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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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