Stuff To Blow Your Mind
2,394 episodes - English - Latest episode: 3 months ago - ★★★★ - 5.4K ratingsDeep in the back of your mind, you’ve always had the feeling that there’s something strange about reality. There is. Join Robert Lamb and Joe McCormick as they examine neurological quandaries, cosmic mysteries, evolutionary marvels and our transhuman future.
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Episodes
The Necromantic Urge, Part 3
October 05, 2023 21:51 - 54 minutes - 49.7 MBIt’s that time of year again. Join Robert and Joe as Stuff to Blow Your Mind descends into the Halloween season. In this episode, explore the historic and psychological origins of necromancy: the ancient practice by which shamans, wizards and sorcerers sought communication with the dead. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Monstrefact: Rawhead Rex and Kin
October 04, 2023 18:00 - 7 minutes - 7.33 MBIn this special bonus episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert discusses Clive Barker’s Rawhead Rex and various related creatures and spirits from English lore and legend… See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Smart Talks with IBM: Hugging Face and watsonx: Why Open Source Is the Future of AI in Business
October 04, 2023 10:00 - 31 minutes - 29 MBOpen-source innovation is the future of AI. In this episode of Smart Talks with IBM, Malcolm Gladwell and Tim Harford discuss the open-source AI community with Jeff Boudier, head of product and growth at Hugging Face. They chat about the history and future of open-source AI, its critical importance to AI progress, the IBM watsonx partnership with Hugging Face, and how businesses can leverage open-source AI for their specific needs. Visit us at ibm.com/smarttalks Learn more about the Huggin...
The Necromantic Urge, Part 2
October 03, 2023 21:21 - 52 minutes - 48.1 MBIt’s that time of year again. Join Robert and Joe as Stuff to Blow Your Mind descends into the Halloween season. In this episode, explore the historic and psychological origins of necromancy: the ancient practice by which shamans, wizards and sorcerers sought communication with the dead. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Listener Mail: Round About The Cauldron Go
October 02, 2023 21:09 - 25 minutes - 23.2 MBOnce more, it's time for a weekly dose of Stuff to Blow Your Mind and Weirdhouse Cinema listener mail... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Archaeology of Counter-Witchcraft, with Brian Hoggard
September 30, 2023 10:00 - 1 hour - 55.8 MBIn this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert discusses witch bottles and other forms of counter-witchcraft of olden days with Brian Hoggard, author of "Magical House Protection: The Archaeology of Counter-Witchcraft." His website can be found at www.apotropaios.co.uk. (originally published 11/01/2022) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Weirdhouse Cinema: The Sorcerers
September 29, 2023 23:03 - 1 hour - 67.9 MBIn this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe kick off the Halloween season with 1967’s “The Sorcerers,” starring Boris Karloff. It's a groovy mix of hypnosis, mind control and murder. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Necromantic Urge, Part 1
September 28, 2023 19:28 - 1 hour - 63.5 MBIt’s that time of year again. Join Robert and Joe as Stuff to Blow Your Mind descends into the Halloween season. In this episode, explore the historic and psychological origins of necromancy: the ancient practice by which shamans, wizards and sorcerers sought communication with the dead. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Monstrefact: The Nine Faces of Death
September 27, 2023 10:00 - 3 minutes - 3.36 MBIn this episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert discusses the mythological Chinese monster known as the Nine Faces of Death… See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The 2023 Ig Nobel Prizes, Part 2
September 26, 2023 21:27 - 1 hour - 59.6 MBIt’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.
Listener Mail: SB-129
September 25, 2023 19:04 - 21 minutes - 20.2 MBOnce more, it's time for a weekly dose of Stuff to Blow Your Mind and Weirdhouse Cinema listener mail... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
From the Vault: The Invention of the Odometer
September 23, 2023 10:00 - 52 minutes - 47.9 MBYou might not think your car’s odometer is that exciting, but it’s actually the modern incarnation of an ancient invention with roots in China and the Greco-Roman world. Join Robert and Joe as they discuss the invention of the hodómetron and the li-recording drum carriage in this classic invention-themed episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind. (originally published 09/06/2022) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Weirdhouse Cinema: Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!
September 22, 2023 21:36 - 1 hour - 64.4 MBIn 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.
The 2023 Ig Nobel Prizes, Part 1
September 21, 2023 19:19 - 46 minutes - 42.3 MBIt’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.
Smart Talks With IBM: Transformations in AI: why foundation models are the future
September 20, 2023 10:00 - 40 minutes - 36.7 MBMajor breakthroughs in artificial intelligence research often reshape the design and utility of AI in both business and society. In this episode of Smart Talks with IBM, Malcolm Gladwell and Jacob Goldstein explore the conceptual underpinnings of modern AI with Dr. David Cox, VP of AI Models at IBM Research. They talk foundation models, self-supervised machine learning, and the practical applications of AI and data platforms like watsonx in business and technology. Visit us at: https://www....
Future Shock 2023, Part 3
September 19, 2023 18:50 - 58 minutes - 54 MBIn the 1970 book “Future Shock,” futurist Alvin Toffler outlined a vision of post-industrial society in which rapid technological and social changes outstrip the average human’s ability to cope. More than half a century later, how does this idea hold up and are contemporary humans victims of future shock? In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss how it seems to be panning out. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Listener Mail: Tomorrow Never Knows
September 18, 2023 12:35 - 25 minutes - 23.4 MBOnce more, it's time for a weekly dose of Stuff to Blow Your Mind and Weirdhouse Cinema listener mail... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
From the Vault: The Invention of Surgical Gloves
September 16, 2023 21:53 - 58 minutes - 53.4 MBIn this classic invention-themed episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe explore the origin of surgical gloves, the differing concepts for their composition and the struggle to get surgeons to wear them. (originally published 08/30/2022) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Weirdhouse Cinema: The Man Who Fell to Earth
September 15, 2023 19:19 - 1 hour - 74 MBIn this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss Nicolas Roeg's 1976 sci-fi film "The Man Who Fell to Earth," starring the legendary David Bowie. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Future Shock 2023, Part 2
September 14, 2023 16:39 - 52 minutes - 48.3 MBIn the 1970 book “Future Shock,” futurist Alvin Toffler outlined a vision of post-industrial society in which rapid technological and social changes outstrip the average human’s ability to cope. More than half a century later, how does this idea hold up and are contemporary humans victims of future shock? In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss how it seems to be panning out. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Artifact: The Gadget Cane
September 13, 2023 15:09 - 4 minutes - 4.24 MBIn this episode of STBYM’s The Artifact, Robert discusses various gadget canes, from Benjamin Franklin’s walking stick to Edgar Alan Poe’s cane sword… See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Future Shock 2023, Part 1
September 12, 2023 22:26 - 44 minutes - 40.9 MBIn the 1970 book “Future Shock,” futurist Alvin Toffler outlined a vision of post-industrial society in which rapid technological and social changes outstrip the average human’s ability to cope. More than half a century later, how does this idea hold up and are contemporary humans victims of future shock? In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss how it seems to be panning out. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Listener Mail: Satellite Anthem Icarus
September 11, 2023 18:41 - 21 minutes - 19.9 MBOnce more, it's time for a weekly dose of Stuff to Blow Your Mind and Weirdhouse Cinema listener mail... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
From the Vault: The Paragraph, Part 2
September 09, 2023 10:00 - 47 minutes - 44 MBIn this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the standard nugget of textual thought: the paragraph. (originally published 8/25/22) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Weirdhouse Cinema: Diabolik
September 08, 2023 21:44 - 1 hour - 79.6 MBIn this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe return to the phantasmagorical world of Mario Bava with the stylish 1968 crime thriller “Danger: Diabolik,” starring John Phillip Law and Marisa Mell. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Stickiness, Part 3
September 07, 2023 12:31 - 59 minutes - 54.3 MBWe encounter sticky surfaces and sticky substances everyday, but what exactly IS “stickiness?” In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the physical properties of stickiness and look at some very sticky examples from the natural world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Smart Talks with IBM: AI for Business: Multiplying the impact of AI
September 06, 2023 10:00 - 33 minutes - 30.5 MBAs businesses adopt AI, a new era of problem-solving, innovation, and creative decision-making can be brought to scale. In this episode of Smart Talks with IBM, Malcolm Gladwell and Jacob Goldstein explore the future of AI in enterprise business AI for business with Kareem Yusuf, senior vice president of product management and growth for IBM software. They discuss the advent of foundation models, how AI can transform data storage and decision-making, and how next-generation AI platforms like...
From the Vault: The Paragraph, Part 1
September 05, 2023 14:58 - 41 minutes - 38.5 MBIn this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the standard nugget of textual thought: the paragraph. (originally published 8/23/22) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Listener Mail: Children of the Sun
September 04, 2023 10:00 - 20 minutes - 18.6 MBOnce more, it's time for a weekly dose of Stuff to Blow Your Mind and Weirdhouse Cinema listener mail... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
New Season of Smart Talks with IBM Coming Soon
September 03, 2023 10:00 - 1 minute - 1.68 MBSmart Talks with IBM returns this September 5th. This season, host Malcolm Gladwell and a team of correspondents from Pushkin Industries explore how businesses can integrate AI into their workflows — to help them do exponentially more — drive real change, and thrive in this new era of AI. This is a paid advertisement from IBM. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
From the Vault: The Whistling, Part 4
September 02, 2023 10:00 - 56 minutes - 51.8 MBIn this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the nature and history of human whistling – including the subject of whistled languages. (originally published 08/16/2022) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Weirdhouse Cinema: The Devil’s Men
September 01, 2023 17:59 - 1 hour - 84.6 MBIn this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss the 1976 Greek horror film “The Devil’s Men,” also known as “Land of the Minotaur.” Horror legends Donald Pleasence and Peter Cushing head-up the cast, but the electronic score by none other than Brian Eno certainly deserves attention. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Mind of Douglas Adams, with Kevin Jon Davies
August 31, 2023 18:25 - 42 minutes - 39.1 MBIn this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert chats with Kevin Jon Davies about his new book “The Wildly Improbable Ideas of Douglas Adams,” detailing the mind of the author who gave us “The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Artifact: The Hand of Glory
August 31, 2023 12:57 - 5 minutes - 5.39 MBIn this episode of STBYM’s The Artifact, Robert discusses the Hand of Glory from European occultism… See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Stickiness, Part 2
August 29, 2023 22:56 - 53 minutes - 49.1 MBWe encounter sticky surfaces and sticky substances everyday, but what exactly IS “stickiness?” In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the physical properties of stickiness and look at some very sticky examples from the natural world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Listener Mail: An Index of Metals
August 28, 2023 20:10 - 23 minutes - 21.5 MBOnce more, it's time for a weekly dose of Stuff to Blow Your Mind and Weirdhouse Cinema listener mail... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
From the Vault: The Whistling, Part 3
August 26, 2023 10:00 - 45 minutes - 42 MBIn this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the nature and history of human whistling – including the subject of whistled languages. (originally published 08/09/2022) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Weirdhouse Cinema: This Night I'll Possess Your Corpse
August 25, 2023 18:45 - 1 hour - 74.2 MBIn this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe venture into the weird, wild world of Coffin Joe with the 1967 Brazilian horror film “This Night I'll Possess Your Corpse.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Stickiness, Part 1
August 24, 2023 21:38 - 40 minutes - 36.9 MBWe encounter sticky surfaces and sticky substances everyday, but what exactly IS “stickiness?” In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the physical properties of stickiness and look at some very sticky examples from the natural world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Monstrefact Omnibus: Chaos Daemons of Warhammer 40k
August 23, 2023 13:58 - 24 minutes - 22.6 MBIn this special omnibus episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, enjoy all four episodes concerning the chaos daemons of Games Workshop’s Warhammer 40,000 universe: Khorne, Tzeentch, Nurgle and Slaanesh. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
From the Vault: The Null Ship
August 22, 2023 20:41 - 47 minutes - 43.6 MBIn this classic episode of the Stuff to Blow Your Mind podcast, Robert and Joe discuss the history and principles of the vacuum airship or null ship. Will futuristic materials ever make this 17th century concept possible? (originally published 08/18/2022) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Listener Mail: Intergalactic Planetary
August 21, 2023 17:59 - 31 minutes - 29.1 MBOnce more, it's time for a weekly dose of Stuff to Blow Your Mind and Weirdhouse Cinema listener mail... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
From the Vault: The Whistling, Part 2
August 19, 2023 10:00 - 57 minutes - 52.7 MBIn this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the nature and history of human whistling – including the subject of whistled languages. (originally published 08/04/2022) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Weirdhouse Cinema: The Green Slime
August 18, 2023 20:31 - 1 hour - 76.5 MBIn this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss 1968’s “The Green Slime,” a surprisingly procedural sci-fi film full of rubbery monsters, serious men, model rockets and more than a little bit of green slime. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dendera Lights and Ancient Egyptian Pseudohistory
August 17, 2023 22:09 - 59 minutes - 54.1 MBIn recent episodes of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discussed low-resolution images that have provoked paranormal and fringe explanations, despite convincing and even conclusive expert analysis. In this episode, they continue this line of inquiry through a discussion of Ancient Egyptian pseudohistories and fringe ideas regarding modern technology in ancient inscriptions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Monstrefact: DC Comics' Swamp Thing
August 16, 2023 16:08 - 6 minutes - 6.18 MBIn this episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert discusses Swamp Thing from DC Comics… See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Another Enigmatic Underwater Image
August 15, 2023 20:40 - 48 minutes - 44.3 MBIn the last episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discussed the so-called Eltanin Antenna and how it is at once an identified image of a deep sea organism and an icon of paranormal intrigue. In this episode, they continue this line of inquiry with another underwater image. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Listener Mail: Chromakey Dreamcoat
August 14, 2023 18:30 - 28 minutes - 25.9 MBOnce more, it's time for a weekly dose of Stuff to Blow Your Mind and Weirdhouse Cinema listener mail... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
From the Vault: The Whistling, Part 1
August 12, 2023 10:00 - 37 minutes - 34.5 MBIn this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the nature and history of human whistling – including the subject of whistled languages. (originally published 08/02/2022) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Weirdhouse Cinema: The Viewing
August 11, 2023 10:00 - 1 hour - 63.7 MBIn this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss Panos Cosmatos’ “The Viewing,'' a delightfully psychotronic 2022 short film featured on Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities. There's no smoking in the Obelisk Chamber. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.