Lateral with Tom Scott

In this lively discussion, fashion and cultural historian Abby Cox, YouTuber Matt Gray, and comedian Iszi Lawrence tackle everything from the quirks of nightclub queues to the historical legacy of Irish monks. They humorously dissect the impact of a seemingly mundane choice by monks that altered literacy practices, and why hairspray isn’t just for looks! Get ready for a delightful blend of fashion history, cultural anecdotes, and amusing trivia about unique apps for farmers, all wrapped in their charming banter.

Julian O’Shea, a Melbourne-based city design YouTuber, joins Dani Siller and Bill Sunderland from 'Escape This Podcast.' They tackle quirky topics like bizarre food theft prevention and marketing campaigns, including Burger King’s Moldy Whopper. The trio shares playful anecdotes about unusual culinary ideas, like the 'Earth sandwich,' and explore a humorous historical tale about a deer presented as a horse. Their banter brings laughs while delving into cultural oddities and the intricacies of politics and perceptions in governance.

Karen Kavett, a puzzle writer known for her creative projects, joins Francis Heaney, an editor and fellow puzzle enthusiast. They dive into quirky discussions about corporate coincidences and the significance of national symbols. The conversation takes a humorous turn with tales of an organist ejected for musical mischief at a baseball game. They also explore cultural spins, like reversing a giant wheel in Singapore due to feng shui, blending laughter with intriguing insights on language and tradition.

Sophie Ward is a science communicator with a vibrant YouTube presence, while Julian Huguet co-hosts That's Absurd, Please Elaborate. They dive into quirky topics like the odd reasons behind Beyoncé's Wikipedia fandom and the whimsical science of cheese. Discover the humor in vacuum testing and the chaos of urban dog walking. The discussion also touches on the peculiarities of banned wartime songs and cultural quirks, like the significance of British hamlets and their traffic norms. It's an entertaining blend of science, culture, and laughter!

Trace Dominguez, a science communicator from That's Absurd, Molly Edwards, a plant biologist with a knack for sharing scientific insights, and Lucy Rogers, an engineer and former Robot Wars judge, engage in a lively discussion. They cover the behind-the-scenes chaos of the Mexican game show Escape Perfecto, explore the quirky side of art and aviation, and share fascinating tidbits about managing diabetes and clever Scrabble strategies. Expect humor and unexpected insights as they dive into whimsical jobs and game show gambits!

In this lively gathering, Bec Hill, a stand-up comedian and children's author, and comedian Stuart Goldsmith, known for tackling climate crises in his work, dive into a whirlwind of absurd topics. They share hilarious anecdotes about suspicious surgeons and quirky medical devices. The trio also discuss whimsical traditions, such as squashing beer caps on train tracks, and tackle the peculiarities of British culture with humor. Their playful banter is sprinkled with playful jest about helmets and racing culture, making for an entertaining exploration of the bizarre.

Joining the lively conversation are Carson Woody, a TikTok and YouTube linguist known for his insights on language, Kip Heath, a clinical scientist tackling antibiotic resistance, and returning guest Ólafur Waage, a tech innovator from the Nordics. Expect delightful banter about weird linguistics, the history of sewage management with wooden spheres, and nostalgic soccer stories. They also dive into unique concepts like a 'sourdough starter hotel' and the quirky world of robotic lawnmowers, all while ensuring plenty of laughs along the way!

Tom Crawford, a mathematics fellow at Oxford and Cambridge, brings his analytical flair alongside creative minds Katelyn and Evan Heling. They tackle quirky topics from hockey hat tricks to the global implications of SIM cards. The discussion humorously weaves through avocado art and the importance of meaningful gifts, while also diving into the complexities of glass bottle production. Expect playful connections between sport logos and language codes, culminating in delightful banter about the joys and challenges of modern communication.

Join fashion historian Abby Cox, broadcast engineer Matt Gray, and comedian Iszi Lawrence as they tackle quirky topics with humor. They discuss bizarre historical medicine and the cultural significance of pirates. Abby hilariously examines the design of quirky mugs, while Matt shares a thrilling eBay discovery. They also explore Indonesian driving norms, unique tailoring anecdotes, and the challenges of spacesuit design, all peppered with witty banter about exam loopholes and humorous golf mishaps.

Karen Kavett, a puzzle whiz and member of a top-tier puzzle team, joins Sam Meeps, an anime maker and cosplayer, and Francis Heaney, an accomplished puzzle writer. They dive into the cultural quirks of tea and coffee drinking, blending humor with nostalgia. The trio also tackles the chaotic world of lotteries, sharing amusing personal anecdotes. They explore innovative and impractical transportation ideas, while also dissecting the ethics of advertising in a lighthearted fashion. Expect a delightful mixture of trivia, creativity, and laughs!