16-bits between your ears
16-bits between your ears
The ultimate nostalgia playlist, human creativity as a balm to AI, revising the history of gun control, A-HOLE pelicans, and more podcasts to make you think.
Welcome to Hurt Your Brain #189, the place to get podcasts and links that will make you think.
A large majority of my listening has been for a new podcast playlist linked to below. Here was a whole genre of show that has been quietly building resentment towards me (I imagine) for not knowing of its existence, even when it’s perfectly suited to my interests. You never know when you’ll stumble upon some island within the podcast landscape full of shows with years and years of episodes that will make you so happy.
Also, I always find it interesting when two different shows I regularly listen to tackle the same subject, as with 99 Percent Invisible and Search Engine each doing an episode recently around why more empty office buildings aren’t being turned into housing. You should listen to both, but it surprises me to say that I preferred the episode from Search Engine.
On with the show.
PODCAST RECOMMENDATIONS
Song Exploder: Local Natives — Dark Days
The Big Idea: Great song and great episode, but there is another reason I wanted to recommend this. Song Exploder is like a balm against AI. It’s hard to explain, but hearing human creativity on full display (which this show brings in spades) feels good when so much these days is about the potential of AI. Human creativity is the original black box that nobody fully understands and it will always be magical.
What Was That Like: Dan was mauled by a grizzly bear
The Big Idea: A very literally named show and episode title that doesn’t disappoint. The first half of this episode is legitimately harrowing and intense, but just know that there is much more to the story and it’s worth sticking through it.
Episode website with transcript (contains spoilers on how things turn out for Dan).
This reminds me of that intense episode of Storytime with Seth Rogen about a different bear attack, and this is just as good of a story.
And if you are a glutton for punishment for bear attack stories, you possibly don’t know what real friendship is until you jump on the back of a grizzly bear to save your buddy.
Revisionist History: Guns Part 1 — The Sudden Celebrity of Sir John Knight
The Big Idea: The start to a six-part series around the history of gun control in the US, with a classic Malcolm Gladwell spin. Get some plain and sane evidence on how we’ve gotten here, with a bit of satisfying snark along with way.
Episode website with transcript.
PODCASTS LINKS
A Guided Tour of Great Video Game Music Podcasts. An episode of Twenty Thousand Hertz sent me on an adventure because I had to find more podcasts like it. And if there is anything I’m good at in this life, it’s finding more podcasts.
OTHER LINKS TO MAKE YOU THINK
We will never (ever) have perfect weather prediction. Even with futuristic AI and an infinitely powerful computer.
I’m so sorry for psychology’s loss, whatever it is. A fascinating read for anyone following the crisis of replicability and fraud within the field of psychology.
Why Engineers Can’t Control Rivers. A great YouTube explainer.
What’s this bug? There is something satisfying about all these insect nerds helping to identify these mysterious and creepy creepy critters.
VISUALS I SHARED ON INSTAGRAM
No Face bringing that podcast and chill vibe.
FOR FUN
Pelicans can’t eat capybaras. Side note: I legit did not know capybaras were a thing until some years ago. Like how many other giant dog-sized mammals do I not know exist? Also, pelicans are such assboles.
“Spider” man. Swipe to the second one, although enjoy the others as well of course.
Trying to explain a board game.
High School Musical but it Sounds Realistic. I may have linked to this before but YouTube suggested it to me again, I enjoyed it again, and here we are.
Alright that’s all for today. Please like or comment (or reply) if you want to share any comments. See you next time.