Deep Dive: Black Monday, Chandrasekhar’s Legacy, and the Strange Risk of Vending Machines - October 19, 2025
Kara Swift and James Harrison examine the 1987 Black Monday market crash, celebrate Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar’s impact on astrophysics, and unpack startling statistics about injuries and deaths caused by vending machines.
In this Deep Dive episode, our hosts discuss the lasting shock of a market crisis, the scientific legacy of a Nobel laureate, and an unsettling everyday hazard.
- 📜 On this day in 1987: a massive, sudden crash on Black Monday that sent shockwaves through global stock markets, upended trading and investor confidence, and reshaped how regulators and traders respond to market panic.
- 🎂 Birthday spotlight on Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar: his transformative work on stellar evolution — especially the Chandrasekhar limit — Nobel recognition, and the long-term influence of his mathematical rigor on astrophysics.
- 💡 Fact of the day: vending machine dangers — the episode cites startling figures: 37 deaths since 1978, reportedly 13 killed annually, and 113 injuries tied to people interacting with vending machines, highlighting how a mundane action can lead to persistent harm.
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Creators and Guests
Producer
Chad Thompson
Chad Thompson is the producer of Neural Newscast, bringing his expertise in technology, cybersecurity, media production, DJing, music production, and radio broadcasting to deliver high-quality, engaging news content. A futurist and early adopter, Chad has a deep passion for innovation, storytelling, and automation, ensuring that Neural Newscast stays at the forefront of modern news delivery. With a background in security operations and a career leading cyber defense teams, he combines technical acumen with creative vision to produce informative and compelling broadcasts. In addition to producing the podcast, Chad creates its original music, blending his technical expertise with his creative talents to enhance the show's unique sound. Outside of Neural Newscast, Chad is a dedicated father, electronic music enthusiast, and builder of creative projects, always exploring new ways to merge technology with storytelling.
