The little free podcast library
Little libraries, vibe coding, being trapped inside an iceberg, and more things to make you think.
Welcome to Hurt Your Brain #217, the place to get podcasts and links that will make you think, sent every so often.
I love seeing little free libraries on the side of the road and in communities. Imagine how exciting it would be if the same idea existed but for podcasts.
If I built it, it would look way worse than this, but I might start the initial selection something like this:
I wonder what would find its way into it?
Alright, on to the short list of recommendations today.
PODCAST RECOMMENDATIONS
The Big Idea: Cave diving is incredibly dangerous but can lead to marvelous stories.
Imagine being in a profession where you personally know over 100 people who have died? This episode recounts how underwater explorer Jill Heinerth almost died three times on a single trip to dive inside a giant Antarctic iceberg. I’ve never heard someone so calm describing some of the most anxiety inducing things possible to imagine.
The Journal: Vibe coding could change everything
The Big Idea: This episode is a great primer on what the deal is with “vibe coding” and why it’s the next “ChatGPT” moment for AI.
I’ve tried Claude Code as a non-coder and my review: After getting past the slightly technical initial set up phase and playing around, it became very evident that this is not empty hype. Several “what the hell” moments with a smile on my face. I put AI slop ruining every possible feed online into a different category than tools like this that are truly useful and have utility.
The Rest is History: Revolution in Iran – Fall of the Shah (Part 1)
The Big Idea: The beginning of a fantastic four part series that dives deep into the Iranian Revolution of 1979.
The Rest is History is officially in my “always listen” pile. Sorry podcast queue, I know, I know, I’m never going to catch up ever again.
Another excellent series about the impact of the Iranian Revolution is Pink Card from Shima Oliaee.
If this is the sign you needed to finally read Persepolis, go for it.
Dear Hank & John: 438 – The 2014 Episode
The Big Idea: Author John Green was really into Tumblr in the early days and then famously left it after a bunch of drama. Hank and John Green dedicate this entire episode to tell the full story.
I am a fan of the Green Brother empire and I find their approach to doing good in the world appealing. This is a fascinating analysis of a very particular point in time on the internet that still has some lessons for today.
OTHER LINKS TO MAKE YOU THINK
The space fact that still blows your mind. This type of thing on Reddit is still “the good internet.”
The World’s Most Important Machine. ASML makes the most complicated commercially available machines ever made, for a cool $400 million or so per unit. This 50 minute video is basically an excellent documentary around how ridiculously high tech these computer chip making machines are.
NEW VISUALS
Here lies the subject of a true crime podcast
FOR FUN
Am I the last to know that Steve “The Hair” Harrington has a MASSIVE pop hit?
Thanks as always. And we’re almost through the winter, hang in there.
P.s. I’m really digging Knight of the Seven Kingdoms and plan on reading the three short “Dunk and Egg” novellas after this season ends. It’s light hearted fare (in relative Game of Thrones terms) and is full of excellent characters.
I’m tired of universally hearing how good Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is so I finally started it last night and my daughter immediately stole the controller. I watched her play the opening sequence. What a premise, damn.