Josh Gad defeats earworms, and we make a pitch to Pete Buttigieg
Oct 30, 2024
auto_awesome
Josh Gad, the Broadway star renowned for his roles in 'Frozen' and 'The Book of Mormon,' joins to share humorous strategies for silencing pesky earworms, particularly his own catchy 'Gaston' tune. Political strategist Douglas Herman discusses the challenges of election season, from excessive campaign mailers to the benefits of early voting. Meanwhile, they ponder the complexities of time zones with a nod to Pete Buttigieg's transportation insights, blending lighthearted anecdotes and serious topics about unity amid political chaos.
Voting early effectively reduces unwanted election mailers by prompting campaigns to optimize their communication strategies with registered voters.
Chewing gum can help eliminate catchy songs stuck in your head by distracting the brain's vocalization regions, preventing repetitive inner singing.
Deep dives
Reducing Election Mailers by Voting Early
Voting early is an effective way to stop receiving excessive election mailers. When a person votes, campaigns are inclined to cease communications since they want to save on costs associated with mailing. Election mailers are often expensive, and campaigns prioritize communications with registered voters to maximize their outreach. By voting early, voters not only reduce unwanted mail but also contribute financially to their preferred candidates by enabling them to allocate resources more efficiently.
Understanding Franked Mail
Franked mail is a system used by federal elected officials that allows them to send mail without the conventional postage stamp, utilizing their signature instead. This privilege, known as congressional franking, is strictly regulated for official communications with constituents. Misuse of this privilege for campaign-related purposes can lead to significant consequences, including legal violations. The discussion around franking includes anecdotes about politicians' creative use of this system and its implications for campaign finance.
Tips for Getting a Song Out of Your Head
Chewing gum may serve as an effective method for getting stuck songs out of your head. Research suggests that when the muscle activity involved in chewing occupies the brain's regions responsible for vocalization, it can decrease the repetitive inner singing of a catchy tune. An expert explains that interfering with these brain regions helps prevent the looping of songs in one’s mind. Combining this technique with other catchy melodies or distractions can aid individuals in breaking free from persistent songs.
This week on the show, when a mother can't get her four-year-old's favorite song out of her head, Mike and Ian call up Broadway's beloved Josh Gad to help. Plus, Ian has a formal request for the Secretary of Transportation, and the guys find a tip to quell those pesky election mailers.
You can email your burning questions to howto@npr.org.
How To Do Everything is available without sponsor messages for supporters of Wait Wait Don't Tell Me+, who also get bonus episodes of Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me! featuring exclusive games, behind-the-scenes content, and more. Sign up and support NPR at plus.npr.org.
How To Do Everything is hosted by Mike Danforth and Ian Chillag. It is produced by Heena Srivastava. Technical direction from Lorna White.