Dear Hank & John 424: Heaven Grades on a Curve
Sep 17, 2025
The hosts dive into whimsical questions like whether the sun appears bigger on Mercury or Venus. They tackle the impact of AI on careers, pondering which fields will remain secure from automation. A light-hearted exploration of gemstones leads to chaotic jokes about Bessie the pig. They blend humor with deeper themes, discussing childhood mortality and self-care, while sharing excitement over AFC Wimbledon's unexpected success. The conversation balances playful banter with intriguing insights about football, Mars discoveries, and listener dilemmas.
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Heaven Grades With Social Norms
- John suggests "heaven grades on a curve," meaning moral judgment adapts to social norms and trends.
- He connects that idea to The Good Place and how morality becomes harder as awareness grows.
Poem Reveals Harsh 1840s Reality
- John read the 1845 Scientific American poem "Speak Gently" and reflected on child mortality then.
- He contrasts sentimental poetry with grim historical facts like high under-five mortality.
Closer Orbs Appear Larger
- The sun appears larger closer to it due to basic optics and angular size increasing with proximity.
- John estimates Mercury's Sun disk would be roughly three times Earth's apparent diameter.