The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week Skateboard Archeology, Dire Wolf Bones, The Great Fear
Sep 24, 2025
Annalee Newitz, an author and science writer, dives into the fascinating world of historical gossip, revealing how rumors spread during the 18th century like a contagious disease. She discusses a study linking this rumor mill to political action during France's Great Fear. Additionally, the hosts explore the excavation of a 1978 skate park, shedding light on contemporary archaeology, and share insights on how dire wolf fossils can inform modern animal care practices. Tune in for a blend of history and science!
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Robots, Noodles, And A Wheeled Character
- Annalee Newitz described her new novel Automatic Noodle about four freed robots opening a noodle restaurant in post-independence California.
- The book features a wheeled robot character inspired by Annalee's earlier wheeled-robot fact and explores robophobia and rumor spread online.
Kelvin Wheelies Was A Major 1978 Hub
- Rachel explains Kelvin Wheelies skate park opened in Glasgow in 1978 with modern features like bowls and a half-pipe.
- The park hosted Scotland's first national skateboarding championship and cost £100,000 to build.
Wheels And Empty Pools Reinvented Skateboarding
- Skateboarding revived in the early 1970s after polyurethane wheels made it safer and more versatile compared with metal or clay wheels.
- Empty California swimming pools provided the curved terrains that birthed many modern skateboarding tricks and styles.
