Balrogs Blastbeats

This week the nerds hang the mistletoe high for their Christmas special and talk about the capitalistic hellscape that is Christmas, but promise it's better than the Star Wars or Guardians Of The Galaxy Christmas special, but also maybe not as good as any Futurama Christmas specials.

LINKS

Follow Northside Nerds on Socials & YouTube Here - https://linktr.ee/northsidenerds

THE NERDIEST THING

Margy's Thing - Starship Troopers - https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/starship_troopers

Grant's Thing - Nerf Halo Needler - https://www.ign.com/articles/nerf-lmtd-halo-needler-is-now-available and Violent Night - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12003946/

Joshua Redbeard's Thing - Anno 1800 - https://www.ubisoft.com/en-au/game/anno/1800

OTHER LINKS

FRAU PERCHTA - https://boroughsofthedead.com/frau-perchta/

This week the nerds take a look at the dynamics of distopian futures presented in books, games, & other media, and how that is reflected in today's society through government, environment, and dating apps.

LINKS

Follow Northside Nerds on Socials & YouTube Here - https://linktr.ee/northsidenerds

THE NERDIEST THING

Margy's Thing - Gojira Live - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBznKAOieHE&t=1s

Grant's Thing - Pokemon Scarlet & Violet - https://scarletviolet.pokemon.com/en-au/

Joshua Redbeard's Thing - The Lex Friedman Podcast w/ Todd Howard - https://open.spotify.com/episode/2kh4ncuEGLHllaM5nXms0w?si=8e8f9e82a460433e

OTHER LINKS

DAMI LEE'S DYSTOPIAN MEGACITIES BREAKDOWN - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5GL836kpls&t=387s&ab_channel=DamiLee

This week the nerds call out our short attention spans by putting a magnifying glass to fads, fifteen minute famers, and people who truly have just faded into obscurity. LINKS Follow Northside Nerds on Socials & YouTube Here - https://linktr.ee/northsidenerds

THE NERDIEST THING Margy's Thing - Star Wars: Visions - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtAsl-0o3O0&ab_channel=StarWars

Grant's Thing - Avengers: Endgame - https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/avengers_endgame

Joshua Redbeard's Thing - Black Panther: Wakanda Forever - https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/black_panther_wakanda_forever

OTHER LINKS CASPER VAN DIEN'S INFOMERCIAL FOR CHILD HELP - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FgFbFKLF8A&ab_channel=Childhelp

This week the nerds look at the concept of collecting. Why are nerds so mad for having epic collections of weird and wonderful things? Where does this drive come from? And when does it go from collecting to hoarding? LINKS Follow Northside Nerds on Socials & YouTube Here - https://linktr.ee/northsidenerds

THE NERDIEST THING Margy's Thing - Lord Of The Rings Extended Edition - https://screenrant.com/lord-rings-extended-editions-all-extra-scenes/

Grant's Thing - Vatic - https://open.spotify.com/album/6eSyQdEzLe207n5TcOjx88?si=7AuG2K1MSVucMapZT3Q-qw

Joshua Redbeard's Thing - Essentialism - https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/18077875-essentialism

OTHER LINKS ID SOFTWARE'S MARTY STRATTON'S OPEN LETTER - https://www.reddit.com/r/Doom/comments/gdg25y/doom_eternal_ost_open_letter/

MICK GORDON'S REPLY - https://medium.com/@mickgordon/my-full-statement-regarding-doom-eternal-5f98266b27ce

BETHESDA CHIMING IN - https://twitter.com/bethesda/status/1592971214817222656

TL;DR - NIK NOCTURNAL SUMMING THINGS UP - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pS3yYqRA38c&ab_channel=NikNocturnal

This week the nerds ask the question, with the rising popularity of the fantasy genre, of tattoos, of heavy music, etc. Are we still considered alternative? How far does one have to go to still be alternative? Where is the invisible line between the mainstream and the alternative? LINKS Follow Northside Nerds on Socials & YouTube Here - https://linktr.ee/northsidenerds

THE NERDIEST THING Margy's Thing - The Broken Earth Series - https://www.goodreads.com/series/112296-the-broken-earth Grant's Thing - Team APS - https://www.youtube.com/c/TeamAPS/featured Joshua Redbeard's Thing - Every Fallout Vault Explained - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MX_MXyt9Ico&ab_channel=N_orte

This week the nerds look deep into the various tropes of races throughout the fantasy world. Where do the concepts of orcs, elves, and dwarves come from? Who has done them well? Why do some believe this is tantamount to racism?

LINKS

Follow Northside Nerds on Socials & YouTube Here - https://linktr.ee/northsidenerds

THE NERDIEST THING

Margy's Thing - Mary Has Two Monitors - https://external-preview.redd.it/9Oa1toWwsRnnUVe1e-D3Gl0gNhVuxzTZToUOMwqVdDU.jpg?auto=webp&s=b3a58b476b7107611789d626ff87a3c79e9a5a98

Grant's Thing - Mr Ballen Scary Cabin Story - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkFuZ-_sPP8&ab_channel=MrBallen

Joshua Redbeard's Thing - Medieval Babies Are Ugly AF - https://www.vox.com/2015/7/8/8908825/ugly-medieval-babies

OTHER LINKS

Article on subconscious racism in fantasy - https://www.publicmedievalist.com/race-fantasy-genre/

This week the nerds are joined by tattooist and film maker Josh Todaro, mastermind behind the horror short Button Man that's currently taking the film festival circut by storm. Josh joins the nerds to discuss the allure of all things macarbe, why are humans so drawn to the things that terrify us? What affect does this have on the human psyche? And of course the most important question... What's your favourite scary movie?

LINKS

Follow Northside Nerds on Socials & YouTube Here - https://linktr.ee/northsidenerds

Follow Josh Todaro - @josh_todaro / @Button Man Film

Button Man Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPX8Bw0EWWA&ab_channel=ButtonManFilm

THE SPOOKIEST THING

Josh Todaro's Thing - Universal Halloween Horror Nights - https://www.halloweenhorrornights.com/

Margy's Thing - All Killa No Filla Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/episode/0NamVTJu1vtftpFQyOGLnx?si=5a559c726b49437d

Grant's Thing - Cabinet Of Curiosities - https://www.netflix.com/title/80209229

Joshua Redbeard's Thing - Studio 666 - https://www.studio666movie.com/

Northside Nerds presents: Balrogs & Blastbeats. A weekly dive into the larger world of nerd culture, heavy music, science, and psychology. Hosted by Joshua Redbeard, Grant, and Margy. This week the nerds take aim at those who continually flog a horse that's long dead. Why do people continue with things long after their expiry date? When should we throw in the towel? And what unexpected things did we find out about The Bold & The Beautiful along the way?

LINKS

Follow Northside Nerds on Socials & YouTube Here - https://linktr.ee/northsidenerds

THE NERDIEST THING

Margy's Thing - Robert Jordan's Home Town Street Names - https://www.reddit.com/r/WoT/comments/6wjfmt/robert_jordan_sites_in_charleston_sc/

Grant's Thing - Critical Hit Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/4AgKtzTqNdC5ukJ6nN61LI?si=6bc8213fef424929

Joshua Redbeard's Thing - Being Tagged As A Huge Nerd Multiple Times - https://www.instagram.com/reel/CjYR6ymg4Qi/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY

This week, the nerds take a look at the ingrained cultures of trolling and online bullying rife in our communities. What is the psychology behind it? What has been their experiences? And how have they learned to push through it?

LINKS

Follow Northside Nerds on Socials & YouTube Here - https://linktr.ee/northsidenerds

THE NERDIEST THING

Margy's Thing - The Priory Of The Orange Tree - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40275288-the-priory-of-the-orange-tree

Grant's Thing - A Dog's Birthday Party - https://www.rover.com/blog/how-to-throw-dog-birthday-party/

Joshua Redbeard's Thing - Medieval Hip Hop - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmoW-fNZxCY

OTHER LINKS

The Relentless Doppelganger - https://www.youtube.com/c/DADABOTS_official

This week the nerds look at the representation of nerds and metalheads through pop-culture. They look at the psychology behind stereotyping, healthy and unhealthy tropes, and look at things that absolutely did not age well.

LINKS

Follow Northside Nerds on Socials & YouTube Here - https://linktr.ee/northsidenerds

THE NERDIEST THING

Margy's Thing - Post-hardcore - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_post-hardcore_bands

Grant's Thing - Pimp Tavarish's Ride - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GX79IILLDlE

Joshua Redbeard's Thing - Fallout 4 Mods - https://www.nexusmods.com/fallout4

OTHER LINKS

Similarities & Differences Between Abed Nadir & Sheldon Cooper - https://bradhanford.wordpress.com/2015/01/07/abed-nadir-and-sheldon-cooper-what-makes-a-character-and-show-great/