I believe I met Russ Roberts some time ago when I was a staffer at a think tank for a few years. I didn't know he had a podcast. I think I'd better put this on my "check it out" list, even though I'm hard pressed to keep up with podcasts from The Dispatch.
Re Conversations of the Curious clip. I never bought the saying, "puns are the lowest form of humor." I think he is saying what I've thought all along, perhaps it is the highest. It does require looking at and hearing and thinking about words in many ways and I think the most creative are the spontaneous ones. Of course, spontaneity lowers the success rate but better that than time spent to conjure up a story line to get to a pun. Well, that is always how I've seen it. Damn, I wrote that somewhat seriously! Time to move on.
Jay is very good, but I think he is also spontaneous. My sister used to send puns that were written to be puns, like stand-up routines. Some were funny, but more often I thought they were too labored and I never get that sense with Jay. I don't think is sits down to write puns, but reacts and does it on the spot. If I am wrong, he is even better than I realize.
To ski, or not to ski, seems there is no question. Whether 'tis nobler to schuss or shh! by the fire is, I suppose, a question for the ages, if not the sages. Enjoy!
Thank you Cynthia. BTW: in addition to the whole missing cloud leopard thing, and the death of a couple more animals (with suspicious wounds) there is now a missing monkey (and the enclosure was cut) at the Dallas Zoo. Pretty disturbing/
Today’s special animal friend is the Toco Toucan, Ramphastos toco. Native to South America, the toco toucan is the largest species in the toucan family, Ramphastidae. They can be 25 inches tall, weigh up to 2 lbs., and have a bill 9 inches long. The toucan’s body is black with a white throat, chest, and tail coverts. The bill is mainly yellow and orange.
It is believed that the bill helps deter predators by looking threatening. It may also have a function in mate selection. The bird can use the bill to dissipate body heat by increasing blood flow to its surface. The bill’s length allows the toucan to reach food items in branches that are too thin to support its weight. It has serrated edges that are useful for peeling fruit.
In addition to a variety of fruit and berries, toucans eat insects, frogs, reptiles, and the eggs and hatchlings of other bird species. It prefers semi-open habitats such as dry woodlands, savannah, agricultural plantations, and forest edges. Toucans live in small groups. They are more likely to hop than to fly. They nest in tree cavities, where both parents incubate two to four eggs. The eggs hatch in about 17 days; both parents feed and protect the chicks.
Toco toucans are a species of Least Concern. They have a very broad geographic range and good breeding success. Threats include hunting and collection for the pet trade; they benefit from forest clearance because of their preference for more open environments. Toucans are very difficult to keep as a pet due to their nutritional needs, which are more easily met in their native habitat. They are successfully kept in zoos, and there is an international population plan to maintain a healthy zoo/aviary population.
I believe I met Russ Roberts some time ago when I was a staffer at a think tank for a few years. I didn't know he had a podcast. I think I'd better put this on my "check it out" list, even though I'm hard pressed to keep up with podcasts from The Dispatch.
Re Conversations of the Curious clip. I never bought the saying, "puns are the lowest form of humor." I think he is saying what I've thought all along, perhaps it is the highest. It does require looking at and hearing and thinking about words in many ways and I think the most creative are the spontaneous ones. Of course, spontaneity lowers the success rate but better that than time spent to conjure up a story line to get to a pun. Well, that is always how I've seen it. Damn, I wrote that somewhat seriously! Time to move on.
I’ll take getting it over quickly over dragging it out. Although Jay can be pretty creative with his paragraphs.
Jay is very good, but I think he is also spontaneous. My sister used to send puns that were written to be puns, like stand-up routines. Some were funny, but more often I thought they were too labored and I never get that sense with Jay. I don't think is sits down to write puns, but reacts and does it on the spot. If I am wrong, he is even better than I realize.
I know exactly what you mean, and I agree.
It is taking nearly as long to read the articles here as on the TMD mothership.
But, the links to videos work!
Tried to be patient, but the mountain beckons. So I will preemptively give Phil a 🚪. Toucan play at this game, Phil!
Have fun!
To ski, or not to ski, seems there is no question. Whether 'tis nobler to schuss or shh! by the fire is, I suppose, a question for the ages, if not the sages. Enjoy!
🙏
Sub-optimum, Optimum. C'ya.
Come on, Phil. This pun thing is snowballing. Tobaggan or not tobaggan? Another good question.
Your morning brew must be Shakes-beer.
When you get back, will you put a lager on the fire. Come to think of it, do you take your phone when you ski? Al cohol you.
I take it so feel free. I can talk when the lift is whiskey-ing me up the mountain.
It gives me a lift to know I can call and wine if I need to.
Well, Cynthia liked it. And for an early morning effort, I thought it was beak performance.
Cynthia is a good Scout: thrifty and polite!
Cynthia is a pushover for bad puns. Move on out the 🚪
I thought it was clever. Good morning, Phil.
Thank you Cynthia. BTW: in addition to the whole missing cloud leopard thing, and the death of a couple more animals (with suspicious wounds) there is now a missing monkey (and the enclosure was cut) at the Dallas Zoo. Pretty disturbing/
Oh, dear. That is disturbing.
Snap! Have a great day!
I heard Jacobs interviewed on another pod last summer. The book sounds fascinating and I plan to buy it.
Today’s special animal friend is the Toco Toucan, Ramphastos toco. Native to South America, the toco toucan is the largest species in the toucan family, Ramphastidae. They can be 25 inches tall, weigh up to 2 lbs., and have a bill 9 inches long. The toucan’s body is black with a white throat, chest, and tail coverts. The bill is mainly yellow and orange.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRbdZ85IVM4
The bills aren’t as heavy as they look. They made of light keratin with supporting structures of thin bone.
https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/1009954/view/red-breasted-toucan-skeleton
It is believed that the bill helps deter predators by looking threatening. It may also have a function in mate selection. The bird can use the bill to dissipate body heat by increasing blood flow to its surface. The bill’s length allows the toucan to reach food items in branches that are too thin to support its weight. It has serrated edges that are useful for peeling fruit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WB1ZFQwE90Q
In addition to a variety of fruit and berries, toucans eat insects, frogs, reptiles, and the eggs and hatchlings of other bird species. It prefers semi-open habitats such as dry woodlands, savannah, agricultural plantations, and forest edges. Toucans live in small groups. They are more likely to hop than to fly. They nest in tree cavities, where both parents incubate two to four eggs. The eggs hatch in about 17 days; both parents feed and protect the chicks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yoqGQsYexg
Toco toucans are a species of Least Concern. They have a very broad geographic range and good breeding success. Threats include hunting and collection for the pet trade; they benefit from forest clearance because of their preference for more open environments. Toucans are very difficult to keep as a pet due to their nutritional needs, which are more easily met in their native habitat. They are successfully kept in zoos, and there is an international population plan to maintain a healthy zoo/aviary population.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74jb271PeCE
Toco toucans make a lot of different sounds:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KA4p7kVQCE
Tell me, who can catch a toucan? Lou can.
Just how few can ride the toucan? Two can.
What kind of goo can stick you to the toucan? Glue can.
Who can pun some more about the toucan? You can!
Awesome!
Don’t thank me; thank Shel Silverstein.
Brilliant!
The orange colors are absolutely beautiful! I need to see if I can paint one these.
I hope you mean paint a portrait of one. I don't think the birds themselves need any more decoration, not that they would hold still for you. ;)
I don’t think I could improve on their colors!
So cool! [makes note to save any number of puns for later when he knows Phil is awake and on guard]
I learned a lot about their bills. Nature sure is funny.
Does Medicare take care of the elders' bills?
At a penny-pinching rate of reimbursement.
If it's coded correctly.
I would think that anything these birds do is billable.
I’m not really awake this morning, but I’m watching these puns heading downhill. 😉
Are you getting board?
They really are the Jimmy Durante of avians.
Ah cha cha