Cities and Transport
The built environment and movement: urban planning, housing, buildings, infrastructure, aviation, and travel.
#570: Beyond the Map: The Allure of Remote Travel
Why do we crave the remote? Corn and Herman explore the "geographical stamina" needed to reach the world’s most isolated and quiet corners.
#547: The Thirst Tax: When Water Becomes a Luxury
Why is it so hard to find a drink in Jerusalem? Herman and Corn explore the history, economics, and public health of urban water access.
#544: Engineering Sovereignty: The Two-State Geography Puzzle
Can a state function as an archipelago? Herman and Corn explore the engineering and geography behind a potential two-state solution.
#542: The Orchestrated Chaos of Emergency Dispatch
Explore the high-stakes world of emergency dispatch, from multi-monitor command centers to the psychology of staying calm under pressure.
#541: The Hidden Rules That Move Your Batteries
Why are loose batteries a "no-go" for shipping? Herman and Corn explore the volatile science and strict laws behind lithium-ion logistics.
#531: The Hard-Nosed Reality of Vertical Farming
Herman and Corn explore the reality of vertical farming, from Singapore’s high-tech towers to the structural limits of growing food in cities.
#526: Beyond the Bolt: How VHB Tape Holds the World Together
Think tape is just for paper? Discover how VHB tape keeps airplanes in the sky and electric vehicles on the road in this engineering deep dive.
#521: Hidden in Plain Sight: Safe Houses and Front Companies
Explore the world of urban camouflage, from fake London facades to the "deep cover" front companies embedded in our global supply chain.
#514: Why Israeli Mortgages Are a High-Stakes Maze
Herman and Corn dive into the complex world of the Israeli Mashkanta, exploring why the system is unique and how to navigate its many risks.
#511: The Ticking Clock on Jerusalem's Church Land
Explore how ancient church deeds and expiring 99-year leases create real estate chaos and diplomatic minefields in modern Jerusalem.
#507: The Hidden Cost of Binary Cooling
Discover how Variable Refrigerant Flow technology and ancient architectural secrets are redefining how we stay cool in a warming world.
#504: How to Start Thinking Like an Urbanist
Tired of "sidewalks to nowhere"? Learn the principles of good urbanism and how to advocate for a more walkable, resilient community.
#503: Dignity in the Golden Years: Vienna’s Housing Safety Net
Discover how Vienna’s social housing system ensures that elderly renters are never forgotten through proactive care and legal protections.
#499: Gentle Urbanism: Why Vienna Works and Jerusalem Struggles
From "whispering asphalt" to social housing, discover how Vienna creates a human-centric city while others struggle with noise and grit.
#490: The Day the Walls Fell: Erasing Jerusalem's City Line
Explore the chaotic, high-speed demolition of the walls that divided Jerusalem for nineteen years and the "temporal vertigo" of 1967.
#481: Steel and Stone: Engineering Jerusalem’s Pilgrimage Road
Discover how modern engineering and ancient history collide beneath the streets of Jerusalem to reveal the legendary 2,000-year-old Pilgrimage Road.
#473: The Price of Progress: Jerusalem’s Light Rail Revolution
Jerusalem is undergoing "open heart surgery." We explore the brutal trade-off between futuristic transit and the survival of today's city life.
#471: Who Owns Your Transaction History?
Is your credit card chip actually safe? Explore the hidden risks of shimming and why digital wallets have become the gold standard for security.
#458: Why Your City Won't Freeze When a Server Dies
Ever wonder how the power grid stays balanced? Herman and Corn dive into SCADA, PLCs, and the tech keeping our modern world running.
#455: When Your Neighbor's Fire Is Your Fire
From smart sensors to the "tipping" trick for extinguishers, Herman and Corn break down how to survive a fire in a modern apartment building.