Logo
    Search

    From the Vault: Anthology of Horror, Volume 2

    enOctober 17, 2020

    Podcast Summary

    • Exploring the Future with AI and PodcastsAI is revolutionizing industries, from healthcare to retail, while podcasts offer diverse content for all interests

      Technology, specifically artificial intelligence, will play a significant role in shaping the future. From healthcare and retail to entertainment and personal computing, AI is transforming various industries and creating a more accessible world. Listen to Technically Speaking, an Intel podcast, to hear from the innovators making it happen. Meanwhile, on a different note, there's something for everyone, no matter the preference. Whether you're looking for a casual and in-depth conversation about life or science-themed horror stories, there's a podcast for you. Apple Card offers cashback rewards, and the NFL season schedule is coming soon. Embrace the variety and enjoy the ride.

    • Exploring unique horror stories and ideas in anthology showsHorror anthology shows like Monsters offer a wealth of talent and thought-provoking concepts, mixing horror, humor, and deep thoughts, and can be found in abundance in the digital age.

      Horror anthology shows, such as Monsters, offer a wealth of talent and unique ideas, often exploring high-level premises and thought-provoking concepts. These shows, which can be found in abundance in the digital age, provide a treasure trove of entertainment, from classics like The Twilight Zone to lesser-known gems. Monsters, which ran from 1988 to 1990 and can now be found on streaming platforms, features a variety of notable actors and authors, including Dan Simmons, Tom Noonan, Tony Shalhoub, and Gina Gershon. The show's opening sequence, featuring a humorous family of monsters, sets the stage for a mix of horror, humor, and deep thoughts. Whether revisiting old favorites or discovering new gems, horror anthology shows continue to captivate audiences with their unique stories and innovative ideas.

    • A haunting tale of city workers battling ghouls in the New York subway system'Far Below' is a unique blend of horror, practical effects, and a strong narrative about city workers fighting subterranean humanoids in the New York subway system

      "Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie" Season 2's adaptation of Robert Barbera Johnson's short story "Far Below" is a haunting tale filled with practical effects, an open-hearted embrace of synth music, and a strong cast. The story, set in the depths of the New York subway system, follows city workers battling ghouls that emerge from the depths, risking their own humanity in the process. The adaptation, penned by Michael McDowell and directed by Deborah Hill, boasts a talented cast, including Barry Nelson as Doctor Vernon Rathmore. The ghouls in this story are not the typical grave-dwelling, flesh-eating creatures, but rather, subterranean humanoids that have emerged due to humanity's intrusion into the earth. The creatures present a threat to subway workers and the general population, necessitating a constant campaign to keep them in check. Overall, "Far Below" offers a unique blend of horror, practical effects, and a strong narrative, making it a must-watch for fans of the genre.

    • Rats as Disruption SpecialistsRats and other organisms can adapt and thrive in human environments, even in the waste and disruption created by civilization, demonstrating their role as disruption specialists.

      Certain organisms, like rats, can thrive in human environments, particularly when those environments are disrupted. These organisms, often seen as pests, can adapt and even prosper in the waste and disruption created by human civilization. This idea was explored in the context of both fictional creatures in "The Two Towers" and real-world organisms like rats. Biologist Ken Aplin describes rats as "disruption specialists," able to carve out a kingdom for themselves in unbalanced realms. Despite human efforts to control them through traps, poisons, and other means, rats continue to rule cities like New York, finding an abundance of food and water in our waste. The discussion also touched on the idea of organisms that thrive, suffer, or are destroyed by human presence, and the importance of understanding the roles these organisms play in their environments.

    • Disrupting rat colonies can lead to unintended consequencesDisrupting rat colonies can spread diseases and bacteria, create new diseases through gene transfer, and bring more chaos to the environment. A more nuanced approach is necessary to minimize negative impacts.

      Disrupting rat colonies, even with the intention of eliminating them, can lead to unintended consequences. Becca Cudmore's article on the Vancouver Rat Project highlights the potential dangers of spreading rat pathogens and bacteria when relocating rats from one area to another. These bacteria are often specific to the building or location, and stirring up turf wars between rat colonies can lead to the creation of new diseases through gene transfer. Additionally, attempting to remove rats can bring more chaos and disruption to the environment. It's important to consider these potential consequences before taking aggressive action against rat infestations. Instead, a more nuanced approach may be necessary to minimize the negative impacts on public health and the ecosystem.

    • Prevention is key in dealing with invasive species and technologyStaying informed and implementing new advancements early can lead to significant benefits in technology and preventing invasive species from establishing a presence

      Prevention is key when it comes to dealing with invasive species, such as rats. Alberta, Canada, has managed to remain rat-free by implementing proactive measures before the rats could establish a presence. Similarly, in technology, staying informed and implementing new advancements early can lead to significant benefits. Intel's "Technically Speaking" podcast explores the latest AI-driven innovations in various industries, from healthcare to entertainment. Meanwhile, Mother's Day is approaching, and instead of traditional gifts like flowers, consider getting mom a Bartesian countertop cocktail maker for a more lasting and enjoyable present. And don't forget, prevention is always better than a cure!

    • Educating the public about threats through effective communicationEffective communication and education are vital in addressing perceived threats, as seen in Alberta's rat infestation and in allegorical shows like 'Monsters' and 'The Twilight Zone'.

      Effective communication and education are crucial in combating perceived threats, whether they be rats or monsters. In the case of Alberta's rat infestation, the provincial government recognized the need to educate its population about the threat and took measures to do so through physical demonstrations, conferences, posters, and pamphlets. This approach helped to build public awareness and vigilance against rats, allowing the province to largely contain the infestations along its eastern border. The analogy to the unseen battles being waged against monsters or other threats below our feet, such as fatbergs, further highlights the importance of acknowledging and addressing these issues. Similarly, in the realm of science fiction and horror, shows like "Monsters" and "The Twilight Zone" use allegories and thought-provoking episodes to explore complex issues and ask important questions that continue to resonate today.

    • Exploring the concept of our reality not being as solid as we thinkThe 'Shadow Play' episode of The Twilight Zone invites us to ponder the nature of reality, dreams, and interconnectedness, questioning if our perception of reality might be more malleable than we assume.

      Key takeaway from the "Shadow Play" episode of The Twilight Zone is the exploration of the concept that our reality might not be as solid as we perceive it to be. The story follows a man named Adam Grant, who believes he's in a dream and that everyone around him will cease to exist when he wakes up. This idea causes doubt and fear in those around him, including a newspaper reporter and the district attorney. The episode raises questions about the nature of reality, dreams, and the interconnectedness of events. The concept of synchronicity, which suggests that events can be connected through meaning rather than physical causation, adds depth to this idea. Ultimately, the episode challenges us to consider the possibility that our perception of reality might be more malleable than we realize.

    • Exploring the possibility of reality being a dream or simulationThe Twilight Zone's intriguing episode sparks thoughts on reality's nature, while advancements in AI technology add to the conversation.

      The exploration of the questions surrounding reality, particularly the possibility of being in a dream or a simulation. These thoughts were sparked by an episode of The Twilight Zone. The episode, written by Charles Beaumont and featuring Peter Coyote, is a well-crafted story that raises intriguing questions about the nature of reality. While it might not provide definitive answers, it invites us to ponder the implications of such possibilities. The Twilight Zone, with its thought-provoking episodes, is available on Netflix and Hulu. Additionally, the future holds exciting advancements in technology, particularly in the field of artificial intelligence, as discussed in the Technically Speaking podcast. Overall, the conversation encourages us to think deeply about the nature of reality and the potential of technology.

    • The question of the existence of the outside worldSolipsism is a philosophical concept questioning the existence of the outside world, but it's an edge case that we accept and move past with an axiomatic assumption, focusing on connecting with reality and people instead.

      While we may assume the outside world and other people are real, the philosophical concept of solipsism raises the question of how we can be certain of this. Solipsism, specifically metaphysical solipsism, is the belief that only one's own mind is sure to exist, and everything else is just a product of one's imagination. This perspective can be frustrating because it's hard to disprove, but it's important to note that no philosophers actually hold this belief. Instead, it's an edge case that we accept and move past with an axiomatic assumption. The implications of solipsism are pointless, silly, or dangerous, making it a useless perspective in real life. Instead, we connect with the underlying reality and free ourselves from attachments to things and people, as taught in Buddhist and Hindu teachings. In the end, it's essential to appreciate the world around us and the people in it, as they add meaning and value to our lives.

    • Exploring the Challenges to Our Perception of Reality: Solipsism and Cartesian SkepticismSolipsism questions the existence of other minds and the external world, while Cartesian skepticism challenges the reality of our experiences. These philosophical concepts force us to ponder the nature of reality and our perception of it.

      The philosophical concepts of solipsism and Cartesian skepticism challenge our perception of reality. Solipsism, which suggests that only one's own mind is sure to exist, can be seen in various degrees in our daily lives, particularly in the context of social media where people may present unreal versions of themselves. However, full-blown metaphysical solipsism, which questions the existence of other minds and the external world, is a more radical idea that is rarely taken seriously. Cartesian skepticism, on the other hand, raises the question of whether our current experiences are real or just dreams. René Descartes famously explored this idea by looking for inconsistencies in his surroundings that might indicate he was dreaming. Despite the textural differences between our waking reality and dreams, it's unclear if dreams only seem hazy and ethereal in comparison or if there is a fundamental difference. These philosophical concepts challenge us to question the nature of reality and our perception of it.

    • The Challenge of Distinguishing Reality from DreamsDespite our critical reasoning abilities being limited in dreams, distinguishing reality from dreams remains a philosophical question, with no definitive solution.

      Our ability to distinguish reality from dreams can be challenging, as dreams can feel incredibly real and our critical reasoning abilities are limited. Dreams can suppress certain brain functions, making it difficult for us to question our surroundings and think critically about our sense data. While there are popular beliefs about signs that indicate dreaming, such as letters appearing backward or the inability to read text, these are not always reliable. Some philosophers, like John Locke, suggested using pain as a test to distinguish between dreaming and waking life, but research has shown this is not foolproof as people can experience pain in dreams. The dream problem, as it's known, raises doubts about the validity of our perceptions and has led philosophers to propose various ways to separate reality from dreams, including the use of logic and a benevolent god as a justification for the evidence of our senses. However, these solutions are not always satisfactory, and the dream problem remains an intriguing and enduring philosophical question.

    • Can we distinguish dreams from reality?Despite theories and intrigue, we cannot definitively tell dreams from reality in the moment

      While we may have ways to question the reality of our dreams, such as the principle of coherence or the inability to recall how we got there, there is no foolproof test to distinguish dreams from reality. The dreaming mind can bypass logical inquiries and critical reasoning, making self-reflective questions less effective. Additionally, the concept of consciousness in dreams raises intriguing questions, such as the possibility that we, as conscious beings, could be characters in someone else's dream. This idea shares similarities with the simulation argument, suggesting that our reality might be a creation of a future civilization. Ultimately, despite the intrigue and theories, we cannot be certain of the difference between dreams and reality in the moment.

    • Philosophical questions about living in a simulationThe simulation hypothesis raises intriguing questions about reality, consciousness, and the possibility of multiple conscious minds in one brain.

      The idea of living in a simulation raises intriguing philosophical questions about the nature of reality and consciousness. Some argue that the perfection of simulated worlds suggests they might be simulations themselves, but we have no frame of reference if we have no memory or understanding of the world outside of the simulation. A hurdle to the simulation argument is whether a computer can generate and host conscious minds, but the possibility of multiple conscious minds in one brain, as seen in split-brain experiments, makes the idea of living in someone else's dream more plausible. This raises ethical and existential questions about identity and communication between conscious entities within the same brain. Ultimately, the simulation hypothesis remains a fascinating and thought-provoking concept in the realm of science fiction and philosophy.

    • The debate over multiple conscious minds within a brainWhile there's evidence suggesting multiple consciousnesses, no definitive proof exists. The self in consciousness may be generated by the brain's interpreter region, and our brains may simulate separate consciousnesses when understanding others' behavior.

      The existence of multiple conscious minds within the same brain is a topic of ongoing research and debate in neuroscience. While there have been cases, such as split brain studies and alien hand syndrome, that have been suggested as evidence for this idea, there is no definitive proof. The concept of a single, unchanging self in consciousness is also being reconsidered, with some theories suggesting that the sense of self is generated by the brain's interpreter region, which unifies disparate brain phenomena into a coherent narrative. A intriguing possibility raised in the discussion is that when we try to understand the behavior of others, our brains may temporarily dedicate resources to simulating a separate consciousness for that imagined person, allowing us to better predict and explain their actions. However, these simulations are likely to be simplified models, and even the people we know best are still only represented by our best guesses based on available information. Ultimately, the nature of consciousness and its relationship to the brain remains a complex and mysterious area of study.

    • The Capability of Creating Separate Conscious Entities in Our MindsOur brains might generate distinct conscious entities while analyzing people or creating characters, questioning the boundaries of consciousness and self-awareness.

      Our brains may be capable of generating separate conscious entities when we analyze people, write characters, or even imagine figures like authors or public figures. These entities might have their own desires and experiences, even though they're just simulations in our minds. This idea, while speculative, raises intriguing questions about the nature of consciousness and the relationship between our brains and the conscious beings we create in our thoughts. It also touches upon theories like Michael Gazzaniga's left brain interpreter theory, which suggests that the part of our brain responsible for interpreting and making meaning of the self might not be aware of these simulations. This concept can be a source of fascination and wonder, but it's important to remember that it's a theory and not based on strong evidence.

    • NFL Schedule Release: Anticipated Rivalries, Rematches, and Rookie DebutsFootball fans can expect the release of the 2024 NFL schedule in May, featuring exciting matchups and new talent.

      Football fans can look forward to the release of the 2024 NFL schedule in May, which will include all the anticipated rivalries, rematches, rookie debuts, and games. This announcement comes presented by Verizon and can be watched live on NFL Network, ESPN 2, and streamed on NFL plus. Meanwhile, in a lighter vein, a conversation about the NFL schedule release led to an imaginative discussion about creating a California playground with various attractions such as wine country, surfing, Redwood Forest, ski slopes, and shopping. Lastly, a promotion for the movie "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes" was included, encouraging viewers to enter the kingdom in IMAX on May 10th and theaters everywhere.

    Recent Episodes from Stuff To Blow Your Mind

    Smart Talks with IBM: AI & the Productivity Paradox

    Smart Talks with IBM: AI & the Productivity Paradox

    In a rapidly evolving world, we need to balance the fear surrounding AI and its role in the workplace with its potential to drive productivity growth. In this special live episode of Smart Talks with IBM, Malcolm Gladwell is joined onstage by Rob Thomas, senior vice president of software and chief commercial officer at IBM, during NY Tech Week. They discuss “the productivity paradox,” the importance of open-source AI, and a future where AI will touch every industry.

    This is a paid advertisement from IBM. The conversations on this podcast don't necessarily represent IBM's positions, strategies or opinions.

    Visit us at ibm.com/smarttalks

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Weirdhouse Cinema: The Dungeonmaster

    Weirdhouse Cinema: The Dungeonmaster

    In this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe return to the glorious world of 80s Charles Band productions with 1984’s “The Dungeonmaster,” a supernatural dreamscape with eight directors starring Jeffrey Byron, Richard Moll and Leslie Wing. It’s time to reject the devil’s reality and substitute your own! 

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    New Season of Smart Talks with IBM Coming Soon

    New Season of Smart Talks with IBM Coming Soon

    Smart Talks with IBM returns with a new season on Tuesday, June 25th. This season, we’re diving back into the world of artificial intelligence, but with a focus on the powerful concept of “open,” and how it applies to AI. Host Malcolm Gladwell will invite curious colleagues from Pushkin Industries to explore how openness is already reshaping industries, ways of doing business, and our very notion of what's possible.

    This is a paid advertisement from IBM.

    Visit us at ibm.com/smarttalks

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    From the Vault: Dreamfall into the Dark, Part 4

    From the Vault: Dreamfall into the Dark, Part 4

    The wonders and terrors of the dreaming mind do not always flee completely with the dawn. At certain times and places in history, it seems that dreams suddenly ascend to new heights of cultural fascination. In this Stuff to Blow Your Mind series, Robert and Joe explore periods when the eye of culture fixes on the dream world. (originally published 6/27/2023)

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Related Episodes

    Episode 017 - Ana Serrano

    Episode 017 - Ana Serrano

    In this episode Jake speaks with Ana Serrano. Throughout their conversation the two explore various ideas about framing a world view, political agendas, the bubble, mindfulness and how to be in the world. From the divisive left and right dichotomies, self-serving political agendas and the big question of what is truly best for everyone and who is going to determine that.

    88. Can OpenAi's SORA learn and model real-world physics? (Part 1 of n)

    88.  Can OpenAi's SORA learn and model real-world physics? (Part 1 of n)
    All content is available commercial free on patreon as well as on our Spreaker Supporters Club


    Enjoy this content? Would you like to support us? The best ways to support us are currently to subscribe to our Yourube Channel

    This is a follow up on our previous episode on OpenAi's SORA. We attempt to answer the question, "Can OpenAi's SORA model real-world physics?"

    We go over the details of the technical report, we discuss some controversial opinoins by experts in the field at Nvdia and Google's Deep Mind.

    The transcript for episode is avialable below upon request.

    EP206 - AI & Capitalism

    EP206 - AI & Capitalism

    What happens with capitalism when AI takes over the economy? I’ve been giving this some thought, but to be honest I don’t have a conclusion yet. I cannot see an upside to this, and despite all the WOW factor that AI seems to have in the social construct, I don’t think anyone has really thought through the impact on capitalism & economics yet. Let’s give it a shot in this episode…