Recast: Ella on That's Absurd, Please Elaborate
Aug 27, 2026 · 1h 6m
Summary
Hosts Tom and Julian recast an episode after co-host Ella’s house fire, featuring her appearance on Trace Dominguez’s science show. They debunk the myth that wind turbines stop the wind, explaining Betz’s limit and the physics of air flow. The episode also explores the biology of urination, comparing human bladder capacity to bird cloacae and discussing the consequences of holding urine for a year.
Topics discussed
Intro: Recast announcement and Ella's house fire
Host introductions and guest welcome
Question: Is wind a finite resource?
Debunking the 'wind slows down' meme and science
How wind actually works: Solar energy and pressure
Wind farm capacity and wake effects on neighbors
Betz limit and the physics of turbine efficiency
Why wind never stops and the 'Old Man Windmill' joke
San Gorgonio wind farm and UK wind potential
Favorite energy sources: Nuclear, geothermal, solar
Sponsor: Proton VPN and the 'Proton' pun
Sponsors: Max Fun and That Is Absurd
Question: Can you hold your pee for a year?
The science of urine: Nitrogen and kidney function
Bladder capacity and the myth of exploding bladders
Birds and the cloaca: A multi-purpose waste system
Mammal urination laws and bear hibernation
Dietary changes for annual peeing and societal impact
Sweat as an alternative waste disposal method
Digestive tract anatomy and the 'lumpy straw' analogy
Outro, credits, and final sign-off
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