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August 19, 2025 52 mins

What is this bizarre world we're living in where AI chatbots are literally poisoning people by recommending Victorian-era bromine cures, while British engineers accidentally drain entire historic canals by pulling chains they thought were harmless?

Today we explore the shocking discovery that some animals can literally breathe through their butts during oxygen emergencies, and uncover the tale of tarantula species with penises so absurdly long that scientists had to create a new genus just to classify them. 

Plus, we dive into the Soviets' insane plan to reverse rivers using 250 nuclear explosions, and discover how Danish zoos are asking the public to donate unwanted pets as lion food in the name of sustainable recycling. From AI reviving dangerous Whether it's chatbots dispensing dangerous medical advice, engineers accidentally draining waterways, or discovering that nature's backup plans involve breathing through uncomfortable places - science keeps reminding us that reality is absolutely mental. 

Stay skeptical of your AI's suggestions, avoid pulling random chains near historic canals, and maybe appreciate that your reproductive equipment isn't four times the size of your torso.

 

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction

00:30 The Science Behind Bromine Consumption

02:49 Historical Uses and Effects of Bromine

06:02 Modern Cases and AI Involvement

09:22 The Chesterfield Canal Incident

15:25 Rivers Changing Course

19:50 Soviet Ambitions to Reverse Rivers

26:59 Reversing the Chicago River

27:41 Chicago's Pollution Problem

29:14 Engineering Marvel: The Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal

30:59 Tarantulas and Self-Defense Penises

36:53 Breathing Through the Butt

42:02 Recycling Pets: The Controversial Practice of Danish Zoos

51:32 Conclusion

SOURCES:

Zoo Requests Unwanted Pets to Feed to Hungry Carnivores: https://futurism.com/zoo-pets-feed-carnivores

https://abc7.com/post/denmark-zoo-asks-people-donate-small-pets-food-captive-predators/17428917/

Tarantulas with giant penises 

https://metro.co.uk/2025/08/07/tarantulas-giant-penises-discovered-scared-stiff-23855393/

Bromism

https://futurism.com/man-poisons-himself-chatgpt?utm_source=beehiiv&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=futurism-newsletter&_bhlid=da09fdfa08b126138ae1ce0a47c43515cef0acf5

Chesterfield Canal:

https://issuu.com/madeinn/docs/made_julyaug_issue17_issuu/s/10719854 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chesterfield_Canal 

Turning Rivers Around:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/256483636_Did_the_Nile_River_flow_to_the_Gulf_of_Sirt_during_the_late_Miocene

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