WT: We Solved The Case…!

Episode Notes

The episode opens with a long discussion about Mars agriculture: the hosts speculate on what the first plant grown on Mars should be, with guesses like lichen, moss, mold, and grain before turning to research suggesting alfalfa as an early crop. Bryce explains that simulated Martian soil let alfalfa grow without added fertilizer and could enrich regolith for later crops, but the hosts note major obstacles such as salinity and the need for fresh water or water purification.

The conversation then ranges into terraforming ideas, including Elon Musk-associated proposals like nukes over the poles and redirecting a water-rich comet, followed by a speculative riff on lunar lava tubes as habitable spaces and a fictional moon settlement inspired by The Diamond Age. Later segments cover ancient warning markers and the Hunger Stones exposed by drought, the exposure of other relics in European rivers, a comedic improv-style zoo investigation of a disconnected 911 call that ends with a capuchin monkey holding the phone, and the hosts' closing recommendations for South Park's 25th anniversary concert, She-Hulk, The Rehearsal, and Vought's Deep Thoughts with the Deep.

Key topics

• Mars starter crops and soil remediation: The hosts discuss alfalfa as a first crop on Mars because it can grow in simulated Martian soil without fertilizer and help improve regolith for later planting. They also mention turnips, radishes, and lettuces as successful follow-up crops, while stressing water and salinity constraints.
• Terraforming Mars for water: Brian describes speculative Mars terraforming ideas, including nukes over the poles to melt ice and release greenhouse gases, and redirecting a water-rich comet into Mars.
• Lava tubes as habitats: Brian brings up open lunar lava tubes that reportedly stay around 67 degrees Fahrenheit. The group imagines capping and pressurizing them as sheltered living spaces.
• The Diamond Age and themed future communities: Brian connects the moon-habitat idea to Neal Stephenson's The Diamond Age, describing wealthy people choosing Victorian-style living for social and hygienic reasons.
• Ancient warning stones and drought exposure: Bryce introduces the Hunger Stones on the Elba River, old stones reappearing during drought and recording years of hardship. The hosts also mention other relics exposed by low water and compare them to tsunami warning stones in Japan.
• Improv zoo mystery: A long comedic bit has the hosts playing zoo investigators trying to determine who made a disconnected 911 call. They question staff, inspect exhibits, and follow the trail through monkey and snake houses.
• Capuchin monkey and the 911 call: The mystery resolves when a capuchin monkey is found holding a work cell phone in a golf cart, with 911 in the call history. The hosts then discuss how the monkey likely triggered an emergency dial sequence by pressing buttons.
• Accidental emergency dialing on smartphones: The hosts compare the zoo incident with their own accidental 911 calls and discuss iPhone emergency features, lock-screen dialing, and button combinations that can trigger calls unintentionally.
• South Park 25th anniversary concert: Justin recommends the Paramount+ concert film, praising the energy, nostalgia, surprise guest band, and the visible gratitude and success of Matt Stone and Trey Parker.
• She-Hulk: Attorney at Law: Brian and Justin discuss the first episode positively, noting the Ally McBeal-like lawyer-comedy tone, fourth-wall breaking, Smart Hulk, and TV-level CGI.
• The Rehearsal: Bryce recommends Nathan Fielder's HBO series as bizarre, thoughtful, and worth trying, emphasizing its huge recreations, sincerity, and season-two renewal.
• Vought's Deep Thoughts with the Deep: Justin recommends the Vought Industries YouTube shorts tied to The Boys, especially the minute-long collection of Deep Thoughts with the Deep promoting Deep Waters.

Picks

• Justin Robert Young: South Park's 25th anniversary concert — Strong recommendation; Justin explicitly frames it as 'winning at art' and urges listeners to watch the Paramount+ concert film.
• Brian Brushwood: She-Hulk: Attorney at Law — Enthusiastic recommendation based on the first episode, though he notes the CGI is TV-level and a little rough.
• Bryce Castillo: The Rehearsal — Clear recommendation; Bryce says he's enamored with it, suggests giving the first episode a try, and notes it was picked up for season two.
• Justin Robert Young: Deep Thoughts with the Deep — Recommendation framed as a delightful short-form promo collection from Vought Industries tied to The Boys; Justin says it continues to delight and tells listeners to give it a look.