Side Stories: The Fish Bandit
Immerse yourself in the strange and surreal with "Last Podcast On The Left," where hosts Henry Zebrowski and Marcus Parks bring humor and peculiarity to the world's oddities. In an episode that delves into the bizarre antics of the "Fish Bandit," listen as they recount the tales of a teenager's strange form of vandalism involving aquatic life and ATMs in Utah. What do fish with cigarettes and property damage charges have in common? Find out as Zebrowski and Parks unravel the fishy rebellious spree with a lighthearted twist, suggesting that perhaps the responsibility for the scent of sea life at the bank could paradoxically fall on those normally dispensing the bills.
Meanwhile, the duo doesn't shy away from the eerie or the potentially otherworldly. They explore a surreal video of glowing orbs dancing to a childhood jingle—a scene reminiscent of classic supernatural cinema. As if that's not unnerving enough, they also share a testimony of a peculiar customer with an obsession for aviation watches, leading to alien theories that fuel the imagination. And let's not forget the heroics (or vigilantism) of Brooklyn's Longboard Vigilante—motorized skateboard and all—as Zebrowski and Parks dare to weigh in on the thin line between quick justice and the makings of an urban legend. Join the reverie of the unusual and the enigmatic on "Last Podcast On The Left."
This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Jan 31, 2024 episode of the Last Podcast On The Left
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1-Page Summary
Fish Bandit Tapes Fish to ATMs
In Provo, Utah, a 17-year-old, known as fishbandit84 on Instagram, was arrested for a unique rebellion act that involved taping fish to ATMs across Salt Lake City. These pranks were executed more than a dozen times between August and December, leading to property damage charges due to the costs incurred from cleaning the fish off. Commentators Marcus Parks and Henry Zebrowski found an artistic and humorous angle to these pranks, specifically noting the creative touch of placing cigarettes in the fish's mouths. Despite the potential and eventual legal consequences, Parks and Zebrowski humorously suggested banks could cover the cleanup costs, hinting at the non-pristine nature of ATMs.
Orbs Singing Sesame Street Theme
A baffling video has surfaced showing two erratic light orbs, accompanied by a looping audio of the Sesame Street theme song. In this video, the orbs move unpredictably and ultimately disappear, with no clear explanation for their origin. The audio plays the line "Can you tell me how to get…" repeatedly, a noted detail by commentator Marcus. Similarities have been drawn between the orbs' behavior and the effects seen in the movie "Poltergeist," leading viewers to speculate whether the video's creation was inspired by the film's spectral effects.
Unsettling Customer may be Alien Interested in Watches
A speaker recounts an encounter with an unsettling customer demonstrating an unusual interest in aviation watches. The man, excessively polite but with seemingly off social skills, posed detailed questions about the watches despite claiming ignorance on the subject. This puzzling conduct was further reinforced as a coworker experienced a similar interaction with another man matching the unsettling customer's description. These incidents evoke staff speculation about the customer's perhaps extraordinary—or extraterrestrial—fascination with these timepieces.
Brooklyn Longboard Vigilante
In Brooklyn, an individual dubbed the "Longboard Vigilante" has been reported to intervene in violent situations, most recently saving a woman from an assailant and delivering a severe beating to him. Clad in a bull helmet with horns and tactical gear, this vigilante makes an expeditious escape on a remote-controlled electric longboard after such confrontations, leaving a lasting impression of mystery and swift justice on the streets of Brooklyn.
1-Page Summary
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- The Instagram handle "fishbandit84" is the online identity used by the 17-year-old individual involved in the fish-taping pranks on ATMs in Salt Lake City. The handle combines the elements of "fish" and "bandit," reflecting the person's actions of taping fish to ATMs as a form of rebellion or prank. The addition of "84" at the end is a common practice on social media platforms to create a unique username, often incorporating birth years or other significant numbers. The handle serves as a pseudonym for the individual's online persona and activities related to the fish-taping incidents.
- The connection between the orbs' behavior and the movie "Poltergeist" lies in the similarity of the erratic movements of the orbs in the video to the supernatural occurrences depicted in the film. "Poltergeist" is known for its portrayal of ghostly phenomena, including objects moving unpredictably, which viewers may have associated with the behavior of the orbs in the video. This comparison led to speculation that the video may have drawn inspiration from the eerie and mysterious effects seen in the movie.
- The "Longboard Vigilante" in Brooklyn is an individual who intervenes in violent situations, wearing distinctive attire and using a remote-controlled electric longboard to swiftly escape after delivering justice. The vigilante's motivation and background remain mysterious, adding to the intrigue surrounding their actions. The vigilante's actions have garnered attention for their unconventional approach to combating crime in the area. The use of a unique outfit and mode of transportation contributes to the vigilante's enigmatic persona.
Counterarguments
- The fishbandit84's actions, while seen as humorous by some, can be criticized for being a form of vandalism that inconveniences bank employees and customers, and costs money to clean up.
- Suggesting that banks should cover the cleanup costs might be criticized for downplaying the act of vandalism and the unnecessary expenses incurred by the bank, which ultimately may be passed on to customers.
- The video of the erratic light orbs could be criticized for potentially being a hoax or a product of video editing, rather than a supernatural phenomenon.
- Comparing the orbs' behavior to the movie "Poltergeist" could be criticized for encouraging superstitious beliefs or for trivializing the experiences of those who believe they have encountered genuine paranormal phenomena.
- Speculating that the unsettling customer might be extraterrestrial could be criticized for being an overactive imagination or a lack of more plausible explanations for the customer's behavior.
- The coworker's similar encounter with another man could be criticized for confirmation bias, where staff may be more inclined to notice and remember interactions that fit their existing theory about the customer's odd behavior.
- The actions of the "Longboard Vigilante" could be criticized for promoting vigilantism, which can undermine the rule of law and lead to potential harm or escalation of violence.
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Fish Bandit Tapes Fish to ATMs
A teen's curious form of rebellion involving aquatic creatures and financial kiosks has turned heads and led to legal trouble in Provo, Utah.
Teen in Utah executed pranks more than a dozen times
A 17-year-old, known on Instagram as fishbandit84, was arrested after orchestrating a series of pranks where they taped fish to ATMs and other objects across Salt Lake City. The teen carried out these pranks more than a dozen times over several months, from August to December of the previous year.
Charged with property damage from cleanup costs
While the act may have been amusing to some, it resulted in two charges of property damage against the young prankster. The charges were brought forth due to the costs of cleaning up the taped fish.
Put cigarettes in fish's mouths; an "artist" spreading fun absurdity
Marcus Parks, a commentator on the situation, expressed that he found the action absurdist and aesthetically pleasing. Identifying a potential artistic angle in the fishbandit84's deeds, Parks illuminates the creative humor in the addition of cigarettes placed in the fish's ...
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Fish Bandit Tapes Fish to ATMs
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- The teen faced two charges of property damage due to the costs associated with cleaning up the taped fish from the ATMs and other objects.
- The tape residue left on ATMs from taping fish can interfere with the machine's sensors and mechanisms, potentially causing malfunctions. This residue may also attract dirt and debris, leading to maintenance issues and affecting the ATM's functionality. Cleaning tape residue off ATMs can be time-consuming and costly for the financial institutions that own them. Over time, repeated instances of tape residue buildup can impact the overall appearance and operation of the ATMs.
- The jokes about Bank of America covering cleanup costs stem from a humorous perspective that large institutions like banks could easily afford such expenses compared to individuals. The ...
Counterarguments
- The act of taping fish to ATMs, while seen as humorous by some, can be considered a form of vandalism that inconveniences both the bank and its customers.
- The cleanup costs associated with the prank suggest that the actions have tangible negative consequences that go beyond a simple joke.
- While Marcus Parks sees an artistic angle to the pranks, others may view it as disrespectful to both property and animal life.
- The idea that large institutions like Bank of America could easily afford the cleanup costs ignores the principle that individuals should be responsible for the consequences of their actions, regardless of the financial capabilities of the affected parties.
- The whimsical nature of the act, as highlighted by Henry Zebrowski, may not be appreciated by all, especially those who do not find humor in the use of dead animals as a medium for pranks.
- Th ...
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Orbs Singing Sesame Street Theme
A peculiar video has emerged featuring two light orbs behaving in an intriguing manner paired with an equally curious soundtrack.
Video shows light orbs floating erratically, disappearing
In the video, viewers can observe two light orbs that fly in front of a camera without any visible source or reflection. Their movement is highly erratic—coming apart and rejoining, alternating between two, three, and even four separate orbs. These orbs are shown to blink out entirely after floating around for some time, leaving the audience to wonder about their origin and nature.
Audio plays snippet of Sesame Street song repeatedly
Accompanying the mysterious visual is an audio track that loops a segment of the classic Sesame Street theme song. The line "Can you tell me how to get…" repeats endlessly throughout the video. Marcus also specifically mentions this audio clip, highlighting the repetitive nature of the snippet from the well-known children's television theme.
Possible inspiration: ghos ...
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Orbs Singing Sesame Street Theme
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Clarifications
- The light orbs in the video exhibit erratic movement, appearing and disappearing without a visible source. Their behavior, resembling the ghosts in the movie "Poltergeist," sparks curiosity about their origin and purpose. The orbs' flickering and floating nature, reminiscent of supernatural phenomena, contribute to the mysterious atmosphere of the video. The comparison to the movie suggests a possible inspiration for the orbs' appearance and behavior, prompting speculation about the video's intent.
- The comparison to the ghosts in the movie "Poltergeist" is made to draw a parallel between the behavior and appearance of the orbs in the video and the supernatural entities ...
Counterarguments
- The erratic movement of the orbs could be due to digital manipulation rather than any unexplained phenomenon.
- The number of orbs changing could be a result of video editing or a trick of the light, rather than the orbs themselves changing.
- The disappearance of the orbs might be intentionally timed with the video editing to create a sense of mystery.
- The repetitive nature of the audio could be an editing choice to create an eerie or humorous effect, rather than something inherently curious or significant.
- The comparison to "Poltergeist" could be leading viewers to a biased interpretation, as the orbs might not be intended to represent ghosts or spirits.
- The resemblance to t ...
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Unsettling Customer may be Alien Interested in Watches
The speaker shares a peculiar encounter with an unusual customer who exhibited an intense—and slightly peculiar—interest in aviation watches, sparking curiosity and a hint of speculation about his origins.
Very polite man with slightly "off" social skills asks obtuse questions
A customer, described as very polite yet unsettling with an odd manner of speaking, baffled the speaker. This person suddenly appeared behind another couple in the store. Although the customer repeatedly stated, "I know nothing about watches," he continued to ask detailed questions about the functionalities and design aspects of various aviation watches. His persistence in acquiring information, contrasted by his avowed ignorance on the subject, was not typical customer behavior.
Repeats "I know nothing about watches" while continuing questions
Despite his consistent admission of a lack of knowledge on timepieces, the man dove into in-depth queries about them, which only added to the speaker's bafflement over the customer's true intentions or level of understand ...
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Unsettling Customer may be Alien Interested in Watches
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- Aviation watches are timepieces specifically designed for pilots and aviation professionals. These watches often feature specialized functions such as chronographs, slide rules, and multiple time zone displays to assist with navigation and flight calculations. They are known for their durability, accuracy, and legibility in various cockpit conditions. Aviation watches are prized for their precision and reliability in the demanding environment of aviation.
- The term "unsettling customer" in this context describes a customer who made the speaker feel uneasy or disturbed due to their unusual behavior or demeanor. The customer's actions, such as exhibiting intense interest in watches while claiming ignorance about them, created a sense of discomfort or unease for the speaker. The adject ...
Counterarguments
- The customer's interest in aviation watches, while intense, could simply be a personal fascination or a research topic, rather than something peculiar or unsettling.
- Claiming ignorance about a subject can be a social strategy to encourage others to provide more information, which might be the customer's way of learning.
- Atypical customer behavior does not necessarily imply anything extraordinary or otherworldly; it could be due to a variety of reasons such as cultural differences, personal quirks, or a genuine desire to understand a complex topic.
- The coworker's similar encounter could be a coincidence or a result of the customer visi ...
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Brooklyn Longboard Vigilante
The conversation turns to an unusual figure patrolling the streets of Brooklyn, known as the "Longboard Vigilante."
Rescues woman from attacker, brutally beats him
This enigmatic vigilante has been reported to intervene in dangerous situations. Recently, they were said to rescue a woman from an assailant, administering a brutal beating to the attacker.
Dressed in tactical gear and bull helmet with horns
The individual is marked by their distinctive attire: they are dressed in tactical gear adorned with a bull hel ...
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Brooklyn Longboard Vigilante
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Clarifications
- An enigmatic vigilante is a mysterious and puzzling figure who operates anonymously, often shrouded in secrecy and intrigue. They typically carry out acts of justice or intervention without revealing their true identity or motives, adding an element of mystique to their actions. The term "enigmatic" suggests that this vigilante's background, intentions, and methods are not easily understood or explained, contributing to the air of mystery surrounding them.
- Tactical gear typically consists of specialized clothing and equipment designed for specific tasks or situations, often used by military or law enforcement personnel. It includes items like vests, helmets, gloves, and boots that provide protection, functionality, and utility in combat or emergency scenarios. This gear is chosen for its durability, practicality, and ability to enhance performance in challenging environments. The use of tactical gear can vary depending on the individual's needs and the nature of the mission or activity.
- The bull helmet with horns is a distinctive headgear resembling a bull's head, often used symbolically to convey strength, power, or aggression. In this context, it serves as a unique and attention-grabbing element of the Longboard Vigilante's outfit, adding to their mysterious and intimidating persona. The choice of this headpiece could suggest a connection to themes of protection, bravery, or even a nod to traditional symbols of heroism. The visual impact of the bull helmet with hor ...
Counterarguments
- The use of violence, even by a vigilante, raises legal and ethical concerns about due process and the potential for excessive force.
- The attire of the Longboard Vigilante, while distinctive, could be seen as trivializing or sensationalizing the act of community protection.
- Escaping the scene on a remote-controlled electric longboard, though efficient, could hinder accountability and the ability to ensure the vigilante's actions are within the bounds of the law.
- The presence of a vigilante might indicate a perceived lack of trust in local law en ...
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