The Show Notes: Episode 18: Cybernetic Futures: Technology Meets Humanity Are We Ready?

We dive into the realm of cybernetics, the possibility of advanced prosthetics, Biohacking, futuristic sci-fi scenarios like in RoboCop, and what it means to be human.

Welcome to the Shownotes! We are staying organized with timestamps (folks seemed to like them). As always, feel free to comment, and we will address it in future shows! Enjoy. 

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Joe’s Show Notes:

00:00 Welcome to the Basement Studio

00:27 Craft Beer Chat

  • Joe: Seed, Stalk, and Root dark lager- collaboration between Brooklyn brewery and Cajun Fire
  • Nick: Fúme — Mac Brewery — Barrel and Flow Collaborative Beer

01:08 Introduction to Cyborgs

1:17 Definition of Cyborg

01:49 Cyborgs in Pop Culture

  • Bicentennial Man:
  1. Issac Asimov’s story
  2. Robin Williams’ movie (1999)

04:17 Inspector Gadget and RoboCop (1987)

10:34 Bionic Eyes and Prosthetics

20:42 Exploring Robocop’s Directives

  1. “Serve the public trust”
  2. “Protect the innocent”
  3. “Uphold the law”
  4. “Any attempt to arrest a senior officer of OCP results in shutdown” (Listed as [Classified] in the initial activation)

21:33 Treasure Planet‘s Cyborg Pirate

22:24 The Eyeborg Project

23:30 Biohacking and Grinders

24:18 Hearing Colors: An Artistic Innovation

25:15 Biomagnets and Body Modifications

26:57 Brain-Computer Interfaces and Neuralink

27:25 Wearable Medical Devices

31:47 Cyborg Insects and Environmental Monitoring

33:22 Ethical Questions in Cybernetics

36:39 Personal Cybernetic Enhancements

39:16 Concluding Thoughts and Future Possibilities


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The Show Notes: Episode 17: Brainwaves and Superpowers: Can Humans Really Move Objects with Their Minds? Separating facts from Handwavium.

Joe, Nick, and guest Michael Lynn talk about the science and handwavium of telepathy and telekinesis. Discussing everything from twins, government-funded research, brainwaves, to the truly bizarre.

In Episode 17 of the Rabbit Hole of Research, hosts Joe and Nick welcome guest Michael Lynn, a material scientist and YouTube creator behind the YouTube Channel: ROTOFORGE, to discuss the fascinating and mysterious topics of telepathy and telekinesis. They delve into historical references, pop culture depictions (like Jedi from Star Wars, Professor X from Marvel, and Matilda), and even touch upon government experiments such as those depicted in ‘The Men Who Stare at Goats.’ Michael provides insights grounded in science and even contemplates the potential of future technological advancements in brain communication. Enjoy the fun banter, quirky references, and let’s not forget—what’s everyone drinking today? Dive in for an exciting exploration of whether these fantastical abilities could ever become reality!

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Guest: Michael Lynn follow him on his YouTube CHANNEL: ROTOFORGE

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Joe’s Show Notes:

00:00 Welcome to Episode 17

00:18 Meet Our Guest: Michael Lynn

01:09 Nick and Joe Communicated telepathically?

2:26 What are we Drinking?

03:44 The Science and Fiction of Telepathy

  • Term coined in 1882 by Frederic W.H. Myers of the Society for Psychical Research, but similar ideas likely predated the term itself.
    • Direct Mind-to-Mind Communication: the direct transfer of thoughts, emotions, or information between individuals without any intermediate tools or devices.
    • Types of Telepathy:
    • Emotive Telepathy: Transmission of emotions or feelings.
    • Mental Telepathy: Transfer of thoughts, concepts, or ideas.
    • Physical Telepathy: Influence over physical states or actions, often considered part of psychokinesis.

4:39 What is peer review?

Definition: the evaluation of scientific, academic, or professional work by others working in the same field.

4:49 Government Research and Historical Accounts

7:14 The ancient Indian Sanskrit epic Mahabharata

7:28 Jesus

8:17 1889 story “To Whom This May Come” by Edward Bellamy

8:48 Dr. Sleep (movie:2019)

10:45 fMRI- Functional Magnetic Resonance

11:51 The Concept of Twin Telepathy

12:31 Identical twins with similar brain structure

13:07 Genetic sequencing of telepaths and twin telepathy

15:22 Animal Communication and Brain Waves

  • John Lilly
    • Elephants: use low-frequency rumbling calls eallowing for transmission of simple messages over long distances.
    • Cetaceans (whales, dolphins): echolocation may involve a form of telepathy by encoding information in sound waves.
    • Primates: chimpanzees and bonobos may have a basic form of mind-reading by interpreting each other’s intentions and emotions.

16:33 Brainwaves

  • Brainwaves are the electrical impulses generated by the billions of neurons communicating with each other in the brain. These waves of electrical activity can be detected and measured using techniques like electroencephalography (EEG).
  • There are several main types of brainwaves, categorized by their frequency ranges:
    • – Delta waves (0.1-3 Hz): Deep sleep, unconscious states
    • – Theta waves (4-7 Hz): Light sleep, meditation, intuition
    • – Alpha waves (8-12 Hz): Relaxed but awake state
    • – Beta waves (13-30 Hz): Alert, focused mental activity
    • – Gamma waves (30+ Hz): Higher cognitive functions

17:00 Brain Computer Interface (BCI) and Biophotonics

20:19 Japanese concept of “ishin-denshin

26:18 Long Term exposure to microwaves

22:06 Theoretical Possibilities and Genetic Engineering

27:14 Organoid

28:29 Super-man story and Space Jesus

31:11 Telepathy and Corporate Espionage

32:10 Nick Cage movie Next (2007)

  • Telechronology—Rabbit Hole of Research original term for mental time-travel

37:05 Telekinesis and Government Experiments

38:54 Sheep go to Heaven and Goats go to Hell

42:00 Telekinesis: it’s always about the Calories

47:31 Chicago Southside Makerspace

48:29 Francis E Deck

49:23 Nick Cage movie reference again

50:00 Monsters, Inc (2001)

  • Children are rumored to have telekinetic powers

50:22 Telepathy in Fiction and Pop Culture

53:59 Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts

Check out Michael’s Youtube channelRotoforge

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The Show Notes: Episode 16.1 the b-side: Ultimate Alien Invasions, Panspermia, and Jeff Goldblum. 

This is a companion episode to Episode 16. We talk about Jeff Goldblum, Sigourney Weaver, Will Smith, Starship Troopers, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Thundercats, and are we made of alien stuff?

Welcome to the Footnotes of the B-sides! In this mini episode,Joe and Nick discuss their recent movie and TV show viewings including the new Alien movie, ‘Parasite’ and ‘Umbrella Academy Season 4’. They also revisit their ‘Ultimate Alien Actor’ debate, discussing contenders like Jeff Goldblum, Sigourney Weaver, and Will Smith. They delve into concepts of alien invasions in popular culture from ‘Starship Troopers’ to ‘Invasion of the Body Snatchers’ and ‘Thundercats’. The episode ends with a tease for the next episode, urging fans to send in comments and questions.

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artwork by Georgia Geis @atomic_number14 https://www.instagram.com/atomic_number14/


Show Notes:

00:00 Welcome to the Basement Studio

00:33 What Nick is watching:

  • Alien: Romuls Movie Review

02:13 What Joe is Watching:

  • Parasyte: The gray two episode left.
  • Finished Umbrella Academy season 4

03:06 Ultimate Alien Actor Debate

Sigourney Weaver

  • Alien (1979)
  • Aliens (1986)
  • Alien 3 (1992)
  • Alien: Resurrection (1997)
  • Avatar (2009)
  • Galaxy Quest (1999)
  • Paul (2011)
  • Avatar: The Way of Water (2022)

Jeff Goldblum

  • Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)
  • The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension (1984)
  • Earth Girls Are Easy (1988) – Plays an alien.
  • Independence Day (1996)
  • Independence Day: Resurgence (2016)
  • Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
  • Asteroid City (2023)

Will Smith

  • Independence Day (1996)
  • Men in Black (1997)
  • Men in Black II (2002)
  • Hancock (2008)
  • Men in Black 3 (2012)
  • Men in Black: International (2019) – Cameo via portrait.

Lance Henriksen

  • Aliens (1986)
  • Alien 3 (1992)
  • Alien vs. Predator (2004)
  • Alien vs. Predator: Requiem (2007)
  • The Visitor (1979)
  • Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)

Donald Sutherland

  • Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)
  • Virus (1999)
  • Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within (2001) – CGI role involving aliens.
  • The Puppet Masters (1994)

Kurt Russell

  • The Thing (1982) – Features a shape-shifting alien.
  • Stargate (1994) – Involves ancient extraterrestrial beings.
  • Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) – Plays Ego the Living Planet.

06:58 Thundercats and Animation Styles

09:19 Panspermia and Alien Invasions

12:09 Nick’s Spiderman comic fan recommendation:

13:40 Wrapping Up and Teasers

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Episode 16: Exploring Alien Invasions: Movies, Theories, and is Jeff Goldblum the Ultimate Alien Actor

JOTHAM AUSTIN, II PHD AND NICK ELIZALDE

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AUG 21

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The Show Notes: Episode 16: Exploring Alien Invasions: Movies, Theories, and is Jeff Goldblum the Ultimate Alien Actor

We talk alien invasion movies, Independence Day, The Thing, Mars Attacks, Cloverfield, and more. We discuss the Fermi Paradox, Bioforming, and debate if Jeff Goldblum is the ultimate alien actor.

Hello Fam! Hope y’all are doing well. So, here is Episode 16, Nick and Joe talk about Alien Invasion. Thank you for tuning in and supporting us. Our goal is to have a little fun exploring science through the lens of science fiction, fantasy and pop culture. 

Back in the basement studio, Joe and Nick return, with beer in hand, to discuss a variety of topics centered around alien invasions in movies, literature, and pop culture. They share insights and personal favorites including ‘Independence Day,’ ‘The Thing,’ ‘Mars Attacks,’ and ‘Cloverfield,’ while also speculating on the Fermi Paradox, galactic policing, bioforming, and the potential implications of real-life alien encounters. They debate Jeff Goldblum’s versus Will Smith’s contributions to alien movies and who should receive the Ultimate Alien Person Award. Joe and Nick present a fun and informative discussion while enjoying their drinks, making geeky science relatable and entertaining.

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Joe’s Show Notes:

00:00 Welcome Back to the Rabbit Hole

00:46 Alien Invasion Movies Galore

01:38 Drinks and Discussions

05:45 The Fermi Paradox and Alien Theories

Enrico Fermi

11:34 Age of Universe

  • ~13.7 Billion years

12:16 Alien Prometheus

12:56 Pop Culture and Alien Invasions

18:05 Paul (2011) (Simon Peg film)

18:44 E.T. and Other Alien Scouts

19:20 Ray Bradbury: Zero Hour (1947)

20:09 Movie – Mac and Me (1988)

22:09 Joe gives RHR award for ultimate alien person goes to: Jeff Goldblum

22:50 Nick gives RHR award for ultimate alien person to Will Smith

23:25 Debating Jeff Goldblum’s Role in Independence Day Alien Defeat

24:19 Drunken Superheroes and Future Visions

25:05 Inviting Jeff Goldblum and Will Smith

25:37 Biological and Terraforming Alien Invasions

26:10 The Day the Earth Stood Still Discussion

27:07 The Thing: A Beloved IP

27:56 Galactic Policing and Ethical Intervention

29:54 Predator and The Thing Crossover Idea

34:28 Intelligent Alien Life Forms

35:42 Alien Invasion Strategies and Movies

39:07 HG Wells war of the worlds (1898)

39:34 Robert Potter The Germ Growlers (1892)

41:11 Nick’s favorite Alien Invasion movie: Men in Black (1997)

42:47 Joes favorite Alien invasion movie: Cloverfield (2008)

42:47 Nick changes his mind and goes with District 9 (2009)

44:46 Final Thoughts and Farewell

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The Show Notes: Episode 15.1 the mini b-side: Clarifications and more Apocalypse Wow!

This is a companion episode to Episode 15. We talk about Owen Wilson, West Nile virus, updated WHO pandemic watch, Answer fan questions about zombies, and other tid-bits.

Print by Georgia Geis @atomic_number14

Welcome to the Footnotes of the B-sides! In this mini episode, Joe, Nick and Georgia dive into fan comments, topics such as Owen Wilson’s ‘Wow,’ West Nile virus, and the updated WHO list of potential future pandemic pathogens. They also speculate on military bases as potential safe havens during a zombie apocalypse and mention various entertainment preferences, like the ‘Fallout’ series, ‘Lady in the Lake,’ and comic books. The episode ends with a light-hearted wrap-up, urging fans to send in comments and questions.

Don’t forget to Rate the show!

Join us on Discord (https://discord.gg/KUjyK2hD)

artwork by 

Georgia Geis @atomic_number14 https://www.instagram.com/atomic_number14/


Show Notes:

00:00 Introduction and Episode Clarification

01:09 Discussing the Apocalypse

01:13 All about Owen Wilson. Wow!

02:57 Science Friday’s West Nile Virus Discussion

03:02 These pathogens could trigger the next pandemic

03:26 Fallout series

04:00 Join us on Discord(https://discord.gg/KUjyK2hD)

04:28 Religious Rapture Apocalypse

  1. Stephen King’s ‘The Stand’,
  2. Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins’s Left Behind series
  3. Terry Gilliam’s film Brazil (1985)
  4. This is the End (2013)
  5. Rapture (2019)

05:07 Apocalypse Movies Georgia was thinking about

06:22 Fan Questions and Comments

  • Shout out to Alex4833 on YouTube
  • The Doomsday clock during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis set to seven minutes to midnight.

07:06 Alex4833 asked if a military base would be the safest place during a Zombie apocalypse

Video game “Day’s Gone

Novel series byJ.L. Bourne ‘Day by Day Armageddon’

10:24 Current Watchlist and Reading

11:50 Conclusion and Mellisa’s final Wow!

Joe, Georgia and Nick recording at Reed’s Local with Melissa!

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Georgia Geis @atomic_number14

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Movie and Book list from Episode 15: Our Favorite Apocalypses: Zombies, Viruses, Meteors, oh my or Apocalypse Wow!

Types of apocalypse

1. ZOMBIE

The zombie apocalypse genre has been a popular theme in movies and books, exploring the breakdown of society in the face of a viral outbreak that turns people into undead creatures. Here are notable works in this genre:

Movies:

  1. “Night of the Living Dead” (1968) – Directed by George A. Romero, this classic film is credited with popularizing the modern zombie genre.
  2. “Dawn of the Dead” (1978) – Also by Romero, this film is set in a shopping mall during a zombie outbreak, examining societal issues within a contained environment.
  3. “28 Days Later” (2002) – Directed by Danny Boyle, this film features fast-moving infected humans and explores the aftermath of a virus outbreak in the UK.
  4. “Zombieland” (2009) – A comedic take on the genre, following a group of survivors navigating a post-apocalyptic world while avoiding zombies.
  5. “World War Z” (2013) – Starring Brad Pitt, this movie is based on the novel by Max Brooks and depicts a global pandemic of zombie-like creatures threatening humanity.
  6. “Train to Busan” (2016) – A South Korean film that follows passengers on a train during a zombie outbreak, focusing on survival and human relationships.

Books:

  1. “World War Z” by Max Brooks – A pseudo-documentary novel detailing the global response to a zombie pandemic, told through interviews with survivors.
  2. “The Walking Dead” series by Robert Kirkman – Originally a comic book series, later adapted into a popular TV show, following survivors in a world overrun by zombies.
  3. “Feed” by Mira Grant – The first book in the “Newsflesh” series, set in a post-zombie apocalypse America where bloggers cover politics amid the undead.
  4. “Zone One” by Colson Whitehead – A literary take on the zombie apocalypse, focusing on a cleanup crew in Manhattan after the outbreak.
  5. “Patient Zero” by Jonathan Maberry – The first book in the “Joe Ledger” series, featuring a detective fighting against terrorists and a viral zombie outbreak.
  6. The Dead City series by Joe McKinney – is a collection of zombie apocalypse novels that follow the adventures of police officer Eddie Hudson in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by the undead. 

2. VAMPIRE

Movies:

1. “30 Days of Night” (2007) – Based on the graphic novel by Steve Niles, this film follows a group of survivors in an Alaskan town besieged by vampires during a month-long polar night.

2. “Daybreakers” (2009) – Set in a future where vampires dominate the human population, this film explores the consequences of a blood shortage and a potential cure for vampirism.

3. “Stake Land” (2010) – Although primarily a post-apocalyptic film, “Stake Land” features vampires as one of the primary threats to survivors navigating a ravaged America.

4. “Priest” (2011) – In a dystopian world ravaged by centuries of war between humans and vampires, a warrior priest embarks on a mission to rescue his niece from vampire kidnappers.

5. “The Strain” (2014-2017) – While originally a TV series, “The Strain” was based on the book trilogy by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan. It depicts a viral outbreak caused by an ancient strain of vampirism.

Books:

1. “The Passage” by Justin Cronin – The first book in a trilogy, “The Passage” introduces a post-apocalyptic world overrun by vampire-like creatures known as virals.

2. “I Am Legend” by Richard Matheson – Although primarily focused on a solitary survivor battling vampiric beings, this novel has been adapted into several films exploring themes of isolation and survival.

3. “The Strain Trilogy” by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan – This book series delves into a modern-day vampire apocalypse caused by an ancient and highly contagious strain of vampirism.

4. “The Vampire Chronicles” by Anne Rice – While not strictly about a vampire apocalypse, Anne Rice’s series delves deeply into vampire mythology and the existence of vampires alongside humanity.


3. METEOR

Movies:

1. “Armageddon” (1998) – Directed by Michael Bay, this blockbuster film follows a team of deep-core drillers sent by NASA to plant a nuclear bomb on an asteroid to prevent it from colliding with Earth.

2. “Deep Impact” (1998) – A science-fiction disaster film that depicts humanity’s efforts to deal with an impending collision between Earth and a large comet, showing both the scientific and personal impacts of such an event.

3. “Melancholia” (2011) – Directed by Lars von Trier, this psychological drama unfolds as a rogue planet approaches Earth, causing widespread anxiety and existential crisis among the characters.

4. “Seeking a Friend for the End of the World” (2012) – While not centered on the impact itself, this film explores human relationships and reactions to the news of an asteroid strike that will likely wipe out life on Earth.

Books:

1. “Lucifer’s Hammer” by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle – This novel follows multiple characters before, during, and after a comet hits Earth, causing massive destruction and societal collapse.

2. “The Forge of God” by Greg Bear – In this science fiction novel, two alien species have different plans for Earth as a massive black hole is discovered heading toward the solar system.

3. “Impact” by Douglas Preston – This thriller novel involves a team of scientists racing against time to stop an asteroid from colliding with Earth, discovering a government conspiracy along the way.

4. “Meteor” by Jerry Pournelle and Larry Niven – Set in the near future, this book explores the aftermath of a meteor strike in the Pacific Ocean, leading to geopolitical tensions and global consequences.


4. ALIEN INVASION

Movies:

1. “Independence Day” (1996) – Directed by Roland Emmerich, this blockbuster film depicts humanity’s fight against technologically advanced aliens intent on destroying Earth.

2. “War of the Worlds” (2005) – Based on the novel by H.G. Wells, this film directed by Steven Spielberg follows a father and his children as they try to survive an alien invasion.

3. “Battle: Los Angeles” (2011) – Set in Los Angeles, this film portrays a group of Marines defending the city against hostile alien forces.

4. “District 9” (2009) – This sci-fi film explores themes of segregation and discrimination as aliens are forced to live in slum-like conditions on Earth.

5. “The War of the Worlds” (1953) – An earlier adaptation of H.G. Wells’ novel, this classic film showcases the panic and chaos caused by Martian invaders.

6. “The Andromeda Strain” (1971) – Based on the novel by Michael Crichton, this film follows scientists investigating a deadly extraterrestrial microorganism that threatens human life.

Books:

1. “The War of the Worlds” by H.G. Wells – The classic novel that inspired numerous adaptations, telling the story of a Martian invasion of Earth.

2. “The 5th Wave” by Rick Yancey – This young adult novel follows a teenage girl navigating a post-apocalyptic world after a series of devastating alien attacks.

3. “Footfall” by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle – In this novel, aliens invade Earth, and humanity must unite to fight back against technologically superior foes.

4. “The Three-Body Problem” by Liu Cixin – While not a traditional alien invasion story, this sci-fi trilogy explores contact with an advanced alien civilization and its impact on humanity.

5. “Childhood’s End” by Arthur C. Clarke – In this classic novel, aliens arrive on Earth with seemingly benevolent intentions, but their arrival heralds profound changes for humanity.


5. DISEASE

Movies

1. “Contagion” (2011) – Directed by Steven Soderbergh, this film follows the rapid spread of a deadly virus and the efforts of scientists and officials to contain it while society unravels.

2. “Outbreak” (1995) – A thriller film that explores the consequences of an Ebola-like virus outbreak in a small town in California, starring Dustin Hoffman and Morgan Freeman.

Books:

1. “Station Eleven” by Emily St. John Mandel – This novel follows a traveling theater troupe in a post-pandemic world where a flu virus has wiped out most of humanity.

2. “The Stand” by Stephen King – A post-apocalyptic novel where a superflu called Captain Trips wipes out most of the world’s population, leading to a struggle between survivors.

3. “The Hot Zone” by Richard Preston – A non-fiction book that explores the origins and impact of deadly viruses like Ebola and Marburg, highlighting the potential dangers of infectious diseases.

4. “Year One” by Nora Roberts – The first book in a series where a mysterious illness wipes out most of humanity, and survivors must navigate a changed world filled with magic and danger.


6. NATURAL DISASTERS

Movies:

1. “San Andreas” (2015) – Starring Dwayne Johnson, this film follows a rescue pilot navigating through California after a series of devastating earthquakes caused by the San Andreas Fault.

2. “Dante’s Peak” (1997) – A volcanic disaster film where a volcanologist (played by Pierce Brosnan) and a mayor try to evacuate a small town threatened by an impending eruption.

3. “Pompeii” (2014) – Set against the backdrop of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, this film follows a gladiator’s quest for survival amid the destruction of Pompeii.

4. “10.5” (2004) – A TV miniseries depicting a series of catastrophic earthquakes along the West Coast of the United States, leading to widespread destruction and chaos.

5. “Volcano” (1997) – A disaster film set in Los Angeles, where a volcano unexpectedly erupts, and emergency responders scramble to save the city from lava flows and ash clouds.

7. CLIMATE CHANGE

Movies:

1. “Snowpiercer” (2013) – In a future where a failed climate-change experiment has killed most life on the planet and turned Earth into a frozen wasteland, survivors live on a train that travels around the globe.

2. “Waterworld” (1995) – Set in a future where the polar ice caps have melted, leaving the Earth covered by water, this film follows a lone hero navigating a world of waterborne societies.

3. “The Day After Tomorrow” (2004) – Directed by Roland Emmerich, this film depicts a series of catastrophic weather events triggered by climate change, leading to a new Ice Age.

4. “Interstellar” (2014) – While not solely focused on climate change, this sci-fi film portrays a future Earth where environmental collapse threatens humanity’s survival, leading to a search for habitable planets.

5. “Geostorm” (2017) – In this disaster film, satellites controlling the global climate go haywire, resulting in extreme weather phenomena that threaten the planet.


8. NUCLEAR WAR

Movies:

1. “Threads” (1984) – A British television film depicting the impact of a nuclear war on the city of Sheffield, highlighting the breakdown of society and the long-term consequences of radiation.

2. “The Day After” (1983) – A TV film that follows the residents of Lawrence, Kansas, before, during, and after a nuclear war between NATO forces and the Warsaw Pact, depicting the devastating effects of a nuclear exchange.

3. “Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb” (1964) – Directed by Stanley Kubrick, this satirical film explores the absurdity of nuclear warfare through a dark comedic lens.

4. “Mad Max: Fury Road” (2015) – While not strictly a nuclear war film, this post-apocalyptic action movie is set in a world ravaged by nuclear conflict, showcasing a brutal society fighting for resources.

5. “The Road” (2009) – Based on the novel by Cormac McCarthy, this film follows a father and son’s journey across a post-apocalyptic landscape devastated by an unspecified catastrophe, likely nuclear in nature.

Books:

1. “Alas, Babylon” by Pat Frank – A classic novel depicting the struggles of a small Florida town to survive and rebuild after a nuclear war devastates the United States.


8. TECHNOLOGICAL CATASTROPHE

Movies:

1. “The Matrix” (1999) – Directed by the Wachowskis, this sci-fi film depicts a dystopian future where intelligent machines have enslaved humanity in a simulated reality, highlighting themes of control and resistance.

2. “Children of Men” (2006) – Set in a world where humanity faces extinction due to infertility, this film explores societal collapse and the quest for hope amid despair.

3. “The Book of Eli” (2010) – This post-apocalyptic film follows a lone traveler carrying a sacred book in a world devastated by war, showcasing survival skills and moral dilemmas.

4. “WALL-E” (2008) – While primarily an animated film, “WALL-E” portrays a future Earth abandoned by humans due to environmental degradation caused by over-reliance on technology.

5. “The Terminator” (1984) – Directed by James Cameron, this sci-fi action film introduces the premise of the series: a cyborg assassin known as the Terminator (played by Arnold Schwarzenegger) is sent back in time from a post-apocalyptic future to kill Sarah Connor (played by Linda Hamilton), whose unborn son will lead the resistance against the machines.

Books:

1. “The Road” by Cormac McCarthy – This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel describes a post-apocalyptic world resulting from an unspecified cataclysm, likely involving technology.

2. “Oryx and Crake” by Margaret Atwood – The first book in the MaddAddam trilogy, it presents a dystopian future caused by genetic engineering and bioengineering gone wrong.

3. “Neuromancer” by William Gibson – A seminal work in the cyberpunk genre, it explores the potential dangers of AI and cyberspace.

4. “Snow Crash” by Neal Stephenson – A fast-paced novel that explores the consequences of a computer virus in a hyper-commercialized future.

The Show Notes: Episode 15: Our Favorite Apocalypses: Zombies, Viruses, Meteors, oh my or Apocalypse Wow! 

Nick, Georgia and Joe dig into their favorite doomsday scenarios. Zombies, vampires, wars, disease, natural disasters, AI and more. We discuss the plausibility, impact and survivability.

Georgia Geis @ atomic_number14

In this episode of ‘Rabbit Hole of Research,’ the crew gathers in the basement “bunker” studio to delve into their favorite apocalyptic scenarios. Hosts Joe, Nick, and Georgia debate various types of apocalypses, from zombies and vampires to nuclear wars and natural disasters, discussing the plausibility, impact and survivability of each. They also reflect on how close humanity currently is to doomsday, citing the Doomsday Clock and historical events. Throughout the conversation, they share their personal favorite media representations of apocalyptic events, including movies, books, and TV shows, while lightening the mood with humor and some interesting tangents. Whether it’s zombies, nuclear fallout, or an alien invasion, they explore both the entertaining and terrifying aspects of apocalyptic scenarios. 

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Artwork by 

Georgia Geis @atomicnumber14https://www.instagram.com/atomic_number14/


Joe’s Show Notes:

00:35 Welcome to the Basement Studio the Basement Bunker

1:04 Setting the Scene: Favorite Apocalypses episode title

  • Apocalypse Now vs Apocalypse Wow: Owen Wilson cover art

2:00 What are we Drinking?

03:29 Debating the Apocalypse Categories

  • Joe’s List (See movie and book list below):
  1. Zombie
  2. Vampire
  3. Meteor
  4. Alien Invasion
  5. Disease
  6. Natural Disasters
  7. Climate Change
  8. Nuclear War
  9. Technological Catastrophe

10:20 The Doomsday Clock and Real-World Threats

14:29 Survival and Human Nature in Apocalyptic Scenarios

19:20 Sting’s song ‘Russians

  • debut solo album, The Dream of the Blue Turtles, released in June 1985

20:04 Favorite Apocalyptic Stories and Media

27:48 Popcorn and Apocalyptic Movies

28:11 Twilight Zone Favorites

31:12 Owen Wilson’s maybe apocalyptic movie

31:23 Zombie Apocalypse and Survival

33:45 Alien Invasions and Human Nature

35:19 Bob burgers

37:00 Twilight Zone with Zombies:

38:50 Nuclear War and Survival Strategies

44:53 Apocalyptic Optimism and Media Recommendations

49:01 Trust and Humanity in Apocalyptic Times



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Georgia Geis @atomic_number14

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