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Fireworks Made with Human Ashes: The Explosive New Post-mortem Trend

31m 41s

Fireworks Made with Human Ashes: The Explosive New Post-mortem Trend

The podcast explores the cultural dominance of lemon over lime through a satirical narrative involving a fictional "Aleminati" organization, ultimately challenging this through Seven Up’s new lime-lemon soda. It then shifts to a deeper examination of cremation memorial practices, focusing on dramatic fireworks as a tribute to loved ones. These displays are professionally created, legally regulated, and require careful handling—contrasting with dangerous or unfeasible DIY attempts. Customization options such as colors, music, and shared displays reflect personal sentiment, though many find the concept absurd or emotionally taxing. The discussion includes ethical concerns about handling human remains, hygiene, and emotional preparedness. While fireworks represent a bold, theatrical form of remembrance, the podcast emphasizes that personal preference and emotional comfort matter most. Humor and morbid curiosity are woven throughout, especially in anecdotes about a horse scattering ashes and the absurdity of ashes being blown into one’s face by wind. The segment concludes with a lighter note, including a suggestion to visit landfills—a morbid yet intriguing exploration of waste and human impact—highlighting how everyday phenomena often spark curiosity and deeper inquiry.

Transcription

5760 Words, 30565 Characters

English
For decades, a shadowy organization called The Aleminati has kept lemon on top and lime in the shadows. Look around, lemon-forward sodas, even lemon-forward songs. We ran the tracks, slowed them down, reversed them, and squeezed out the truth. That's lemon propaganda right there. But now, seven up is fighting back with their new lime lemon soda. Join the seven uprising, flip the set. We just moved into our new house and I didn't realize just how close we were to the neighbors. That's when my friend told me about Blinds.com. Blinds.com isn't a medication, but it can improve how you feel about your home. Customers who shop at Blinds.com experience excellent customer service, from consultation to installation. Side effects include increased privacy and better sleep. Talk to your partner today and see if Blinds.com is right for you. Shop Black Friday all month long at Blinds.com. Don't miss huge deals dropping every week. This podcast covers mature and tense morbid and sometimes just scary stuff. Listen to discretion is advised. If you are considering cremation as an alternative to traditional burial, we might be able to help you take things up a notch. Get ready for an explosive 30 more than minutes. This is the podcast where we cover topics, people, places, ideas and history of a morbid macabre dark and downright grizzly nature. I'm Elise Williams. And I'm Jessica Vassami. On August 20th, 2005, around 250 friends and family of Hunter S. Thompson gathered at the Gonzo Journalist and author's home in Woody Creek, Colorado to pay their final respects. Thompson had died seven months earlier in February and had his body cremated. Now was the big moment, the spreading of his ashes. His family and friends had decided to send Thompson off with a bang literally. The writer's ashes were put inside fireworks which were then set off from 150 feet above from a tower that was modeled after Thompson's logo, a clenched fist, made symmetrical with two thumbs rising from the hilt of a dagger. Okay, and I feel like it says a lot about a person. It does. And so the fireworks containing Hunter S. Thompson's remains exploded in the night sky bursting into red, blue, silver and green, display that lasted around 10 minutes. Thompson's wife Anita said that it was only fitting since the late writer loved explosions. Oh, that's cool. But then I also saw that some of his other friends said, "I don't think he'd like this." Oh, no. Someone knows. Oh, no. There are in fact many unique ways to memorialize a loved one's ashes. Some we've talked about on this podcast before and some will likely cover in depth in the future, like turning ashes into jewelry or vinyl. You were telling me about a pretty interesting one you suggested. I did. Yeah, I don't know why my algorithm is sending me dead people's ashes videos. Thank you. But there was one I saw that was actually quite beautiful where this man owned a horse and he owned a lot of land and his favorite horse. They strapped a bag to the back of the horse and they just let the horse run wild across his land and the ashes just flew into the air. It was really beautiful. But they said that there's something special about the horse, like the horse knew in that moment that those were his, you know, past writer's ashes. And I don't know, he like just gave a performance and it was really beautiful. Maybe the horse was like, get this guy's ashes off of me or that. Yeah, that could have been it too. He'd be like, get the, yes, both could work. Because I'm a terrible person. I can't help but kind of laugh sometimes when you see one of those videos where somebody's maybe scattering ashes on the side of a ship deck or something and a strong wind. Yes, yes, it blows the ashes onto them. Yeah, I'm sorry, it's just kind of hilarious. It is, it has all the rules of comedy. It does. Yeah, it gets in their mouth, their eyes. Yeah. Yeah. It's science. I can't be judged. No. And I mean, now that we did an episode on this, God was it season one about like. Forever so young. I know. Geez, where we went into depth about like cremation and it isn't just the body that goes in there. You're throwing the whole casket and all the boobs and boops in there as well. So it's a mixture of like their ashes and whatever, whatever else you put in there that the body was in when you put them in there. Just, you know, so all that went in your mouth too and in your eyes if it swung back in your face. So just letting you know. Yeah, we just want to make sure you know. So yeah, all kinds of different ways that people spread ashes and we will talk about those more, I'm sure. But sending your dead love ones remains often a pyrotechnic display is definitely among the more bombastic ways to pay tribute to their memory. And kind of a crazy alternative to more sombre traditional send-offs. Yeah, it sure is. Would you feel like you'd want that done to you, Jess? I don't think I'd want to be in a like a firework type of display. No, no. Not in a rocket. Part of me, my first thought was just like, I'm not that ego-tistical. But that sounds so bad. To be like, oh, watch my freaking dead body ashes just explode into the sky. Everyone, look at it. The way I kind of wonder if people think about it is this person meant so much to them. And they see this person as this big, you know, full of light in life. So why not have that represented in the sky? Sure. Okay, to counter that, though, because you can also have your ashes shot into space. Yeah. So you'd be into that. No. As much as I love space and I love talking about space, space is absolutely terrifying. And there's just so many things that could go wrong. I mean, look at those two astronauts that accidentally, not accidentally. But they were left in space for nine months. Mm-hmm. And they're not getting overtime for that, do you know that? Yeah, exactly. They're not getting overtime. And there's still digging into complications. You know, that's not the longest people have stayed up in space. But it's still like, it has effects on your body and brain. And also, when you go up there not expecting to stay nine months, that's a lot in your brain. Oh, yeah. You're not mentally prepared. Or maybe you do mentally prepare for that possibility. But you can never really be, I'm sure. Yeah. So I don't know. I don't know. I feel like our bodies are meant for this Earth. So yeah, I don't know, I'd be rocketed into space or into a firework. What about you? I don't know that I'd mind the firework thing. But I wouldn't want people to feel like they have to do that. Also, it's like, well, what was the person's, what did they want? And I guess that, I mean, that goes back into a will, which we all know both of us don't have. Oh, just, we still don't. We've been talking about this for like a year. We still haven't done it. We still need to do an episode where we write each other's words. Yes. Yes. There's someone who really loves fireworks though. Absolutely. Like, I know that I work on sets and whatnot as a producer. And there was a pyrotechnic we had to hire for a shoot once. And he just loved blowing things up ever since he was a kid. So someone like him, I could absolutely see him being like, "Yeah, fuck yeah, explode my ashes into like a big burst of flame or fireworks." Hell yeah. He's the prime candidate, for sure. Yeah. But could he do that, Jess? Yes. Yes. Yes, I think that's the million dollar question. Can anyone do it? Could I do this? The big answer is yes and no. Depends mostly on where you live. But we'll get to that in a little bit. Yeah. No, first let's talk about what actually goes into this morbid light show, how the fireworks are made and the logistics. This is not a DIY operation, people. You can't just like Google it and find the YouTube video and then cram your dead friends, cremated ashes into fireworks that you bought at the side of the road or from some weird warehouse in the valley. Honestly. Yeah, no, I did legit think that this was a DIY operation. I was like, "Yeah, I'm just going to go outside my backyard." But no, it's not. Yeah, these types of fireworks used for cremation displays are professionally created and they are made with like a specific type of design. Similar to those used for big celebrations like the Fourth of July or I Be On State Concert, which might as well be our new national holiday. I take it. I take it. The reason you can't use run-of-the-mill fireworks is because adding in the ashes can be surprisingly heavy and then it throws off the balance of the firework or the rocket or whatever. You need something specially prepared for the occasion and use. Have you ever held ashes that were not in an earn? They were just in something light like a bag or. I mean, my dog's ashes. Okay, because I'm like, "I didn't know how happy ashes are." Maybe or maybe not surprised how much or little ash a dog produces. Oh, okay. But yeah, I don't know how, I mean, how much like the weight distribution is as far as like, you know, them saying it's just like it's freaking heavy. But aside from being a legal state side, it's just not safe. Try it and you and your ashes might end up inside of Firework 2. Mm-hmm. Most of these memorial fireworks use about three tablespoons of ashes loaded into a fireworks shell or tube. And then the person preparing the firework composition does so very carefully, and again, with a professional knowledge for what will actually be stable during the display. They're also not just tossing around your loved ones ashes like, flower in a bakery, their ashes are handled with respect and care. Usually the memorial display starts with some regular fireworks, and then the final fireworks shall be used for the big finish is the one that contains grandma, so they save the best for last. Yes, now here's perhaps the disappointing part. In the United States, because of state and local laws, there are very few companies who offer cremation fireworks. More on this, though, after the break. I do not have any ideas for Christmas presents. Okay, well me neither, so we are in this together. But the good thing is that uncommon goods makes holiday shopping genuinely fun, with thousands of one of a kind gifts for everyone on your list, Jess, all in one place. And common goods really does have something for everybody, especially for, you know, some of your weird relatives, my weird Uncle Steve, who literally has everything. Uncommon goods looks for products that are high quality, unique, and often handmade, or made in the US. Many are crafted by independent artists and small businesses, making every gift feel meaningful and truly one of a kind. What have you found for Uncle Steve on there, Jess? Well, this one is actually for a friend of mine who is a huge book nerd, this beautiful handmade in India actually, book Christmas ornament, and she collects Christmas ornaments as well. So I'm like, this is the absolutely perfect gift for her, but it's beautifully made with beads. I think she's going to frickin' love it. And when you shop at uncommon goods, you're supporting artists and small independent businesses. Many of their products are handmade and small batches, so they will sell out. And with every purchase you make at uncommon goods, they give back $1 to a non-profit partner of your choice. They've donated more than $3.1 million to date. Don't wait. Cross those names off your list before the rush. To get 15% off your next gift, go to uncommongoods.com/30morbid. That's uncommongoods.com/30morbid for 15% off, uncommon goods were all out of the ordinary. The Alemanati has spent decades keeping lemon on top and lime in the shadows. Their lemon agenda has infiltrated everything, even our music. That hits on named after the color of lemons, not a coincidence. Big lemon has been pulling strings in the industry for years. Think about it. Now lime comes first. Seven up. Flip the sep. I just mentioned cremation fireworks have experienced some rocky turbulence in the U.S. That's kind of a, I don't know, it's an air pun, like the turbulence in the air, but it's a fire. I don't know if that works. I get it. I get it. After the regulatory costs became too high, Los Angeles business owner Nick DeBronis had to close his Angels Flight cremation fireworks company. But there are other companies out there still operating like the Missouri-based Greenlaw and Funeral Home and their licensed pyrotechnician partners and pyrotechnics. FYI, U.S. laws also technically restrict where ashes can be scattered, although most people generally seem to discard the law and go sprinkle that shit where they please, like it's shredded Parmesan. I mean, I wouldn't care, either. Yeah, I mean, we talk a lot about the ashes being spread on Walt Disney World rights. That stuff, if you're gonna, yeah, I mean, I don't know. I don't know, maybe I don't know too much about why you shouldn't just scatter ashes anywhere. It just goes back into the ground and then gets, you know, just goes back into the, yeah, in it. Anyway, fireworks are harder to be discreet with, obviously. They're made to be noticeable. So you do need to obtain permission to scatter before the display can even happen. But because Greenlaw owns a big plot of land, which does make it easier to put on the displays in general and do whatever the fuck they want, so people travel there from far and wide to do so. Yeah, and companies like them and A&Pyro can even create customized fireworks that are personalized to really embody the personality or preferences of your loved one. For example, when I die, they can make my fireworks joke or green and purple and time out my lights show to the Batman Forever soundtrack. Wow. Is that what you'd want? Yeah, I think so. I mean, after you're gonna do it anyway, go big go home, right? I've fit thought for sure. I don't know. I thought it'd be like, one of the rings or something, muppets related. But hey, you know, you do you, I find other ways. You'll find other ways. You know, what mine would be, honestly. I think it says right there in the script, Jessica. Well, you know, I am Italian. It says, and mine can be orange and red like spaghetti because I'm Italian. It's Italian. No, I don't. Oh, I might have fired a works. I'm like, I'm gonna explode it in the sky. It's just like, burst into Mario. I don't even dare to cheat. I'm even dare to cheat. See you. I think it's like that I tried to put no, I'm in there for you. Okay. I'm feel offended. She's kidding. No, no. No, I honestly don't know what mine would be. Like, is yours legit? No. Okay. I was like, I don't think that'd be yours. Like, what song would you, would you have like, define gravity? No. Because you are technically in the fire. Define gravity. Yeah. Define gravity. I don't know what it would be. Okay. I'm gonna pitch this to you. Okay. Together holding hands, probably saving the planet in some way. Of course. That's what we do. Your fireworks are put into a green rocket. And my fireworks are put into a pink rocket. And then they're shot into the sky at the same time as defying gravity plays. They, they twirl together. Mm-hmm. Sounds pretty beautiful. I think, you're right. I think that's great. I think you're putting me as alphabet. Yeah. Well, yeah. You have dark hair for no reason. No, it's also because I can sing and just, you know, you think I'm gonna fly off the handle. That's how she sounds. Look at you. So you got it. That's very. That's very. That's very. Oh God. Ah. See? Nice. Oh, we didn't mention this up top. But Hunter S. Thompson's fireworks were accompanied by Norman Greenbombs, 1969 song "Spirit in the Sky." Cool. I bet he would have loved that. Mm-hmm. Probably one. Who knows? Who knows? Greenlaw and Spirerworks displays have. They've got choices for you, which range in price from a two to three minute firework tribute that costs $3,895 for two to three minutes to a grand finale tribute which spans 15 minutes and costs $13,000. This is $12,995.00, let's not pull any teeth. It is. Also, I love that they just say, "Hi, we provided a menu for you." Ah. Cool. A cream-ish menu. A cream-ish menu. Yeah. A cream-ish menu. Yeah. A cream-ish menu. Yeah. A cream-ish menu. Yeah. A cream-ish menu. Yeah. That makes me say, "Yes, do this for me," because there's something kind of hilarious about saying, "Shoot my final remains into the sky." And now go have this bar. go have some wings. Absolutely. I mean, I love the idea. I think that's what I'm going to write in my will. However, they're. however I decide, I don't know, again, which way I'm going to go with what I'm going to do with my body when I die. But I'm like, as long as everyone's gathering in their food, we have to make sure people are fed. I don't want anybody hangry or in a bad mood. Yeah. Because they're not fed. Yeah. If I got to watch 15 minutes of this, I'm going to be so hungry after it. Absolutely. I need snacks, man. Yeah. Okay. Here's where work things get a little bit more fun, because over in the UK, they de-gaff. Things are Lucy Goof-Sea. They're like, "Shoot whatever you want." And one of the most popular companies to offer cremation fireworks is Heavenly Stars fireworks. Similar to Green Lawn, Heavenly Stars offers custom fireworks packages that are fired off by a team of professionals, which of course costs thousands of pounds. However, laws also permit them to sell self-fire fireworks. The name is self-explanatory. You can shoot these suckers off into the sky all on your own. That's so sorry. That sentence was a literal tongue twister. No, it's great. I love it. I'm here for a challenge. Self-explanatory. Self-explanatory. Self-explanatory. Yeah. Self-explanatory. Self-explanatory. Yeah. You can buy 'em yourself, shoot 'em off yourself. Basically, you place the order for the self-fire fireworks, and then Heavenly Stars sends you a prepaid career label and a secure container that you then add the correct amount of ashes to. And then when I say the correct amount of ashes, like, "Here's where it gets a little bit more of it, too," depends on your take on it. They say, "Oh, we need four tablespoons," or whatever. You might have grandma in a bag, and there's more than four tablespoons there. Meaning you would have to get a measuring scoop and scoop her out. Yeah. Yeah. And there are some situations like they also say if you want to go to a funeral home and have them prepare this for you, you can request that. But otherwise, like, you're doing that measuring yourself. Yes. How do you feel about that, Jess? I mean, yeah, because I mean, the only teaspoon cups and all that I have are my kitchen stuff. So that's all that I have, whereas if you would go to a proper funeral home, they have specific tools for that. But, well, I'm also thinking, like, again, I know this is all like doing it yourself. I just know me and who I am as a person, and if I were to do this, I would fuck it up somehow. Either they would, yeah, I'd drop it, it would explode in my face. like I don't trust myself to do this. I need higher company. - I need to ask you a question though. Say you do do it. You say, "Oh, come and just kind of woman up and do this." And it's for somebody who really, really wants this. And they say, "Okay, well, you got this big bag of remains, but we need four tablespoons. Can you use a measuring spoon from your kitchen drawer to do that? Do you wash and reuse that spoon after? Or do you discard it?" - My first thought was like, "Oh, I'll just wash it." But then I'm like, "Well, every time I use it again, until I scoop out fucking protein powders and shit, am I gonna think about grandma?" - Yeah, well, you're just gonna open. I just have an image of opening my drawer and seeing the spoon and taking a different, like, I would never take that spoon. I'd maybe keep it in, but then I would just think. - It'd be weird, it's weird. - Or how many times do you have to run it through the dishwasher before you say, "Okay, I can use this human remains measuring cup?" - Or I just go to the store and buy a whole new set. It'd just be like-- - That's really stressful though. - Here's another-- - True. - So you in good conscience use the measuring spoon and then donate it to Goodwill. - I mean, think about the stuff that we've touched or been in his dead people has been around. Like, I don't even know. You don't know, does it hurt you? We don't know. - I just don't know. - Point out to any Texas Goodwill employees if you suggest a cup of so many comments, donate any kitchenware. It might be dead people. It might have scooped a dead person. - Yeah, but also the other question is, is you're only allowed that certain amount. What do you do with the other ashes? And why would you, at least, stick the rest up your ass? - Sorry, James is running a blender. - Joe! - (laughing) - That is such a great snippet right there of just like, what I just said and then what you just said. - Okay, first of all, Jessica, I wouldn't put out my butt because if I farted, I'd fart the ashes into dust. Okay, okay, okay, and then I have dust all over my underwear. - That's what podcast is this. - Oh man, we tried so hard to make this such a just morbid and just morbid, but it's not. - You get it. - But do you know where actually you can get these self-fire, firework stateside? - No. - Up your butt and around the corner. (laughing) - All right, everybody, this is 30 more minutes. Thank you so much. - I still have a little bit more. I didn't say what you do after you said. (laughing) - Okay, so they send you the container. You scoop the fireworks in it and then you mail it back. And then they take the what you mailed to them and then they put those in the fireworks and the rockets or whatever and then they mail that back to you. So you can shoot them off. - Great, good. 'Cause yeah, that's not for me. I would fuck it up. Yeah, universal healthcare and self-fire cremation fireworks, the British man, they have it, they have it good over there. - They're so good. Let us know in the comments if you'd pay to see my or Jessica's remain shot at the sky in a spectacular burst of color. - Yeah, I mean, joking aside, you know, it really is a cool way to pay tribute to a loved one for sure. - I don't want it to sound like we're dunking on people who do this for their family to memorialize them and pay tribute. I just, because I think so goofy about myself, to me the idea of this being done for me is so silly. - No, yeah, same. I, same, it's all about like, I think of it as silly within my own brain for me, myself. But I think however you want to honor your loved one, as unique as it may be, is, is special and it's in line with whatever they wanted, you wanted the relationship you guys had. I mean, you're honoring that person and that's what matters. - Oh yeah. - I think tribute to them, so. - Well, what you mentioned about the horse scattering, his beloved writer and owner's ashes, that's, people send so much money on burials and stuff and it's like, what's more meaningful? - Mm-hmm. - You know, to each their own, but that to me seems pretty poignant. - Absolutely. It's in, yeah, however you want to do it is wonderful and beautiful and special in its own way. So. - Yeah. - Just what's scaring you this week? Because what's scaring me is you talking about me in my butt. (laughing) Come on. - Well, yeah, I mean, what's scaring me is that you are coming to stay with me in a few weeks. - Ah, yes I am. - I know, it's terrifying me. (laughing) I was gonna say some stuff that I'm like, now we don't need to tell the whole world. - It's just everything that I have prepared and ready for you for when you got prepared. - You already know, I told you. The plunger, the toilet paper, the bidet. - Okay. Now the shampoo and conditioner pot calling the kettle blacker. - Oh, and did you buy me the shampoo and conditioner? - Oh yeah, I have it. - Oh. - But it's also because I'm gonna use it too. - It means it, okay, that's so awesome. - Yeah. - And if you don't like it, I'll really appreciate it. - You can keep it. - No, no, no. You can just keep it, but I'm sure I'll love it because it has all that shit out of it. The fact that your hair is like came back to life is giving me hope for mine. - So, let's hope it works. - No more doubt. - Mostly, okay, real, sorry. This is just now us talking about stuff that no one cares about. But I was just having so many issues with my scalp and then I eventually had to change my shampoo to one that doesn't have any chemicals in it. So, you doesn't have any of the, what are they, like parabens and sulfates, et cetera, et cetera. - I'm looking forward to using it as well. So, we'll see how it works, we'll see. But yeah, Lisa's coming down everybody. She's staying with me and I'm terrified. This is her first time staying with me. Usually when she comes down she spends it with another friend of ours who you may know, Blaine Gibson. - That's because Blaine has a garage gym and my husband wants to work out with him, the garage gym. - A hundred percent, totally, totally get it. - So, will you be working out in Blaine's garage with them? Is the question? - If Blaine allows it. He's very, he's very protective of that gym that is his space. - I would love to do stupid stuff with you. - Yeah, what's stupid stuff? - Go out on an adventure. We should build an itinerary that we don't adhere to because we're so tired and old. - Do you want to watch something scary? - I trust me, I thought about is, I would watch hereditary that day, but I also am like, what does everyone else want to do? - Of course you know. - She goes somewhere scary. - Yeah, last time you were here we went somewhere scary. - We went to the haunted house and then we did an episode about it, which was, that was a fun episode. We could go to do like a haunted tour of something in Austin. - We honestly could. There is a lot of that. I'm wondering, I should look into that. - The dumber, the better. - So whatever we do this time, we'll find a morbid angle and do an episode on it. Oh God, what would it be? - Have you ever visited a dump before? Welcome to this trash filled episode of 30 morbid. Yeah, we just went and we just knocked in and ransacked the dump. - Just fell on some needles. - I've always wanted to light a landfill on fire. Okay, those big mounds of just you know, there's trash in there and I just want to like dig a hole. - That's what we're gonna do with your ashes. - But I, you know how I've curious mine. I'm not kidding. There was one day, I've always known about landfills and I like all of that and then they put the grass and then it looks like a mountain kind of a hill. But I'm like, one day I got so curious. I'm like, but wait, how does it really work? Me and Devon go home, we put on a YouTube video about how this works. How does it not seep into the ground and contaminate the soil in the water? - Does it sometimes though? How does it work? - It does sometimes, yeah. So they basically have like, I don't know what it's called, but it is like a tarp. Like a big, I don't know what it's made out of. - I think I know what you're talking about, yeah. - Yeah, so they dig the hole as you know, they put this giant ass big tarp thing in there that is leak proof, whatever. And then they put all the stuff on there, the trash and everything and they compact it. They also sift through it too. They, so like, they'll sift through it there to make sure there's not stuff that shouldn't be in there, which there's so many things that shouldn't be in there, by the way. And I don't know what they do with it after that. I should watch another YouTube video on that. And yeah, and then they just continue. I don't, the part I don't remember is how they put like the grass back on top or how does it grow from once it's like, okay, we've reached our limit of like, this is how big this landfill is going to be, you know. - I think I'll have to watch a video too. - Yeah, it is. - Now you got my interest peaked. - I know, right? I'm like, how do these, sometimes we just kind of go through life, looking around at things, and don't think much about it. And they're like, wait, how does this work? How did this come to be? - You just accept, you just accept it as a thing that is, and you don't look deeper into it. And I will say, as a kid, I feel like you watch so many movies and TV shows where any given point characters might end up in a dump or a landfill looking for something or whatever. And that, in my brain, I always thought, oh, there'll be some point in life where I have to like, go to a landfill or like walk through a landfill, and I never have. - It's that same discussion like the whole like, quicksand thing. - Oh, one day I'm gonna counter quicksand. - I'm gonna have to go be with dump. (laughing) - I mean, so yeah, okay, that is one of the things on the list and is going to a dump. There we go. - Let's do it. Let's do it. - We could, honestly, we could do a tour. They might have tours. - We, we become radioactive. (laughing) - That would be so great if we just went to like, a landfill tour of just like, so, - This is how, oh, that would be fun. - I just wanna go look at it. All right, well, if anyone else was listening, has been to a dump or he has some kind of affiliation, maybe you work at a landfill, please reach out to us, 'cause we wanna know about it. - Yeah, we're just curious at this point, and if there's a morbid angle, which I'm sure there is at some point, you know? So, I'm sure there's been remains of human bodies in the landfill, I'm sure. - Grab, so, Lily, we go without question. - Without question. Okay, well, here we go. Anyway, we'll report back on whatever being at least two. - I'd say this bad bye is more of a trash talk. - Bad bye, bad bye. (dramatic music) - The real cost of a break-in isn't your valuables. It's the feeling that your home stopped being safe. Simply safe keeps danger away from your family with three layers of protection. One, smart AI cameras and live US-based agents help stop intruders before they break in. Two, we sound the alarm at points of entry. Three, our agent's request emergency response. Play and starting around a dollar a day. Right now, get 70% off your new system with professional monitoring at simplysafe.com/spotify. - Outdoor to turns plans start at $49.99 a month. Visit simplysafe.com/licenses for alarm license information. ♪ We're all here, it's family presents for the ones you love ♪ ♪ I don't know ♪

Podcast Summary

Key Points:

  1. The Aleminati, a shadowy organization, has long promoted lemon over lime in consumer products, including music and sodas, as part of a covert cultural agenda.
  2. Seven Up is challenging this dominance with a new lime-lemon soda, symbolizing a shift in the "lemon vs. lime" narrative and a broader cultural rebellion.
  3. Cremation fireworks are a dramatic, personalized way to honor loved ones, with professional companies like Greenlaw and Heavenly Stars offering custom displays in the U.S. and U.K.
  4. These displays require strict regulations, professional handling, and legal permissions, making DIY or home-based attempts unsafe and illegal.
  5. Personalization options include themed colors, music, and even shared fireworks between couples, reflecting individual and emotional preferences.
  6. Despite the spectacle, many find the idea of scattering ashes in fireworks or space both absurd and unsettling, emphasizing personal comfort and consent over grandeur.
  7. Self-fire cremation fireworks are available in the U.K. but not in the U.S., and involve risks related to measurement, hygiene, and emotional discomfort.
  8. The podcast explores morbid and unconventional memorial practices, highlighting both their emotional significance and the humor and unease they provoke.

Summary:

The podcast explores the cultural dominance of lemon over lime through a satirical narrative involving a fictional "Aleminati" organization, ultimately challenging this through Seven Up’s new lime-lemon soda. It then shifts to a deeper examination of cremation memorial practices, focusing on dramatic fireworks as a tribute to loved ones. These displays are professionally created, legally regulated, and require careful handling—contrasting with dangerous or unfeasible DIY attempts.

Customization options such as colors, music, and shared displays reflect personal sentiment, though many find the concept absurd or emotionally taxing. The discussion includes ethical concerns about handling human remains, hygiene, and emotional preparedness. While fireworks represent a bold, theatrical form of remembrance, the podcast emphasizes that personal preference and emotional comfort matter most.

Humor and morbid curiosity are woven throughout, especially in anecdotes about a horse scattering ashes and the absurdity of ashes being blown into one’s face by wind. The segment concludes with a lighter note, including a suggestion to visit landfills—a morbid yet intriguing exploration of waste and human impact—highlighting how everyday phenomena often spark curiosity and deeper inquiry.

FAQs

The Aleminati is described as a shadowy organization that has long promoted lemon over lime, influencing everything from sodas to music. It is portrayed as a symbol of a 'lemon agenda' that has shaped consumer culture.

No, U.S. laws technically restrict where ashes can be scattered. While many people ignore these laws, permission is required for public displays like cremation fireworks, which are more regulated.

Professional cremation fireworks are safe and legal when prepared by licensed companies. DIY attempts are not recommended due to safety risks, incorrect measurements, and potential legal issues.

Unique methods include scattering ashes on a horse's back across land, embedding ashes in jewelry, or using them in vinyl records. Some people also use custom fireworks with personalized themes or music.

Yes, companies like Greenlaw and Heavenly Stars offer custom fireworks tailored to a person's personality, such as specific colors, music, or themes like the Batman Forever soundtrack.

Yes, but availability is limited. Companies like Greenlaw and A&Pyro operate legally, though many states have strict regulations, and some businesses like Angels Flight have closed due to high regulatory costs.

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