On a remote, windswept island in the subantarctic Indian Ocean, an unexpected predator reigns supreme—not wolves, not seals, but feral house cats.

Welcome to the Kerguelen Islands, one of the most isolated landmasses on Earth. Originally introduced to control rodents, these domestic cats escaped human oversight and evolved into fierce hunters, preying on penguins, seabirds, and anything else that moved. What started as a pest control solution became an ecological disaster—and a haunting case study in invasive species gone wild.

In this episode of Smartest Year Ever, Gordy explores the wild rise of these apex cats, the devastating impact on native wildlife, and how biological invasions on remote islands like Kerguelen, Macquarie, and Marion have reshaped entire ecosystems.

It’s a jaw-dropping true story of cats vs. penguins, ecosystem collapse, and what happens when nature meets unintended consequences.

Topics include:

• Kerguelen Island and the “Desolation Islands”
  

• Feral cat overpopulation and invasive species
  

• Penguin and seabird population decline
  

• Failed eradication campaigns
  

• Global parallels in New Zealand, Marion Island, and Macquarie Island
  

If you’ve ever said “my cat could never survive in the wild”—you might want to rethink that.

Sources

• Chapuis, J.-L., et al. (2011). Eradication of feral cats on islands and biodiversity conservation: why the devil is in the detail. Biodiversity and Conservation, 20(5), 1147–1161.
  

• Pascal, M., et al. (2010). Biological invasions in French overseas territories: biodiversity and development. Revue d'Écologie, 65, 21–35.
  

• Bergstrom, D. M., et al. (2009). Indirect effects of invasive species removal devastate World Heritage Island. Journal of Applied Ecology, 46, 73–81.
  

• Russell, J. C., & Clout, M. N. (2004). Rodent incursions on New Zealand islands. Biological Invasions, 6, 277–281.
  

• National Science Foundation. (2008). Feral Cats Threaten Wildlife on Remote Islands. NSF Press Release.
  

#feralcats #invasivespecies #animalecology #penguins #ecologicaldisaster #dailyfacts #cats #housecats #kerguelenislands Music thanks to Zapsplat.

 During World War II, isolated island communities in the South Pacific witnessed something extraordinary: aircraft landing with radios, weapons, food, and medicine—then disappearing without explanation. When the war ended and the planes stopped coming, some local groups took a bold step.

They built imitation airstrips, crafted wooden radios, and created rituals to summon the cargo back.

In today’s episode, Gordy explores the strange, profound world of cargo cults—what they really were, how they started, and what they reveal about belief, colonialism, and the way we explain the unexplainable. From the mysterious figure of John Frum to modern-day uses of the phrase in science and tech culture, this story is far more relevant—and unsettling—than it seems.

How do people react when an alien world drops out of the sky… and then vanishes?

Watch to the end to learn how a WWII legacy turned into ritual, mythology, and mimicry—and why the term “cargo cult” still echoes in conversations about science, programming, and even self-help culture.

Sources:

• Worsley, P. (1957). The Trumpet Shall Sound: A Study of 'Cargo' Cults in Melanesia. MacGibbon & Kee.
  

• Lindstrom, L. (1993). Cargo Cult: Strange Stories of Desire from Melanesia and Beyond. University of Hawaii Press.
  

• Kaplan, M. (1995). Neither Cargo Nor Cult: Ritual Politics and the Colonial Imagination in Fiji. Duke University Press.
  

• Rynkiewich, M. A. (2004). “Where Are the Cargo Cults in Contemporary Anthropology?” Anthropology News, American Anthropological Association.
  

• Feynman, R. P. (1974). “Cargo Cult Science.” Engineering and Science, 37(7), 10–13.
  

#WWIIHistory #Anthropology #Melanesia #JohnFrum #CargoCults #CulturalHistory Music thanks to Zapsplat.

In the early 1990s, eight people sealed themselves inside a massive glass dome in the Arizona desert. Their mission? Create a completely self-sustaining ecosystem—no outside help, no resupply, no backup plan.

What happened inside that dome was stranger and more revealing than most people realize. From plummeting oxygen levels to runaway banana plants, exploding cockroach populations, and silent psychological breakdowns, the Biosphere 2 experiment became a wild intersection of space colonization dreams and real-world chaos.

Funded with $200 million, designed as a prototype for space habitats, and eventually dismissed by critics as science theater, Biosphere 2 was a real-life human experiment that tested how hard it is to replicate Earth—and how easy it is to wreck it.

But the full story is more complicated—and more relevant—than its punchlines.

Gordy breaks it all down in today’s episode of Smartest Year Ever.

Stick around to learn why this 1990s experiment may hold clues about the future of space travel, climate science, and the fragile balancing act that is life on Earth.

Sources:

• Nelson, M. (2018). Pushing Our Limits: Insights from Biosphere 2. University of Arizona Press.
  

• Marino, B. D., & Odum, H. T. (1999). Biosphere 2: Research Past and Present. Ecological Engineering, 13(1-4), 3–9.
  

• Smithsonian Magazine. (2017). The Strange, True Story of the Man Who Built Biosphere 2.
  

• University of Arizona. (n.d.). Biosphere 2 Overview. https://biosphere2.org
  

• Science Friday. (2011). The Science and Lessons of Biosphere 2.
  

Music thanks to Zapsplat.

#Biosphere2 #ClosedEcosystem #SpaceHabitat #ClimateScience #SmartestYearEver #biodome #sciencehistory #greenhouse

 There’s a strange little flap of skin on almost every cat’s ear—but what is it? Why is it there? And who the heck is Henry?

In today’s episode of Smartest Year Ever, Gordy dives into one of the weirdest features in feline anatomy: a mysterious skin fold called Henry’s Pocket. Also known as the cutaneous marginal pouch, this odd ear structure shows up in cats, foxes, and even some bats—but science still isn’t sure exactly what it’s for.

Gordy explores the leading theories, from sound wave filtering to evolutionary leftovers, and reveals what little we actually know about this strange feature—and why it's become a beloved curiosity in the world of pet lovers, veterinarians, and animal anatomy nerds alike.

This episode is packed with fun animal facts, evolutionary oddities, and conversation-ready trivia. Perfect for fans of cats, biology, and all things weird but true.

Don’t forget to like, follow, and share if you want to keep learning every single day.

Sources:

• Dyce, K. M., Sack, W. O., & Wensing, C. J. G. (2010). Textbook of Veterinary Anatomy (4th ed.). Saunders Elsevier.
  

• Evans, H. E., & de Lahunta, A. (2013). Miller’s Anatomy of the Dog (4th ed.). Elsevier.
  

• Brown, C. M., & Lumsden, C. E. (1971). Functional morphology of the ear of the cat. Journal of Comparative Neurology, 141(4), 529–565.
  

• Palmer, M. (2017). Why Do Cats Have That Flap on Their Ears? Live Science.
  

• American Veterinary Medical Association. (n.d.). Common anatomical features of domestic cats. https://www.avma.org
  

#CatFacts #AnimalAnatomy #WeirdScience #SmartestYearEver #HenrysPocket #dailyfacts #pets #cats #animalfacts Music thanks to Zapsplat.

Frank’s Sign is a subtle crease in the earlobe that just might carry a much deeper meaning—one that’s been the subject of serious cardiovascular research for decades.

In this episode of Smartest Year Ever, Gordy explores the strange and surprising connection between a diagonal earlobe crease and heart disease, a phenomenon first documented in the 1970s. Known as Frank’s Sign, this small fold has been linked in numerous studies to coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis, and even sudden cardiac death—but the science remains hotly debated.

Is it a powerful diagnostic clue hidden in plain sight—or just a wrinkle in medical folklore? Could a vascular clue be sitting right below your ear? And what do Tony Soprano, collagen breakdown, and microvascular aging have to do with any of this?

This episode dives deep into the meta-analyses, the skeptics, and the unresolved questions at the intersection of dermatology and cardiology. Tune in for a smart, strange, and conversation-worthy topic that might change the way you look at your own ears—and everyone else’s.

📚 Sources:

• Frank, S. T. (1973). Aural sign of coronary artery disease. New England Journal of Medicine, 289(6), 327. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJM197308092890622
  

• Lucenteforte, E., Romoli, M., Zito, F., & Gensini, G. F. (2016). Diagonal earlobe crease and coronary artery disease: a meta-analysis. The American Journal of Medicine, 129(6), 638–643.e4.
  

• Edston, E. (2006). The earlobe crease, coronary artery disease and sudden cardiac death: an autopsy study. American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology, 27(2), 129–133.
  

• Evrengül, H., et al. (2004). Diagonal earlobe crease and coronary artery disease: a significant association. Dermatology, 209(4), 271–275.
  

• Brady, P. (2017). Frank’s sign: myth or marker of cardiovascular disease? Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine, 84(2), 111–112.
  

#SmartestYearEver #HeartHealth #MedicalMystery #FrankSign #Cardiology #EarClue #heartattacks #heartdisease Music thanks to Zapsplat.

Why do politicians say outrageous things right when they’re under fire? It’s not a coincidence—it’s a calculated distraction technique with a grotesquely vivid name: the “Dead Cat” strategy.

In today’s episode, Gordy breaks down one of the most audacious media manipulation tactics in modern politics. From British election scandals to viral outbursts designed to dominate headlines, this maneuver thrives in the age of outrage-driven news cycles.

Linked to political strategist Lynton Crosby and popularized by Boris Johnson, the strategy centers on one idea: when you're losing the argument, drop something shocking on the table—metaphorically speaking. It’s not meant to solve problems. It's meant to hijack attention.

Whether you're into political strategy, media psychology, or the strange tools used to shape public perception, this is a concept worth knowing. Because once you see it, you can’t unsee it.

Like, comment, share, and stay tuned—new episodes every day.

Sources:

• Johnson, B. (2013, March 3). The art of political distraction – it’s dead cat time again. The Telegraph.
  

• Martin, J. (2015, May 7). Who is Lynton Crosby? The political strategist who helped David Cameron win. The Independent.
  

• Guardian Staff. (2013, May 29). Lynton Crosby: Cameron's new spin doctor and master of the dark arts. The Guardian.
  

• Ball, J. (2017). Post-Truth: How Bullshit Conquered the World. Biteback Publishing.
  

• Chadwick, A. (2017). The Hybrid Media System: Politics and Power. Oxford University Press.
  

#MediaManipulation #PoliticalStrategy #SmartestYearEver #OutrageMachine #DeadCatTactic #DailyLearning #politicalhistory #Politics #politicians #headlines #deadcatstrategy Music thanks to Zapsplat.

A wooden stick. A forgotten chemical paste. A scraped hearthstone. When British chemist John Walker tried to make an explosive compound in 1826, he never meant to invent one of the most useful tools in modern history: the friction match. But that accidental spark reshaped daily life—pocket fire, on demand.

In this final episode of Accidental Genius Week, Gordy explores how fire-starting technology evolved over centuries—from flint and steel to early chemical lighters, and how the humble match wasn’t just late to the game—it was dangerous, toxic, and even led to a horrific factory disease called “Phossy Jaw.” (Not as fun as it sounds.)

But it was Walker’s mistake, combined with decades of dangerous innovation, that finally made safe, portable fire possible—and changed how we cook, travel, and light up our lives. Plus, did the lighter actually come first?

A week of accidental brilliance ends with a bang. Don’t miss this fiery finale.

Sources:

• Strickland, J. (n.d.). How Matchsticks Work. HowStuffWorks.
  

• Ball, P. (2002). The Elements: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press.
  

• Finlay, M. (2009). Growing American Rubber: Strategic Plants and the Politics of National Security. Rutgers University Press.
  

• St. John, T. (1967). The Evolution of the Match. Journal of Chemical Education, 44(9), 543–547.
  

• Helmenstine, A. M. (n.d.). Who Invented the Match and When? ThoughtCo.
  

• Freemantle, M. (2003). Gas, Gasoline, and the Match: The Chemistry of Fire. Royal Society of Chemistry.
  

#FireInvention #HistoryOfScience #MatchstickHistory #DailyFacts #SmartestYearEver #matches #lighters Music thanks to Zapsplat.

In this episode of Accidental Genius Week, Gordy unpacks one of the strangest scientific surprises of the 20th century: how a Swiss chemist trying to create a circulatory stimulant instead unlocked one of the most powerful psychoactive substances in human history.

Before the 1960s counterculture, before the CIA’s secret programs, before the mind-expanding experiments of modern psychedelic therapy—there was a lab in Basel, a toxic rye fungus, and one wild bike ride that changed everything.

It’s the true story of Albert Hofmann, ergot, and the moment a failed pharmaceutical compound became the cornerstone of an entire era of consciousness exploration.

This episode blends pharmacology, neuroscience, history, and just a touch of "what-the-hell-was-he-thinking" energy into one unforgettable ride.

Watch until the end to find out how LSD went from lab reject to global phenomenon—and what scientists are doing with it now.

Sources:

• Hofmann, A. (1980). LSD: My Problem Child. McGraw-Hill.
  

• Dyck, E. (2005). Flashback: Psychiatric experimentation with LSD in historical perspective. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 50(7), 381–388.
  

• Nichols, D. E. (2016). Psychedelics. Pharmacological Reviews, 68(2), 264–355.
  

• Sessa, B. (2005). Can psychedelics have a role in psychiatry once again? British Journal of Psychiatry, 186(6), 457–458.
  

• Mangini, M. (1998). Treatment of alcoholism using psychedelic drugs: A review of the program of research. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 30(4), 381–418.
  

• Carhart-Harris, R. L., et al. (2016). LSD enhances suggestibility in healthy volunteers. Psychopharmacology, 233(6), 999–1010.
  

#psychedelics #AlbertHofmann #LSDhistory #neuroscience #DailyFacts #scientists #LSD #drughistory #medicine Music thanks to Zapsplat.

Lonnie Johnson wasn’t trying to change the toy industry.He was trying to fix a heat pump.

This episode of Smartest Year Ever uncovers how a NASA engineer, working on eco-friendly refrigeration tech, ended up launching one of the most iconic inventions of the 1990s. With a background in nuclear engineering, contributions to the stealth bomber and space missions like Galileo, Johnson’s career was already remarkable—but it was a bathroom experiment gone wrong that sent him on a path toward creating the Super Soaker.

Gordy shares the incredible true story of the invention that redefined summer for a generation, and the determined inventor who turned a blast of water into a $200 million breakthrough. From early prototypes made of PVC pipe and Coke bottles, to a $73 million lawsuit victory, to funding clean energy research with his toy royalties—this is the kind of accidental genius that reshapes industries.

Pressurized toys, space science, and a 40-foot water blast—all in one wildly fun and deeply inspiring episode.

Sources:

• National Inventors Hall of Fame. (n.d.). Lonnie Johnson. https://www.invent.org/inductees/lonnie-johnson
  

• Smithsonian Magazine. (n.d.). How Lonnie Johnson Invented the Super Soaker. https://www.smithsonianmag.com
  

• U.S. Patent No. 4,591,071. (1986). “Squirt Gun.”
  

• Johnson, L. (2013). Royalty settlement details. Retrieved from Design News:
  

• Johnson R&D – Company Site. (n.d.). https://johnsonrd.com
  

#InventionStories #inventors #Toys #waterguns #NASAInventions #LonnieJohnson #AccidentalGenius #Hasbro #supersoaker Music thanks to Zapsplat.

A failed chemical experiment. A forgotten chemist. And an accidental discovery that quietly reshaped the modern world.

In this episode of Smartest Year Ever, Gordy dives into Leo Baekeland's surprising invention of Bakelite—the first fully synthetic plastic. Originally just trying to replace an expensive bug-based resin used in electrical wiring, Baekeland ended up creating a material that didn’t melt, didn’t burn, and could be molded into almost anything.

What followed was a full-blown plastics revolution, launching a material once dubbed "the material of a thousand uses." But was it a blessing... or the beginning of a global trash problem?

This is the strange, sticky, world-changing origin story of the first plastic—and it all started by accident.

Sources:

• Baekeland, L. H. (1909). The synthesis, constitution, and uses of Bakelite. Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry.
  

• Meikle, J. L. (1995). American Plastic: A Cultural History. Rutgers University Press.
  

• Science History Institute. (n.d.). Bakelite: The First Plastic. https://www.sciencehistory.org
  

• McKearin, H. (1959). The Bakelite Revolution. Antiques Magazine, 75.
  

• National Museum of American History. (n.d.). Bakelite and the Age of Plastic. Smithsonian Institution Archives.
  

#Bakelite #plasticinvention #sciencefacts #materialscience #AccidentalGenius #plastic #DailyFacts Music thanks to Zapsplat.