Podcasts – Weird Things

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

In this episode, Andrew Mayne, Justin Robert Young, and Brian Brushwood delve into NASA’s recent announcement about potential biosignatures found on Mars by the Perseverance rover. The conversation then shifts to the future of humanoid robots on Mars, with speculation on when the first robotic step might occur. They also touch upon the rapid advancements in AI, particularly in coding and its implications for various industries. Throughout, the trio explores the broader implications of these technologies for humanity’s future, both on Earth and in space. Picks: Andrew: The Naked Gun and Alien Earth Justin: Friendship Support Weird Things on Patreon Subscribe to the Weird Things podcast on iTunes Podcasts Podcast RSS feed Download url: https://weirdthingspodcast.com/uploads/20250912210949_250912_-_weird_things.mp3 [podcast]https://weirdthingspodcast.com/uploads/20250912210949_250912_-_weird_things.mp3

In this episode, Andrew Mayne, Justin Robert Young, and Brian Brushwood explore the rapid advancements in AI technology and its implications for the future of work and personal dependence on tech. They discuss the introduction of AI in various sectors, the potential for AI to replace human jobs, and the importance of adapting to and integrating AI into our lives responsibly. The conversation also touches on the significance of maintaining a balance between utilizing AI and retaining human skills and interactions. Additionally, they critique the media’s portrayal of AI development costs and highlight OpenAI’s initiative to create a job board for AI-related positions. Picks: Andrew Mayne: Foundation Justin Robert Young: Daily Tech News Show’s AI-generated Isaac Asimov short stories Brian Brushwood: Death Note Support Weird Things on Patreon Subscribe to the Weird Things podcast on iTunes Podcasts Podcast RSS feed Download url: https://weirdthingspodcast.com/uploads/20250908161152_250908_-_weird_things_podcast.mp3 [podcast]https://weirdthingspodcast.com/uploads/20250908161152_250908_-_weird_things_podcast.mp3

Dive into the fascinating world of artificial intelligence and its impact on creative writing and podcasting. The hosts explore recent advancements in AI models, sharing personal experiences with AI-generated content. They engage in a live demo, crafting a podcast script using AI, showcasing its creative potential. The discussion touches on the interplay between AI and human connections in education and the evolving modalities of communication and storytelling. Expect humor, insights, and speculations about the future of tech in creativity.

Andrew Mayne, Justin Robert Young, and Brian Brushwood embark on a journey through the latest in AI, discussing the release of GPT-4, MH-X AI, Elon Musk’s contributions, and the introduction of ChatGPT’s Agent Mode. They explore the potential of AI to revolutionize tasks from filling out PDFs to creating slide decks, while also touching on the importance of human elements like accountability and creativity. The conversation veers into the realms of education, the value of human interaction, and the evolving landscape of effort and output in the age of AI. Personal anecdotes and experiences with these AI tools provide a grounded perspective on their potential and limitations. Picks: Andrew Mayne: Mac Whisper Brian Brushwood: Other humans Justin Robert Young: Agent Mode Support Weird Things on Patreon Subscribe to the Weird Things podcast on iTunes Podcasts Podcast RSS feed Download url: https://weirdthingspodcast.com/uploads/20250720164423_250718_-_weird_things.mp3 [podcast]https://weirdthingspodcast.com/uploads/20250720164423_250718_-_weird_things.mp3

In this episode, Andrew Mayne, Brian Brushwood, and Justin Robert Young tackle the whirlwind of AI news, starting with Google’s I/O announcements, particularly their impressive V O 3 image generation model. They then shift to OpenAI’s advancements and discuss the intriguing, yet mysterious, hardware collaboration between OpenAI and Johnny Ive’s design firm. The trio also touches on Ant Philanthropic’s latest AI models, highlighting the rapid pace of AI development and its implications for various industries, especially Hollywood. The conversation veers into speculative territory with thoughts on how AI could revolutionize content creation, from corporate training videos to high school history projects. Despite the excitement, they remain cautiously optimistic, acknowledging the challenges and limitations that still exist. Picks: Brian: Friendship Andrew: Blood Sport Justin: Andor Season 2 Support Weird Things on Patreon Subscribe to the Weird Things podcast on iTunes Podcasts Podcast RSS feed Download url: https://weirdthingspodcast.com/uploads/20250531003424_250523_-_weird_things_podcast.mp3 [podcast]https://weirdthingspodcast.com/uploads/20250531003424_250523_-_weird_things_podcast.mp3

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 Support Weird Things on Patreon Subscribe to the Weird Things podcast on iTunes Podcasts Podcast RSS feed Download url: https://weirdthingspodcast.com/uploads/20250512185016_250502_-_Weird_Things_Podcast.mp3 [podcast]https://weirdthingspodcast.com/uploads/20250512185016_250502_-_Weird_Things_Podcast.mp3

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+ Support Weird Things on Patreon Subscribe to the Weird Things podcast on iTunes Podcasts Podcast RSS feed Download url: https://weirdthingspodcast.com/uploads/20250428184321_250418_-_weird_things.mp3 [podcast]https://weirdthingspodcast.com/uploads/20250428184321_250418_-_weird_things.mp3