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No Such Thing As A Fish
No Such Thing As A Fish

Little Fish: If You Believe What the Government Tells You

January 04, 2026 • 30m

Summary

⏱️ 8 min read

Overview

A compilation of fascinating facts from podcast listeners covering diverse topics from extreme longevity and aviation milestones, to spy blunders, ancient medical practices, and animal behavior. The hosts explore everything from Mount Everest's poop problem to chimpanzee fashion trends, all while maintaining their signature humor and banter.

The Only Human to Witness Flight on Earth and Mars

The discussion opens with an extraordinary fact about Cane Tanaka, the second-oldest verified person in history, who uniquely lived through both the Wright Brothers' first powered flight in 1903 and the Mars Ingenuity helicopter flight in 2021. Born in January 1903, she survived until April 2022 at 119 years old, making her potentially the oldest person ever if doubts about Jeanne Calment's age are valid. The conversation branches into aviation history, including the remarkable story of Buzz Aldrin's father working with one of the Wright Brothers.

  • Cane Tanaka was born January 1903 and died April 2022 at 119 years old
  • Wright Brothers first flight occurred December 1903, Mars helicopter flight April 2021
  • She is the second oldest verified person and may actually be the oldest if Jeanne Calment's records are questioned
  • Buzz Aldrin's father worked with one of the Wright Brothers, witnessing aviation evolution from first flight to moon landing
" Isn't that the sad thing really about whole of human existence really that two of these incredibly important things happen in this one person's life and she did not give a shit about either of them. "

New Zealand's Most Embarrassing Spy Scandal

In 1981, New Zealand experienced its greatest spy scandal when a Secret Intelligence Service member lost his briefcase in Wellington. The briefcase was discovered by a 10-year-old boy who happened to be the son of award-winning journalist Fran O'Sullivan. Inside were three cold meat pies, cake, magazines including Penthouse, and critically, the spy's identity cards and letter of appointment, completely blowing his cover.

  • The briefcase contained three cold oval meat pies, two slices of cake, and copies of magazines including Penthouse
  • It also contained three identity cards and the man's letters of appointment to the Secret Intelligence Service
  • The briefcase was found by the son of Fran O'Sullivan, a leading New Zealand journalist who broke the story
" It's the perfect spy's briefcase, actually. Yes. In fact, it was a really good spy's briefcase because it doesn't make you seem like a spy. It makes you seem a bit weird. It makes you seem like a very hungry pervert. "

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