Of Mammoths and Mice: The Weird Science of De-Extinction
Posted by Andrew Mayne on March 21st, 2025 
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
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