In this episode of Weird Things, Andrew Mayne, Brian Brushwood, and Justin Robert Young explore the fascinating pace of AI development, demonstrating with a live example how a 2D image can be transformed into a 3D model. They discuss the potential of AI in creating new entertainment and gaming experiences, and the implications of job automation. The conversation shifts to the ambitious projects of Colossal Bio, aiming to bring back extinct species like the dire wolf, and wraps up with speculative takes on the future of Marvel’s cinematic universe, particularly the potential of ‘Thunderbolts’ to redefine superhero team dynamics.

Picks:

Brian: The first fifteen minutes of Andor Season 2

Justin: The Righteous Gemstones

Andrew: Thunderbolts

Support Weird Things on Patreon

Subscribe to the Weird Things podcast on iTunes Podcasts

Podcast RSS feed

Download url: https://weirdthingspodcast.com/uploads/20250512185016_250502_-_Weird_Things_Podcast.mp3

[podcast]https://weirdthingspodcast.com/uploads/20250512185016_250502_-_Weird_Things_Podcast.mp3

Andrew Mayne, Brian Brushwood, and Justin Robert Young dive into a variety of topics, starting with the potential signatures of life on the exoplanet K2-18b, thanks to the James Webb Space Telescope’s findings. The conversation shifts to the rapid advancements in AI, including the evolution from hydraulic to electric motors in robotics and the implications of quantum computing on AI’s future. A human cannonball incident brings a mix of awe and concern, showcasing the risks performers take. The episode wraps up with discussions on AI’s role in content creation and the ethical considerations of its advancements.

Picks:

Brian Brushwood: Social Studies on Hulu

Justin Robert Young: Daredevil on Disney+

Support Weird Things on Patreon

Subscribe to the Weird Things podcast on iTunes Podcasts

Podcast RSS feed

Download url: https://weirdthingspodcast.com/uploads/20250428184321_250418_-_weird_things.mp3

[podcast]https://weirdthingspodcast.com/uploads/20250428184321_250418_-_weird_things.mp3

In this episode, Andrew Mayne, Justin Robert Young, and Brian Brushwood kick things off with a nod to the anniversary of GPT-4, reflecting on its impact and the rapid pace of AI development. The conversation takes a historical detour to the Ramree Island crocodile attack during World War II, with Andrew using AI to sift fact from fiction in this tale of survival and crocodile-infested mangroves. The trio then shifts focus to Colossal Biosciences’ efforts to bring back the woolly mammoth, starting with genetically modified mice sporting thicker coats. This step towards de-extinction sparks a debate on the feasibility and ethics of resurrecting ancient species, alongside a whimsical discussion on whether organic or robotic mammoths will roam the earth first.

Picks:

Justin Robert Young: Levin by Cali Cowboys Boys

Brian Brushwood: The Master Algorithm by Pedro Domingos

Andrew Mayne: Daredevil Netflix Series

Support Weird Things on Patreon

Subscribe to the Weird Things podcast on iTunes Podcasts

Podcast RSS feed

Download url: https://weirdthingspodcast.com/uploads/20250321132838_250314_-_Weird-things-podcast.mp3

[podcast]https://weirdthingspodcast.com/uploads/20250321132838_250314_-_Weird-things-podcast.mp3

Andrew Mayne, Brian Brushwood, and Justin Robert Young, with a special appearance by Bella, embark on a journey through the latest in nano technology, showcasing a nano-scale video game that could revolutionize biomedical engineering and nanotechnology. They explore the advancements in AI, particularly in workflow automation and the challenges of nano-tech. The conversation shifts to the potential of AI in enhancing scientific experiments and the practical applications of automation in improving efficiency. The trio also touches upon the upcoming Starship launch, placing a friendly wager on its outcome. Throughout, they share their latest media picks and muse on the future of AI and human creativity.

Picks:

Brian: Reset by Dan Heath

Justin: Severance

Andrew: Mickey Mouse cartoons by Paul Rudish on Disney+

Support Weird Things on Patreon

Subscribe to the Weird Things podcast on iTunes Podcasts

Podcast RSS feed

Download url: https://weirdthingspodcast.com/uploads/20250306195841_250228_-_weird_things_podcast.mp3

[podcast]https://weirdthingspodcast.com/uploads/20250306195841_250228_-_weird_things_podcast.mp3

In this episode, Andrew Mayne, Justin Robert Young, and Brian Brushwood kick things off with a cosmic sigh of relief as the chances of an asteroid hitting Earth decrease. They ponder the implications of a moon impact, drawing parallels to sci-fi scenarios and historical events. The conversation then shifts to Microsoft’s announcement of a quantum computing breakthrough using exotic matter, sparking a discussion on the potential and current limitations of quantum computing. Andrew shares his recent Disneyland adventure, highlighting the magic of Rise of the Resistance and the charm of Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, contrasting it with his disappointment in Galaxy’s Edge.

Picks:

Brian: The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August by Claire North

Andrew: Disneyland, specifically Rise of the Resistance and Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway

Support Weird Things on Patreon

Subscribe to the Weird Things podcast on iTunes Podcasts

Podcast RSS feed

Download url: https://weirdthingspodcast.com/uploads/20250306195336_250221_-_weird_things_podcast.mp3

[podcast]https://weirdthingspodcast.com/uploads/20250306195336_250221_-_weird_things_podcast.mp3

In a thrilling episode devoid of AI discussions (initially), Andrew, Brian, and Justin tackle the alarming news of an asteroid, dubbed ‘Kanye’s next album’, with a 2.2% chance of colliding with Earth. The trio explores various mitigation strategies, including nuclear options, while lamenting their AI tool’s refusal to cooperate on other matters. The conversation shifts to the groundbreaking AI tool, Deep Research, and its potential to revolutionize information gathering. They also delve into the cultural significance of Bigfoot, based on a detailed report generated by Deep Research. The episode wraps up with a discussion on the latest Fantastic Four trailer, expressing cautious optimism for the film.

Picks:

Andrew: Mac Whisper

Brian: The Expanded Mind: Thinking Outside the Brain

Justin: Severance

Support Weird Things on Patreon

Subscribe to the Weird Things podcast on iTunes Podcasts

Podcast RSS feed

Download url: https://weirdthingspodcast.com/uploads/20250211150336_250207-Weird-Things_mixdown.mp3

[podcast]https://weirdthingspodcast.com/uploads/20250211150336_250207-Weird-Things_mixdown.mp3

In this episode, Andrew Mayne, Brian Brushwood, and Justin Robert Young tackle the rapid advancements in AI, focusing on DeepSeek’s R1 model and its cost-effective training methods. They discuss the skepticism and excitement surrounding DeepSeek’s claims and the broader implications for AI development and compute needs. The conversation shifts to OpenAI’s release of the O3 model, highlighting its reasoning capabilities and potential to accelerate the path to AGI. The trio also explores the role of open source in AI innovation, the significance of AI in mainstream discussions, and the future of AI-driven content creation and problem-solving.

Picks:

Andrew: Severance

Brian: Severance

Support Weird Things on Patreon

Subscribe to the Weird Things podcast on iTunes Podcasts

Podcast RSS feed

Download url: https://weirdthingspodcast.com/uploads/20250201212530_250131_-_weird_things_podcast.mp3

[podcast]https://weirdthingspodcast.com/uploads/20250201212530_250131_-_weird_things_podcast.mp3

Andrew Mayne, Justin Robert Young, and Brian Brushwood explore the rapid advancements in AI, particularly highlighting the Chinese AI model Deep Seek and OpenAI’s latest creation, Operator. They discuss the technical achievements and controversies surrounding Deep Seek, its implications for the AI community, and the groundbreaking capabilities of Operator in controlling a browser to perform tasks. The conversation also touches on the broader impacts of AI on society, the internet, and how these tools could change our interaction with digital spaces.

Picks:

Andrew Mayne: Operator

Justin Robert Young: Operator

Brian Brushwood: Operator

Support Weird Things on Patreon

Subscribe to the Weird Things podcast on iTunes Podcasts

Podcast RSS feed

Download url: https://weirdthingspodcast.com/uploads/20250201201846_250124_-_weird_things_podcast.mp3

[podcast]https://weirdthingspodcast.com/uploads/20250201201846_250124_-_weird_things_podcast.mp3

Andrew Mayne, Brian Brushwood, and Justin Robert Young dive into the latest in AI advancements and the philosophical and practical implications of artificial general intelligence (AGI). They start with a discussion on recent developments from OpenAI and Google, segue into a Wall Street Journal article questioning if AI has hit a developmental wall, and then explore the significant leap in AI capabilities with OpenAI’s O3 model. The conversation shifts to the potential for AGI within the next year and the emergence of DeepSeek, a Chinese AI model that has caused a stir in the AI community. Throughout, they explore the nuances of AI development, the potential for AGI, and the ethical considerations of AI training data.

Picks:

Support Weird Things on Patreon

Subscribe to the Weird Things podcast on iTunes Podcasts

Podcast RSS feed

Download url: https://weirdthingspodcast.com/uploads/20250102203229_2024-12-27-weird-things-mixdown.mp3

[podcast]https://weirdthingspodcast.com/uploads/20250102203229_2024-12-27-weird-things-mixdown.mp3

In this episode, Andrew Mayne, Justin Robert Young, and Brian Brushwood take listeners on a fascinating exploration of entertainment’s past, present, and future. They kick off with a nostalgic look at how theme parks like Universal Studios have evolved, highlighting the technological advancements in attractions such as the Born Stunt Spectacular. The conversation then shifts to the potential of AI in creating immersive experiences, with Andrew sharing insights into reasoning models and the concept of AI agents. They also touch upon the importance of classic sci-fi literature, like ‘A Canticle for Leibowitz’, in understanding the roots of many modern narratives. The episode wraps up with a discussion on the implications of AI in programming and the potential for AI to revolutionize how we interact with technology and each other.

Picks:

Justin Robert Young: DEF CON Plan about Audio and Electronics

Brian Brushwood: A Canticle for Leibowitz

Andrew Mayne: Nosferatu by Robert Eggers

Support Weird Things on Patreon

Subscribe to the Weird Things podcast on iTunes Podcasts

Podcast RSS feed

Download url: https://weirdthingspodcast.com/uploads/20250115204407_250115_-_weird_things_podcast.mp3

[podcast]https://weirdthingspodcast.com/uploads/20250115204407_250115_-_weird_things_podcast.mp3