That's Absurd Please Elaborate

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Episodes

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Episodes

Digitally Gifted Babies | feat. Ashley Hamer

This episode Trace smells a smell out of existence, Julian loses an arm wrestling contest to a baby, and special guest Ashley Hamer explains the key to understanding music. QUESTIONS Ashley: “Why aren't all musical compositions in the key of C major?” from listener David B. Julian: "What if we were born with hands/feet at adult size" from Ashley Trace: "Can something disintegrate from being smelly?" from Julian Do you have an absurd question? Maybe it's silly idea you had, a shower thought about...

Aug 31, 2023•1 hr 16 min•Ep 11•Transcript available on Metacast

Rump-Shaking Dyslexic Shrimp | feat. Dr Virginia Schutte

This episode Julian learns the REAL alphabet, also known as the ABG’s (not a typo). Trace discovers we are all constantly online whether we like it or not by exploring the mysteries of WiFi. Special guest Dr Virginia Schutte dives into a super-powered animal propelled by twerking. QUESTIONS Virginia: “What if humans had mantis shrimp powers?” from listener Samara D Julian: "Who invented alphabetical order?" from listener Paul P Trace: "Where is the internet?" from guest Virginia Schutte, PhD Do ...

Aug 17, 2023•2 hr 30 min•Ep 10•Transcript available on Metacast

Universally Bricked

This episode, Trace attempts to rebuild the sun out of (BRAND NAME CONSTRUCTION TOY) and Julian systematically destroys the universe by changing one tiny thing.  QUESTIONS Julian: "What would happen if you could cancel each of the four fundamental forces?" from Clifton B Trace: "How long would it take to build a replica of the sun from plastic bricks?" from a young listener in Canada Do you have an absurd question? Maybe it's silly idea you had, a shower thought about the nature of reality,...

Aug 03, 2023•56 min•Ep 9•Transcript available on Metacast

Sisters who Share a Brain

This episode Julian finds out if cartoon logic could power your sail boat and Trace tries to answer the question “can we have a hive mind?” But, of course, if we did, I guess you’d already know the answer. QUESTIONS Julian: "Could a sail boat be powered by a fan?" from Samara D Trace: "What if all humans shared the same brain?" from X Do you have an absurd question? Maybe it's silly idea you had, a shower thought about the nature of reality, or a ridiculous musing about your favorite food? If yo...

Jul 20, 2023•45 min•Ep 8•Transcript available on Metacast

But it is pointy?

This episode Julian puts too fine a point on what the pointiest thing ever and why it exists in the first place, and Trace casts a wary eye toward the other species just waiting to take over when humanity disappears. QUESTIONS   Julian: "What’s the pointiest thing?" Trace: "If all humans disappeared which species would take over?" Do you have an absurd question? Maybe it's silly idea you had, a shower thought about the nature of reality, or a ridiculous musing about your favorite food? If y...

Jul 06, 2023•48 min•Ep 7•Transcript available on Metacast

A Missing Moon | feat. Dr. Ali Mattu

This episode Julian explores the moon (or a lack thereof), Trace placates us with placenta pontification, and special guest Dr. Ali Mattu tells the robots it’s OK to feel feelings. QUESTIONS Trace: "What happened to placentas and umbilical cords in the past" from Dr. Mattu Dr. Ali Mattu: “Can robots love” from ChatGPT Julian: "What would the world be like if there was no moon?" from Trace Do you have an absurd question? Maybe a silly idea you had, a shower thought about the nature of reality, or...

Jun 22, 2023•1 hr 26 min•Ep 6•Transcript available on Metacast

Scores of Mutual Nightmares

This episode Trace thinks about thinking, which is pretty cool when you think about it, and Julian explores alternative disaster prevention strategies (Spoiler: it causes a bigger disaster). QUESTIONS Julian: "What if you plugged a volcano with concrete?" from Trace Trace: "What are thoughts made of?" from Julian Do you have an absurd question? Maybe it's silly idea you had, a shower thought about the nature of reality, or a ridiculous musing about your favorite food? If you want an answer, no m...

Jun 08, 2023•57 min•Ep 5•Transcript available on Metacast

Truth or Drown?

In this episode Trace cannot tell a lie (or can he???) while Julian investigates if it's possible to drown a fish. These stories may come in handy if you're plotting a fish murder and want to throw detectives off your trail with a red herring. QUESTIONS Julian: "Can fish drown?" from Trace Trace: "Can we make it impossible to lie?" from Julian Do you have an absurd question? Maybe it's silly idea you had, a shower thought about the nature of reality, or a ridiculous musing about your favorite fo...

May 25, 2023•1 hr 7 min•Ep 4•Transcript available on Metacast

An Empathetic Naked Mole Person | feat. Sophie Shrand

In this episode we have our very first guest: Sophie Shrand! Trace has a problem with single super-powers, Sophie thinks we're evolving into a rodent, and Julian finds out what animal evolved into the sheep we know today! QUESTIONS Julian: "What if in the whole world there were more sheep than people?" from Sophie Trace: "If people had superpowers what would be the worst?" from Julian Sophie: "Are humans still evolving? If so… into WHAT? What will be the next major change for us?" from Trace HAV...

May 11, 2023•1 hr 29 min•Ep 3•Transcript available on Metacast

How the Speed of Sound Could Destroy Everything

This episode only has a little bit of fifing in it; we promise. This time Julian looks into why the Chinese (or anyone else) would send a balloon to do a satellite's job, and Trace explores an alternative universe where a couple of major speed limits are swapped! QUESTIONS Julian: "Why use a balloon if you have satellites" from Trace Trace: "What if the speed of sound was faster than the speed of light" from Julian HAVE AN ABSURD QUESTION? Do you have an absurd question? Maybe a silly idea you h...

May 11, 2023•49 min•Ep 2•Transcript available on Metacast

The Very First Episode!

It's the pilot! AHH! This episode Julian looks closely at an alternative evolution of human knees, and Trace bends backwards to explore what would happen if we could perceive more colors. It’s an alternative evolution episode! We're so excited to get this thing out to y'all, and we're proud of what we've made. We hope you love it! If you have feelings, please give us a rating on whatever podcast app you're using to listen. Those ratings and reviews really mean a lot to future listeners! Thanks a...

May 11, 2023•34 min•Ep 1•Transcript available on Metacast

An Absurd Trailer

It's finally happening!! This trailer should explain exactly what the heck you're about to hear. You’ll also get some marimbas (they’re nice). Have you ever wanted to ask your smartest friends your stupidest more embarrassing questions? Then this is the place for you. That's Absurd Please Elaborate is made by Julian Huguet and Trace Dominguez, two professional nerds whose day job is to create content for PBS, Discovery, Vox and other award-winning publishers. With our decades of experience in sc...

Apr 01, 2023•1 min•Transcript available on Metacast