Midnight Facts for Insomniacs

It makes perfect sense that a comedy podcast would cover this week’s topic, because prohibition was a joke.

If you’re not familiar with the story behind the bootlegging, moon shining, home-brewing chaos of 1920s America, you’ll want to listen to this week’s episode and learn all about the giant clusterf*** that was the 18th Amendment.   

In this episode:

• Prohibition Through the Ages
• The Code of Hammurabi
• Beer Bartering
• The Puritans, Pilgrims, and Alcohol
• The American Temperance Society
• Women's Christian Temperance Union
• Drys vs Wets
• Visitation Bands
• Carrie Nation
• The Anti-Saloon League
• Wayne Wheeler
• Wheelerism and Pressure Politics
• Prohibition and the Ku Klux Klan
• Blue Mondays
• World War 1 and the War Against German Brewers
• The Food and Fuel Control Act
• The Alcoholic Blues 
• The Volstead Act and an Epic Mustache
• The 18th Amendment 
• Connecticut and Rhode Island, Heroes
• Woodrow Wilson's Veto Attempt
• The Conundrum of Enforcement
• Section 29
• Vine-Glo
• Warren G. Harding Flouts the Law
• Congress Flouts the Law
• Congress and the Man in the Green Hat Flout the Law
• Everyone Flouts the Law
• Smuggling, Brewing, Bootlegging, Bathtub Gin, Moonshine
• NASCAR
• Denatured Alcohol
• Al Capone
• The Stock Market Crash
• Franklin Delano Roosevelt
• Repeal

~

Join the Midnight Masses!

Become an Insomniac by dropping a review, adding us on social media, and contacting us with episode ideas. 

And we now have Midnight Merch! Show your Insomniac pride and pick up a tee shirt or coffee mug to spread the word! https://midnightbonus.weebly.com/midnight-merch.html

 ~

CONTACT:

Leave an audio message:

https://www.podpage.com/midnight-facts-for-insomniacs/voicemail/popup/?from=https://www.podpage.com/midnight-facts-for-insomniacs/

~

Leave a voicemail or shoot us a text with comments, suggestions, or feedback:

+1 (408) 596-4603

~

Email:

mailto:midnightfactsforinsomniacs@gmail.com

~ 

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/midnightfactsforinsomniacs/

~

Discord:

https://discord.gg/4KUWbgj4PN

~

Shane's Comedy Schedule and Info:

www.shanerogers.net

 ~

Episode Transcript:

https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/t4qiky/Prohibition.pdf

~

Website: 

www.midnightfactsforinsomniacs.com

~ KNOWLEDGE IS POWER, AND SLEEP IS OVERRATED ~

Are robots dangerous? Is Artificial Intelligence destined to take over the world? 

The short answers: yes, and eventually. The robot apocalypse is inevitable. But there's no need to stress, because at least for now, machines are complete idiots. Anything that we currently refer to as "AI"--from Siri to Alexa to advanced machine-learning algorithms--are definitely artificial, but they aren't remotely intelligent. Listen to this episode to find out just how intelligent AIs aren't.

~

In this episode:

• The Sad State of Artificial Intelligence
• Alan Turing
• The Turing Test (the Imitation Game)
• Google Duplex
• CPUs VS GPUs
• Parallel Computing
• Narrow AI VS General AI
• Microsoft's "TAY" Chatbot
• Watson and Urban Dictionary
• Watson for Oncology
• Solid Gold Bomb
• Amazon "Rekognition" Facial Recognition
• This (blank) Does Not Exist
• NVIDIA's StyleGAN
• Amazon's Recruiting Tool

~

Join the Midnight Masses!

Become an Insomniac by dropping a review, adding us on social media, and contacting us with episode ideas. 

And we now have Midnight Merch! Show your Insomniac pride and pick up a tee shirt or coffee mug to spread the word! https://midnightbonus.weebly.com/midnight-merch.html

 ~

CONTACT:

Leave an audio message:

https://www.podpage.com/midnight-facts-for-insomniacs/voicemail/popup/?from=https://www.podpage.com/midnight-facts-for-insomniacs/

~

Leave a voicemail or shoot us a text with comments, suggestions, or feedback:

+1 (408) 596-4603

~

Email:

mailto:midnightfactsforinsomniacs@gmail.com

~ 

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/midnightfactsforinsomniacs/

~

Discord:

https://discord.gg/4KUWbgj4PN

~

Shane's Comedy Schedule and Info:

www.shanerogers.net

 ~

Episode Transcript:

https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/yd39dw/AIFails.pdf

~

Website: 

www.midnightfactsforinsomniacs.com

~ KNOWLEDGE IS POWER, AND SLEEP IS OVERRATED ~

Like it or not, the earth has an expiration date. Billions of years from now the sun will expand and swallow the planets of our solar system...but there’s no guarantee humanity will even make it that far.  

So what are the most likely end-time scenarios? Will the end of civilization  come at our own hands via nuclear conflict or rogue Artificial Intelligence? Or will nature take us out via plagues or asteroids or super-volcanoes?

Join the boys for a final countdown...

~

In this episode: 

• The Doomsday Clock
• The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists
• Anthropogenic Risks vs Non-Anthropogenic Risks
• The Global Catastrophic Risk Conference
• Close Calls (NORAD fails)
• Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)
• Gold Bullion
• International Rivalries
• Nuclear War
• Asteroids (Boomsplode Cataclysm)
• Artificial Intelligence
• Super-volcanoes
• Yellowstone Caldera
• Long Vally Super-Volcano
• Climate Change, briefly
• Pandemic, briefly
• The Great Deoxygenation
• Red Giant/White Dwarf

Join the Midnight Masses!

Become an Insomniac by dropping a review, adding us on social media, and contacting us with episode ideas. 

And we now have Midnight Merch! Show your Insomniac pride and pick up a tee shirt or coffee mug to spread the word! 

https://midnightbonus.weebly.com/midnight-merch.html

 ~

CONTACT:

Leave an audio message:

https://www.podpage.com/midnight-facts-for-insomniacs/voicemail/popup/?from=https://www.podpage.com/midnight-facts-for-insomniacs/

~

Leave a voicemail or shoot us a text with comments, suggestions, or feedback:

+1 (408) 596-4603

~

Email:

mailto:midnightfactsforinsomniacs@gmail.com

~ 

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/midnightfactsforinsomniacs/

~

Discord:

https://discord.gg/4KUWbgj4PN

~

Shane's Comedy Schedule and Info:

www.shanerogers.net

 ~

Episode Transcript:

https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/xgbsxu/Doomsday.pdf

~

Website: 

www.midnightfactsforinsomniacs.com

~ KNOWLEDGE IS POWER, AND SLEEP IS OVERRATED ~

Humans like to believe that we're the pinnacle of evolution, but are we truly logical, rational creatures? If so, why do we self-sabotage? Why do we cling to irrational beliefs even when they make our lives difficult? Do we control our own motivations and behaviors, or are we under the influence of psychological phenomena that most of us barely understand? 

Brains are weird. Here's proof.  

In this episode:

• Cognitive Dissonance
• The Baader-Meinhof Phenomenon
• The Scarcity Principle
• Mere-Exposure Effect
• False Consensus Effect
• Belief Perseverance
• Attribution Errors
• The Spotlight Effect
• Illusion of Transparency
• Recency Bias
• The Madonna-Whore Complex

Join the Midnight Masses!

Become an Insomniac by dropping a review, adding us on social media, and contacting us with episode ideas. 

And we now have Midnight Merch! Show your Insomniac pride and pick up a tee shirt or coffee mug to spread the word! 

https://midnightbonus.weebly.com/midnight-merch.html

 ~

CONTACT:

Leave an audio message:

https://www.podpage.com/midnight-facts-for-insomniacs/voicemail/popup/?from=https://www.podpage.com/midnight-facts-for-insomniacs/

~

Leave a voicemail or shoot us a text with comments, suggestions, or feedback:

+1 (408) 596-4603

~

Email:

mailto:midnightfactsforinsomniacs@gmail.com

~ 

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/midnightfactsforinsomniacs/

~

Discord:

https://discord.gg/4KUWbgj4PN

~

Shane's Comedy Schedule and Info:

www.shanerogers.net

 ~

Episode Transcript:

https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/9rvefu/WeirdPsychology.pdf

~

Website: 

www.midnightfactsforinsomniacs.com

~ KNOWLEDGE IS POWER, AND SLEEP IS OVERRATED ~

By popular demand via the MFFI Discord, Shane and Duncan swap roles for a special episode recorded on April Fools Day!

Follow along in this Scottish-themed extravaganza as Duncan demolishes the beloved historical farce that was Braveheart, and answers questions that no one ever cared to ask, like, "Have there been any tandem Scottish serial killers?" and "Where is the world's largest hedge?" (Hint: it's in Scotland.)

Will this host-swapping Freaky Friday craziness ever happen again? Maybe! Probably not! But who knows? Give the episode a listen and then drop your opinion in the discord:

Meet the Midnight Masses! Join Shane and Duncan and the rest of the Insomniacs on Discord.

https://discord.gg/4KUWbgj4PN

In this episode:

• Braveheart dissected and debunked
• Robert the Bruce speaks in platitudes 
• Mac Vs Mc
• Scottish slavery
• Grave-robbing serial killer duo Hare and Burke
• Scotland sucks at currency
• Mòrag of Loch Morar
• Chicken Tikka Masala
• The largest hedge
• Bonnybridge UFOs

~

Join the Midnight Masses!

Become an Insomniac by dropping a review, adding us on social media, and contacting us with episode ideas. 

And we now have Midnight Merch! Show your Insomniac pride and pick up a tee shirt or coffee mug to spread the word! 

https://midnightbonus.weebly.com/midnight-merch.html

 ~

CONTACT:

Leave an audio message:

https://www.podpage.com/midnight-facts-for-insomniacs/voicemail/popup/?from=https://www.podpage.com/midnight-facts-for-insomniacs/

~

Leave a voicemail or shoot us a text with comments, suggestions, or feedback:

+1 (408) 596-4603

~

Email:

mailto:midnightfactsforinsomniacs@gmail.com

~ 

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/midnightfactsforinsomniacs/

~

Discord:

https://discord.gg/4KUWbgj4PN

~

Shane's Comedy Schedule and Info:

www.shanerogers.net

 ~

Episode Transcript:

https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/y9mbtb/Scotland.pdf

~

Website: 

www.midnightfactsforinsomniacs.com

~ KNOWLEDGE IS POWER, AND SLEEP IS OVERRATED ~

Meet the Midnight Masses! Join Shane and Duncan and the rest of the Insomniacs on Discord:

https://discord.gg/4KUWbgj4PN

~

What's the most effective weight loss plan? Do any of the trending "diet tips" on the Internet actually work? Why does the keto diet make your breath smell like death? 

Join the guys for an exploration of the wild history of nutrition science through the ages, and learn which (if any) fad-diets are legit. 

In this episode:

• The shifting, shifty food pyramid
• Fletcherism
• The cigarette diet
• The Hay diet
• Atkins
• The paleo diet
• The raw food diet
• Food replacement (SlimFast etc)

Join the Midnight Masses!

Become an Insomniac by dropping a review, adding us on social media, and contacting us with episode ideas. 

And we now have Midnight Merch! Show your Insomniac pride and pick up a tee shirt or coffee mug to spread the word! 

https://midnightbonus.weebly.com/midnight-merch.html

 ~

CONTACT:

Leave an audio message:

https://www.podpage.com/midnight-facts-for-insomniacs/voicemail/popup/?from=https://www.podpage.com/midnight-facts-for-insomniacs/

~

Leave a voicemail or shoot us a text with comments, suggestions, or feedback:

+1 (408) 596-4603

~

Email:

mailto:midnightfactsforinsomniacs@gmail.com

~ 

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/midnightfactsforinsomniacs/

~

Discord:

https://discord.gg/4KUWbgj4PN

~

Shane's Comedy Schedule and Info:

www.shanerogers.net

 ~

Website: 

www.midnightfactsforinsomniacs.com

~

Episode Transcript:

https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/ngp55z/Diets.pdf

~ KNOWLEDGE IS POWER, AND SLEEP IS OVERRATED ~

We humans are suckers for the latest crazes and fads, but it's easy to forget that today's TikTok dance will be tomorrow's Macarena. Today's iPhone will be tomorrow's Blackberry. Today's skinny jeans will be tomorrow's skinny jeans. You get the idea. 

Join the guys for a rollicking trip through the fad-tastic misfires of yesteryear, from carob to merkins. 

In this episode:

• Water Beds
• Carob
• Merkins
• Dance Marathons
• Mailbox Baseball
• Pogs
• Magic Eye (Autostereograms)
• Sea Monkeys

Join the Midnight Masses!

Become an Insomniac by dropping a review, adding us on social media, and contacting us with episode ideas. 

And we now have Midnight Merch! Show your Insomniac pride and pick up a tee shirt or coffee mug to spread the word! 

https://midnightbonus.weebly.com/midnight-merch.html

 ~

CONTACT:

Leave an audio message:

https://www.podpage.com/midnight-facts-for-insomniacs/voicemail/popup/?from=https://www.podpage.com/midnight-facts-for-insomniacs/

~

Leave a voicemail or shoot us a text with comments, suggestions, or feedback:

+1 (408) 596-4603

~

Email:

mailto:midnightfactsforinsomniacs@gmail.com

~ 

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/midnightfactsforinsomniacs/

~

Discord:

https://discord.gg/4KUWbgj4PN

~

Shane's Comedy Schedule and Info:

www.shanerogers.net

 ~

Website: 

www.midnightfactsforinsomniacs.com

~

Episode Transcript:

https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/zmgay6/Fads.pdf

~ KNOWLEDGE IS POWER, AND SLEEP IS OVERRATED ~

Not all heroes are created equal. Join the boys for adventures in mediocrity as they explore the least "super" heroes from comic book lore. 

In this episode:

• The Silliest:
  • Big Bertha
  • Leather Boy
  • Squirrel Girl and Monkey Joe
  • Arm Fall Off Boy
  • Fortress Lad
  • Mnemonic Kid
  • Color Kid
• Cypher (Doug Ramsey)
• The Red Bee (Rick Raleigh)
• NFL Superpro (Phil Grayfield)
• The Black Condor (Richard Grey Junior)
• Vibe (Francisco Ramone)
• Strong Man
• Gin Genie
• Hawkeye?

~

Join the Midnight Masses!

Become an Insomniac by dropping a review, adding us on social media, and contacting us with episode ideas. 

And we now have Midnight Merch! Show your Insomniac pride and pick up a tee shirt or coffee mug to spread the word! 

https://midnightbonus.weebly.com/midnight-merch.html

 ~

CONTACT:

Leave an audio message:

https://www.podpage.com/midnight-facts-for-insomniacs/voicemail/popup/?from=https://www.podpage.com/midnight-facts-for-insomniacs/

~

Leave a voicemail or shoot us a text with comments, suggestions, or feedback:

+1 (408) 596-4603

~

Email:

mailto:midnightfactsforinsomniacs@gmail.com

~ 

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/midnightfactsforinsomniacs/

~

Discord:

https://discord.gg/4KUWbgj4PN

~

Shane's Comedy Schedule and Info:

www.shanerogers.net

 ~

Website: 

www.midnightfactsforinsomniacs.com

~

Episode Transcript:

https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/mx3pbt/SUBSTANDARDSUPERHEROES.pdf

~ KNOWLEDGE IS POWER, AND SLEEP IS OVERRATED ~

A peanut isn't a nut, a king crab isn't a crab, a koala isn't a bear, and the funny bone isn't a bone. Listen to this week's episode to find out all of the ways in which your entire life is a lie. 

In this episode:

• Funny Bone
• King Crab and Horseshoe Crab
• Jellyfish and Starfish
• Koala Bears
• Dry Cleaning
• Coconut and Peanut
• Horned Toad
• Head Cheese
• Guinea Pig
• Pencil Lead
• Tinfoil
• Glow Worms and Fireflies
• Holland
• The 100 Years War

~

Join the Midnight Masses!

Become an Insomniac by dropping a review, adding us on social media, and contacting us with episode ideas. 

And we now have Midnight Merch! Show your Insomniac pride and pick up a tee shirt or coffee mug to spread the word! 

https://midnightbonus.weebly.com/midnight-merch.html

 ~

CONTACT:

Leave an audio message:

https://www.podpage.com/midnight-facts-for-insomniacs/voicemail/popup/?from=https://www.podpage.com/midnight-facts-for-insomniacs/

~

Leave a voicemail or shoot us a text with comments, suggestions, or feedback:

+1 (408) 596-4603
~

Email:

mailto:midnightfactsforinsomniacs@gmail.com

~ 

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/midnightfactsforinsomniacs/

~

Discord:

https://discord.gg/4KUWbgj4PN

~

Shane's Comedy Schedule and Info:

www.shanerogers.net

 ~

Website: 

www.midnightfactsforinsomniacs.com

~

Episode Transcript:

https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/mq95bj/MISNOMERS.pdf

~ KNOWLEDGE IS POWER, AND SLEEP IS OVERRATED ~

Exploring new locations can be fun, but there’s a fine line between “adventure” and “ordeal.”

Join the the MFFI boys for a whirlwind tour of four deadly destinations that you won’t find on Trip Adviser. From flaming desert-craters to islands packed with vipers, from zombie-bacteria-caves to cannibal jungles, there’s a little something (awful) in this episode for everyone. These are the kind of tourist traps you’ll never escape...

In this episode: 

• Snake Island, Brazil

  (Ilha da Queimada Grande)

• The Door to Hell, Turkmenistan

  (Darvaza Gas Crater)

• George Kourounis

• Naica Crystal Cave, Mexico

  (Cueva de los Cristales)

• Sentinal Island, India, Bay of Bengal (The Andaman Islands)

• The 1956 Andaman and Nicobar Islands Protection of Aboriginal Tribes Act

• Dudnath Tiwari

~

Join the Midnight Masses!

Become an Insomniac by dropping a review, adding us on social media, and contacting us with episode ideas. 

And we now have Midnight Merch! Show your Insomniac pride and pick up a tee shirt or coffee mug to spread the word! 

https://midnightbonus.weebly.com/midnight-merch.html

 ~

CONTACT:

Leave an audio message:

https://www.podpage.com/midnight-facts-for-insomniacs/voicemail/popup/?from=https://www.podpage.com/midnight-facts-for-insomniacs/

~

Leave a voicemail or shoot us a text with comments, suggestions, or feedback:

+1 (408) 596-4603
~

Email:

mailto:midnightfactsforinsomniacs@gmail.com

~ 

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/midnightfactsforinsomniacs/

~

Discord:

https://discord.gg/4KUWbgj4PN

~

Shane's Comedy Schedule and Info:

www.shanerogers.net

 ~

Website: 

www.midnightfactsforinsomniacs.com

~

Episode Transcript:

https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/qmjvby/ForbiddenTourism.pdf

~ KNOWLEDGE IS POWER, AND SLEEP IS OVERRATED ~