Stuff To Blow Your Mind

The podcast discusses listener messages, including a topic on Future Shock. They explore James Burke's alternate view of technological change and taste fossils. They also delve into the significance of sleep and its impact on our lives. They discuss manganese nodules, overlooked objects, and the potential use of sticky rice as a weapon against vampires.

Author Brian Hoggard discusses counter-witchcraft practices of olden days, including the use of witch bottles and hidden curios in buildings. The significance of shoes, cats, and horse skulls in these practices are also explored. Builders' magical protections and the value of surviving witch bottles are discussed. The episode concludes with contact information and advertisements.

Rob and Joe analyze the 1967 film 'The Sorcerers', discussing its experimental decisions and groovy 60s vibe. They also analyze its portrayal of generational differences and compare it to other movies with similar elements. The hosts delve into a hypnotic experience in the film involving shared sensations and discuss the final psychic battle between Marcus and Estelle. Discussion includes the lack of resolution for other characters and the moral implications of psychic control.

Explore the origins and interpretations of necromancy, including its portrayal in literature and pop culture. Discover the significance of ancestor veneration in Chinese traditions and the conflicting beliefs about the afterlife. Delve into the evidence and ideas surrounding necromancy in ancient Mesopotamia. Learn about ancient Mesopotamian beliefs about ghosts and funerary customs. Discuss the possible existence of traditions and experts in the past. Dive into cuneiform lexical texts and the concept of necromancy in ancient Mesopotamia. Explore different perspectives on necromancy, including its economic incentives.

Robert discusses the mythological Chinese monster known as the Nine Faces of Death. The creature is a monstrous serpent with the heads of nine infants, each inflicting a different form of pain. Its role in the great flood and how it was ultimately defeated are explored.

Join Robert and Joe as they discuss the amusing winners of the 2023 Ig Nobel Prizes, explore the purpose of nose hairs, delve into the impact of boredom on learning motivation, break through boring poetry, discover the incredible taste abilities of catfish, and explore the concept of enhancing human flavor with electric taste.

In this podcast, the hosts explore the unreliability of memories and the role of technology. They discuss the impact of low resolution images on art appreciation and the preference for lower frame rates in cinema. The hosts also share their experiences with trying different flavors of tea, including a smoky one and a chocolate flavor that tasted like shoe leather. The podcast ends with a discussion about a film role, joining their online community, and advertisements for various products and organizations.

Discover the ancient origins of the odometer in China and the Greco-Roman world. Explore standardized distance measurements, the role of maps, and the debate on Archimedes' involvement. Learn about mechanical odometers, the accuracy of travel distance estimates, and the presence of odometers in Chinese civilization. Delve into the Lee Measuring Card and its significance in standardizing measurements. Plus, sponsors GoDaddy and Bank of America highlight their services and benefits.

In this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss the 1965 cult classic crime thriller “Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!” directed by Russ Myers and starring Tura Santana, Haji and Lori Williams. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s that time of year again! Join Robert and Joe as they discuss some of this year’s Ig Nobel prize-winning scientific studies and papers – honored as always for first making us laugh, then making us think. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.