The Revenge of Eight Things We Like
Okay, we’re taking a quick break between Series 10 and Series 11. We’ll be back at the end of June, but until then why not try one of these eight things we like?
AI Weirdness
If you don’t know Janelle Shane, you should, because she’s a national treasure. Literally, since she’s currently the Smithsonian’s Futurist in Residence. An AI researcher with a sense of humor, her work has led her into so some truly hilarious and explanatory. Like when she had AI invent new colors. Or when she had it write Harry Potter fan fiction. Or when she realized in horror that her computer was confusing Baltimore orioles with the Baltimore Orioles.
Art Slice
On the Art Slice podcast artist Stephanie Dueñas and Russell Shoemaker take a frequently irreverent look into the strange and intriguing corners of art history. Every episode is great, but (since I’m totally into color theory) my favorites are their “Art Slice Museum Division of Color Theory and Color Studies” on viridian green and quinacridone magenta.
How to Cook That
You probably know Ann Reardon’s How to Cook That from countless YouTube videos debunking the algorithm-driven recipes and kitchen hacks irresponsibly churned out by content farms. We love those too, but we also love her occasional descent into madness, like the time she had AI write a cake recipe. Seriously, watch that video right now, it’s a hoot and a half.
How To Drink
Keepin with the “how to” theme, How to Drink your offers instruction and opinions on every type of cocktail you can imagine. Your host Greg tries to keep it light and breezy, but the best episodes are the ones where he blows his stack, whether he’s raging at robot bartenders, gritting his teeth at bizarre drink orders, ranking bottom shelf liquor, or tormenting himself with flavored vodka.
Liminal Criminals
It takes chutzpah to make a true crime podcast about things that never happened, but that’s what the creators of Liminal Criminals have done. Thrill to the three part saga of the “Houseboat Mafia” that (didn’t) threaten the Florida Keys, or just recoil in sympathetic pain from the amazing (not) true tale of the Eastumfordshire Dick-Kicker.
The Paranoid Strain
On Paranoid Strain show your anonymous host, the Fearful Jesuit, takes tries to figure out why so many people believe theories that are, on their face, utterly ridiculous. If you like our podcast, I can guarantee you’ll find his twenty part series on the history of secret societies absolutely gripping. (It starts here.)
Shelfdust Presents: The War Effort
Who can forget the greatest war in all of history — Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars? Certainly not House to Astonish’s Al Kennedy and the all-star cast of comics podcasters that he’s lined up to analyze Secret Wars issue by issue and panel by panel!
Soonish
In Soonish tech journalist Wade Roush takes a thoughtful look at the history of technology and what that means for the future of technology. Every episode is worth checking out, but his recent series on how Apple, Disney, LEGO and Novartis were able to use technology to reinvent themselves is a must listen.
New Content from Old Favorites
The Apocrypals solved theodicy. (“The Apocrypals Solve Theodicy [the Book of Job]”)
The Dollop took a deep dive into the crazy mixed-up world of Steven Segal. (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3)
Gastropod devoted two whole episodes to coffee, the beverage that makes the world go ’round. (“Grounds for Revolution”, “Deja Brew”)
At Maintenance Phase, Aubrey and Michael followed the career of Jordan Peterson from incel pundit to fad diet guru. (“The Carnivore Diet”, “The Moscow Diaries”)
The Political History of the United States finally reached the French and Indian War and touched on some topics that may be familiar to listeners. (“Enter George Washington”, “Fort Necessity and the Albany Congress”, “Braddock’s March”, “After Braddock”)
