On the Fringe

This is a first for us—

We recorded an episode twice and are releasing BOTH of them on basically the same subject: the future of education and how AI is making the current structure of educational system obsolete.

The admin guy and the head of curriculum development at most schools probably wouldn’t like this episode very much, but they really do have a monumental challenge on their hands. If you don’t work in education, listen in to hear what we think needs to be done to start solving this growing worldwide crisis and how AI will continue to impact another major part of society.

It aint gonna be easy, and for millions, it won’t be pretty.

As always, like, comment, subscribe, and send us a message. We will read it and respond!

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This week me and Dave talk about the increasingly desperate situation out in the East of Congo, as Rwandan-backed forces take another stunningly important piece of territory, in this case, Bukavu, a city of two million resting right across the lake from Rwanda.

We talk about the increasingly tense situation across the continent, as countries like Burundi and Uganda deepen their involvement, in what increasingly seems like a scramble for territory and a slice of the mineral pie.

We talk about the increasingly central role of one man’s ambition in all of this and the potential for things to deteriorate out of anyone’s control (which leads, inevitably, to the discussion of the usefulness of comparing anything to Yugoslavia and why Slovenia is the California of the Balkans).

Anyways, if you enjoy listening to us ramble on (most of the time), please, like, listen, comment and subscribe (in no particular order).

On the Fringe is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Hey all! We’re working on a new cover for the podcast. Leave us a comment and any feedback on ideas—we’d really appreciate it!

On this episode, we dive into Rosatom and Russia’s goal to gain control over worldwide uranium supplies (and future supplies). Uranium is THE key ingredient for nuclear fission, and will likely become an even hotter worldwide commodity due to the rise of AI and more nuclear power needed to drive AI’s development. (Yes, this is why we are on the fringe—or maybe the cutting edge?!)

Listen in and learn about one of Russia’s most important state-run companies, Rosatom, and their big plans for Southern Africa.

As always, thanks for listening and like, comment, subscribe, and share!

Dave + Gavin

Hey all! We have made our first special episode—this one is open to all, but future ones will be subscribers only. Don’t miss out and click the link below!

We are looking to make some new, real cover art for the podcast (and dropping the AI place filler I made back when we first started recording) and need YOUR help to design it. We’ve got a bad picture, some bad crayon-inspired writing, and proof that the both of can get our brains to fire on the same wave every so often.

Here’s the above album cover in full (in case it is cut off)

Here’s the half-way decent one I can’t call it halfway decent today. The background photo is, but the design sucks haha (it has a cool background photo from where we did Peace Corps training in Indonesia)

We’ve got more regular episodes coming in the next few days—just trying to space them out before we release them.

Thanks for listening, and please like, comment, and if you haven’t yet, subscribe. We sincerely appreciate it and really enjoy making the show for you!

Dave and Gavin

On the Fringe is a listener-supported podcast. To receive new posts and support out work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This week me and Dave talk about the future of nuclear engineering— SMRs, or Small Modular Reactors, which are increasingly being touted as solution to the energy consumption issues (and the carbon production issues) inherent in keeping AI running at scale.

Our conversation starts of by talking about the container-size reactors that seem to be the bright new frontier of energy production, but we touch on some other salient issues as well (the importance of rare earth minerals, the implications of AI in terms of public policy, the feeling that we’re living in the opening five minutes of Terminator Salvation), and wind up talking about how AI is going to put most of us out a job.

Anyways, if you enjoy listening to us ramble on amiably (most of the time), please, like, listen, comment and subscribe (in no particular order).

On the Fringe is a listener-supported publication. To receive new pods and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

In this episode, you will learn about how AI, rare earth elements, the President of one of the smallest countries in Africa, and a Congolese rebel group led by a man with a snow white beard can and will affect your daily life if he gets his way…and I wouldn’t be a bit shocked if he does.

Listen in as Gavin and I talk about what is going on in the in the Great Lakes region of East Africa, specifically in Rwanda and the Eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Over 770 civilians died in the last week as a critical Congolese border city fell into the hands of a rebel group—and these guys likely aren’t stopping there.

We couldn’t possibly dive into every aspect in 30 minutes but we got most of the broad strokes covered, from history and geography to economic implications, tied in with what we think is going to happen in the immediate future.

Please don’t forget to like, comment, subscribe, and share. It makes a TREMENDOUS difference to us and our pod! Enjoy!

Thank you for supporting on the Fringe!

If you need a Shock to the system, today we’ve got a double episode coming out!

Thanks to his wife’s Instagram posts, one of Latin America’s biggest cocaine kingpins was caught in Europe on vacation and swiftly extradited to the United States. Listen in to hear about this doozie of a story and why you should(n’t) be careful about posting online, especially if someone-or some agency is looking for you.

And, good job to the DEA for getting this guy!

Feel free to leave any comments and pass on the word. Thanks always for listening and for your support!

Here’s the other part of this double dose of On the Fringe

In today’s second, out-there episode, we feature a (likely former) Portuguese lawmaker who thought he could use his immunity to steal checked baggage and hawk the contents for almost nothing. This is one of the most bizarre stories we had heard of and had to share it with you.

Winter sucks, and if you know of anyone who may be having a serious case of the winter blues, reach out and see how they’re doing.

And if you’re feeling down, go talk to a trusted fellow human. (friend, counselor, clergy). Both your reputation and future are far to precious to throw away for something you’d find at the supermarket or your favorite discount store.

Thanks for listening! Hope you enjoyed the episode :) Subscribe for more.

Hello all! A warm welcome to all of our new subscribers On the Fringe! We are excited to keep delivering content that will keep you informed and entertained.

We have another episode somewhat tying back to our Season 2 episode on the Golden Triangle, especially with regards to human trafficking. Increasingly, Colombians with combat experience are being targeted and forced to fight after taking what they think are jobs as security guards, protective detail for VIPs, or protecting oil infrastructure in Dubai or the Gulf.

Listen and find out more and what we believe may happen if the war in Ukraine suddenly ends.

Leave us a comment, share, or better yet—subscribe. Thanks for listening!

On the Fringe is a listener-supported publication. To receive new podcasts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. We appreciate it!

A big warm hello and Welcome to On the Fringe to our new subscribers! We’re excited to have you join us out here. If you haven’t done so, click below to sign up and not miss out on future episodes!

This was one of the most entertaining episodes we’ve made—and I (Dave) learned a TON about AI in the 20 minutes that we played around with it.

Listen in as Chat GPT puts together two trips to Spain; Gavin and I both used the same prompt, and even got some of the same answers…but very different rea

sons for them. Listen in and find out how your data can help you plan your next trip, or could even be used against you if it got into the wrong hands.

If you like the episode, please like, comment, and subscribe—and share the pod with others. Thanks for listening!