Shows
TAGQ (That's A Good Question)Forest SwingingBen and Scott explore profound life lessons through everyday experiences, from psychedelic insights at the beach to emergency medical situations in the backcountry.• Ben shares the story of an octopus sticker creatively placed on his laptop• Discussion of how people perceive and interact with psychedelics in different settings• Ben recounts a transformative psilocybin experience while backpacking on the Olympic coast• Detailed story of severely cutting his knee while searching for his girlfriend's phone• Ben describes passing out and the disorienting experience of regaining consciousness• Getting stitches and reflecting on the irony of learning to...2025-07-2140 min
TAGQ (That's A Good Question)Corvid WarningWe explore the peculiar phenomenon of Wi-Fi storms, territorial crow attacks, and the age-old battle against household ant invasions in this wide-ranging conversation about nature's intrusions into daily life.• Discussing the concept of "Wi-Fi storms" where multiple networks experience issues simultaneously• Ben recounts being repeatedly attacked by the same territorial crow while walking through Seattle• Exploring how animals develop unique "idiosyncratic" mating and territorial behaviors• Analyzing a suspicious door-to-door pest control sales pitch and more environmentally friendly alternatives• Reflecting on the contrast between open demonstrators and masked individuals at a peaceful protest• Considering...2025-07-0441 min
TAGQ (That's A Good Question)The Old New CabinFrom AI joke failures to family cabin memories, we traverse the landscape of modern technology while exploring the deeply human experiences that technology can never fully replicate.• AI struggles with humor and poetry despite its impressive language capabilities• The "Waymo sandwich" phenomenon reveals the limitations of self-driving cars in complex social situations• Driving styles across different regions reflect cultural adaptations and collaborative social behavior• The family cabin purchased in 1949/1950 represents generational connections and simpler pleasures• A thermostat malfunction that turned the cabin into a 140-degree sauna created both damage and perfectly toasted marshmallows• Larg...2025-06-1840 min
TAGQ (That's A Good Question)Scuba ClimbingThe hosts explore personal growth through physical challenges and reflect on how our true selves emerge in moments of pressure or difficulty. This thoughtful conversation weaves between childhood memories, adventure stories, and philosophical musings about identity and risk-taking.• Discussing the tendency to resist pain medication and whether suffering has value• Reflecting on being labeled a "sad clown" and how our personas evolve over time• Comparing safety cultures between rock climbers and skateboarders• Rock climbing as therapy - revealing character when faced with physical challenges• Sharing a scuba diving adventure at the Great Barrier Reef, incl...2025-05-2738 min
TAGQ (That's A Good Question)Natural Intelligence is GreenerFather and son share a meandering morning conversation over coffee, covering everything from technology limitations and AI energy consumption to cancel culture and Prince's legacy. Their caffeine-fueled discussion weaves through serious topics with humor and philosophical insight, challenging conventional wisdom about pain, learning, and human connection.• The inherent problems with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth stem from engineering disciplines bootstrapped during centralized control systems• ChatGPT and other AI systems consume enormous amounts of energy compared to human cognition• Finding reliable news sources becomes increasingly difficult as publications move behind paywalls• Bill Burr's evolution demonstrates how people can grow...2025-05-1239 min
TAGQ (That's A Good Question)Noises To MoisesWe explore the revolutionary capabilities of Moises music splitting technology and reflect on how childhood entertainment shapes our adult values and dreams.• neural-net music tools allow musicians to split songs into separate tracks for remixing and practice• Musicians can now transform simple iPhone recordings into balanced, professional-sounding mixes• Being a member of multiple bands creates unique social dynamics in local music communities• Seasonal availability of oranges reflects changes in global food distribution over generations• Entertainment like Disney and Avatar deeply influences our values and psychological development• Uncle Iroh from Avatar represents a rare positiv...2025-04-2439 min
TAGQ (That's A Good Question)Corporate RockMusic and creativity aren't just for professionals, but we've been conditioned to "cringe" at amateur performances due to corporate entertainment propaganda. This father-son conversation explores how buried cultural programming restricts our authentic expression and the healing process of breaking free from these limitations.• Unexpected technology moments create bridges between generations, from Photo Booth memories to accidental Zoom close-ups• Photo Booth sessions helped transform siblings from "enemies to best friends" through shared creative expression• SNL's 50th anniversary special revealed the humanity of aging musical legends struggling to warm up their voices• Cultural programming teaches us to repre...2025-03-2239 min
TAGQ (That's A Good Question)Segmented QuestionsA rambling, free-flowing conversation explores everything from abandoned home projects to plant biology, Wikipedia games to music history, all connected through tangential thought patterns and nostalgic reflections.• Wall of suspended dreams - discussing postponed ambitions and unused possessions• The surprising ecosystem of backyard goldfish ponds, including one resilient fish with an unusual growth• Plant biology lesson on "stolons" - how strawberries colonize territory through runners• Playing the Wikipedia game - racing from metamorphic rock to the Boston Tea Party• The unexpected origin story of "Wagon Wheel" - Bob Dylan wrote only the chorus• Refl...2025-03-0939 min
TAGQ (That's A Good Question)Snoqualmie FallingThis episode reveals unexpected connections between concealed talents, consumer curiosities, and profound artistic insights, all while celebrating the adventures of life. Our conversation shifts from electric drums and budget mushroom powders to reflecting on the invaluable impact of David Lynch’s creativity and sharing exhilarating stories from a duck hunting trip.• Exploring the unique journey of an electric drum set • Unpacking the mystery behind cheap mushroom powders • Engaging in thoughtful Reddit discussions on product integrity • Reflecting on the life and artistry of David Lynch • Sharing thrilling experiences and lessons learned from duck hunting • Considerati...2025-02-2139 min
TAGQ (That's A Good Question)On The RoadThis episode features a lively conversation on the spontaneous joys of a road trip through Oregon, exploring memories from college, agriculture in the Willamette Valley, and oddities of life that spark joy and reflection. Join us as we contemplate the meaning of experiences and the unexpected moments that define our travels. • Reflecting on college memories and youthful misadventures • Exploring the significance of the Willamette Valley’s agriculture • Discussing the allure of watching travel videos versus real-life experiences • Sharing anecdotes about encounters with performance art and creativity • Engaging in light, humorous debates about everyday topics like car color2025-02-0243 min
TAGQ (That's A Good Question)Smoking Pork SauceEver had a guitar that stole the show during a recording session? Let us take you on a humorous journey as we face down technical gremlins, risk legal drama with Paramount Pictures, and introduce our delightful new "music box" guitar to the mix. From echo cancellations to the suspense of a computer on its last battery legs during a Zoom call, our latest episode captures the chaos and charm of podcasting from our newly revamped space. Get ready for a vivid—and slightly chaotic—description of our setup that might just have you eyeing your own recording environment with a bi...2025-01-2037 min
AI Safety FundamentalsMeasuring Progress on Scalable Oversight for Large Language ModelsAbstract: Developing safe and useful general-purpose AI systems will require us to make progress on scalable oversight: the problem of supervising systems that potentially outperform us on most skills relevant to the task at hand. Empirical work on this problem is not straightforward, since we do not yet have systems that broadly exceed our abilities. This paper discusses one of the major ways we think about this problem, with a focus on ways it can be studied empirically. We first present an experimental design centered on tasks for which human specialists succeed but unaided humans a...2025-01-0409 minAI Safety FundamentalsMeasuring Progress on Scalable Oversight for Large Language ModelsAbstract: Developing safe and useful general-purpose AI systems will require us to make progress on scalable oversight: the problem of supervising systems that potentially outperform us on most skills relevant to the task at hand. Empirical work on this problem is not straightforward, since we do not yet have systems that broadly exceed our abilities. This paper discusses one of the major ways we think about this problem, with a focus on ways it can be studied empirically. We first present an experimental design centered on tasks for which human specialists succeed but unaided humans a...2025-01-0409 min
TAGQ (That's A Good Question)Enough With The AIThis episode dives into the science behind wind and weather, exploring how air pressure dynamics affect our everyday experiences, transitioning into personal stories about acclimating to colder seasons. Listeners will also learn about cloud seeding, the role of AI in education, and how social media shapes our understanding of current events. • Examining wind and its origins through air pressure dynamics • Discussing personal acclimation to seasonal changes • Exploring cloud seeding’s impacts and common misconceptions • Analyzing the influence of AI tools on learning and education • Discussing information acquisition via social media and its implicationsSend us a text2024-12-3137 min
TAGQ (That's A Good Question)Flying Spaghetti MonsterRemember those clever classroom systems we all encountered as kids? From point systems to mini-economies, our early education was full of inventive ways that taught us about value and justice. In this episode, we reminisce about those nostalgic school days, drawing parallels to the serialized storytelling of Charles Dickens. Just like a Dickens novel, our educational experiences unfolded over time, leaving us with lasting impressions. Join us as we explore how these quirky yet effective teaching methods shaped our understanding of complex systems and left a mark on our perception of fairness.Have you ever wondered why...2024-12-1637 min
TAGQ (That's A Good Question)Mushroom Mysteries and Moving ThrillsNow a flashback episode from earlier in the fall. Have you ever wondered why some superfoods are shockingly affordable? Join us as we unravel the mysteries of a company selling superfood mushroom powders at Grocery Outlet for prices that make us question the entire supply chain. Our conversation kicks off with a "hilarious" take on the ever-present Zoom notification, sparking a chat about privacy and etiquette in virtual meetings. Then, we shift into high gear with tales of quirky packing habits and the fascinating realm of citizen journalism. As we speculate wildly, laughter ensues with theories about hidden ingredients a...2024-11-2433 min
TAGQ (That's A Good Question)Slam Dance SurpriseWhat happens when you move to a new city and find yourself interrupted by a playful cat and a housemate during a podcast recording? Our latest episode of "That's a Good Question" brings you to Seattle, where we've set up a new base and are excited to share some personal updates. Moving south brought a mix of nostalgia and change, as we reminisce about past summers and Starbucks visits. Ever been caught off guard at a concert or dance circle? We dive into stories of cultural surprises and the wild world of personal expression in social settings. F...2024-11-0336 min
TAGQ (That's A Good Question)Car Trip MusicWhat happens when the sky lights up with electricity and the ground starts to smoke? Join us as we tackle the ominous relationship between lightning storms and forest fires, focusing on a recent tempest in Eugene that had everyone on edge. Reflecting on past fire seasons in California, we share personal stories that paint a haunting picture of life under smoke-choked skies and eerie daylight. We wrestle with the big questions, like how much we understand about the forces of nature, and indulge in a little nostalgia, recalling the catchy Comedy Central Presents jingle from the mid-2000s.2024-10-1238 min
TAGQ (That's A Good Question)Water TrapsWhat truly defines an island and why do we label some places as separate entities while others blend seamlessly? This episode starts with a curious exploration of geographic labels, pondering the arbitrary separations that mark our maps and our minds. Our musings then shift to personal growth, sharing the invigorating and sometimes uncomfortable practice of cold showers as a metaphor for embracing life’s unwanted challenges. Nostalgia floods in as we reminisce about the warm summer waters of the Midwest and the simple joy of lake adventures, from jumping off pontoons to navigating stormy waves.Moving from ge...2024-10-0638 min
TAGQ (That's A Good Question)Perma-Counter-CultureWhat happens when a banana meets a walnut in a plastic bag? Join us as we talk about the unplanned culinary experiment that resulted in banana-flavored walnuts, the surprising permeability of plastic bags, planning a shroom trip, and a hilarious mishap involving banana splits. Along the way, we dive into the quirky world of permaculture, comparing it with biodynamics, and share some classic miscommunications that will leave you chuckling.What makes a great teacher? We explore the dynamic and reciprocal relationship between students and educators, highlighting how curiosity and open-mindedness can turn the learning process into a two...2024-09-2139 min
TAGQ (That's A Good Question)Grandma's LettersJoin us in Minneapolis for a special live recording of "That's a Good Question" with our delightful guest, my grandmother, Clara Korb. We kick off with the logistics of my flight and a funny story about a game download gone awry. Grandma Clare brings her unique perspective on Midwest living, the quirks of hay fever, and precious family memories. We even chat about how foods like hummus impact our health and the value of community support for our elders.Next, we ponder the fascinating idea that humans might experience up to 27 different senses. From proprioception to the...2024-08-1843 min
TAGQ (That's A Good Question)Father's Day JazzEver wondered if you've become just like your father or how our parents shape who we are? Join us in a fun-filled episode that kicks off with a playful nod to the "recording in progress" lady as we reminisce about our YouTube promotional videos and the hilarious ways our family members discovered them. We share heartwarming reflections on Father's Day, ponder whether we've turned into our fathers, and celebrate the unique blend of influences from both parents. Along the way, we dive into our musical adventures, recounting the joys and challenges of playing instruments like guitar, bass, and drums...2024-07-3138 min
TAGQ (That's A Good Question)Bear vs. The WormHave you ever wondered how a simple idea blossoms into a full-fledged song? In today's episode, we share the enchanting journey of musical creativity, filled with personal stories and unexpected sparks of inspiration. We'll talk about the magical moment when a fleeting idea takes root and the joy of capturing it with tabbing tools. From the intuitive control we wield over our instruments to the delightful process of layering sounds, you'll get an inside look at the heart of songwriting and composition. Plus, hear our thoughts on how AI could revolutionize the creation of promotional video clips for our...2024-06-3039 min
TAGQ (That's A Good Question)Time Warp AgainJoin us as we recount memorable adventures. Our journey will take you deep into the early history of California, examining the impact of European arrivals and the gold rush on local populations and resources, setting the stage for the birth of the global mining industry.What are the chances that you were even born? We ponder the mind-boggling one in 400 trillion odds, tracing the lineage of successful reproduction that brought us here. Our discussion will stretch your imagination with insights inspired by Ursula Le Guin, examining alternative societies through an anarchist lens. We'll challenge your understanding of ti...2024-06-1641 min
TAGQ (That's A Good Question)The Lost EpisodeHave you ever wondered how high school popularity shapes our adult selves? Join us as we recount our awe-inspiring, and sometimes intimidating, interactions with the homecoming king whose charisma and thrill-seeking nature left a lasting impression. Fast forward to college, we had an unexpected encounter that transformed our perspective, revealing mutual respect and an unexpected recognition of our career paths. This episode is a heartfelt exploration of the evolution of our desires for social acceptance and how authenticity and self-acceptance become central themes in adulthood.And what's a late-night chat without some comfort talk? We dive into...2024-06-0834 min
TAGQ (That's A Good Question)Love is the Best QuestionWhy rely on AI for podcast transcripts? Join us as we humorously grapple with this very question, beginning with our comical hunt for the ever-elusive Zoom link. Once we’ve conquered that hurdle, we bring you into our cozy conversation from rainy Whidbey Island, where Cinco de Mayo festivities are in full swing. We’re excited to introduce AI-generated transcripts to our episodes, but not without weighing the benefits and drawbacks of this technological leap. What starts as a playful debate about the color of a jacket morphs into a fascinating exploration of semantics, communication, and the evolution of lang...2024-06-0240 min
TAGQ (That's A Good Question)Scooby Doo IslandEver wrestled with the heartache of parting ways with a cherished piece of technology? We've all been there, and in this playful debate, we tackle the timeless conundrum of whether to breathe new life into an old computer or embrace the shiny allure of the latest gadgets. Join us as we wade through the sentimental swamp of tech obsolescence, the adventure of seeking third-party repairs, and the warm embrace of nostalgia for the devices we've grown to love. And for a twist, we'll take you on a Scooby-Doo escapade with a ferry captain mystery that's sure to tickle your...2024-05-1838 min