOM, but this new leg of the REMO journey is not so much about selling THINGS, as it is about telling STORIES … in celebration of what’s interesting. Inspiring curious minds.

    More about REMO Since 1988 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    You can contact REMO via the website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Credits

    REMORANDOM is produced and published by REMO Since 1988. 

    Podcast co-hosts: Remo Giuffré & Claudia Chan Shaw

    Original REMORANDOM theme music by Tom Thum … using only his voice. Watch his 2013 TEDxSydney talk ⁠HERE⁠

    Copyright © EOLO Pty Limited. All rights reserved.

    29 min
  • 34: Gold Makes Blind, Lockheed Lounge, Three-Finger Salute, Impossible Crochet Machine

     Gold Makes Blind is a bangle made from black rubber and gold, although you can’t actually see the gold. The thing about gold makes blind is that you are asked to believe. We’ll explain. 📍 The iconic Lockheed Lounge by Australian designer, Marc Newson was created in 1985 and retains its title as the world’s most expensive design object. What’s the story there? 📍 Three finger salute, but which three fingers? And what does it mean? It turns out that there is more than one answer to this question. 📍 And finally in this episode, did you know that although automated knitting machines have existed for a very long time, to this day it hasn’t been possible to build a machine that automates crochet. Hard to believe, but true.

    About REMORANDOM

    REMORANDOM is a printed biannual book series that celebrates Uncommon knowledge and everything interesting.

    Browse and order REMORANDOM books and/or subscribe to the series via the REMORANDOM.com website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

    Subscribe to this companion “REMORANDOM” podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts … or watch in video format HERE on Spotify, ⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on YouTube or ⁠HERE⁠ on Substack.

    About REMO

    REMO was founded as a General Store in Sydney in 1988, and was famous for its mail order catalogues. Those catalogues were the inspiration for REMORANDOM, but this new leg of the REMO journey is not so much about selling THINGS, as it is about telling STORIES … in celebration of what’s interesting. Inspiring curious minds.

    More about REMO Since 1988 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    You can contact REMO via the website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Credits

    REMORANDOM is produced and published by REMO Since 1988. 

    Podcast co-hosts: Remo Giuffré & Claudia Chan Shaw

    Original REMORANDOM theme usic by Tom Thum … using only his voice. Watch his 2013 TEDxSydney talk ⁠HERE⁠

    Copyright © EOLO Pty Limited. All rights reserved.

    26 min
  • 33: Duct Tape, Australia's Big Things, Russian & Turkish Baths, Wordle

    Duct tape’s widespread popularity and multitude of uses has earned it a strong place in the popular culture. Who invented it and why? 📍 Go big or go home. So the expression goes, and Australia has certainly taken this to heart. We’ll be talking about some of our favourite Australian Big Things. 📍 Russian and Turkish Baths on 10th Street in New York City is still the best place to get hot and wet in that city. The original baths were built in the early 1890s by a Russian immigrant. We’ll tell you the story. 📍 And finally, in this episode: Wordle’s cultural impact has been huge. The man behind the game, Josh Wardell originally named it “Mr. Bugs’ Wordy Nugz”. Aren’t we glad he changed his mind?

    About REMORANDOM

    REMORANDOM is a printed biannual book series that celebrates Uncommon knowledge and everything interesting.

    Browse and order REMORANDOM books and/or subscribe to the series via the REMORANDOM.com website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

    Subscribe to this companion “REMORANDOM” podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts … or watch in video format HERE on Spotify, ⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on YouTube or ⁠HERE⁠ on Substack.

    About REMO

    REMO was founded as a General Store in Sydney in 1988, and was famous for its mail order catalogues. Those catalogues were the inspiration for REMORANDOM, but this new leg of the REMO journey is not so much about selling THINGS, as it is about telling STORIES … in celebration of what’s interesting. Inspiring curious minds.

    More about REMO Since 1988 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    You can contact REMO via the website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Credits

    REMORANDOM is produced and published by REMO Since 1988. 

    Podcast co-hosts: Remo Giuffré & Claudia Chan Shaw

    Original REMORANDOM theme usic by Tom Thum … using only his voice. Watch his 2013 TEDxSydney talk ⁠HERE⁠

    Copyright © EOLO Pty Limited. All rights reserved.

    27 min
  • 32: Special Guest | Nigel Marsh

    Remo chats with long time friend of REMO and REMORANDOM supporter Nigel Marsh about three of the ideas that he has contributed to the book series: The Shipping Forecast [RR3:74], Christian Crosses [RR4:19] and Parkrun [RR5:55]. Nigel is an interesting bloke. From leading global ad agencies here in Australia to launching worldwide movements such as Earth Hour – Nigel's career bridges boardrooms and big ideas. Best known for his popular TED Talk (recorded at the very first TEDxSydney in 2010) "How to make work-life balance work" and his international bestselling book Fat, Forty and Fired Nigel's journey is all about asking better questions. Which led him to create his award winning podcast "Five Of My Life". All will be explained. Enjoy the talk._______________________Nigel's Website HERE

    Five of My Life Podcast HERE

    Nigel's TED Talk HERE

    Remo being interviewed in 2020 for 5ML podcast HERE_______________________About REMORANDOM

    REMORANDOM is a printed biannual book series that celebrates Uncommon knowledge and everything interesting.

    Browse and order REMORANDOM books and/or subscribe to the series via the REMORANDOM.com website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

    Subscribe to this companion “REMORANDOM” podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts … or watch in video format HERE on Spotify, ⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on YouTube or ⁠HERE⁠ on Substack.

    About REMO

    REMO was founded as a General Store in Sydney in 1988, and was famous for its mail order catalogues. Those catalogues were the inspiration for REMORANDOM, but this new leg of the REMO journey is not so much about selling THINGS, as it is about telling STORIES … in celebration of what’s interesting. Inspiring curious minds.

    More about REMO Since 1988 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    You can contact REMO via the website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Credits

    REMORANDOM is produced and published by REMO Since 1988. 

    Podcast co-hosts: Remo Giuffré & Claudia Chan Shaw

    Original REMORANDOM theme usic by Tom Thum … using only his voice. Watch his 2013 TEDxSydney talk ⁠HERE⁠

    Copyright © EOLO Pty Limited. All rights reserved.

    32 min
  • 31: Guinness World Records, Rabbit Proof Fence, Fraktur, The Macarena

      📍 The Guinness Book of Records was a promotional stunt that became an international phenomenon. It all started with a thousand freebies left on tables in pubs.📍 In 1859, Thomas Austin of Barwon Park in Victoria released 24 wild rabbits from England for hunting. The rest is history. We'll explain why. 📍 Fraktur is surely the world's most emotionally loaded type font. It's been called the Nazi font. We'll take a walk through its checkered history.📍Finally, in this episode:   The Macarena is a Spanish dance song by Los Del Rio, and it became an international cultural phenomenon in the 1990s. Now if you're over 35, you're probably already cringing. We'll share that cringe with the rest of our listeners.

    About REMORANDOM

    REMORANDOM is a printed biannual book series that celebrates Uncommon knowledge and everything interesting.

    Browse and order REMORANDOM books and/or subscribe to the series via the REMORANDOM.com website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

    Subscribe to this companion “REMORANDOM” podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts … or watch in video format HERE on Spotify, ⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on YouTube or ⁠HERE⁠ on Substack.

    About REMO

    REMO was founded as a General Store in Sydney in 1988, and was famous for its mail order catalogues. Those catalogues were the inspiration for REMORANDOM, but this new leg of the REMO journey is not so much about selling THINGS, as it is about telling STORIES … in celebration of what’s interesting. Inspiring curious minds.

    More about REMO Since 1988 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    You can contact REMO via the website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Credits

    REMORANDOM is produced and published by REMO Since 1988. 

    Podcast co-hosts: Remo Giuffré & Claudia Chan Shaw

    Original REMORANDOM theme usic by Tom Thum … using only his voice. Watch his 2013 TEDxSydney talk ⁠HERE⁠

    Copyright © EOLO Pty Limited. All rights reserved.

    28 min
  • 30: Special Edition | The Making of REMORANDOM 5

    In this special edition episode of the REMORANDOM video podcast – Remo, freshly excited by the recent arrival in Sydney of advance copies of REMORANDOM 5, walks us through the process that was involved in bringing this latest volume to life. (His wife Melanie assures him that it is not boring.)

    About REMORANDOM

    REMORANDOM is a printed biannual book series that celebrates Uncommon knowledge and everything interesting.

    Browse and order REMORANDOM books and/or subscribe to the series via the REMORANDOM.com website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

    Subscribe to this companion “REMORANDOM” podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts … or watch in video format HERE on Spotify, ⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on YouTube or ⁠HERE⁠ on Substack.

    About REMO

    REMO was founded as a General Store in Sydney in 1988, and was famous for its mail order catalogues. Those catalogues were the inspiration for REMORANDOM, but this new leg of the REMO journey is not so much about selling THINGS, as it is about telling STORIES … in celebration of what’s interesting. Inspiring curious minds.

    More about REMO Since 1988 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    You can contact REMO via the website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Credits

    REMORANDOM is produced and published by REMO Since 1988. 

    Podcast co-hosts: Remo Giuffré & Claudia Chan Shaw

    Original REMORANDOM theme usic by Tom Thum … using only his voice. Watch his 2013 TEDxSydney talk ⁠HERE⁠

    Copyright © EOLO Pty Limited. All rights reserved.

    23 min
  • 29: Hindenburg Disaster, Shaka Sign, Distracted Boyfriend, Stradivarius Violins

    The Hindenburg disaster was one of the 20th century's most famous. Why did we ever think that a giant balloon filled with highly flammable hydrogen was a good way to move lots of people great distances across oceans?📍 The Shaka sign is a hand gesture that's usually associated with Hawaii and surf culture. Do you know what it means? 📍 There's an online meme that you would've seen. It's called Distracted Boyfriend. The people involved are actually stock photo actors, and there's a funny backstory. 📍 Finally, in this episode, there's a mystique associated with the legendary Stradivarius violin. Did you know that every one existing in the world has a unique name? We'll tell you the story.

    About REMORANDOM

    REMORANDOM is a printed biannual book series that celebrates Uncommon knowledge and everything interesting.

    Browse and order REMORANDOM books and/or subscribe to the series via the REMORANDOM.com website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

    Subscribe to this companion “REMORANDOM” podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts … or watch in video format HERE on Spotify, ⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on YouTube or ⁠HERE⁠ on Substack.

    About REMO

    REMO was founded as a General Store in Sydney in 1988, and was famous for its mail order catalogues. Those catalogues were the inspiration for REMORANDOM, but this new leg of the REMO journey is not so much about selling THINGS, as it is about telling STORIES … in celebration of what’s interesting. Inspiring curious minds.

    More about REMO Since 1988 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    You can contact REMO via the website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Credits

    REMORANDOM is produced and published by REMO Since 1988. 

    Podcast co-hosts: Remo Giuffré & Claudia Chan Shaw

    Original REMORANDOM theme usic by Tom Thum … using only his voice. Watch his 2013 TEDxSydney talk ⁠HERE⁠

    Copyright © EOLO Pty Limited. All rights reserved.

    26 min
  • 28: Birthday Paradox, Ned Kelly's Armour, Cloud Appreciation Society, Scissors Paper Rock

    How many people do you need in a room before it becomes, more likely than not, that the two of them share a birthday? Surprisingly few, as it happens. We'll explain why.📍 Iconic images of Ned Kelly's armour have become part of Australian folklore, but who made the armour and how?📍 Clouds get a bad rap in our society. The then-now-20-year-old Cloud Appreciation Society is dedicated to countering that. We'll give you the backstory.📍 And finally in this episode, we look at the origin of the parlour game, “scissors, paper, rock”, and how a Japanese robot has come up with a very unfair advantage.

    About REMORANDOM

    REMORANDOM is a printed biannual book series that celebrates Uncommon knowledge and everything interesting.

    Browse and order REMORANDOM books and/or subscribe to the series via the REMORANDOM.com website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

    Subscribe to this companion “REMORANDOM” podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts … or watch in video format HERE on Spotify, ⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on YouTube or ⁠HERE⁠ on Substack.

    About REMO

    REMO was founded as a General Store in Sydney in 1988, and was famous for its mail order catalogues. Those catalogues were the inspiration for REMORANDOM, but this new leg of the REMO journey is not so much about selling THINGS, as it is about telling STORIES … in celebration of what’s interesting. Inspiring curious minds.

    More about REMO Since 1988 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    You can contact REMO via the website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Credits

    REMORANDOM is produced and published by REMO Since 1988. 

    Podcast co-hosts: Remo Giuffré & Claudia Chan Shaw

    Original REMORANDOM theme usic by Tom Thum … using only his voice. Watch his 2013 TEDxSydney talk ⁠HERE⁠

    Copyright © EOLO Pty Limited. All rights reserved.

    29 min
  • 27: Juicy Salif, Canada's Maple Syrup Reserve, Stripey Things, Shoe Tossing

    Alberto Alessi once called the "Juicy Salif", a citrus juicer designed by Philippe Starck, “the most controversial lemon juicer of the century”. Why was that? 📍 Canada has what’s referred to as a “Maple Syrup Reserve”. It’s also been called the “Fort Knox of Maple Syrup”. We’ll explain. 📍 The enduring popularity of "stripey things" is something that has been very relevant for REMO over the years, and the history of those striped tops is interesting, and it’s not just about the French Navy. 📍 Look, up in the sky. It’s a pair of shoes tied together by the laces. Why do people do it, and what does it mean?

    About REMORANDOM

    REMORANDOM is a printed biannual book series that celebrates Uncommon knowledge and everything interesting.

    Browse and order REMORANDOM books and/or subscribe to the series via the REMORANDOM.com website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

    Subscribe to this companion “REMORANDOM” podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts … or watch in video format HERE on Spotify, ⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on YouTube or ⁠HERE⁠ on Substack.

    About REMO

    REMO was founded as a General Store in Sydney in 1988, and was famous for its mail order catalogues. Those catalogues were the inspiration for REMORANDOM, but this new leg of the REMO journey is not so much about selling THINGS, as it is about telling STORIES … in celebration of what’s interesting. Inspiring curious minds.

    More about REMO Since 1988 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    You can contact REMO via the website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Credits

    REMORANDOM is produced and published by REMO Since 1988. 

    Podcast co-hosts: Remo Giuffré & Claudia Chan Shaw

    Original REMORANDOM theme usic by Tom Thum … using only his voice. Watch his 2013 TEDxSydney talk ⁠HERE⁠

    Copyright © EOLO Pty Limited. All rights reserved.

    28 min

About REMORANDOM Everything Interesting

From the publisher's feed

REMORANDOM Everything Interesting is a companion podcast to the printed biannual book series of the same name. REMO founder Remo Giuffre and his co-host Claudia Chan Shaw get to chat about a range of interesting topics (sometimes with a special guest) … and connect with the global community of curious readers and listeners … all sharing in our search for what's interesting. Each weekly episode will deliver snack-sized servings of uncommon knowledge guaranteed to inform, inspire and entertain.