Comedians Andy Zaltzman, Mark Steel, and Alice Fraser discuss finding joy in small things, events and words of the year, 'mapologize' and 'music elatable', the UK government's handling of COVID, the tradition of applauding the opposition, and upcoming Bugle Live Tour and premium content.
Australia's surprising victory in the final match highlights the unpredictability of cricket
The firing and subsequent reinstatement of Sam Altman as CEO of OpenAI sheds light on concerns and developments in the field of AI
Deep dives
India loses to Australia in Cricket World Cup final
India, the dominant team throughout the World Cup, suffered a defeat to Australia in the final match. Despite winning 10 consecutive games, India couldn't secure the victory in the final. The match, held in the Narendra Modi Stadium, seemed destined for India's success. However, cricket is unpredictable, and Australia emerged as the winners. The fans' reaction and early departures from the stadium were criticized for their lack of sportsmanship.
OpenAI CEO's firing and rehiring amidst controversy
Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, was fired by the board of directors in a surprising turn of events. However, Altman staged a counter-coup, mobilizing employees and winning support from investors to be reinstated in his position. OpenAI is known for its chat GPT AI technology. Some criticism stemmed from concerns about safety and potential risks posed by AI, but the field of AI itself is still developing, with the current AI being more of a sophisticated information aggregator.
Rat plague in Queensland, Australia
Queensland in Australia is currently facing a plague of rats, with both dead and live rats washing up on its beaches. The rat infestation follows a previous mouse plague in the region. While the situation is causing concern, some highlight the biased reaction when it comes to the perceived "disgust" surrounding rats compared to other animals. The situation has also inspired the creation of children's books about pirate rats.
Space travel and erectile dysfunction in rats
A scientific study using rats has suggested a potential link between space travel and erectile dysfunction. Researchers discovered that exposure to cosmic rays in microgravity may impact rats' ability to achieve erections. While the research seems comical, it ties into the aspiration of certain billionaires to become the first humans to encounter extraterrestrial life and engage in intergalactic relations. However, the scientific value of this study may be widely contested.