The Zen of Robots

Alienating the Audience

ATA Survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe8FbFXeniKqq4gJNITdQNtbBy4MvUEnZH2m66JteJIJXY-zw/viewform?usp=sf_link

19:15

Can AI compress the years long research time of a PhD into seconds? Research scientist Max Jaderberg explores how “AI analogs” simulate real-world lab work with staggering speed and scale, unlocking new insights on protein folding and drug discovery. Drawing on his experience working on Isomorphic Labs' and Google DeepMind's AlphaFold 3 — an AI model for predicting the structure of molecules — Jaderberg explains how this new technology frees up researchers' time and resources to better understand the real, messy world and tackle the next frontiers of science, medicine and more. For a chance to give your own TED Talk, fill out the Idea Search Application: ted.com/ideasearch . Interested in learning more about upcoming TED events? Follow these links: TEDNext: ted.com/futureyou TEDAI Vienna: ted.com/ai-vienna Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

2 years ago 32:19

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Season Finale! In which we talk about how to use sci-fi robots for helpful psychological thought experiments.

Support the show! www.patreon.com/alienating

167 episodes

#Sci-Fi / Fantasy Stories #Comedy #Audio Drama #Andrew Heaton #Humor #Sciencefiction #Geekery #Tech #Entertainment #SciFi

Alienating the Audience

The Zen of Robots

Alienating the Audience

61 subscribers

published 2 years ago

MP3•Episode home

Season Finale! In which we talk about how to use sci-fi robots for helpful psychological thought experiments.

Support the show! www.patreon.com/alienating

ATA Survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe8FbFXeniKqq4gJNITdQNtbBy4MvUEnZH2m66JteJIJXY-zw/viewform?usp=sf_link

167 episodes

#Sci-Fi / Fantasy Stories #Comedy #Audio Drama #Andrew Heaton #Humor #Sciencefiction #Geekery #Tech #Entertainment #SciFi

All episodes

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19 days ago1:11:59

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In “The Last Starfighter” (1984) a young man has his sword-in-the-stone moment playing an arcade game which propels him into heroic intergalactic adventure. Brett Weaver joins to discuss the movie, the Hero’s Journey, and to talk about what a sequel or remake would look like. LINKS: Heaton’s Otamatone Odyssey https://youtu.be/3BMGPv5RnOQ…

1
Women Can Electrocute You 51:55

6 weeks ago51:55

51:55

In Naomi Alderman’s “The Power” women all over the planet suddenly develop the ability to shoot electrical shocks, to the point of lethality. The natural order is entirely inverted, with men easily overpowered by women, and resulting societal tumult. Katherine Mangu-Ward joins to discuss.

1
Time Loops 59:58

10 weeks ago59:58

59:58

Getting thrown back to the same place in time, repeatedly, with little you can do about it has become an awesome sub genre in scifi. From Groundhog Day, to The Endless, we discuss time loops and their appeal in science fiction. Brian Brushwood joins to discuss.

1
Holy Space Capitalism of the Feringi 1:21:42

17 weeks ago1:21:42

1:21:42

Star Trek’s Feringi are intergalactic traders, merchants, entrepreneurs, and feckless shysters. How did they get to be space capitalists when the Federation outgrew the concept of money altogether? Sean Finnerty joins to discuss Feringinar, the Rules of Acquisition, and the economy of the 24th century.…

1
Cheating with a Sexbot 1:06:31

20 weeks ago1:06:31

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In "Subservience" Megan Fox plays a robot servant who goes off the rails, seduces her owner, and tries to kill his wife. Henrique Couto joins to discuss the ethical implications of cheating on your spouse with a robot, how we ought to treat robots even if they don't really have consciousness, and whether or not we'd buy robot servants in general.…

1
"Alien" is Dudes Afraid of Getting Knocked Up 1:13:55

24 weeks ago1:13:55

1:13:55

Fresh after seeing “Alien: Romulus,” Dickie Lynch and Heaton discuss Ripley Scott’s “Alien” franchise: the creepy aesthetics of H. R. Geiger, the deepest fears of the movie, the alien seeding of “Prometheus,” and the most recent installment as a best-of.

1
A Canticle for Leibowitz 1:10:40

27 weeks ago1:10:40

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It's three centuries after the apocalypse, and a small Catholic monastery in the desert is collecting and safeguarding whatever pre-calamite artifacts it can, to preserve knowledge until civilization gets going again. Brian Brushwood joins to discuss this post-apocalyptic "Jesuits in space" novel.

1
A. I. As Monkeypaw Slaves 59:33

32 weeks ago59:33

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How has A. I. been portrayed through history in science fiction, and what's it going to look like as it keeps getting better? Stone Lynch and J. C. Campbell join to discuss.

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A Clockwork Orange’s Secret Extra Chapter 1:18:16

36 weeks ago1:18:16

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Anthony Burgess wrote his dystopian novel “A Clockwork Orange” in 1962, but two different versions appeared on either side of the Atlantic. The American version stops at chapter twenty, whereas the British version has an extra twenty-first chapter, which totally changes the book. Brian Brushwood joins to discuss.…

1
Faster Than Light Travel in Sci-Fi 1:13:13

42 weeks ago1:13:13

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The universe is really, really big. Like huge . Really really really huge. Prompting science fiction to come up with workarounds so everyone isn't stuck on the same boring 'ol planet. Dickie Lynch rejoins to discuss.

1
Stay Your Age Right Now Forever 1:14:35

47 weeks ago1:14:35

1:14:35

Drew Magary’s book “The Postmortal” explores a scenario in which a vaccine is made for aging. Whatever age you take it at, you are paused there indefinitely. How does that effect marriage, retirement, and society as a whole? Josh Jennings and Ashland Viscosi return to discuss.

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All The Gods Suck, Except "Circe" 1:23:01

51 weeks ago1:23:01

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Madeline Miller's "Circe" novelizes the mysterious character from the Odyssey who turns men into swine, but also helps Odysseus get home. The book shows the feckless, narcissistic nature of the Greek pantheon, what is the true nature of self, and the divine patriarchy. Alexandra August and Isabella Reinhardt join to discuss.…

1
"1984" According to Julia 58:20

1 year ago58:20

58:20

George Orwell died way back in 1950, and his estate has never allowed anyone to canonically (or legally) contribute to the immense worldbuilding of "1984"... Until now. Sandra Newman recently wrote "Julia," the official sequel to 1984, which happens conterminously with its events, but from the perspective of Winston's paramour, Julia. Josh Jennings joins to discuss.…

1
The Zen of Robots 32:19

2 years ago32:19

32:19

Season Finale! In which we talk about how to use sci-fi robots for helpful psychological thought experiments. Support the show! www.patreon.com/alienating ATA Survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe8FbFXeniKqq4gJNITdQNtbBy4MvUEnZH2m66JteJIJXY-zw/viewform?usp=sf_link

1
Much Ado About Garak 1:01:15

2 years ago1:01:15

1:01:15

Star Trek Deep Space Nine's Elim Garak is a simple, unassuming character. But also a spymaster. Why is he so beguiling, and what's his character arc? Andrew Young joins to discuss.

Alienating the Audience

1
Doublethinking George Orwell's 1984 1:36:40

2 years ago1:36:40

1:36:40

Is 1984 prophetic, or merely a terrifying dystopia? What makes this haunting book so engaging on a literary level? Josh Jennings returns to discuss.

Alienating the Audience

1
Why Picard's Last Season Is So Much Better Than The Others 1:14:11

2 years ago1:14:11

1:14:11

Star Trek: Picard recently wrapped up its third and final season--and the first season Heaton or his guests have enjoyed of it. Scottish sci-fi twins Dickie and Stone rejoin to discuss Star Trek: Picard, and what made its ultimate season likeable.

Alienating the Audience

1
Super-Intelligent Spiders And A Sleeper Ship: Children of Time 48:32

2 years ago48:32

48:32

Adrian Tchaikovsky's "Children of Time" tackles multi-generational sleeper ships, uplifiting species, AI, the nature of intelligence, teleforming and more. Richard Amiro rejoins to discuss.

Alienating the Audience

1
The Corporate Dystopia of Jennifer Government 1:17:07

2 years ago1:17:07

1:17:07

In this satirical novel by Max Barry, the United States is a corporate wasteland with ruthless businesses and toothless rump state unable to restrain them. John Krikorian of Trekprofiles joins to discuss. Book at: www.mightyheaton.com/goodscifi

Alienating the Audience

1
There Are Infinite You's in the Multiverse 46:17

2 years ago46:17

46:17

How does the multiverse shake out in science fiction? What are the tropes, and what are the implications? Scottish scifi twins Dickie and Stone Lynch join to discuss.

Alienating the Audience

1
Escaping the Truman Show 1:07:15

2 years ago1:07:15

1:07:15

In “The Truman Show,” Jim Carey’s character is the unwitting star of a global reality television show–until he decides to escape. Director Henrique Cuoto joins to talk about the iconic film, and the evils of false reality. Henrique’s dog: www.helpchicano.com Support the show! Mightyheaton.com/alienating Interstellar Vagabonding Clips, with Nick Sperdute: www.mightyheaton.com/vagabonding…

Alienating the Audience

1
Snowcrash Created the Metaverse 50:10

2 years ago50:10

50:10

Neil Stephenson's "Snowcrash" looked at the embryonic Internet and projected a future of VR and avatar onto it. And a world in which nation states had been eclipsed by successor states of corporate "franchulates." Is "Snowcrash" a corporate dystopia, a libertarian utopia, or merely prophetic? Brian Brushwood joins to discuss.…

Alienating the Audience

1
Shrinkage! 49:15

2 years ago49:15

49:15

In this episode we talk about all the times people get tiny in science fiction, from "Honey I Shrunk the Kids" to "The Fantastic Voyage" to Jonathan Swift.

Alienating the Audience

1
Meeting Celebrities at Sci-Fi Conventions 59:49

2 years ago59:49

59:49

Comedian John Robertson is a regular performer, panelist, and celebrity at science fiction conventions. He joins to discuss the community element of conventions, how celebrities should comport themselves, and how fans can best interact with them.

Alienating the Audience

1
Soylent Green is People! 57:42

2 years ago57:42

57:42

Charlton Heston stars in "Soylent Green," a film about the terror of overpopulation, urban ennui, and ultimately cannibalism. Based on the novel "Make Room! Make Room!" by Harry Harrison. Scottish scifi twins Stone and Dickie Lynch join to discuss. SUPPORT THE SHOW! www.patreon.com/alienating

Alienating the Audience

1
The Hilarious Fantasy of Terry Pratchett 47:38

2 years ago47:38

47:38

At its height, Terry Pratchett's Discworld series accounted for fully 2% of all book sales in the United Kingdom. Over the course of his life he wrote 59 books, achieved knighthood, and created a beloved and hilarious franchise. What was Pratchett's worldview, and what motivated him to crack jokes about Death and wizards? Guest Marc Burrows wrote the first authorized biography of Pratchett, and just wrapped up a show about him at the Edinburgh Fringe. REFERENCED BOOKS AT: www.mightyheaton.com/goodscifi SUPPORT THE SHOW! www.patreon.com/alienating…

Alienating the Audience

1
Strange New Worlds is the Star Trek We Deserve! 49:30

2 years ago49:30

49:30

Captain Pike commanded the USS Enterprise prior to Kirk, and the prequel series featuring him, Mr. Spock, Nurse Chapel, and their contemporaries goes back to the roots of Star Trek: exploring weird planets with weird things... but with just the right amount of fun. Scottish sci-fi twins Dickie and Stone Lynch return to discuss.…

Alienating the Audience

1
Trapped In John Malkovich 1:09:28

2 years ago1:09:28

1:09:28

In Charlie Kaufman's weirdest film (and that's saying something) John Cusack discovers a portal that delivers you into John Malkovich's head for a few minutes... so he charges admission. Henrique Couto and Matt Sienkiewicz join to discuss

Alienating the Audience

1
Reproduction in the Final Frontier 1:06:13

2 years ago1:06:13

1:06:13

Vulcans, humans, Klingons, Romulans--everybody in the Star Trek universe can easily interbreed! Stone and Dickie Lynch rejoin the show to discuss reproduction in the final frontier

Alienating the Audience

1
Intergalactic Politics in "The Expanse" 1:08:39

2 years ago1:08:39

1:08:39

The Expanse explores the political and military tension between decadent Earth, militant Mars, and the Belters stuck in between. War correspondent Kristaps Andrejsons joins to discuss

Alienating the Audience

1
Nixon Selling Pizza on the Moon 1:01:06

2 years ago1:01:06

1:01:06

What if JFK survived the assassination attempt, and instead of Vietnam, America invested in a moon base? Bill Oakley is a former writer and showrunner on The Simpsons, and award-winning comedy writer, and the author of “Space: 1969” an Audible Original. He joins, along with Brian Brushwood, to discuss his retro-scifi comedy, and the nature of humor writing. BOOK AT: www.mightyheaton.com/goodscifi Support the show! www.patreon.com/alienating…

Alienating the Audience

1
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind 1:00:35

2 years ago1:00:35

1:00:35

Characters can selectively wipe memories in Charlie Kaufman's "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," but in doing so they lose part of themselves. Chloe Effron and Nick Sperdute join to discuss this trippy... romcom? SUPPORT THE SHOW! www.patreon.com/alienating

Alienating the Audience

1
If You Leave the Holodeck On Too Long... 1:32:00

2 years ago1:32:00

1:32:00

Are holograms on Star Trek NPC's, sentient, or in some hellish state of limerence in between? Star Trek aficionados Dickie and Stone Lynch return to discuss

Alienating the Audience

1
Peacemaker is the Ultimate Loserhero 52:44

2 years ago52:44

52:44

James Gunn’s “Peacemaker” chronicles a toxic meathead character as he comes to terms with his past, his racist father, and an alien takeover of the planet. He is neither a hero nor antihero. He’s something new, and hilarious: a “loserhero” Nick Sperdute and Justin Robert Young join to discuss.

Alienating the Audience

1
Send in the Clones 1:17:05

2 years ago1:17:05

1:17:05

How do clones manifest in science fiction? When are they evil, good, or a portent of science gone too far? Scottish scifi twins Dickie and Stone rejoin to discuss. SUPPORT THE SHOW! www.patreon.com/alienating

Alienating the Audience

1
The Ineffable Planet of Sentient Goo 1:19:05

2 years ago1:19:05

1:19:05

"Solaris" by Stanislaw Lem follows a crew of scientists trying to understand an utterly alien intelligence--a planet covered by an ocean of (apparently?) conscious goop. How can we communicate with something truly, truly foreign to our evolution and understanding? How can we even confirm it's "intelligent"? John Krikorian returns to discuss.…

Alienating the Audience

1
Rick And Morty is Hilarious Nihilism 47:44

2 years ago47:44

47:44

"Rick and Morty" is the funniest science fiction to grace the world sense "Futurama"--if not the best comedy in general. What is it about, and what distinguishes it from other, lesser comedies? Jeff Maurer joins to discuss. (Note: this episode was recorded before the fall of Justin Roiland)

Alienating the Audience

1
The Fifth Element Is Teenage Scifi 1:24:20

2 years ago1:24:20

1:24:20

"The Fifth Element" starring Bruce Willis and Mila Jovovich is a cult classic. But... does it hold up? Did it ever? To answer that question, we turn to Scottish scifi twins Dickie and Stone Lynch.

Alienating the Audience

1
Irritating Vulcans in "Enterprise" 1:03:20

2 years ago1:03:20

1:03:20

"Enterprise" is the prequel of Star Trek, exploring the foundation of the Federation of Planets, and the bump, suspicious period when Vulcans and humans get to know one another. Scottish science fiction twins Dickie & Stone Lynch return to discuss.

Alienating the Audience

1
Lady Terror in "Don't Worry, Darling" 1:16:22

2 years ago1:16:22

1:16:22

There's a subgenre of science fiction we might call "femme fear," exemplified by writers like Margaret Atwood. Olivia Wilde's "Don't Worry Darling" is the latest example. And while it was mostly panned by critics, Heaton enjoyed it. Ashland Viscosi joins to discuss. SUPPORT THE SHOW! www.patreon.com/alienating…

Alienating the Audience

1
Jesuits in Space! 1:03:34

2 years ago1:03:34

1:03:34

In "The Sparrow" by Mary Doria Russell , life is discovered on an alien planet, and the first humans to arrive are... Jesuits. The book explores the terrifying consequences of missionaries on a new world, who are there for good reasons--with good intentions--but don't know what they've got themselves into. Richard Amiro joins to discuss. SUPPORT THE SHOW! www.patreon.com/alienating BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS: www.mightyheaton.com/goodscifi…

Alienating the Audience

1
The Sith are Emo Fascists 59:45

2 years ago59:45

59:45

The Sith are the dark lords of Star Wars. But what do they want? Are they logically consistent antagonists, with clear rationales for their goals and methods, or just mustache-twirling villains with no depth? Stephen Kent and Mike TV join to discuss

Alienating the Audience

1
“They Live” is fear of Reagonomics 58:18

2 years ago58:18

58:18

John Carpenter’s “They Live” is a cult classic about seeing through societal mirage to glimpse the strings of the puppet masters. It’s also a specific and intentional “primal scream” against Reagonomics. Ron Hayden joins to discuss.

Alienating the Audience

1
If Sociopaths Had Super Powers: The Boys 45:00

2 years ago45:00

45:00

In "The Boys" super heroes superficially fight crime, but are really corporate pawns and predators, ranging from ladder-climbing reality show scumbags to full-blown Nietzschean demigods. What happens when super powers are not always entrusted in the super moral? Andrew Young joins to discuss.

Alienating the Audience

1
But What if We Swapped Brains? 1:25:33

2 years ago1:25:33