Lateral with Tom Scott 135: Thumbs down? Good!
May 9, 2025
In this lively discussion, mathematician Katie Steckles, transport enthusiast Geoff Marshall, and wine columnist Hannah Crosbie tackle quirky yet fascinating topics. They delve into the amusing implications of hand gestures, from thumbs up to thumbs down, and share hilarious anecdotes about historical firefighting methods. The trio also debates iconic designs like the 'I ❤ NY' logo and recounts the absurdities of coffee shop orders. With playful banter and brainy insights, they keep the conversation entertaining and enlightening.
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Scuba Diving Hand Signals
- In scuba diving, thumbs down signal means it's okay to continue diving deeper.
- Thumbs up means either surfacing or that there's a problem and you need to ascend.
Spiral Stairs Kept Fire Horses Down
- US fire stations used spiral staircases to prevent horses from climbing upstairs to search for food.
- Fire poles for faster descent were invented later, initially considered an odd innovation.
Logo Adapted for Organ Donation
- The iconic I♥NY logo can be modified with the heart removed to promote organ donation.
- This altered logo visually communicates a message beneath, like 'New York needs organ donors.'