Endless Thread

Gen Z for Change, a youth-led nonprofit, is using TikTok to mobilize political action. They have innovative tools like 'Ceasefire Now!!' sending 2M emails daily for Gaza ceasefire. Explore how Gen Z activists flood job listings and challenge tip lines for positive change.

Taylor Paré, who uncovered a new internet scam targeting singles, shares her experience of being stood up on a date and the surprising twist involving a NYC restaurant. The podcast investigates the dark world of catfishing, the fallout of a TikTok video spreading the truth, and the impact of misinformation in online dating.

Diving into the meme-ability of Apple's $3,500 VR headset and its unexpected viral success, exploring the evolution and future potential of VR technology beyond gaming, discussing challenges and limitations of current headsets, and envisioning a future where VR integrates into daily life with a touch of humor.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.