
Words & Numbers Episode 480: The War on Drugs (Continued)
In this episode, we look at the story of a young boy who found purpose working for the DC Metro and later became a transportation engineer, and we examine a proposal for the U.S. to screen tourists’ social media accounts before entry, highlighting the logistical and constitutional problems such a system would create. We cover the week’s “foolishness,” including In-N-Out removing order number 67 from its queues and a Montreal lottery winner who chose a disastrous payout option, and discuss what these cases reveal about human judgment and bad incentives. We also explore the Mandela Effect and why memory often fails us. Later, we’re joined by Todd Huntley to talk about U.S. drug interdiction on the high seas, the legal gray zone between warfare and law enforcement, the risks of escalating conflicts with countries like Venezuela, and the constitutional limits on presidential war powers.
00:00 Introduction and Overview
00:30 The DC Metro Kid Who Became an Engineer
02:44 U.S. Plans to Screen Tourists’ Social Media
05:43 Foolishness of the Week: In-N-Out Removes Order #67
08:10 Foolishness Part Two: The Montreal Lottery Payout Disaster
11:16 The Psychology of Bad Financial Decisions
12:34 The Mandela Effect and Faulty Memory
14:36 Reunions and Remembering the Past
18:24 Guest Introduction: Todd Huntley on Drug Boat Strikes
20:16 How U.S. Drug Interdiction Changed with Drone Warfare
23:08 Is This War or Law Enforcement? The Legal Debate
26:44 International Waters, Venezuela, and Escalation Risks
30:13 Regime Change in Venezuela
32:45 The Positive Case for Blowing Up Boats
36:42 The Negative Case for Blowing Up Boats
41:11 Who Is Conducting the Strikes?
43:40 Congress, War Powers, and Constitutional Limits
48:57 Closing Thoughts with Guest
52:10 Outro Banter
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