Lateral with Tom Scott

160: Pumpkin?

10 snips
Oct 31, 2025
Guest
Dani Siller
Guest
Bill Sunderland
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ADVICE

Use Universal Symbols For Clarity

  • Use recognisable international symbols to make interfaces intuitive across cultures.
  • Apple's switch to the Swedish 'place of interest' symbol for the Command key proved a simple, universal design choice.
INSIGHT

Pedometer Data Can Affect Insurance Rates

  • Wearable fitness data can have direct financial consequences via insurers.
  • People have tried mechanical tricks (drill, branch, metronome, dog) to inflate pedometer counts for discounts.
INSIGHT

'Pumpkin Time' Is A Nightflight Safety Rule

  • Wildfire aviation uses coded timing to ensure safety around sunset.
  • 'Pumpkin time' means helicopters must be grounded half an hour after sunset for safety reasons.
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