logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2020
1h 12m

From the Vault: The Great Basilisk

iHeartPodcasts
About this episode

Behold the Great Basilisk, the crowned monster whose mere glance can kill a mortal and reduce wilderness to desert ash. Medieval bestiaries attest to its might, but today some futurists dread its name as an all-powerful malicious artificial intelligence. Will it imprison all those who oppose it within a digital prison of eternal torment? In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert Lamb and Joe McCormick consider the horror of Roko’s Basilisk. (Originally published 10/9/2018)

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Up next
Yesterday
Weirdhouse Cinema: The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms
In this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss 1953’s “The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms,” a pivotal entry in the history of giant monster movies directed by Eugène Lourié and with effects by the legendary Ray Harryhausen. It stars Paul Hibschmid, Paula Raymond and Cecil K ... Show More
1h 23m
Jul 30
The Shocking Vastness of Prairie , Part 1
In this series from Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the vast North American grasslands of which poet William Cullen Bryant wrote, “These are the gardens of the desert, these the unshorn fields, boundless and beautiful, for which the speech of England has no name — ... Show More
1h 11m
Jul 29
Smart Talks with IBM: Trust Needs Proof: Who Really Controls Your AI?
As AI adoption accelerates and global regulations evolve, digital sovereignty has shifted from policy concept to board-level priority. In this episode of Smart Talks with IBM, Malcolm Gladwell sits down live at VivaTech with IBM’s Ana Paula Assis and AXA CIO Giovanni D’Aniello to ... Show More
44m 2s
Recommended Episodes
Apr 2021
Cupid and the Reaper: Family and Friends | S2 E9
Mondo and Marcus confront an ancient evil along with a dangerous Mother Nature. For more great shows, visit GZMshows.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices 
23m 22s
Aug 2019
Fant(ass)y Creatures
Join us today as we talk about the history and stories behind mythological creatures, and find out that they have real-life animal counterparts who are just as magical. With special guest Alex Shifman.FOOTNOTES:1. Bombardier Beetles2. Warsaw Basilisk3. Basilisk lizard running on ... Show More
1h 14m
Sep 2025
The Megalodon
For as long as humans have sailed the seas, they have feared the deadly predators lurking just beneath the waves. But what if the most terrifying monster wasn’t a known species, but an ancient ghost of impossible size, a creature science says has been extinct for millions of year ... Show More
27m 52s
Jan 2022
62 - Pedro Lopez: Monster of the Andes
A real monster. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices 
1h 15m
May 2024
The Monsters by Robert Sheckley
Cordovir and Hum encounter a mysterious metallic object balancing on fire! As they debate its origins, a chilling realization sets in: what lurks inside could challenge everything they know about morality and truth. The Monsters by Robert Sheckley, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi ... Show More
28 m
Dec 2022
Tooth and Claw: Komodo dragon
With nicknames like ‘prehistoric monster’ and ‘living dinosaur’, the Komodo dragon has been well and truly judged by its cover. Its gigantic size, razor sharp teeth and deadly attacking power has earned it a vicious reputation. But beneath the scales of this solitary beast are fa ... Show More
27m 34s
Aug 2024
Listener Mail: The Most Dangerous Animal, Secret ESP Countermeasures, Spies and Psychics
Arborious prompts a conversation about ESP and the nature of intuition. Joe calls in to ask whether state-level actors have countermeasures against psychic abilities -- which will be a future episode. Ben brings one of his current obsessions to the air: What is the most dangerous ... Show More
49m 12s
Mar 2025
Good Robot #1: The magic intelligence in the sky
Before AI became a mainstream obsession, one thinker sounded the alarm about its catastrophic potential. So why are so many billionaires and tech leaders worried about… paper clips? This is the first episode of our new four-part series about the stories shaping the future of AI. ... Show More
49m 41s