The Evening Bulletin with Perry Michael Simon: Recent Episodes
Perry Michael Simon
Got a few minutes? That's all you need to catch up with the truly odd, real things going on in the world today... no, not THAT weirdness. The OTHER weirdness. Stories you haven't heard elsewhere, direct from radio's storehouse of weird news and conversation starters, Talk Topics at AllAccess.com. Daily, and short. Real short.
Follow Talk Topics on Twitter @talktopics and Perry Michael Simon at @pmsimon wherever fine social media is available.
I'm feeling guilty about ordering "non-essential" stuff for delivery during a pandemic. I'm feeling guilty about ordering ANYTHING for delivery during a pandemic.
A lot has changed since March. I'm not certain we'll get back what we had in the meantime, and I'm not talking about the economy.
The podcast goes on hiatus after 666 episodes (this is the 667th), because everyone needs a break.
A poll shows more people today think the coronavirus threat is "blown out of proportion" than thought so a month ago. We are truly in a post-facts world. (Source: NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist Poll)
Toilet paper isn't really in short supply. It's just that... okay, we'll go into why you can't easily find TP at your local market, and how that's by design.
Things take a dark turn, and Mr. Brightside has some trouble finding humor in anything. I talk about how the incessant coronavirus news is affecting what I do for a living.
We live in a time when we need instructions on safety when eating out. That's distressing. (Source: USA Today)
What happens when there are too many massive news stories happening all at once? This. This is what happens.
VHS tapes are making a comeback? Not really, but for some people, videotape remains a big deal, like vinyl records. (Source: CNBC via NBC News)
We love technology until it just won't do what it's supposed to do, like automatically reset clocks for Daylight Saving Time. That's when the cursing starts.
Monopoly takes too long to play. It's complicated and boring. Why, then, is it so popular? (Source: BBC)
Could you live with your toilet right next to your bed, in the same room? In London, people pay big bucks for that, not because they want to, but because that's what's available. The real estate market is insane. (Source: CNN)
Coronavirus has some people turning survivalist, hoarding supplies in case we're all quarantined. Are you ready to go that far? (Source: KTVT/Dallas-Fort Worth)
The passing of the founder of Trader Joe's serves as a reminder that not too many other businesses are as universally highly regarded. Except for the parking. (Source: Washington Post)
Coronavirus threatens the way we greet each other. Can you live without handshakes or European-style cheek kisses? Yes, you can. (Source: Los Angeles Times)
It's that season again. Peeps are back. Shamrock shakes, too. Spare me. (Source: USA Today; CNN)
The pending demise of a Spanish-language newsstand in L.A. is a reminder of how far print has fallen. It also raises the question of whether anyone's reading anything but social media posts and text messages anymore. (Source: Los Angeles Times)
Parents still think that kids get "sugar highs" that cause them to bounce off walls. It's not true, but that doesn't prevent the myth from persisting. (Source: New York Times)
Coronavirus isn't the only health-related danger flight attendants have to face these days. They're always dealing with illness and bacteria. It's your fault. (Source: Los Angeles Times)
Two airlines have increased their baggage fees. It's not because their costs are higher; it's because they can. (Source: USA Today)
Yet another study shows that the Mediterranean diet is very good for you. And yet again, you won't take the hint. (Source: CNN)
Burial and cremation have new competition. You can now be composted. You'll probably want to wait until after you're dead, though. (Source: BBC)
You listen to music or podcasts while working out. Perhaps you should reconsider that. (Source: The Atlantic)
A new health fad turns out to be a very bad idea. It could cause you to develop long-term and even fatal damage. That's what you get for taking health advice from Instagram. (Source: Los Angeles Times)
It's Valentine's Day, so let's keep it quick. You won't want to delay candy and dinner.
The trend towards allowing workers to take breaks during the day sometimes leads to too much time spent on surfing the web and Facebook and other pursuits. It's called "cyberloafing," and maybe there's a limit. Or maybe not. (Source: BBC)
Some people prefer paper maps to GPS or map apps. The old-fashioned way may offer some benefits that Waze can't match. (Source: USA Today)
Could flight shaming take hold in America like it's doing in Europe? Maybe, but it will have to get over some major hurdles to do so. (Source: Los Angeles Times)
Every number's a milestone if you want it to be a milestone. You don't have to wait for a round number to celebrate, do you?
Polls show that most people think you shouldn't discuss politics at the office. Most people do it anyway. (Source: USA Today)
Are you more likely to catch coronavirus on an airplane? Probably not. At least, it's no more likely than if you're in any other place with lots of people. Maybe. (Source: Washington Post)
Quentin Tarantino apparently doesn't have a cell phone. He bans other people's phones from the set, too. Maybe he's on to something. (Source: The Hollywood Reporter)
You're watching a movie. The actors' accents sound inauthentic. Does that take you out of the moment? (Source: BBC)
More states and cities are on board with the idea of mental health days off for students. Perhaps they should consider extending that to the rest of us. (Source: Washington Post)
A survey suggests that there will be a lot of Americans calling in sick the day after the Super Bowl. If you can't get it together after watching football on TV, maybe you should reassess your existence. (Source: USA Today)
The Washington Post offers some etiquette tips on eating while flying, and so do I. (Source: Washington Post)
A homeowners' association in Arizona wants to fine and punish residents for complaining about them on social media. That's not how it's supposed to work. (Source: Arizona Republic)
Two proposals are on the table for changes to nutrition labels. There are good and bad aspects to each of them. (Sources: The Guardian; Washington Post)
Sometimes, you can prepare in advance. Sometimes, you can't. That's especially true with podcasts, and social media, when tragedy strikes.
Science has determined why some people's hair turns grey quicker. You can already guess the answer, and you'd be correct. (Source: The Guardian)
How are you at shaking hands? One article offers tips on how to do it right. I wonder why we do it at all. (Source: BBC)
The shopping mall may be dead, but some malls are thriving. They have certain things in common. (Source: New York Times)
Having conquered the children's market, Lego is now going after the adult market. We are all reverting to childhood. There's something to be said for that. (Source: Washington Post)
It's easy to just react to headlines you see on Facebook and Twitter without looking deeper. That's a mistake.
Some survey claims that most Americans worry about being judged for what they wear while exercising. I don't share that concern. (Source: SWNS via New York Post)
Kiwi on a pizza? That's what someone is doing in Denmark. I'd be less appalled if it didn't include ham, too. (Source: New York Post)
Herein, a few words for those affected by the radio layoffs... er, "employee dislocation." Even if you don't want to hear anything from anybody right now, maybe this'll help a little.
An article in the Washington Post examined what the worst seats are on an airplane, and how to avoid them. I didn't think you need an article for that. (Source: Washington Post)
January is National Walk Your Dog Month. I suppose you wouldn't think of walking your dog without an officially designated month in which to do so. (Source: WTVJ/Miami)
A study says you use five hours of your day on "leisure activities," which means mostly looking at screens. That means you DO have time to exercise. You just aren't. (Source: New York Times)
It's a bad flu season already. I hope you haven't gotten it so far. (Source: KYW-TV/Philadelphia)
Some schools are replacing mandatory gym class with mandatory virtual physical education, which has students wearing Fitbits to track after-school activity. What a good idea. (Source: AP via Boston.com)
The new year comes with a warning involving check writing, which reminds us all that some people still write checks.
How early do you get to the airport for a flight? We know the official stance, but different people have different tolerances for long airport hangouts.
It is not your imagination. SUVs ARE getting bigger and longer. Say, does Dr. Freud have any appointments available? (Source: USA Today)
Cellphone-related injuries have increased, but you knew that. Maybe you should pay attention, too. (Source: KABC-TV/Los Angeles)
A newspaper asked CEOs about their companies' rules for employees' social media posts. Nothing they said will surprise you. (Source: Miami Herald)
Someone fell off a 200-foot cliff around here to the ocean and rocks below and survived. This happens more than you'd expect. The falling part, that is. The survival isn't typical. Nor is the national news coverage. (Source: CNN)
A survey finds the rudest city in America. It won't shock you. It also won't matter. (Source: Business Insider)
Yeah, I know, the decade doesn't technically end next week. We go through this every ten years. (Source: CNN)
Did you get any board games for the holidays? They haven't gone away, and they're still popular, it says here. I'll have to trust them on this one. (Source: WCBS-TV/New York)
Cosmopolitan came up with a term for a dating situation peculiar to the holidays: "snow-globing." Is this a thing? (Source: Cosmopolitan)
A Wednesday holiday presents a dilemma: Which days should everyone get to take off? I have a suggestion.
Are you in the midst of gaining weight during the holidays? Everyone does, it seems. It might be a little too late for this year, but there are things you can do to avoid the Christmas spread. (Source: Los Angeles Times)
Bicyclists complain that car drivers are trying to run them off the road. Car drivers complain that bikers get in the way of traffic. They may both be right. (Source: WKMG-TV/Orlando)
An unusual customer is frequenting a particular supermarket salad bar. It will, or at least should, make you not want to eat at salad bars. (Source: WCCO-TV/Minneapolis)
How much sleep do you get every night? If your answer's "not enough," you should be aware of the alternative, which is equally troubling. (Source: CTV News)
The cashless society is practically here, with most people using debit and credit cards and other forms of payment for everything. Some studies say that's not necessarily a good thing. (Source: BBC)
Every year, another state legislature considers a bill to require the teaching of cursive handwriting in public schools. And every year, we talk about it, because of course we do. (Source: CNN)
Money stresses people out in general, but a survey indicates it's especially stressful at holiday time. You're dreading the gift-giving, aren't you? (Source: LendingTree.com)
A survey says that office holiday parties are making a comeback. I didn't know they went away. (Source: Scripps National via KNXV-TV/Phoenix)
Beer sales continue to slip. People are still drinking, but they're drinking other things. (Source: CNN)
Plant-based meat is a big seller right now. Meat producers want you to think twice about eating the non-meat. There's a lot of money at steak... er, stake. (Source: New York Times)
The last month of the year means it's time for those Most Popular Baby Name lists. Use them at your kid's own risk. (Source: Cox Media Group via WFOX-TV-WTEV-TV/Jacksonville)
Aruba has an offer for those of you who need a break from election stress. I think that means it's an offer for everyone. (Source: WTXF-TV/Philadelphia)
Christmas tree prices are up, and they're blaming Millennials, because they blame Millennials for everything these days. (Source: KGTV/San Diego)
People are getting into a trend that we thought died out 30 years ago, with parents and kids (and pets) wearing matching clothes. I'm gonna go ahead and blame Instagram. (Source: BBC)
Black Friday isn't what it used to be, but it's still a thing, and you'll still indulge, even though you know it's usually not worth the trouble.
You cook. You eat. And then, someone's gotta do the cleaning up. Who's it gonna be in your house?
If you're stuck in traffic today trying to get wherever it is you're going for Thanksgiving, well, don't say you weren't warned.
What's Thanksgiving without political arguments? Normal, according to surveys. (Source: Philadelphia Inquirer)
Why do we eat more on Thanksgiving? Science has some answers, beyond the obvious. (Source: WTTV/Indianapolis)
What Thanksgiving food can you bring onto an airplane in your carry-on? We're here to help. (Source: Washington Post)
There's a real world application of the #OKBoomer meme. It's at work, and it can become divisive. (Source: NPR)
Do offices even have dress codes anymore? Business casual seems to dominate the workplace, but some folks are even more casual than that. Me, for example. (Source: Workforce.com)
How do you deal with annoying airline passengers on your flight? There aren't a lot of options. (Source: Washington Post)
A startup is planning to offer Southern California commuters the ability to fly over traffic for a monthly fee. I still think telecommuting makes more sense. (Source: KGTV/San Diego)
Zagat Guides are back in print! Okay, just New York's and just for now, but they're back. Is there a demand for that in an online age? (Source: New York Times)
The theft of camera equipment from a guy's car illustrates how technology has made that easier. That wasn't supposed to be how it went. (Source: KCBS-TV/Los Angeles)
A newspaper ran a lovely obituary for someone who turned out to be very much alive. Not everybody gets to read his own obituary. (Source: The Guardian)
Let's talk about the lawsuit someone filed against Madonna for starting her concerts late. Is it an understandable complaint or a get-off-my-lawn moment, or both? (Source: TMZ)
Here, we have a couple of stories about rocks in the news, one about the kind you'd wear on your finger and the other getting in the way of traffic. There's also some Millennials-killing-everything talk, if that's the kind of stuff that you enjoy. (Sources: CNBC, CNN)
Someone tested expensive Nike, Adidas, and Under Armour sneakers and found that price and quality are not always related. We knew that. We also knew that it's not about quality. (Source: CBC)