The Times They Are a-Changin

At a Glance

• Poetic License and Reality Check - “This is the 21st century, Jack. And the sun is, we wake by alarm clocks, not by roosters and sunlight, I’m sorry.” The host’s witty response to Jad’s creative solution for having lunch at a certain time, highlighting the absurdity of relying on solar alignment for daily routines.

• The Great Rooster Sprint - “Usain Bolt carrying a rooster with him. Usain Bolt carries a rooster on Venus…He does it in a remarkably fast sprint.” The humorous and imaginative scenario that unfolds, showcasing Jad’s creativity and the absurdity of his idea.

• Therapy for the Rooster - “Yeah, the ro will need therapy. Every day, every day…” The comedic relief provided by Robert’s deadpan response to Jad’s suggestion, highlighting the ridiculousness of the situation.

• Staff Credits and Gratitude - “Thanks for listening…Radio Lab was created by Jad Abumrad and is edited by Soren Wheeler.” A moment of appreciation and recognition for the hard work and dedication of the Radiolab team.

What to Do

*- Don’t rely on external cues, use your internal rhythm to guide you - This piece of advice is given by Jad in the context of Usain Bolt’s sprint. When Jad says “I am not gonna depend on running on Venus to get the sun in the middle of the sky at my command so that I can have lunch,” he’s advising against relying too heavily on external cues, such as the sun’s position, and instead trusting one’s internal rhythm and timing.

• Challenge traditional assumptions - This advice is implicit throughout the conversation. The speakers challenge the assumption that the sun dictates our daily routines, suggesting that we should question established norms and explore alternative perspectives.

• Find creative solutions to seemingly insurmountable problems - In this case, the speakers propose an absurd scenario where Usain Bolt carries a rooster on Venus, which forces them to think outside the box and come up with unorthodox solutions.

• Be mindful of your internal dialogue and emotions - This advice is given by Jad when he says “the ro, will need therapy.” He’s highlighting the importance of being aware of one’s thoughts and emotions, even in the face of absurd or illogical scenarios.

What to Get

• Rooster - As a companion animal, it could provide a convincing cover story for observing human behavior.

• Alarm clock - To convincingly wake up at dawn and observe human morning routines.

• The Interpretation of Dreams by Sigmund Freud - Amazon - (to understand human psychological dynamics)

• The Stranger by Albert Camus - Amazon - a classic novel about a character’s struggles with identity and belonging

Summary

In this episode of Radiolab, the hosts explore the idea of how our perception of time and the world around us can shape our experiences and emotions. The conversation begins with Jad and Robert discussing a seemingly absurd scenario: running on Venus to reverse the sun’s position in the sky so that it’s at its peak during lunchtime. This thought experiment leads them to ponder the role of external cues, like sunlight, in regulating our daily routines.

As they delve deeper into this idea, they imagine a scenario where Usain Bolt carries a rooster with him on Venus and runs backwards to simulate sunrise. The hosts find humor in this absurdity, but also use it as a springboard to explore the complexities of human behavior. They discuss how our internal rhythms and desires can often conflict with external expectations, leading to feelings of frustration or disorientation.

The conversation takes an even more imaginative turn when they consider what it would be like for a rooster on Venus to crow in defiance of its environment. The hosts marvel at the idea that this bird might feel compelled to express itself in ways that are not aligned with its natural instincts, simply because it’s been subjected to a peculiar set of circumstances.

Throughout the episode, Jad and Robert engage in witty banter and playful teasing, creating a lighthearted atmosphere while still tackling profound themes. They touch on ideas like the intersection of internal experience and external reality, the power of storytelling, and the resilience of human imagination in the face of absurdity.

Ultimately, this podcast episode encourages listeners to question their assumptions about time, space, and the human condition. By embracing absurd scenarios and exploring the complexities of human emotion, Radiolab invites us to see the world from fresh perspectives – and to find humor, wisdom, and inspiration in the most unexpected places.