Podcasts – Weird Things

The episode surveys an accelerating AI landscape where new hardware like Cerebras and Groq enables near real?time model responses, making voice and agent interactions feel instantly conversational. The conversation covers the rise of code models (Codex, Claude Code), practical tips for using multiple models to check each other, the tug-of-war between frontier labs and big incumbents (OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Meta, xAI), and how talent, salaries, and state-level data?center politics are shaping the field. They also touch on a striking story about a dog treated with an experimental mRNA therapeutic assembled with help from multiple AI tools, hands-on demos of rapid content generation and deepfake video, and a challenge to listeners to build weird things with these new tools. Picks: Brian Brushwood: Project Hail Mary. Andrew Mayne: Sentimental Value. Support Weird Things on Patreon: http://patreon.com/weirdthings Subscribe to the Weird Things podcast on iTunes Podcasts: http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=336704577&subMediaType=Audio Podcast RSS feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/WeirdThingsPodcast Download episode audio Download url: https://weirdthingspodcast.com/uploads/podcastr/66ff3df5-d5da-4cbd-8102-fb417231836c__260320_-_Weird_Things_Podcast.mp3 [podcast]https://weirdthingspodcast.com/uploads/podcastr/66ff3df5-d5da-4cbd-8102-fb417231836c__260320_-_Weird_Things_Podcast.mp3

In this episode, Andrew Mayne, Brian Brushwood, and Justin Robert Young tackle the latest in space exploration drama. They start with NASA’s Art Two mission facing delays due to a pesky hydrogen leak in their much-mocked SLS rocket. The conversation then shifts to Boeing’s embarrassing blunders with their Starliner spacecraft, highlighting the company’s fall from grace in space tech. Amidst these tales of aerospace angst, Elon Musk’s shifting focus from Mars to the Moon captures the trio’s attention, sparking a discussion on the implications for space travel and Musk’s sprawling empire under financial scrutiny. Picks: Andrew: 1976 King Kong Justin: Wonder Man series Brian: Decode by Phil P. Barden Support Weird Things on Patreon Subscribe to the Weird Things podcast on iTunes Podcasts Podcast RSS feed Download url: https://weirdthingspodcast.com/uploads/20260227164741_260220_-_weird_things_podcast.mp3 [podcast]https://weirdthingspodcast.com/uploads/20260227164741_260220_-_weird_things_podcast.mp3

Andrew Mayne, Brian Brushwood, and Justin Robert Young gather to discuss the latest in space exploration and AI developments. They express concerns over the Artemis missions’ delays and technical challenges, particularly focusing on the SLS rocket’s issues and the ambitious plans for lunar landings involving SpaceX’s Starship. The conversation shifts to the AI domain, where they critique the rivalry between OpenAI and Anthropic, highlighting the recent controversial Super Bowl ad and the broader implications for AI’s future. The trio navigates these topics with a blend of technical insight and skepticism about the political and ethical landscapes shaping space exploration and AI. Picks: Andrew: Codex by OpenAI Brian: Weapons (Movie) Justin: Plane tickets to Florida for a workshop Support Weird Things on Patreon Subscribe to the Weird Things podcast on iTunes Podcasts Podcast RSS feed Download url: https://weirdthingspodcast.com/uploads/20260207204405_260207_-_weird_things_podcast.mp3 [podcast]https://weirdthingspodcast.com/uploads/20260207204405_260207_-_weird_things_podcast.mp3

In this episode, Andrew Mayne, Justin Robert Young, and Brian Brushwood kick things off with a discussion about a medical emergency that led to an astronaut’s early return from the International Space Station, sparking rumors of the first space pregnancy. They then shift gears to the Artemis missions, highlighting the Artemis II mission’s goal of sending humans around the moon for the first time since the Apollo era. The conversation takes a turn towards the future of space stations, with companies like Vast Space and Axiom Space aiming to build modular, next-generation stations to replace the ISS. The episode wraps up with a critique of the new Starfleet Academy show, expressing disappointment and questioning its target audience. Picks: Brian Brushwood: Fallout Season 2 Justin Robert Young: Tár Andrew Mayne: Dune Part Two Support Weird Things on Patreon Subscribe to the Weird Things podcast on iTunes Podcasts Podcast RSS feed Download url: https://weirdthingspodcast.com/uploads/20260130135513_260130_-_weird_things_podcast.mp3 [podcast]https://weirdthingspodcast.com/uploads/20260130135513_260130_-_weird_things_podcast.mp3

In this episode, Andrew Mayne, Justin Robert Young, and Brian Brushwood explore the curious incident of a Californian homeowner, Kenneth Johnson, who discovered a 550-pound bear living under his house and the challenges he faced in evicting it. The conversation then shifts to the broader implications of AI and genetic engineering, pondering a future where animals could possess human-like intelligence and the ethical considerations that come with it. They also touch upon the potential for AI to revolutionize our understanding of animal communication, specifically mentioning Google’s DeepMind project aimed at deciphering dolphin language. Picks: Andrew: Zootopia 2 Justin: Stranger Things, Episode 9 Brian: Apple’s SHARP technology Support Weird Things on Patreon Subscribe to the Weird Things podcast on iTunes Podcasts Podcast RSS feed Download url: https://weirdthingspodcast.com/uploads/20260117140554_260109_-_weird_things_podcast.mp3 [podcast]https://weirdthingspodcast.com/uploads/20260117140554_260109_-_weird_things_podcast.mp3

The hosts dive into the latest AI innovations, like Google's Nano Banana and OpenAI's GPT-5.1, exploring how personality influences user interaction. They discuss the challenges of keeping AI models consistent and introduce a collaborative group chat feature for ChatGPT. The conversation shifts to the eerie Dog Man sightings, blending humor with curiosity about this cryptid. They hilariously debate its credibility while also touching on interstellar comets and the interconnectedness of media and sensationalism.

In this episode, Andrew shares his experience attending a robot demo by 1X, highlighting the challenges and advancements in robotics. The hosts delve into the broader implications of AI and robotics on the workforce, discussing both the potential benefits and the anxieties surrounding technological change. They explore how AI is already impacting various fields, from healthcare to content creation, and speculate on the future of work in an increasingly automated world. The conversation also touches on the importance of adaptability and self-reliance in navigating these changes. Picks: Andrew: How to Fly a Horse by Kevin Ashton Justin: Chat Atlas Brian: Magnetic Memory Method by Anthony Metivier Support Weird Things on Patreon Subscribe to the Weird Things podcast on iTunes Podcasts Podcast RSS feed Download url: https://weirdthingspodcast.com/uploads/20251102182845_251031_-_weird_things.mp3 [podcast]https://weirdthingspodcast.com/uploads/20251102182845_251031_-_weird_things.mp3

Andrew Mayne, Justin Robert Young, and Brian Brushwood embark on a journey through the conceptualization of Handful, a fictional restaurant where gravy is served directly into patrons’ hands. The discussion evolves into the realm of AI-generated content, exploring the implications of AI in creative processes and content distribution. The hosts share insights into the rapid development of AI tools and their personal experiences with technology, emphasizing the importance of human connection and collaboration in navigating the future of creativity. Picks: Andrew Mayne: Tron: Ares Justin Robert Young: Netflix doc series on the 90s Cowboys Brian Brushwood: The Chair Company with Tim Robinson Support Weird Things on Patreon Subscribe to the Weird Things podcast on iTunes Podcasts Podcast RSS feed Download url: https://weirdthingspodcast.com/uploads/20251024203009_251024_-_weird_things_podcast.mp3 [podcast]https://weirdthingspodcast.com/uploads/20251024203009_251024_-_weird_things_podcast.mp3

In this episode, Andrew Mayne and Brian Brushwood embark on a philosophical journey through the realms of storytelling, AI’s burgeoning role in creative processes, and the enigmatic app SO’s contribution to communal humor and creativity. They explore Stephen King’s insights on storytelling, the magic of indirect evidence in magic tricks, and the importance of showing rather than telling in narratives. The conversation then shifts to SO, where they discuss its unique platform that allows for collaborative creativity among friends, using the example of ‘Handful,’ a fictional fast-food chain that serves gravy directly into customers’ hands. This episode is a testament to the evolving landscape of creativity, where AI and human collaboration open new doors to storytelling and humor. Picks: Andrew: Daredevil Season 2 Brian: Speed Racer (1966) Support Weird Things on Patreon Subscribe to the Weird Things podcast on iTunes Podcasts Podcast RSS feed Download url: https://weirdthingspodcast.com/uploads/20251020233613_251020_-_weird_things_podcast.mp3 [podcast]https://weirdthingspodcast.com/uploads/20251020233613_251020_-_weird_things_podcast.mp3

In this episode, Andrew Mayne, Brian Brushwood, and Justin Robert Young discuss the recent launch of the Soar app by OpenAI, its features, and how it quickly became a platform for both creating AI-generated videos and a new form of social media. They explore the app’s cameo feature, which allows users to create digital avatars and use them in videos, and how Mark Cuban used it for clever marketing. The hosts speculate on the future implications of AI in content creation, advertising, and the potential for new business models. They also share their personal experiences and tips for using the app, highlighting its potential for creators and advertisers alike. Picks: Brian Brushwood: Weapons Justin Robert Young: The Studio episodes on casting the Kool-Aid Man movie and the Golden Globes Support Weird Things on Patreon Subscribe to the Weird Things podcast on iTunes Podcasts Podcast RSS feed Download url: https://weirdthingspodcast.com/uploads/20251012225715_251010-WEIRD_THINGS_podcast.mp3 [podcast]https://weirdthingspodcast.com/uploads/20251012225715_251010-WEIRD_THINGS_podcast.mp3