In Episode 36 of Rabbit Hole of Research, hosts Joe, Nick, and Georgia welcome novelist Kurt Baumeister to discuss his book Twilight of the Gods—a postmodern, satirical take on Norse mythology that reimagines Loki as a neutral, even heroic, figure navigating a fractured modern world. Together, they dive deep into Loki as a mythic archetype and chaos agent across mythology, pop culture, and political allegory. The conversation expands into AI as a digital trickster, the psychology of narrative glitching, satire as resistance, and how figures like Rod Serling, Q, The Doctor, and even Deadpool carry Loki’s disruptive energy. Expect a lively fusion of mythology, literary theory, science, and pop culture chaos—exactly what you’d expect from a trickster-centered episode.
Visit Kurt Baumeister at:
Website (https://kurtbaumeister.com)
Check out his book: Twilight of the Gods
It’s Science for Weirdos
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We want to Hear From You (leave a comment):
Do you see Loki as a hero, villain, or something in between—and why?
Have you encountered a “Loki” in modern media who really nails the trickster archetype?
What do you think: is AI becoming a modern digital trickster—or just glitching out?
Which Loki variant (myth, MCU, literary, or otherwise) resonates most with you?
Stay curious, stay speculative, stay safe, and we’ll catch you in the next rabbit hole. Love Y'all!
Show Notes & Fun facts in
Kurt Baumeister’s Loki is inspired by satire and metafiction—not Marvel—positioning Loki as the only ethical god in a fractured pantheon.
The episode draws parallels between AI hallucinations and Loki’s mischief—both disrupt order with unpredictable consequences.
Rod Serling of Twilight Zone fame is framed as a “Loki figure”—breaking narrative rules, testing humanity, and orchestrating moral chaos.
Loki’s mythology evolved alongside Christianity, shifting from helpful trickster to Satanic villain in the late Norse tradition.
Chaos theory, quantum timelines, and emergent systems are used to interpret Loki’s role in both myth and technology.
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