Stuff They Don't Want You To Know Stuff They Don't Want You To Know

Listener Mail: Water Wars and Terrorism, Elephants and Circuses, the Future of Apprenticeships, and More

Aug 20, 2026 · 1h 1m

Summary

Hosts Matt, Noel, Ben, and Dylan discuss listener mail covering cyberattacks on municipal water infrastructure, highlighting vulnerabilities like default passwords in small towns versus the difficulty of poisoning major city supplies. The episode features testimonials from a union carpenter and a glassblower advocating for trade apprenticeships as a valuable alternative to college, especially amidst the rise of AI. Finally, they address ethical concerns regarding animal treatment in circuses, sharing listener stories about the harsh realities of elephant shows.

Topics discussed

Intro: Rutabaga conspiracy and host identity confusion Mountain Day, Soft Serve Day, and birthday month Smart meters raising bills and AWD vs 4WD Humidity warnings and ad breaks Water supply security: Small towns vs NYC Cyberattacks on water infrastructure and PLCs Bioterrorism Act and economic concentration risks Carpentry apprenticeships and learning from elders Rise of trade schools and analog backlash to AI Ad breaks for Chase and Dupixent Listener mail: Shrine Circus and elephant abuse SeaWorld, orcas exploding sunfish, and zoo ethics Water wars, Nestle, and off-grid living Outro, contact info, and final ads
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