Lateral with Tom Scott 150: Here's a xylophone
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Aug 22, 2025 
Macy Gilliam, a job-exploring YouTuber, Toby Howell, breakfast news analyst, and Neal Freyman, co-host of a business podcast, dive into bizarre topics. They discuss a quirky xylophone sign sparking creativity, President Garfield's absurd metal detector mishap, and aviation mysteries like a puzzling yellow lever. The trio also unravels riddles about clocks and heartbeats while playfully dissecting actor Jack Lemmon's legacy. Their humorous banter keeps the conversation lively, blending absurdity with intriguing trivia.
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Alphabet Game Billboard
- Mobley Parks & Recreation put up a sign reading "Playing the alphabet game. Xylophone, you're welcome."
- The sign solves the road-trip alphabet game problem by offering an X word for players, Tom Scott explained.
Metal Detector Triggered By Bed Metal
- Alexander Graham Bell's prototype metal detector worked but repeatedly signalled because of nearby metal, not the bullet.
- Doctors couldn't locate President Garfield's bullet during life because bed springs set off the detector, Tom Scott said.
Empty Tankers Can Be More Flammable
- An empty fuel tanker can be more dangerous than a full one due to concentrated vapor.
- Tankers delivering fuel may carry flammable vapour that ignites more easily than liquid gasoline, Tom Scott noted.