HTDE: The Perfect Christmas Present with James Patterson and Gillian Flynn
Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!
Deep Dive
How can runners stay warm before a race in cold weather?
Runners can coat their exposed skin with a thin layer of olive oil, which acts as a buffer against the cold by trapping a layer of air between the skin and the oil, providing insulation.
Why did the BYU cross-country team use olive oil on their runners?
The olive oil helps trap a thin layer of air, providing insulation against the cold and wind, allowing runners to stay warmer before the race starts.
What is the main conflict in Charlie's story about Bella the Umbrella?
Bella, an umbrella who loves the rain, is kept inside by her family who dislikes the rain, creating a conflict between Bella's nature and her family's preferences.
How does Gillian Flynn suggest ending Charlie's story about Bella?
Flynn suggests Bella could become angry and use her umbrella point to force her family to take her outside, possibly leading to a moment of realization where they learn to appreciate the rain and see a rainbow.
What are some of the endings James Patterson proposed for Bella the Umbrella?
Patterson proposed several endings, including Bella joining farting ninjas on a boat, dancing with kids in the rain at Coney Island, attending the funeral of her hold me, and finding a new purpose protecting her hold me from the sun.
How does James Patterson describe his writing process with co-authors?
Patterson jokingly says he does all the work while his co-authors take credit on the cover, but he notes that the process varies depending on the collaborator.
What is the You Guys Fast, and why is it being discussed?
The You Guys Fast is an attempt to eliminate the use of 'you guys' and 'hey guys' to be more inclusive, but some argue it reinforces gender stereotypes by defaulting to male terms.
How can someone use technology to avoid saying 'you guys'?
Using the text replacement feature on an iPhone, one can set 'guys' to auto-correct to a more inclusive term like 'folks' as a gentle reminder to use gender-neutral language.
- Using olive oil before a race helps runners stay warm in cold weather.
- The viscosity of the oil traps a layer of air, providing insulation.
- The method was used by the coach's team and other older coaches.
Shownotes Transcript