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

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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+

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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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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+

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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:

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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

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In this episode, Andrew Mayne, Justin Robert Young, and Brian Brushwood discuss the recent flurry of AI announcements from OpenAI’s Shipmas event and Google’s AI developments. They explore the implications of advanced AI models like GPT-3 and OpenAI’s O3, touching on their potential to revolutionize coding, problem-solving, and even the future of robotics and labor. The hosts speculate on how these technologies could lead to a new era of automation, where tasks from coding to physical labor could be handled by AI-driven robots. They also touch on the concept of physics simulators and their role in advancing robotics by allowing for more efficient testing and development.

Picks:

Brian: The Good Place

Justin: We Have Never Been Woke by Musa al-Gharbi

Andrew: What We Do in the Shadows

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In this episode of Weird Things, Andrew Mayne, Justin Robert Young, and Brian Brushwood explore the cutting edge of AI technology. Andrew kicks things off with a magic trick performed for an AI, showcasing the interactive capabilities of current AI models. The trio discusses the recent advancements in AI, including live video features and the implications for content creation. They also delve into the capabilities and limitations of video generation tools like So, offering tips for users to get the most out of these platforms. The conversation highlights the rapid pace of AI development and its potential to revolutionize various industries.

Picks:

Brian Brushwood: Lower Decks

Justin Robert Young: OpenAI announcements on YouTube

Andrew Mayne: Not specified, but discussed disappointment with a certain sci-fi show and recommended Skeleton Crew

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In this episode, Andrew Mayne, Justin Robert Young, and Brian Brushwood kick things off with a brief chat about the latest addition to Justin’s family and the implications of raising a child in today’s tech-saturated world. The conversation quickly shifts to Elon Musk’s recent showcase of Tesla’s advancements in robotics, including the Optimus robot and the Cyber Cab. The hosts speculate on the impact of these technologies on the future, from personal robotics to autonomous transportation networks. Additionally, they touch upon the phenomenon of sky quakes, debating their possible explanations and expressing skepticism about their origins. Throughout, the trio maintains a slightly irreverent tone, mixing in personal anecdotes and broader societal observations.

Picks:

Brian Brushwood: Alchemy: The Dark Art and Curious Science of Creating Magic in Brands, Business, and Life by Rory Sutherland

Justin Robert Young: The Peripheral (TV Show)

Andrew Mayne: The 13th Warrior (Movie)

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In this episode of Weird Things, Andrew Mayne, Brian Brushwood, and Justin Robert Young tackle the advancements in AI, marvel at SpaceX’s successful catch of the Starship’s first stage, and ponder the future of robotics, including Tesla’s Optimus. They discuss the implications of these developments and share their excitement for what this means for the future. The conversation also touches on the potential for AI and robotics to revolutionize industries and personal capabilities, with a nod to the importance of keeping up with these technologies.

Picks:

Andrew Mayne: Tribalism is Dumb by Andrew Heaton

Brian Brushwood: The Apprentice movie

Justin Robert Young: Civil War by Alex Garland

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This week, Andrew Mayne, Brian Brushwood, and Justin Robert Young explore the forefront of AI technology, from OpenAI’s Dev Day revelations to Meta’s video AI marvels. They discuss the practical applications and implications of these advancements, such as customer service bots and AI-assisted video production, while also pondering the ethical and professional impacts on fields like medicine. The episode veers into a critique of current content production costs and praises for shows that manage to do more with less. Picks from the hosts include AI-related resources and entertainment that captures the spirit of innovation.

Picks:

Justin Robert Young: Agatha: Coven of Chaos on Disney+

Brian Brushwood: Only Murders in the Building

Andrew Mayne: Awillow.com/book by JF Dubeau

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In this episode, Andrew Mayne, Justin Robert Young, and Brian Brushwood kick things off with a chat about the weather before diving into the world of augmented reality and virtual reality. They discuss the limitations of Apple’s Vision Pro and the potential of Facebook’s Project Orion, comparing the two and expressing their hopes for the future of AR. The conversation then shifts to acoustic holograms, showcasing how sound can be used to manipulate objects in space, creating what could be the future of holographic displays. The trio also touches on the advancements in AI, demonstrating how smaller, faster models can generate content and perform tasks with impressive speed and accuracy. Throughout the episode, the hosts maintain a slightly irreverent tone, mixing in their personal experiences and opinions on the tech industry.

Picks:

Brian Brushwood: I’m Beginning to Get Worried About This Black Box of Doom by Jason Pargin

Justin Robert Young: Mr. McMahon on Netflix

Andrew Mayne: Alien Rom

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