Curious Cat - where science & supernatural collide

Hiking is my happy place. And recently I’ve fallen in love with South Table Mountain in Golden, Colorado. It's sister, North Table Mountain in my estimation gets five times the foot and bicycle traffic. 

A month ago, I found a trailhead for South Table that has only a few parking spaces, which guaranteed a peaceful hike! I've done it four times since. My favorite path takes me along an historic ditch, which no longer carries water, and then I take a right and follow the erosion up the side of the mountain. It's a popular place for mountain biking. I watch them plummet the steep elevations and soar over the natural berms. What a thrill.

The first time I climbed out of that notch I was exhausted. Surrounded by fog, I drank water and looked ahead on the trail, seeing the silhouette of a man. I was startled. I'd had the trail to myself all morning. 

I continued toward the man, and soon made out antlers and the long, lean, limbs of a man. It looked like something out of a sci-fi movie. Heart pounding, I kept going, snapping a picture with my phone camera. Finally, feet away, I saw that it was a sculpture of a Native American! He had a deer with antlers draped around his neck, carrying his successful hunt's prize to share with his community. I laid a rock on the base of the sculpture and went up the rest of the trail.

That next stretch of the trail? Check out my Instagram feed, because it is a skinny path that leads up an ancient sand dune, I'm talking 200-plus million years old! Hundreds of millions of years ago Colorado was underwater, the floor of a landlocked sea. This took no imagining as I stood on this dried out ocean floor. There were even white shell bits among the petrified dunes.

This haunting experience brought me back again and again. At night, I'd fall asleep studying maps as I searched for a new, fresh route up and around South Table Mountain.

But after my most recent visit, something happened to me that felt like a scene straight out of a horror movie. 

And it led me to research the history of South Table Mountain. Soon, I found myself hiking to Castle Rock on weary legs and praying for peace and love to heal the land.

Two days later, I'd be back on the slopes to offer a flower to a murder victim.

But I'm getting ahead of myself.

What to Buy/Read/Listen/Watch NEXT

Read about the woman of South Table Mountain, and other meticulously researched books by Carol Turner's on Amazon

Recent Trouble at South Table Mountain (2024)

Woman's remains found on South Table Mountain - blogpost

Podcast Episode about the convicted murderer on YouTube

https://www.historycolorado.org/story/2023/12/06/colorado-under-klan

https://coloradoencyclopedia.org/article/ku-klux-klan-colorado

https://www.jeffco.us/2033/1920s

https://digital.denverlibrary.org/nodes/view/1100663

https://www.newsbreak.com/inna-d-1600078/3858616919612-history-of-the-kkk-in-denver-colorado-s-1920s-political-scandal

https://www.goldentoday.com/a-dark

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AI is creepy, I think most people agree. And it's beginnings include the pirating of countless copyrighted material to train AI models - which is a crime - so is it a surprise that AI has become Big Brother? Looking in on our lives and movements, then reporting back when we make what's perceived as a misstep?

This week we are diving into AI policing, facial recognition, and AI scams.

Let's get into it!

In this episode we cover

• NAACP defines predictive policing, warns of problems and prejudices and offers suggestions
• Facial recognition is already here - and might be changing the prices of your groceries
• Colorado is taking a different approach to AI - and their experiment means more transparency and guardrails
• AI scams are everywhere and we cover the top ones
• Real-life stories of when AI gets it wrong

What to Read/Watch/Listen to NEXT

Artificial Intelligence Predictive Policing Issue Brief, NAACP (please donate to this human-first organization!)

Surveillance and Predictive Policing through AI, Deloitte

Facial recognition in Colorado, State of Surveillance.org

AI Scams Even Brilliant People May Fall For, AI for Beginners

The GREAT Karen Rontowski is on tour across the US, find tickets here

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Thanks for listening, reviewing, sharing, and giving support (even just good thoughts) to the show. It keeps me going. <3 Jennifer

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If you're like Jenn and Jesse, then you mostly try to avoid the news. But, if you want to dip a toe, then doom holes might be the way. We skim over the daily AI headlines with humor and love and sometimes a bit of anxiety, but always end with ways to feel better about the state of the world. 

This week's segment is no different. We begin with some Bernie love, a few Napoleon Dynamite quotes and then Jesse reveals his seedy past as it relates to Playboy. Did he really serve (just) risotto to the cast members? 

How any of this gets us closer to finding his old film professor, Biscuits? Well, we have no idea.

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Thanks for listening, reviewing, sharing, and giving support (even just good thoughts) to the show. It keeps me going. <3 Jennifer

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Jenn and Jesse sit down with fine artist, and even finer human being, Ana Marija Kovacevic. She comes with her unique perspective as a citizen of Bosnia and is the voice behind our opening riff. 

You are in for such a treat, some clanker bashing, inspiration to make art that is far from perfect, and to exercise the muscles to love your life, your pursuits, the people and animals around you thoroughly. 

One favorite among many quotes from the episode? Ana said this about artists using AI as a crutch. "Are you that scared to fail that you need a clanker to hold your hand along the way?" 

Get ready for a five-star conversation.

Connect with Ana Marija's work on Cara

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Thanks for listening, reviewing, sharing, and giving support (even just good thoughts) to the show. It keeps me going. <3 Jennifer

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You know what day it is? Doom hole day! It's our fourth installment of what's quickly becoming a fan favorite. We laugh, cry, and laugh some more at the current state of the world and AI headlines.

Made and offered with love.

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Thanks for listening, reviewing, sharing, and giving support (even just good thoughts) to the show. It keeps me going. <3 Jennifer

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The entire AI industry has a cult-vibe. We're being conned into believing this is the future - or else! And the best, most responsible thing to do jump on the AI train. From luring us into subscription relationships with bots to fomo about people who claim to be making millions by enlisting AI agents, I keep hoping people will wake up and speak out against this crap. I'm heartened by the protest held in Denver on Monday, though. People showed up to push back on a proposed massive water and power sucking data center. 

Look closely at the handful of men in charge of these AI companies, though and you can't help but note the hypnotic way they speak about AI, as though it is mystical, all-knowing and godlike. And only they, those glossy CEOs are equipped to lead the way forward with AI. 

It's not just the AI CEOs, either that wax poetic. People are creating techno-religions that worship AI. And I even found one YouTuber that joined an AI cult. Jesse, too, has been doing a deep dive...

 Welcome to Is AI the Devil?

Topics: (and Jesse is weaving in A Wrinkle in Time)

Worship of technology is nothing new - cargo cult of the south pacific - 2010s when society began to worship tech CEOs as visionaries/almost godlike - in their power (i.e. Steve Jobs & Elon Musk)

Silicon Valley's  view of AI - as a sort of religion and AI is god-like 

William Gibson said about Silicon Valley in an interview with German magazine, DAS, "These people are atheists, they don't have a religion,  but the mechanism is the same. God comes and saves us all. Just that, in their case, God is technology."

Per Wired magazine, the very first church of artificial intelligence was founded by the engineer behind Waymo, and it is called, Way of the Future. The explicit purpose of the church is to worship AI and all technology. But it's precursors were The Turing Church, Technopaganism (which began at the tail end of the Heaven's Gate Cult), and Cult of Theta-Noir - which still has a website and is a techno-optimist collective, "devoted to exploring the spiritual co-evolution of humanity with advanced forms of AI through ritual and philosophy. 

Church of Google - which was satirical but hinted at seriousness 

Religions founded by AI -Claude-bots form Crustafareanism - the Church of Molt

Christian Transhumanism - the AI religion that appeals to christians that became disenchanted with their religion

Church of Robotheism - the AI Cult that has AI generated vids on TikTok - YouTuber, Farrell McGuire did a deep dive on his channel and even went so far as to join the group.

OG Transhumanists? I'd argue it all started with CCRU - and I have a hunch this is the religion of Silicon Valley.

What to listen to/watch/read NEXT!

Great article on Nick Land and the thread that is a thru-line in all of his writings and implosions.

CCRU Wiki

The Demons of CCRU

Fantastic article about Nick Land and the user error we call reality, Spike Art Magazine, Adina Glickstein

Digital Demonology: On the Auto-Production of Content, Walker Art Org, Matt Colqunoun

BEWARE! Cults target these four types of people, Reddit

What is a High Control Group?, Shari

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Thanks for listening, reviewing, sharing, and giving support (even just good thoughts) to the show. It keeps me going. <3 Jennifer

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This week, Jesse diversified our newsfeed with the addition of The Guardian. Yes, we still love Futurism AND Pop-Tarts, but it was time to branch out.

After some dark AI news, Jenn struggles to feel better, then remembers to tell Jesse about a gigantic rabbit she spotted, and that leads to an uplifting story about Dr. Schoch. Jesse reminisces about drinking beers with friends in LA and watching the History Channel. None of which gets us any closer to locating the illusive Biscuits.

Check out the articles behind the doom holes here...

Grammarly Offering Manuscript Reviews by AI Versions of Recently Deceased Professors

Even Tech Investors Are Getting Sick of All These AI Startups With Weak Ideas

‘Our consciousness is under siege’: Michael Pollan on chatbots, social media and mental freedom | Well actually | The Guardian

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Thanks for listening, reviewing, sharing, and giving support (even just good thoughts) to the show. It keeps me going. <3 Jennifer

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When hawks began to slow soar over the land behind my house, and giant cats popped up on my timeline, I had another synchro-mystic occurrence, the name Freya. As is my pattern, the Universe had to bop me on the head repeatedly until I received the message - look into Freya. She's been part of your spirit team and wants you to dig in.

And this is her episode.

Let's get into it!

What to Read, Listen to and Watch NEXT

Freya, how to recognize her, and call her in to help, Rebecca Holly

Know Your Lore about Freya's Brisingamen, Patheos.com

Seidr, Norse Mythology for Smart People

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Guest Links:

All of Rachel White's Links HERE! Book a reading, buy flower essence, check out the fantastic hockey jerseys and MORE!

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If you are searching for a fresh, binge-able podcast, this might be the one for you!

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Thanks for listening, reviewing, sharing, and giving support (even just good thoughts) to the show. It keeps me going. <3 Jennifer

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Welcome to another rip-roaring bonus episode that's unofficially brought to you by Pop-Tarts.

Here are the headlines:

ChatGPT Health Is Staggeringly Bad at Recognizing Life-Threatening Medical Emergencies

Jeff Bezos Gathering Money to Buy Companies Gutted by AI

Meta Workers Say They're Seeing Disturbing Things Through Users' Smart Glasses

Google's AI Sent an Armed Man to Steal a Robot Body for It, Lawsuit Alleges

Residents Say Elon Musk's AI Facility Is Like Living Next Door to Mordor

Pop-Tarts Bowl Trophy Ceremony

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If you are searching for a fresh, binge-able podcast, this might be the one for you!

Support the show

Thanks for listening, reviewing, sharing, and giving support (even just good thoughts) to the show. It keeps me going. <3 Jennifer

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