Ready for a clear-eyed look at AI that doesn’t lean on buzzwords or doom? We’re joined by digital anthropologist Giles Crouch to unpack how these systems really work, what they cost in the physical world, and why culture—not code—ultimately decides which technologies endure. We trace the supply chain from rare earths and chip bottlenecks to the low-frequency hums of data centres built near homes, and we talk about the policy vacuum that leaves Canadians exposed while the EU clamps down and the US lets courts test the boundaries.
Giles shares a personal account of a sophisticated hack that cut across social, email, and banking to show why cyber insurance and basic operational hygiene matter for everyone, from carpenters to consultants. We dig into parasocial relationships, AI “hallucinations,” and engagement-optimised design that mirrors our desires back at us. If you’ve ever wondered why LLMs feel insightful yet still make confident mistakes on complex tasks, this is your translation layer—stochastic parrots, not synthetic thinkers.
There’s good news, too. We explore cognitive scaffolding—how tools can jumpstart drafts, help ADHD brains beat task paralysis, and still preserve a human voice. We make the case for a return to the humanities alongside data literacy, arguing that print may be primed for a revival as a trusted, memorable record in a world of deepfakes. And we name the economic shift hiding in plain sight: technofeudalism, where subscriptions replace ownership and DRM can erase your purchased library with a policy change.
You’ll leave with practical takeaways on digital safety, a fresh lens on AI’s limits and uses, and a bigger story about how culture tames technology. If that resonates, follow Giles at gilescrouch.substack.com, share this with a friend who’s unsure about AI, and subscribe so you never miss a conversation that respects your intelligence. What part challenged your assumptions most?
Find Giles: gilescrouch.substack.com and gilescrouch.com
Find The Afternoon Pint on Youtube Facebook Instagram & TikTok
Buy merch, get out newsletter, or book some of Afternoon Pints Media Talent on our website: www.afternoonpint.ca
#afternoonpint #entrepreneur #popculture #authors #actors #politics #money #music #popular #movies #canadalife #madeincanada
Your follows likes and subscribes help support Canadian Made Media. Please drop us a line and let us know if you are enjoying the show.
