HTDE: Earthquakes, Dentists, and How To Talk To Your Dog

Key Takeaways Copied to clipboard!

• Search and rescue teams are utilizing specially trained rats wearing vests with micro switches and technology-enabled backpacks to locate human survivors trapped in earthquake rubble.  Copied to clipboard!
• Christina Hunger developed a system of word buttons, adapted from speech therapy tools for nonverbal children, that allows her dog, Stella, to communicate complex thoughts and emotions.  Copied to clipboard!
• The hosts attempted to apply the dog communication technology to solve the universal problem of talking to a dentist during a procedure, but found the device lacked necessary human-specific responses.  Copied to clipboard!

Segments Expand All Collapse All

Intro and Shipbob Ad

Copied to clipboard!

(00:00:00)

• Key Takeaway: Shipbob offers fulfillment services to help businesses manage holiday customer order expectations.
• Summary: Shipbob provides reliable, scalable, fast, and cost-effective fulfillment solutions. They aim to prevent customer frustration caused by delayed holiday orders. Listeners can get a free quote via their website.

Podcast Introduction and Context

Copied to clipboard!

(00:00:16)

• Key Takeaway: Peter introduces the episode of How To Do Everything featuring Mike and Ian, highlighting the segment on communicating with a dentist.
• Summary: The episode of How To Do Everything is presented, focusing on practical advice from hosts Ian and Mike. One key topic covered is the difficulty of articulating questions when a dentist has instruments in one’s mouth. Listeners are encouraged to subscribe to the dedicated feed for the show.

Earthquake Rescue Rat Technology

Copied to clipboard!

(00:00:58)

• Key Takeaway: Trained rats equipped with vests and backpacks are used by NGO Apopo to navigate dense debris and signal human survivors via a micro switch.
• Summary: Danielle Giangrasso of Apopo detailed how rescue rats navigate tight spaces inaccessible to other technology. The rats wear vests with micro switches that trigger a beep when they detect a human. These rats also carry backpacks with cameras, GPS, and two-way communication for search and rescue teams.

Addressing Human Reaction to Rescue Rats

Copied to clipboard!

(00:02:54)

• Key Takeaway: Apopo mitigates potential terror from trapped victims encountering rats by equipping the animals with search and rescue colors, lights, and potentially pre-recorded messages.
• Summary: The team considered the human psychological impact of being found by a rat. Mitigation efforts include using orange search and rescue colors and lights on the rats’ backpacks. They have also experimented with playing a recording that identifies the rat as a rescuer.

Listener Question: Dentist Conversation

Copied to clipboard!

(00:04:28)

• Key Takeaway: A listener named Dennis experienced a dentist sharing strong political disagreement while performing a root canal, highlighting communication challenges in the chair.
• Summary: Dennis posed a question about how to communicate when a dentist is actively working inside the mouth. During his root canal, his dentist expressed opposition to his political positions, forcing an inarticulate response. The hosts decided to seek expert advice on this communication barrier.

Dog Communication Buttons Introduction

Copied to clipboard!

(00:05:52)

• Key Takeaway: Christina Hunger adapted augmentative communication technology, using paw-sized buttons that speak recorded words, to teach her dog Stella to communicate needs and emotions.
• Summary: Christina Hunger, a former speech therapist, uses a large, colorful keyboard of buttons for her dog Stella. When Stella presses a button, a pre-recorded word is spoken, allowing her to express needs like going outside or playing. The vocabulary has expanded beyond basic needs to include names and simple emotions like ‘mad’ and ‘happy’.

Stella’s Evolved Communication Examples

Copied to clipboard!

(00:07:08)

• Key Takeaway: Stella uses her communication board not just for needs but also for making observations, such as stating ‘mad, want outside’ or commenting on her brother crying (‘Max cry’).
• Summary: Stella demonstrates complex communication by expressing frustration (‘mad, want outside’) when her routine is interrupted. She also uses words to make observations about family events, like noting when her baby brother Max is crying. Hunger notes that Stella often uses the buttons simply to make conversation, which was an unexpected outcome.

Applying Dog Tech to Dentist Problem

Copied to clipboard!

(00:10:21)

• Key Takeaway: The augmentative communication buttons are deemed potentially applicable to solving the universal problem of patients being unable to verbally respond to dentists.
• Summary: Christina Hunger believes her button system, which is based on augmentative communication for nonverbal humans, could solve the dental communication issue. The hosts programmed a board with anticipated responses like ’no big plan’ or ‘I’ve been flossing’ to test the concept. They then visited a dental office to trial the device with a patient role-play.

Dentist Office Trial and Limitations

Copied to clipboard!

(00:11:42)

• Key Takeaway: The dental office trial revealed that while the device is effective for simple responses, it is not ideal for complex dental conversations, leading the dentist to prefer traditional methods like using a bite block to end unwanted dialogue.
• Summary: During the trial, the dentist, Teresa Neal, admitted to sometimes using a bite block specifically to stop patients from engaging in unwanted conversations about sticky topics like politics. The trial showed the modified board was ineffective for nuanced communication, leading the hosts to conclude the device needed refinement or should stick to dog-centric responses.

Dentist Communication Codes

Copied to clipboard!

(00:16:12)

• Key Takeaway: Dental professionals use secret code words, such as ’triangle,’ to communicate about high-maintenance patients without the patient’s knowledge.
• Summary: Dental staff use code words to communicate sensitive information about patients privately. The code word ’triangle’ signifies a high-maintenance patient in various ways. Staff also use fabricated excuses, like a non-existent ‘phone call in room 10,’ to quickly end a patient’s conversation.

Out-of-Office Birthday Celebration

Copied to clipboard!

(00:21:37)

• Key Takeaway: Paola used the hosts as her out-of-office emergency contact for her birthday week, leading to a surprise celebration orchestrated by her brother and the hosts.
• Summary: Paola designated Mike and Ian as her OOO contact to ensure she received no helpful interruptions during her mental birthday break. Her brother, Eduardo, contacted the hosts to coordinate a celebration, revealing Paola enjoys dark chocolate and wine, and they used to do treasure hunts as children. The hosts sent Paola an edible arrangement with dark chocolate and no lactose to her school.

Episode Wrap-up and Credits

Copied to clipboard!

(00:28:13)

• Key Takeaway: The hosts conclude by reflecting on the insight that dogs often communicate simply to make conversation, not just to state needs.
• Summary: Ian learned that dogs frequently use their communication tools just to engage in conversation, moving beyond basic needs. The hosts acknowledged missing opportunities, like not programming ’thank you’ onto the dentist board. Production credits are given, including thanking intern Kin for assisting with Paola’s birthday celebration.