The Nemesis Bird

EPISODE 259: "PLEASE CLICK"

It can be frustrating to care so deeply about an episode whose topic is effectively anti-algorithmic.

Because on one level, I am proud not to give a shit. In fact, I believe that story selection — editorial value — has become a market inefficiency.

But on another level — promotional value — I do relate… sometimes…

To Jeb.

Apologies to Friend of PTFO Tim Miller.

This is my long way of saying that at the end of last year, longtime PTFO correspondent Mickey Duzyj — last seen investigating Nikola Jokic’s horse obsession; sawing down a goalpost; and reliving his teenage life as a Goth tennis champion — almost instantaneously convinced me to do this episode.

An episode devoted to the highly specific world of competitive birdwatching.

The early returns, a little over six months later:

Now… I don’t want to spoil too much. I never want to spoil too much.

That’s part of my aforementioned frustration here:

Are we supposed to hype the simple fact that Mickey did tons of original illustrations that you can exclusively see on YouTube?

What about the fact that the first birder we interview wants to discuss blowjobs?

(That said birder isn’t even the reason this episode contains the term “jizz”?)

That the most literal usage of a Dragon Ball Z meme imaginable happens thanks to an interview with a former inspector for the U.S. State Department?

That this episode inspired me to befriend Birding Jesus in real life?

That we hired David Attenborough* to voice our field piece at the end?

That this list isn’t even a good summary of what this episode is actually about?

(Please click.)

YOUTUBE SPOILER ALERT:

Thanks,

Pablo