HTDE: Josh Gad defeats earworms, and we make a pitch to Pete Buttigieg
Oct 30, 2024
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In this lively discussion, Broadway star Josh Gad, known for his roles in 'Frozen' and 'The Book of Mormon', offers hilarious insights on tackling those pesky earworms, particularly the infectious 'Gaston'. Meanwhile, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg fields a whimsical question about custom time zones, blending humor with practicality. The conversation delves into the quirks of campaign mail, making light of election season while sharing amusing personal stories related to childhood favorites. It's a delightful mix of nostalgia and clever solutions!
Engaging in early voting effectively reduces election mail by encouraging campaigns to minimize unnecessary spending on mailers.
Chewing gum can help disrupt the mental repetition of catchy songs, providing a simple solution to annoying earworms.
Deep dives
Reducing Election Mail through Early Voting
Voting early significantly reduces the amount of election-related mail received by registered voters. Political strategist Douglas Herman explains that campaigns aim to eliminate unnecessary spending on mailers, which can be costly. When voters educate themselves and cast their ballots early, campaigns are incentivized to stop sending mail, thus benefiting both parties. This can be seen as a personal contribution to a candidate's finances, as it alleviates the expenses of sending unnecessary correspondence.
The Intricacies of Franked Mail
Franked mail allows federal elected officials to send correspondence without the need for postage stamps, utilizing their signature instead. This system, known as congressional franking, is strictly regulated to ensure that it is used solely for official communications. While it helps politicians communicate effectively, misusing this privilege for campaign purposes would result in serious legal repercussions. The process offers insights into how costs are managed in political campaigns while ensuring transparency in governmental mailing.
Strategies for Escaping an Earworm
Chewing gum has been suggested as an effective method for getting a catchy song stuck in one's head out of mind. Dr. Philip Beeman's research indicates that engaging the lower facial muscles while chewing can disrupt the mental rehearsal of the song. This clever tactic prevents individuals from unconsciously humming the lyrics by keeping their brain regions occupied with another activity. Although this solution may seem simple, it addresses the common annoyance of persistent melodies looping in the mind.
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.
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How To Do Everything is hosted by Mike Danforth and Ian Chillag. It is produced by Heena Srivastava. Technical direction from Lorna White.