Episode 140: Transcendent Man

“No matter what problem you encounter, whether it’s a grand challenge for humanity or a personal problem of your own, there’s an idea out there that can overcome it. And you can find that idea. ”
— Ray Kurzweil
“When you talk to a human in 2035, you’ll be talking to someone that’s a combination of biological and non-biological intelligence.”
— Ray Kurzweil
“Biology is a software process. Our bodies are made up of trillions of cells, each governed by this process. You and I are walking around with outdated software running in our bodies, which evolved in a very different era.”
— Ray Kurzweil
“If I was asked if god exists, I would say ‘Not yet.’”
— Ray Kurzweil, at the end of Transcendent Man

As technology advances at a rapid pace, many have pointed out its effects on our social, professional and personal lives. The intersection of technology and biology is often overlooked in these conversations, but it’s worth further examination. In the 2009 documentary Transcendent Man, futurist Ray Kurzweil plays a key role in describing this intersection. His central thesis leans upon “The Singularity,” in which humanity will merge with technology because of its accelerated pace and progress. He and various experts speak on memory, the possibility of immortality and other influences of such advanced technology. This week we welcome Tim Connolly to review the film’s main arguments and theories. What effect would technological immortality have on our society? How would this new threshold shift our definitions of humans and humanity?

Episode 139: The Funny/Serious Divide

“If a man insisted always on being serious, and never allowed himself a bit of fun and relaxation, he would go mad or become unstable without knowing it.”
— Herodotus
“I’m very, very serious - I’m serious enough not to take myself too seriously. That means I can be completely wedded to the moment. But when I leave that moment, I want to be completely wedded to the next moment.”
— Maya Angelou

Our interpretations and responses to circumstances and other people say a great deal about who we are. Do we respond with confusion, apathy, fear, delight or any number of other emotions? Time and again, a polarity emerges between those who greet circumstances in jest or solemnity. What does this "Funny/Serious divide," however nascent an idea, say about our personalities? We're joined this week by Yara Farahmand to explore the phenomenon and how it affects our perceptions of others and ourselves. How might our society prefer one of these two patterns of thought and behavior? What might each of these poles misjudge or presume about the other?

Episode 137: A Veteran's Transition

Transitions are often interesting occasions in our lives which force us to confront the self on a critical level and evaluate our apparent trajectories. This is particularly true of military veterans, whose transitions home from military operations of all kinds can be jarring given the stark contrast of military procedures and civilian life. We're particularly grateful to speak with Travis Partington this week about some of his experiences as a Marine and his shift out of the military. How can civilians better welcome and support those making this journey? What do our preconceptions of those in the military suggest about our impressions of their times and perspectives? How do we collectively lose stories and insight in failing to ask about their experiences?

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Episode 136: The Friend Zone

“Girls are not machines that you put kindness coins into until sex falls out.”
— Sylvia Plath
“I definitely think the idea of the friend zone is men going, ‘This woman won’t have sex with me.’”
— Daniel Radcliffe
“Sure, we were friends who exchanged soulful glances, friends who slept in a bed filled with sexual tension, friends who found any excuse to touch, but I worried that we’d never take that perilous leap of faith toward becoming a real couple, a permanent team.”
— Emily Giffin, Something Blue

The interactions that comprise our world are built upon how we communicate with one another and what we expect of those around us. This is particularly evident in the phenomenon of "The Friend Zone," a state often lamented by those whose sexual or romantic desires are not reciprocated. But what does this expression of dissatisfaction say about our cultural teachings? This week we welcome Chandler Davis to discuss the concept and some of its problematic implications. Why is the term often used by men to describe their relationships with women? How does a reliance upon this belief diminish more nuanced and complex understandings of others? What are other cultural values attendant to a belief in the Friend Zone?

Episode 135: For Non-Gamers — DLC

Because of the ever-connected nature of the Internet, 21st century media has the opportunity to be dynamic, iterative and fluid in real-time. Posts on social media can be edited, collaborative documents can be edited by multiple parties simultaneously and even live-stream functions have incorporated comments from the viewing audience. The ubiquity of content iteration also carries over to the world of gaming. This week, we return to our “For Non-Gamers” series and welcome Tom Loughney to discuss downloadable content (DLC) in gaming. Because of modern connectivity, developers are able to add content (including missions, costumes and bug-fixes) to games after the fixed release date. How might consumers react if book chapters were released after a book was published? In what ways does DLC represent a chance for developers to extract as much profit as they can? Would a hard rule on the deadline of a media product produce more “complete” products without the safety net that DLC can provide?