Ep. 80

What is the true potential of AI text-to-video generation?

Director of Curiouser Institute and award-winning AI games designer Reed Berkowitz discusses OpenAI's Sora, an AI text-to-image model that will soon be made available to the public. As Hollywood rolls back studio investments and executives project up to 90% loss in animation jobs, how can we separate hype from reality in the space? And what are the best ways to use AI text-to-video generation today?

Ep. 78

How can we separate hype from hallucination in AI games?

Award-winning games designer and Director of Curiouser Institute Reed Berkowitz discusses why it's so difficult for mid-to-large studios to create AI NPCs, the brand safety risks associated with AI in games, and why AI games might require more writers rather than fewer.

Ep. 77

Internet culture writer Steffi Cao discusses why cancelled creators turn to right-wing values to grow their businesses, the difficulty audiences have determining authenticity, and why it all matters – from economics to real-world action.

Ep. 76

Business Insider senior correspondent Katie Notopoulos discusses the livestreaming, meme-making community behind Palantir's stock and the company's CEO Alex Karp.

Ep. 75

How can we explore visions for a better internet as it undergoes a monumental evolution?

Media literacy influencer Kelsey Russell, award-winning journalist Kat Tenbarge, digital culture journalist Steffi Cao, and moderator Rachel E. Greenspan explore the role of surveillance and the rise of panopticontent, the importance of trust and safety on healthy platforms, and why youth voices need to be included in conversations about social media platform development.

Ep. 74

How do reboots and IP fueled universes prevent us from ever feeling nostalgia?

Author of Foreverism Grafton Tanner discusses how the practice of keeping things alive prevents us from ever feeling nostalgia.

How does creative misuse of social media platforms inform the future of social media?

Director of Curiouser Institute Reed Berkowitz highlights five popular ways people are engaging, interacting, and using social platforms - ranging from Life360 to games - and what it means for how we imagine and create a social media future that enhances our social capacities.

Washington Post tech columnist and author of Extremely Online: The Untold Story of Fame, Influence, and Power on the Internet Taylor Lorenz explores the social history of the internet. How did Mommy Bloggers shape the creator economy? What is Vine's influence on today's social media ecosystem – and how can its demise be a lesson for creators and platforms? Plus, why is it important to remain optimistic about social media platforms and technology?

Cores are everywhere. From the film-inspired Barbiecore to Cottagecore – but how does a new core threaten to surveil everyday people?

How did an early YouTube vlog style return to popularity after a generation of TikTok and YouTube creators including Emma Chamberlain and Charli D'amelio went mainstream?

How will AI, algorithms, creators, and data transparency shape the future of Hollywood?

On today's episode, Jamie and Josh dive into the key issues behind the SAG-AFTRA strike. How do major studios plan to use AI – and how can they come to an agreement with unions to ensure actors and writers are fairly compensated? How does a lack of data transparency from streamers and studios influence residual structures and the development of future projects? Why are non-union creators and influencers standing in solidarity with the unions – and what is their role in the evolving digital ecosystem?

How did Barbie and Oppenheimer become a highly anticipated double feature audiences have named Barbenheimer?

This week, Josh and Jamie explore the history behind one of the summer's most anticipated box office weekends. How did a falling out between Christopher Nolan and WBD lead to this weekend's double feature? How have studios done an effective job allowing audiences to be creative and have fun with the film releases – and why shouldn't studios use this weekend as a blueprint?

Meta’s primary Twitter competitor Threads earned more than 100 million downloads in its first five days - but what are the three key components required for the platform’s long-term success?

How can we be critical of fear-based AI hype cycles? OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently made headlines when he issued a 22-word statement warning of extinction due to the threats posed by AI - but what is Altman referring to, and what did he omit from his argument?

What does it mean to be a rebel in a digital age? PEN Award-winning author Mitch Horowitz provides us with three strategies to move forward. Recorded live at Digital Void's Meme in the Moment Festival in New York City on Wednesday, October 26, 2022.

Rolling Stone internet culture reporter CT Jones discusses how Bad Cinderella became an ironic trend for audiences. How did the show’s development and debut on London’s West End hurt the Andrew Lloyd Weber production? What does cringe mean in the context of trends and why does it drive discourse? How can we differentiate between genuine enthusiasm and ironic enthusiasm from fans on social media?

Zine writer Matt Klein discusses his first-ever printed edition: Audience Capture. Klein explains the social theory behind the phenomenon, what happens to creators and audiences when audience capture is taken to its extreme, and how creators can resist becoming stuck. Klein’s insights help to empower creators and audiences to create a healthier landscape between creators and audiences. the struggles black creators encounter on the platform?

TIME staff writer Moises Mendez II explains how TikTok creator Jordyn Williams is fighting for credit after her #NoLove dance went viral. How is Williams’ struggle symptomatic of the struggles black creators encounter on the platform?

TIME staff writer Moises Mendez II explains how TikTok creator Jordyn Williams is fighting for credit after her #NoLove dance went viral. How is Williams’ struggle symptomatic of the struggles black creators encounter on the platform?