Vik the Random

In this episode we talk about the whole situation going on with Japan, the US, and the inflation/deflation/volatile currency situation going on currently.

For a deeper overview into bonds you can listen to this podcast:

https://www.viktherandom.com/episodes/episode/3ab5ca73/s3-e18-his-name-is-bonds-james-bonds

Sources:

https://wtvbam.com/2026/09/01/japans-benchmark-bond-yield-rises-to-3-for-first-time-in-30-years/

https://www.thestandard.com.hk/finance/article/341508/Japans-benchmark-bond-yield-rises-to-3pc-for-first-time-in-30-years

https://synapsetrading.com/yen-carry-trade-unwinding/

https://menthorq.com/guide/the-yen-carry-trade-and-its-global-implications/

In this episode we talk about the many ways to tune up a violin – because many things can break and many things can go wrong.

Hint hint: It is a really really big thermos!

Sources:

https://www.energystar.gov/products/heat_pump_water_heaters/how-it-works https://www.hotwater.com/info-center/how-do-tankless-water-heater-work.html https://www.efficientsystems.net/blog/cold-water-sandwich-effect-solution/

https://heatmyrv.com/collections/new-aqua-hot-systems-1 https://www.energystar.gov/sites/default/files/2024-07/ENERGY%20STAR%20Heat%20Pump%20Water%20Heater%20Technical%20Guide%20508C.pdf https://natural-resources.canada.ca/energy-efficiency/drain-water-heat-recovery

We continue down the branch of how animals are classified!

We talk about animal classifications and I give a bunch of examples on each classification.

Remember each classification goes down a spiral!

If you are confused, don't worry! I'll be coming out within a couple of days on a part two with a big chart that should help you follow along =) I just need to find the time to record it. I thought I could fit more into this episode than I could so stay tuned!

I'll include all sources in that podcast.

In this episode we talk about all the roles a worker bee could have and also talk a little bit more about the waggle dance which I BEEEElieve was talked about a little bit in the previous episode.

Did you notice the missing colon in the title?

Thank you everyone who has been supporting me since the very beginning! The official anniversary of viktherandom is Jun 14 (I just needed extra time to record this!) If you enjoyed this podcast, please do share with your friends!

Today we talk about bees and how they find their way home because it is very interesting! Hint: they do not use their eyes to find their way back it is WAY COOLER than that. (Hint: has to do with why they fall into pools)

Sources

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/8022088_Honey_bees_navigate_according_to_a_map-like_spatial_memory

https://www.bcp.fu-berlin.de/en/biologie/news/2023/20230328-bee-navigation.html#:~:text=For%20the%20purposes%20of%20the,their%20location%20every%20three%20seconds.

https://reflectionsonpaperspast.wordpress.com/2017/12/30/revisiting-srinivasan-et-al-2000/#:~:text=In%20January%202016%2C%20I%20revisited,5454)%2C%20851%2D853.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11385571/#:~:text=Dancers%20gauge%20distance%20by%20retinal,hive%20mates%20interpret%20these%20dances.

https://www.bcp.fu-berlin.de/en/biologie/news/2023/20230328-bee-navigation.html#:~:text=In%20the%20waggle%20dance%2C%20each,way%20to%20the%20food%20source.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12094210/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK200983/

Hybrid vehicles. We've all heard the term: jack of all trades, master of none (JOAT MON), but, I think hybrids are so much more than that and in this video we explore the wonderfully designed hybrid!

Video I highly recommend watching after this! REALLY COOL

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2L5VOtf47Y&t=336s

Bulk of the video is from 5:44-12:00

If you have extra time, watch from the beginning until 12:00 minutes

If you have extra extra time – watch the whole thing!

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regenerative_braking

https://theicct.org/publication/real-world-usage-of-plug-in-hybrid-electric-vehicles-fuel-consumption-electric-driving-and-co2-emissions/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnUFH5GX_fI

https://theicct.org/publication/real-world-phev-us-dec22/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Hybrid_System

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_split_device

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brake-specific_fuel_consumption

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atkinson_cycle

After the conflict in the Middle East, oil prices have been skyrocketing! But, only 8% of US oil comes from the Middle East, and the US exports more oil than it imports... So, why are the prices in the US increasing?

Quick Notes!:

Biggest exporter/producer doesn't mean biggest oil reserves!

I say US for simplification reasons. When I say US – I mean all the oil and gas companies operating in the US.

Also remember – The US heavy oil refineries CAN process light crude oil. However, processing light crude oil is not as efficient (after all, we spent all this money on these heavy crude refineries). Remember - oil and gas companies want to make money and it makes more sense for them to export/import. Can v/s will (See first source for more info) I just wanted to clarify here again in case I accidentally implied this in the episode.

Sources:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/rrapier/2026/04/05/debunking-a-persistent-myth-us-refineries-cant-handle-shale-oil/

https://wheninyourstate.com/usa/nearly-70-of-u-s-refining-capacity-runs-best-on-heavier-crude/

https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/oil-and-petroleum-products/refining-crude-oil-the-refining-process.php

https://www.oftrb.com/archives/22015

https://kimray.com/training/types-crude-oil-heavy-vs-light-sweet-vs-sour-and-tan-count

https://www.ebc.com/forex/types-of-crude-oil-complete-guide-for-beginners

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economic_history_of_Latin_America

I wonder what we'll be talking about today...

Listen to the previous episode if you haven't already!