Tag: Manipulation

• May 26, 2026Podcast Episodes

  #182: The Cognitive Surrender

  This week Ian and Michael discuss “cognitive surrender” — the increasingly common habit of accepting whatever an AI chatbot tells us without much scrutiny. From there the conversation moves into critical thinking, the uneasy role of AI in recruitment and hiring, and the broader question of whether convenience is eroding our willingness to verify information for ourselves. We also revisit one of the podcast’s recurring themes: AI chess algorithms. A mildly sceptical look at what happens when outsourcing thought becomes just a little too easy. (This description was written with the help of AI - because outsourcing thought is indeed just a little too easy...)

• May 12, 2026Podcast Episodes

  #180: Convenience Now, Laurels Later

  Ian and Michael discuss the ethical aspects of using AI-generated art instead of human artists, the use of AI and photo manipulation in marketing, and the dangers of resting on one's laurels after prolonged success. And, at long last, our AI-generated contributor Emma Williams returns with another instalment of Emma's Artificial Reflections!

• February 17, 2026Podcast Episodes

  #170: Bow before your AI Gods

  Ian and Michael discuss the desire to automate and outsource or most unpopular and difficult decisions to AI as a means to deflect responsibility; I'd love to help, but my AI assistant decided otherwise... (This episode contains AI-generated speech)

• February 10, 2026Podcast Episodes

  #169: AI Circular Economy, Social Media Bans, Media Mergers

  Ian and Michael kick off the new season with a host of topics: the self-contained money merry-go-round of the AI industry, proposed social media bans, media consolidation, AI-generated “reality” shows, and the case for hoarding DVD players like it’s already the end times. A loose, opinionated start to the year and to season 5! (This description was written with the help of AI)

• September 2, 2025Podcast Episodes

  #152: 20 Minutes of Apathy

  Ian and Michael muse on the art of not giving a damn. From the constant barrage of world events (usually of the bad kind) to the trivial irritations of daily life, they ask: is there wisdom in tuning out? Or should we be worried that apathy might be the most rational response of all? Should we just… not bother to care? (This description was AI-generated)

• June 17, 2025Podcast Episodes

  #145: The Ragebait Episode

  Prepare to be outraged! Or not; Ian and Michael discuss the concept of ragebait, rather than produce anything particularly ragebaity.

• June 3, 2025Podcast Episodes

  #143: AI and Blackmail, AI and Surveillance, AI-Generated Summer Reading

  Ian and Michael discuss the recent reports of AI models potentially engaging in blackmail, AI-powered recording devices and the surveillance state, and for a bit of levity - our very own AI-generated summer reading list! (This episode features AI-generated content and speech)

• May 20, 2025Podcast Episodes

  #141: AI and Authorship, Social Media Diatribes

  Ian and Michael discuss AI-generated books and its impact on literature and reading, before going off a rant on the negative effects of social media on our attention spans.

• May 21, 2024Podcast Episodes

  #103: AI Twins

  Ian and Michael discuss Reid Hoffman's demo of a completely AI-generated version of himself - an AI twin. But as cool a technology demonstration as it was, are there any actual use cases for AI twins?

• February 27, 2024Podcast Episodes

  #92: Banter about Banter, Social Media, Climate Change, Subscription Models

  Ian and Michael discuss a wide array of topics, ranging from the latest on social media to news reporting on climate change, our need to be distracted in a world of chaos, digital subscription models, and the English language itself!