Endless Thread

WBUR
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May 3, 2024 • 36min

Episodes We Love: Doom Jellyfish

Leading expert Jamie Seymour discusses his terrifying encounters with deadly jellyfish species and the dangers they pose. The podcast explores survival training ordeals, toxicology expertise, mysteries of jellyfish venom, and the unexpected nutmeg solution for anxiety. Unveiling the physical characteristics and hunting behavior of box jellyfish is a highlight, along with the urgent need for increased public awareness and safety measures.
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Apr 26, 2024 • 25min

What animal cams say about us

From wildlife feeds on TikTok to animal cams, technology is changing our interactions with nature. Explore the story of Jackie the bald eagle and how technology can bring us closer to wildlife. Discover the challenges and connections of animal cam streaming, the origins of the Jackie show, and the tale of Jackie and Shadow as they navigate their lives in front of the camera.
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Apr 19, 2024 • 38min

Can memes save the planet?

Ecology major Rhett Barker discusses creating Wild Green Memes for Ecological Fiends on Facebook with friends. They use humor to promote conservation psychology online, touching on funny nature-centric memes, unusual marine creatures, and the power of memes in raising funds for conservation efforts.
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Apr 12, 2024 • 29min

RIP Lil Miquela

Discussing the mysterious rise and fall of AI influencer Lil' Michaela, exploring her brand partnerships and the blurred lines between reality and simulation. Examining the controversy surrounding Lil Mikaela's traumatic video, her signing with CAA, and the representation of digital influencers in society. Delving into the complexities of branding age and ethnicity for virtual personas, questioning the pursuit of relatability vs. 'otherness' in AI influencers.
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Apr 5, 2024 • 20min

Physicists are fighting over 'Cotton gravity'

The halls of science, known for prim propriety and careful debate, are feuding. A new theory of gravity challenges Einstein's general relativity, our current understanding of that thing that keeps our feet on the ground. Physicists are upset. "Cotton gravity"—named in honor of mathematician Émile Cotton, not fluffy flora—was first posited by Japanese researcher Junpei Harada in 2021. The idea, which modifies general relativity and discounts the theory of dark matter, spurred a surprisingly catty argument on arXiv.org, an open-access website for scientific preprints. Things got nerdy. And hilarious. Endless Thread explains. ===== Credits: This episode was written and produced by Dean Russell. Mix and sound design by Emily Jankowski. The hosts are Ben Brock Johnson and Dean Russell.
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Mar 29, 2024 • 27min

Is Shaq OK?

Shaquille O'Neal has some advice: "If you are going to retire, accept it. Enjoy your family," he recently said on The Big Podcast With Shaq. "I made a lot of dumb mistakes to where I lost my family. I don't have anybody." His statement, directed at retiring NFL star Jason Kelce, raised concern online. "What happened with Shaq?" asked one Reddit user in a popular thread. "I thought he was [a] super nice guy. Why is he all alone?" The former four-time NBA champion has developed several personas since the Orlando Magic drafted him in 1992. On the court, he was a giant. Online, he became something different. Endless Thread breaks down the many sides of Shaq to answer the question, Is he OK? ===== Credits: This episode was written and produced by Ben Brock Johnson with help from Dean Russell. Mix and sound design by Emily Jankowski. The hosts are Amory Sivertson and Ben Brock Johnson.
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Mar 22, 2024 • 40min

The Music Man, Part 2: What Scientology has to do with a pricey online piano academy

Unveiling the controversy around Ridley Academy's potential ties to Scientology, deceptive marketing practices in online learning, and the ethical considerations in music education. Exploring the founder's transformation from a concert pianist to an online entrepreneur and his mission to simplify music learning.
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Mar 15, 2024 • 29min

The Music Man, Part 1: Is this $3,000 online piano class legit?

You may have seen this ad: A frenetic, wild-haired concert pianist says he can make any newbie a virtuoso in months. Just take his online course for $3,000. Too good to be true? Redditors thought so. Posts dating back years cried scam. Some went further and claimed his virtual piano academy is a cover to recruit Scientologists. In Part 1 of "The Music Man," Endless Thread investigates. Credits: This episode was written and produced by Grace Tatter with mixing and sound design by Emily Jankowski. Amory Sivertson and Ben Brock Johnson are the co-hosts.
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Mar 8, 2024 • 26min

Endless Thread Introduces "Beyond All Repair", Amory Sivertson's new podcast

In the podcast, Amory Sivertson delves into a dark family secret involving a murder accusation against his sister. Shane's journey from homelessness to a career in law is explored, as he seeks closure and justice for his family. Meanwhile, Sophia reflects on betrayal and redemption in her quest to clear her name. The podcast series, 'Beyond All Repair', provides an inside look at this intriguing narrative.
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Mar 1, 2024 • 37min

Encore: Getting home

Explore the emotional depth of a cold-case murder investigation in Beyond All Repair. Follow Shane's journey from homelessness to success, unraveling family secrets and navigating personal struggles along the way.

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