Everything Everywhere Daily: Questions and Answers – Volume 26

Host: Gary Arndt | Released January 1, 2025

In the latest episode of Everything Everywhere Daily, host Gary Arndt delves into a variety of intriguing questions submitted by his intellectually curious listeners. This episode, titled Questions and Answers: Volume 26, showcases Gary’s extensive knowledge across diverse topics, from the intricacies of professional wrestling to the nuances of historical hoaxes. Below is a comprehensive summary of the key discussions, insights, and conclusions drawn from the episode.

1. The Legitimacy of Professional Wrestling

Question from Christian Long:
Christian questioned the value and sophistication of professional wrestling, asking, “Why WWE? I mean, but it is just... Why?”

Gary’s Insight:
Gary challenges the perception that professional wrestling is merely lowbrow entertainment. He emphasizes that wrestling is a highly disciplined performance art requiring extensive training and athleticism. “Wrestling isn’t lowbrow entertainment... it is the greatest performance art in the world today” ([00:27]). He highlights the improvisational skills wrestlers possess and the physical demands akin to professional athletes, arguing that the craft behind wrestling is often underestimated.

2. Historical Hoaxes Beyond Piltdown Man

Question from Amy Elizabeth Morrison:
Amy inquired about other significant historical hoaxes besides the infamous Piltdown man. “Besides Piltdown man, what were other great hoaxes from history?”

Gary’s Insight:
Gary elaborates on the prevalence of hoaxes throughout history, noting that while Piltdown man stands out as a scientific fraud, religious frauds were rampant during the Middle Ages. He explains how fake holy relics were widespread, serving both sellers and buyers by attracting pilgrims and generating income. “There was an enormous amount of religious fraud... many people peddled fake holy relics throughout the Middle Ages” ([05:15]). Gary underscores the motivations behind these hoaxes and their impact on history and legend formation.

3. Exploring Historical Mysteries and Rabbit Holes

Question from Kyle Kenyon:
Kyle sought recommendations for engaging historical mysteries and rabbit holes to explore. “What are some fun rabbit holes to go down historical mysteries, etc.?”

Gary’s Insight:
Gary responds by highlighting the limitless possibilities for exploration, mentioning that each podcast episode can lead to new areas of interest based on personal curiosity. He shares his fascination with the design and engineering of jerry cans from WWII as an example. “There’s a whole lot more to them than I ever realized... the jerry can is just an example” ([07:45]). Gary encourages listeners to follow their interests, illustrating how seemingly simple topics can uncover rich historical narratives.

4. Understanding Cold: A Physical Phenomenon

Question from a Listener:
A listener pondered the nature of cold, asking, “Does cold actually exist as a separate phenomenon, distinct physical entity, or is it just the absence of heat?”

Gary’s Insight:
Gary clarifies that cold is not a separate entity but the absence of heat. He explains the concept of absolute zero, the theoretical point where all thermal motion ceases. “Cold is just the absence of heat, full stop” ([12:45]). Gary further discusses the idea of absolute hot as a theoretical limit, emphasizing that while it exists, it remains beyond practical measurement and experience.

5. Unique Experiences Watching Packers Games While Traveling

Question from Jason Tripp:
Jason, a devoted Packers fan, asked about Gary’s unique experiences watching games while traveling. “Where is the most unique place that you've tuned in to watch a game?”

Gary’s Insight:
Gary recounts a memorable experience from January 2012 when he watched a Packers playoff game from a ship off the coast of Antarctica. Despite the challenges of a poor and expensive internet connection, he managed to get score updates intermittently. “I went to get score updates while the game was in progress sitting on a ship off the coast of Antarctica” ([15:30]). He humorously notes the Packers’ loss, illustrating his dedication as a fan even in the most remote locations.

6. Considering YouTube for Podcast Distribution

Question from Will Raber:
Will asked, “Have you considered posting your podcasts on YouTube?”

Gary’s Insight:
Gary acknowledges the potential benefits of a YouTube presence but explains that his current focus remains on audio content due to resource limitations. “But it's audio only and almost nobody listens to it on YouTube” ([22:20]). He expresses interest in expanding to YouTube in the future, contingent on the ability to manage the additional workload of creating visual content alongside his research and audio production.

7. Gary's Travel Photography Gear

Question from Aiden:
Aiden was curious about Gary’s choice in travel photography equipment. “What type of camera do you use? Point and Shoot, SLR, DSLR, or just a smartphone?”

Gary’s Insight:
Gary discusses his transition from Nikon DSLRs to the Sony A7RII mirrorless camera, highlighting its superior image quality and versatility. He also touches on the advancements in smartphone photography, noting that while smartphones are convenient and increasingly capable, they still have limitations in areas like low-light and action photography. “Most newer smartphones have an option that will let you save images in RAW” ([25:00]). Gary provides practical tips for optimizing smartphone photos, suggesting the use of RAW format and third-party camera apps to enhance image quality.

8. Avoiding Pickpocket Scams During Travels

Question from Isaac:
Isaac asked about Gary’s experiences with pickpocket scam artists while traveling. “Have you succumbed to any of the pickpocket scam artists?”

Gary’s Insight:
Gary shares his effective strategies for avoiding pickpocketing, such as carrying wallets in front pockets, using bags with secure zippers, and wearing clothing with zippered pockets like those from Scottevest. “They will always try to pick the easiest target and you just want to make sure that that is not you” ([28:10]). He contrasts traditional pickpocketing techniques with more overt street crimes, emphasizing vigilance and proactive measures to safeguard personal belongings.

9. Evolution of Podcast Topics and Audience Demographics

Question from Steve Augustino:
Steve inquired about how the podcast’s growth has influenced topic selection and audience demographics. “Do you choose fewer U.S. centered topics to accommodate an international audience? What changes do you hope to implement in 2025?”

Gary’s Insight:
Gary reveals that the U.S. constitutes about 75% of his audience, up from 50% a few years ago. While he doesn’t specifically tailor topics based on listener demographics, he expresses a desire to diversify his content with more episodes focused on regions like India, China, Africa, and Central Asia. “My biggest concern is how difficult this episode is going to be to write and how good the episode will be” ([30:30]). Gary aims to balance topic diversity with depth and quality, ensuring each episode remains engaging without overwhelming listeners with repetitive themes.

Conclusion

In Questions and Answers: Volume 26, Gary Arndt effectively addresses a wide range of listener inquiries, demonstrating his expertise and passion for learning. From defending the artistry of professional wrestling to sharing personal travel anecdotes and practical advice, Gary provides thoughtful and informative responses that cater to the intellectually curious audience of Everything Everywhere Daily.

Notable Quotes:

• “Wrestling isn’t lowbrow entertainment... it is the greatest performance art in the world today.” ([02:27])

• “Cold is just the absence of heat, full stop.” ([12:45])

• “They will always try to pick the easiest target and you just want to make sure that that is not you.” ([28:10])

For those interested in participating or exploring more, listeners are encouraged to join the Everything Everywhere Daily Facebook group or Discord server. Links are available in the show notes.

This summary captures the essence of the episode, highlighting Gary Arndt’s comprehensive and engaging approach to answering listener questions while maintaining the informative and explorative spirit of the podcast.