Rainy Day Rabbit Holes: History Unhinged

What If We've Been Counting Farts Wrong Our Entire Lives?For years, scientists believed the average person passes gas about 14 times per day. It turns out that number may have been dramatically underestimated.In this bonus episode, Shea dives into a wonderfully bizarre study where researchers developed wearable "smart underwear" capable of detecting intestinal gas. The device allowed scientists to measure real-world gas production more accurately than ever before, and the findings were both surprising and hilarious.But that's only half the story.Once we're done discussing wearable fart technology, we head to the ocean where a whale's gas reportedly created sounds that were mistaken for a possible underwater security threat. Because apparently even military intelligence isn't immune to the power of a well-timed toot.In This EpisodeThe surprising reason the "14 farts per day" estimate may be wrongHow researchers built wearable gas-detecting underwearWhy self-reporting isn't always reliable scienceThe Human Flatus Atlas project and what researchers hope to learnThe medical importance of understanding normal gas productionThe whale fart that allegedly sounded suspiciously like a military threatWhy some of the funniest scientific studies can still produce valuable discoveriesFact, Folklore, or Speculation?Fact: Researchers developed wearable technology to measure intestinal gas production in real-world settings and found people may pass gas far more often than previously estimated.Fact: Scientists are using this data to better understand digestion, microbiomes, and gastrointestinal health.Reported Incident: Unusual underwater sounds investigated as a potential security concern were later attributed to a whale.Universal Truth: Farts have apparently been funny for thousands of years.Coming Soon: Klondike Kate Live!🎙️ Join us for our upcoming Klondike Kate live show!Rainy Day Rabbit Holes is heading to the stage to explore the fascinating history, colorful characters, and larger-than-life legends surrounding the iconic Klondike Kate. Expect laughs, fascinating stories, audience interaction, and plenty of unexpected rabbit holes along the way.For show details, updates, tickets, and upcoming events, visit:https://www.rainydayrabbitholes.comRelated EpisodesIf bizarre science, strange human behavior, and wonderfully weird discoveries are your thing, check out:Hold My Sake: Japan Made Alcohol Out of Moth Poophttps://www.rainydayrabbitholes.com/podcast/hold-my-sake-japan-made-alcohol-out-of-moth-poop-5-minute-fridayWhy Are People Putting Coffee There?https://www.rainydayrabbitholes.com/podcast/why-are-people-putting-coffee-thereRectum? Damn Near Evacuated 'Emhttps://www.rainydayrabbitholes.com/podcast/5-minute-friday-rectum-damn-near-evacuated-emExplore the full archive at:https://www.rainydayrabbitholes.comListen, Laugh, and Keep DiggingGot a strange article we should cover in a future bonus episode? We'd love to hear it.Visit us at:https://www.rainydayrabbitholes.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-unhinged-rainy-day-rabbit-holes/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Hey, it's Shea, popping in for a quick update about what's coming up on the show, and some exciting events!Come see us LIVE! Wednesday September 16th at the McMenamins Elks Temple in Tacoma Washington.https://www.mcmenamins.com/events/274791-klondike-kate-and-the-pantages-theaterCheck out the Bootleggers Ball! Friday, October 16th in Seattle, Washington.https://www.strangertickets.com/events/185904773/bootleggers-ballWant to get in touch? Email me at [email protected] or reach out on Instagram @rainydayrabbitholespodThank you to all of the listeners and historians who have been supporting us!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-unhinged-rainy-day-rabbit-holes/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Blade Runner: Humanity, Memory, and Replicants in the RainThis week on Rainy Day Rabbit Holes, we're turning the tables a bit. Instead of our usual deep dive, we're featuring a special crossover appearance from the Midday Movies podcast, where Shea and her brother Jason joined hosts Laura and Stephen to discuss Ridley Scott's groundbreaking 1982 sci-fi masterpiece, Blade Runner.Set in a rain-soaked, neon-lit Los Angeles of the future, Blade Runner is far more than a detective story. It's a philosophical exploration of what it means to be human, how memories shape identity, and whether artificial life deserves the same rights and dignity as its creators. Nearly 45 years after its release, the film remains one of the most influential works in science fiction history.In this conversation, Laura, Stephen, Shea, and Jason share their personal experiences with the film and unpack the themes that have made Blade Runner a lasting cultural touchstone. From the tragic journey of Roy Batty to the mystery surrounding Rick Deckard, the discussion explores why audiences continue to wrestle with the film's biggest questions decades later.The group also examines the movie's stunning visual style, its impact on the cyberpunk genre, and the ways its vision of the future feels surprisingly relevant today. Along the way, they dive into themes of memory, empathy, mortality, consumerism, and the ethical implications of creating artificial life.Whether you're a longtime fan who can quote the "tears in rain" monologue by heart or someone experiencing Blade Runner for the first time, this episode offers an engaging and thought-provoking look at one of cinema's most enduring achievements.In This EpisodeFirst impressions and evolving perspectives on Blade RunnerThe replicants' search for identity and purposeMemory, empathy, and what defines humanityThe visual design that helped define cyberpunkRoy Batty as one of science fiction's greatest charactersThe film's influence on modern movies, television, and gamingThe enduring mystery of Deckard's true natureWhy Blade Runner remains relevant more than four decades laterChapters00:00 — Introduction to Blade Runner02:45 — Personal experiences with the film10:30 — Themes of identity and humanity18:00 — The film's visual style and influence25:15 — Memory and the replicants' struggle for meaning35:00 — Character dynamics and moral complexity45:20 — The ambiguous ending and its implications50:00 — Final thoughts on the film's legacyFor more Laura and Stephen, follow them at ⁠⁠@middaymoviespod⁠⁠, ⁠⁠@umbrellapodcastcollective⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠@facehuggersandfriendspod⁠⁠🎭 Live Show Announcement!Join us for Klondike Kate: Queen of the Yukon, a special live edition of Rainy Day Rabbit Holes at McMenamins on September 16th. We'll explore the fascinating life, legends, and larger-than-life legacy of one of the most famous figures from the Klondike Gold Rush.🎟️ Tickets are available now at RainyDayRabbitHoles.com.Connect with Rainy Day Rabbit Holes🌧️ Website: RainyDayRabbitHoles.com🎟️ Live Show Tickets: RainyDayRabbitHoles.com🎙️ Listen wherever you get your podcasts📱 Follow us on social media for upcoming episodes, live events, and behind-the-scenes contentIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating and review—it helps more curious minds find the rabbit hole.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-unhinged-rainy-day-rabbit-holes/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

He claimed he could read your mind… and your grief. In this episode, Shea and Time Grey Havens dive into the life of Alexander “The Man Who Knows,” a 1920s stage sensation who blurred the line between magic and manipulation. From gold rush con games to hidden microphones and psychic performances, his rise reveals how easily belief can become business—and how far one man would go to stay ahead. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-unhinged-rainy-day-rabbit-holes/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy