What defines the weird and the eerie? A dive into Mark Fisher's concepts reveals how unsettling feelings emerge and fade with explanations. The hosts juxtapose the bizarre in art with human cognition, exploring Lovecraft's uncanny narratives. They also compare the capabilities of the new AI, DeepSeek, against ChatGPT, resulting in humorous insights. From hip-hop controversies to the psychological depths of cinema, including 'Mulholland Drive,' the conversation weaves through ambiguity, creativity, and the strange corners of existence.
The podcast explores Mark Fisher's concepts of 'the weird' and 'the eerie,' illustrating how both challenge perceptions and evoke unease in familiar contexts.
A comparative analysis between China's AI model DeepSeek and ChatGPT reveals significant differences in performance, raising concerns about security and implications for the tech sector.
The emotional impacts of films like 'Solaris' and 'Mulholland Drive' highlight how the eerie and the weird deepen viewer experience beyond conventional horror or shock.
Deep dives
Super Bowl Predictions and Team Dynamics
The conversation begins with a discussion of the upcoming Super Bowl matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles. Despite the lack of interest from fans outside these cities, the speakers recognize the significance of the game, noting the Chiefs' potential to win their third consecutive championship. They reflect on the controversial officiating in recent games, particularly one involving the Texans, which has led to increased scrutiny of the Chiefs as a team. The mention of Patrick Mahomes raises questions about his status among the all-time greats in football, highlighting the pressure and expectations placed on star players.
Insights on Kendrick Lamar's Halftime Show
The podcast shifts focus to the halftime show featuring Kendrick Lamar, sparking curiosity about the drama surrounding his performance. A recent public feud with Drake, which includes serious accusations, raises the stakes for Lamar's appearance. The speakers speculate whether Lamar will address these tensions during his performance, particularly since Drake has pursued a defamation lawsuit related to the feud. This tension casts a shadow over the halftime show and adds another layer of anticipation for viewers, illustrating how pop culture intertwines entertainment and controversy.
China's AI Leap: DeepSeek vs. OpenAI
Discussion turns to the release of China's AI model, DeepSeek, which claims to rival OpenAI's offerings while utilizing significantly fewer resources. This development causes a stir in the tech sector, leading to significant stock market shifts, particularly affecting companies like NVIDIA that provide essential hardware for AI development. The hosts conduct a comparative analysis by testing both DeepSeek and ChatGBT with the same queries, revealing substantial differences in their responses. Their findings highlight DeepSeek's intriguing potential, yet raise concerns about data security and the implications of its rapid rise in capability and prominence.
Exploring Mark Fisher's 'The Weird and the Eerie'
The hosts delve into Mark Fisher's concepts of 'the weird' and 'the eerie,' unpacking the distinctions between the two. 'The weird' confronts norms and introduces entities that seemingly do not belong in familiar contexts, prompting viewers to question their understanding of reality. In contrast, 'the eerie' focuses on absence and the unsettling feeling that arises from either a lack of presence where there should be something, or an unexpected presence where there should be none. This exploration illustrates how both concepts challenge perceptions and provoke a sense of unease within familiar environments.
The Intersection of Art and Emotion in the Weird and Eerie
The conversation emphasizes the emotional impacts of Fisher's concepts in cinema, particularly through examples like 'Solaris' and 'Mulholland Drive.' The hosts discuss how these films evoke feelings that resonate deeply with viewers, extending beyond mere shock or horror. They argue that the emotional responses elicited by the eerie or the weird can enrich our understanding of the underlying themes in such works. This connection between emotional experience and artistic expression highlights the importance of both cinematic technique and thematic exploration in creating profound viewer experiences.
What makes something weird? What makes something eerie? David and Tamler wander into Mark Fisher’s The Weird and the Eerie to learn more about these concepts. How does weird art expand our imagination of what’s possible? Why does the feeling of eeriness dissolve when we get an explanation for what we see? What draws us to phenomena that evoke these unsettling feelings?
Plus – DeepSeek has Silicon Valley shitting themselves but how does it really stack up against good old American AI?
