Side Stories: Under the Sea
In this episode of Last Podcast On The Left, the hosts delve into a variety of strange and unusual tales. They explore the phenomenon of black drum fish in Tampa Bay, whose thunderous mating calls disrupt residents' sleep during breeding season. The case of a fire captain connected to the deaths of two girlfriends over three years is also examined, raising suspicions of foul play.
Additionally, the podcast investigates the unsettling behavior of a city council candidate named Steve, whose odd mannerisms and questionable backstory have drawn comparisons to the notorious "Men in Black" entities associated with UFO sightings. These curious stories are sure to pique listeners' interest in the unknown and the bizarre.
This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Feb 15, 2024 episode of the Last Podcast On The Left
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1-Page Summary
Black drum fish mating calls
In Tampa Bay, Florida, residents' sleep is disrupted by the thunderous mating calls of black drum fish, which vibrate through their homes at night. Marine biologist James Locascio confirmed that these deafening 165-decibel noises are the mating sounds emitted by the fish during their mating season.
Serial killer fire captain
Fire Captain Robert Douse has been implicated in the deaths of his two girlfriends over a three-year span. Grace Holland, his pregnant fiancée, died by suicide in 2020, though her family suspects foul play. His new girlfriend Dr. Sarah Sweeney, who had reported workplace harassment, was found dead suspiciously in Douse's apartment in January 2023.
Mystery of creepy city council candidate
A man named Steve, running for City Council, has unnerved locals with his odd behavior and questionable credentials. Podcaster Zebrowski notes Steve's demeanor evokes the infamous "Men in Black" entities, known for mimicking officials and exhibiting bizarre, potentially non-human mannerisms during UFO sightings. Steve leaned uncomfortably close while oddly asking about "troublemakers," handed out implausible biographical claims of military and college experience, and overall created an air of profound strangeness.
1-Page Summary
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- Black drum fish in Tampa Bay, Florida, emit loud mating calls that can reach 165 decibels, disrupting residents' sleep. These noises are particularly pronounced during the fish's mating season. Marine biologist James Locascio confirmed the source of the thunderous sounds as the mating calls of the black drum fish.
Counterarguments
- The loud mating calls of black drum fish, while disruptive, are a natural and essential part of their reproductive cycle, and may indicate a healthy ecosystem in Tampa Bay.
- The comparison of 165 decibels for fish mating calls might be misleading without context, as underwater sound measurements (dB re 1 µPa) are not directly comparable to air measurements (dB SPL).
- The implication of Fire Captain Robert Douse in the deaths of two girlfriends requires careful legal examination, and until proven in a court of law, he is presumed innocent.
- The circumstances surrounding the deaths of Grace Holland and Dr. Sarah Sweeney are tragic, but without concrete evidence, it is important to avoid unfounded accusations or speculation about foul play.
- Steve's odd behavior and questionable credentials in his City Council candidacy may reflect a lack of political experience or unconventional methods rather than any nefarious intent.
- Comparing Steve to "Men in Black" entities could be seen as an attempt to sensationalize his behavior for entertainment purposes rather than a fair political critique.
- Steve's close interactions and biographical claims, while unusual, may be the result of social awkwardness or misunderstanding rather than deliberate deception.
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Black drum fish mating calls
Residents in Tampa Bay, Florida, are finding themselves deprived of sleep due to the thunderous mating calls of black drum fish that vibrate through their homes.
Located in Tampa Bay, Florida
The disturbance, originating from Tampa Bay's waters, relates to the mating season of the black drum fish, an event that is causing quite a stir among the community.
Sound keeps residents awake
People are forced to endure the resonating sounds throughout the night, as the fish emit noises loud enough to cause significant vibrations within their houses.
Determined to be black drum fish mating calls
Marine biologist James Locascio from the Marine Laboratory and Aquarium in Sarasota installed underwater microphones to investigate the cause of these nocturnal disruptions. His research confirmed that the disruptive vibrations are indeed the mating calls of the black drum fish.
Fish mating calls hit 165 water decibels
These mating nois ...
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Black drum fish mating calls
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- Black drum fish produce loud mating calls during their mating season, causing vibrations that disturb residents living near Tampa Bay, Florida. These calls can reach up to 165 water decibels, creating significant noise disruptions. The vibrations are a natural behavior of the black drum fish during their mating rituals, impacting the surrounding community's peace and sleep.
- Using underwater microphones, also known as hydrophones, to study fish mating calls involves placing sensitive audio recording devices in bodies of water to capture and analyze the sounds produced by fish during their reproductive activities. These hydrophones can detect and record a wide range of underwater sounds, including the distinct mating calls of various fish species. By studying these recordings, researchers can gain insights into the behavior, communication, and ecology of aquatic organisms, helping to better understand and conserve marine ecosystems.
- Measuring sound levels in water in decibels involves using specialized equipment to capture and quantify the intensity of underwater sounds. Decibels (dB) are a unit of measurement that expresses the relative intensity of sounds on a logarithmic scale. In water, sound travels differently c ...
Counterarguments
- The disturbance caused by the black drum fish mating calls may be a natural and temporary phenomenon, and residents may need to adapt or seek temporary mitigation measures rather than seeing it as a purely negative experience.
- The sound levels of 165 water decibels may not directly correlate to the same impact in air, and the actual disturbance to residents might be less severe than suggested.
- While the mating calls are disruptive to residents, they are an important aspect of the black drum fish's reproductive cycle and essential for the species' survival.
- The mention of the fish's diet and the flavor of its meat, while interesting, may not provide actual consolation to those disturbed by the noise and could be seen as trivializing their discomfort.
- The study by Marine biologis ...
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Serial killer fire captain
Two girlfriends died suspiciously
Captain Robert Douse has been linked to the deaths of two women in a span of three and a half years, raising suspicions and fear.
First girlfriend Grace shot herself in front of him in 2020
Grace Holland, the former fiancee of Fire Captain Robert Douse, reportedly committed suicide by shooting herself in front of him in July of 2020. At the time of her death, Holland was allegedly pregnant with Douse's child, but Douse claims she had a miscarriage, leading to her depression.
Second girlfriend Dr. Sarah Sweeney found dead in January 2023
Dr. Sarah Sweeney, Douse's new girlfriend, was found dead in his apartment on January 13th, 2023. Prior to her death, she texted a friend that she had to move in with her "murderer" boyfriend and admitted that it was scary at times. The death is currently ruled as suspicious, with no signs of trauma yet found on her body. The case is still active.
First girlfriend was pregnant before death
The family of Douse's first girlfriend, Grace Holland, harbors suspicions regarding her death. They assert that Douse played a role in Holland's death, challenging ...
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Serial killer fire captain
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- Captain Robert Douse has been linked to the deaths of two women, Grace Holland and Dr. Sarah Sweeney. Grace, his former fiancée, died by suicide in 2020, allegedly pregnant with Douse's child. Dr. Sweeney, his second girlfriend, was found dead in 2023, with suspicions raised due to her text menti ...
Counterarguments
- The link between Captain Douse and the deaths could be coincidental and not indicative of guilt.
- Grace Holland's death being ruled a suicide could be accurate if there is corroborative evidence from the investigation.
- The claim that Holland was pregnant could be contested if there is no medical evidence to support it.
- Dr. Sarah Sweeney's death being ruled as suspicious does not necessarily implicate Douse without concrete evidence.
- Sweeney's text about her "murderer" boyfriend could be hyperbolic or taken out of context.
- The absence of trauma on Sweeney's body could suggest a natural cause of death or an undetected metho ...
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Mystery of creepy city council candidate
There is an unsettling mystery evolving around Steve, a man running for City Council, who has been causing a stir with his peculiar behavior and questionable credentials.
Steve acted strangely, asking about troublemakers
Steve entered a store with a clipboard in hand and began by asking an employee if there were any troublemakers around. His manner of speaking was peculiar, as if unfamiliar with the act of speaking itself. He leaned uncomfortably close into the employee's personal space, which along with his odd accent made the employee feel uneasy—a sentiment shared by Apollo, the Frito Lay chip stocker, who also found Steve's presence concerning.
Handed out questionable credentials
Adding to his strange demeanor, Steve offered a business card to the employee and distributed a brief biographical paper that boasted grandiose credentials, such as a college education and military service. However, the claims appeared exaggerated and potentially untrue, which only contributed to the growing suspicions surrounding his candidacy and genuine identity.
Made employees uneasy
Not only did Steve's proximity and conversation unnerve the employee and Apollo, but his entire presentation exuded an air of strangeness, likening him to a "Man In Black." This comparison, drawn by the e ...
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Mystery of creepy city council candidate
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- The "Men in Black" are mysterious figures often associated with UFO sightings and encounters. They are described as odd-looking individuals who may exhibit non-human characteristics and behaviors. These entities are known for their unsettling presence, which can include wearing wigs or having an unusual stature. ...
Counterarguments
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