Bonus: Toilets, Toilets Everywhere
Sep 19, 2026 · 8m
Summary
The hosts discuss New York City’s new initiative to open 17 affordable, app-enabled public toilets, contrasting this low-cost approach with the expensive, high-profile bathrooms built during the Bloomberg era. They debate the accessibility of private restrooms in Manhattan versus the outer boroughs, highlighting how class and location affect access to basic facilities. The conversation also touches on the cultural shift toward private bathroom access in American homes and the practical challenges of finding toilets in suburban areas.
Topics discussed
Mamdani opens 17 public toilets in NYC
Suburban toilet scarcity and marathon running
Finding bathrooms in NYC: Hotels and Barnes & Noble
Class privilege and access to private restrooms
How the new robotic toilets and app access work
Discussion of the movie 'Perfect Days' and Tokyo toilets
Throne Labs and the 10-minute time limit
Comparison to expensive Bloomberg-era public bathrooms
Cost-effectiveness and portability of the new system
American culture of private space and bathroom counts
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