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The Cat Died So We Could Be Curious

This week, we explore two methods of communicating the things that matter most: the Voyager Golden Records and the Instagram Photo Dump. These carefully curated collections help convey our way of life, our values, and what we know. We can’t for the life of us figure out how the Golden Record works, but we’re hoping if aliens find it they can figure it out. And also there’s love triangle tea. On the Instagram front, we explore how the platform has evolved from perfectly manicured posting to a more casual place to share moments and memories. Plus: a recap of Ellie’s trip to Costa Rica, including how the opportunity fell into her lap, which energy practices she experimented with there, and the bed bugs she may or may not have brought home.

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Could this meeting have been an emoji? A picture is worth a thousand words, so we’re analyzing two languages made up entirely of images: Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphics and Emojis. How do these tiny images convey so much meaning? How do we as users define and evolve this meaning over time? And what is the difference between :), :-), and (: ? All this, plus a psychological look at Bravo’s “Love Overboard” on today’s Poppish.

The Panic in Central Park

Childless cat ladies, rejoice! This episode celebrates two important roles cats have held in culture across millennia: the stone lion statues of Imperial China and the bodega cats of New York City. These cats serve important functions for the buildings they protect and are beloved symbols of the community. We unpack the history both and what they mean to us today. Plus: Ellie narrowly escapes imminent danger in Central Park and being straight up gobsmacked by flower talent fees.

Who Ordered the Gist?

Let’s examine two letters that exposed hidden truths, shifted alliances, and ultimately, started wars: the Zimmermann Telegram and the Jersey Shore Note. Secrets came to light in the harsh black and white of ink on paper, and it changed everything. We tried REALLY hard to understand what a telegram is for this one, but we just couldn’t get there. How did these letters make their way into the hands of the affected parties? What ensued after? Will the US finally stop twiddling its thumbs and enter World War I? And will Sammi Sweatheart dump Ron’s cheating ass? Let’s find out together. Plus: Updates from the Hulu “Get Real” event, a way to bring America together through shared reality programming, and ultimately, we accidentally invent religion.

Sunday Reset on the Western Front

A truce can be a beautiful thing, but it can also be fleeting. We explore two cases of short-lived truces: the WWI Christmas Truce in December of 1914, and Jelena’s brief rekindling in late 2017 before Justin’s engagement to Hailey Baldwin. How do we find peace in the midst of so much pain? And God dammit, why can’t we stick to it? All this and more on this week’s Poppish. Plus: Anneliese’s Brooklyn evolution continues as she joins a co-op, Ellie meets an angel, and we’re left out of the loop on Coachella AGAIN.