How AI is polluting our culture

FromOn Point | Podcast

Start listening View podcast show

How AI is polluting our culture

FromOn Point | Podcast

ratings:

Length:

48 minutes

Released:

May 21, 2024

Format:

Podcast episode

Description

Our online feeds are already full of artificially-generated sludge. It’s tainting our discourse, our culture and the quality of information. One neuroscientist argues all of this AI junk threatens our very humanity.

Released:

May 21, 2024

Format:

Podcast episode

Titles in the series (63)

Go behind the headlines: From the economy and health care to politics and the environment – and so much more – On Point hosts Meghna Chakrabarti and David Folkenflik speak with newsmakers and real people about the issues that matter most. On Point is produced by WBUR for NPR.

Skip carousel

Should the U.S. ban menthol cigarettes?: More than 80% of Black smokers smoke menthol cigarettes. The FDA is now pushing to ban the products, saying it will prevent death and disease. by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen
Underground addiction care in Mexico — and its spread to the U.S.: Across Mexico, thousands of illegal rehab centers treat patients with drug addiction, often holding them against their will. Now, these "anexos" -- informal, underground treatment facilities -- are here in the United States. by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen
The Jackpod: How to steal an election: On Point news analyst Jack Beatty tells Meghna what he expects to see outside and inside polling stations in November 2024 by On Point | Podcast
29 min listen
How to become a 'supercommunicator': As humans, we have conversations all the time. But research shows we actually aren’t very good at communicating. Journalist Charles Duhigg shows us not only how to become a communicator -- but a 'supercommunicator.' by On Point | Podcast
48 min listen
China’s divided memory of the Cultural Revolution: "3 Body Problem," a Netflix adaptation of the Chinese sci-fi novel by the same name, is causing controversy in China for its depiction of the Cultural Revolution. How do the Chinese people see this crucial period of their history? by On Point | Podcast
48 min listen
Democrats consider changing course on Israel support: President Biden told Israel the humanitarian situation in Gaza is unacceptable and an immediate ceasefire is essential. Meanwhile, U.S. weaponry continues to flow to Israel. Could Biden back up his tough talk and curtail military aid? by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen
The Jackpod: How it looks to a Republican: On Point news analyst Jack Beatty reviews the evidence that former President Donald Trump’s multiple criminal prosecutions are politically motivated. by On Point | Podcast
33 min listen
The high cost of the youth sports arms race: Youth sports are supposed to be about fun and team spirit. But now, kids are training year-round and joining expensive travel leagues earlier. It’s costing families, and kids too. by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen
How former Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer 'reads the constitution': Textualism, which sees a legal system's original structure as immortal, is the dominating philosophy on the court today. But retired Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer argues pragmatism, which considers consequences of legal decisions, is the better mindset. by On Point | Podcast
48 min listen
A roadmap to better health for women: Physician Dr. Sharon Malone is on a mission to help women better manage their health in the American health care system. Her No. 1 tip from her book 'Grown Woman Talk' -- Be your best advocate. by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen
How the 2024 U.S. presidential election could be stolen: There are several perfectly legal ways to steal a U.S. presidential election, according to election law expert Lawrence Lessig. Lessig says the U.S.’s election and legal systems are vulnerable – and need immediate correction. by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen
The Jackpod: The company they keep: On Point new analyst Jack Beatty argues that Democrats are losing touch with working class voters. What could they do to change that? by On Point | Podcast
28 min listen
Your data, the U.S. government and the 'new American surveillance state': Your exact location, what apps you use, the last thing you bought online. Your data is for sale – and the U.S. government is buying it. by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen
The ethical dilemma of involuntary mental health treatment: Several states have changed policy in recent years to make involuntary commitment easier for people with severe mental illnesses. But forced treatment still raises civil rights questions, with some saying it can harm patients. by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen
The story behind 2022's secret Ukraine-Russia peace negotiations: The Russia-Ukraine war has lasted over two years. But just weeks after Russia's 2022 invasion, both sides came close to a settlement that could have ended the war and saved thousands of lives. What happened? by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen
How to move from languishing to flourishing: Languishing. That feeling of a lack of motivation or direction. Most people feel a sense of languishing at some point in their lives. So how do we move from languishing to flourishing? Sociologist Corey Keyes has spent his career trying to find the answer. by On Point | Podcast
48 min listen
Battleground: How the outcome of the Ohio Senate race affects us all: The 2024 Ohio senate contest could determine the balance of power in of the U.S. senate. What’s at stake in Ohio? by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen
Rebroadcast: The little-known virus behind a majority of nongenetic birth defects: One virus causes more birth defects in American babies than any other nongenetic disease – but most don’t know it exists. We hear a mother’s journey to understand her daughter’s diagnosis of congenital CMV. by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen
Palestinian civilians on their daily fight for survival: Some Palestinians have been able to flee Gaza. But millions are still there as the Israeli military moves on Rafah, and there’s still no agreement to pause the war. by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen
The Jackpod: The haunting relevance of D-Day: On Point news analyst Jack Beatty recalls a 1984 speech by President Reagan outlining the importance of allies and collective security. by On Point | Podcast
32 min listen
Glenn Loury's 'confessions of a Black conservative': Glenn Loury is a renowned Black economist and conservative social critic. In his new memoir, he details his struggles, from adultery to addiction, all while a professor at Harvard. by On Point | Podcast
48 min listen
India’s high-stakes election: Elections in the world’s largest democracy are underway. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s power is ascendant. But, like in other global democracies, so are concerns about religious nationalism and democratic decline. by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen
Author Amy Tan's 'backyard bird chronicles': Celebrated author Amy Tan doesn’t just write best-selling novels. She’s a passionate birder, too. Her new book on birding describes the wonder she sees looking out her window. by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen
Roundtable: What do ordinary Israelis want from their leaders?: More than six months since the Hamas attack on Israel, dozens of Israelis are still held hostage, over 30,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, and there’s no peace in sight. Israelis on the future of Israel. by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen
'A most tolerant little town': The forgotten story of desegregation in Clinton, Tennessee: Rebroadcast: In 1956, a federal judge ordered the town of Clinton, Tennessee to desegregate its high school. The unrest that followed tore the town apart. by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen
How Dallas tackled violent crime: The city of Dallas reduced its overall violent crime by 30% compared to this time last year. Its mayor and police chief credit the so-called “hot spot policing.” by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen
Is the U.S. a democracy?: For decades some conservative scholars and politicians have asserted the United States is a constitutional republic, not a democracy. So which one is it? by On Point | Podcast
48 min listen
The unregulated boom in the 'buy now, pay later' market: 'Buy now, pay later' loans for just about everything are growing. But there’s barely any data or regulation on this emerging market. Are consumers being helped or hurt by this new lending option? by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen
The Jackpod: The red hat: On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on the power of the MAGA red hat to forge an identity and spread a political message around the world. by On Point | Podcast
29 min listen
'The evidence was disappointingly poor': The full interview with Dr. Hilary Cass: In March, Britain’s National Health Service announced it will no longer routinely prescribe puberty blockers to gender questioning young people under the age of 18. In her first U.S. broadcast interview, pediatrician Dr. Hilary Cass explains the NHS's new approach to gender-affirming care. by On Point | Podcast
58 min listen

More Episodes from On Point | Podcast

Skip carousel

George Stephanopoulos takes us inside the White House Situation Room: George Stephanopoulos, host of ABC’s “This Week,” and co-host of “Good Morning America," speaks with Meghna Chakrabarti live at WBUR's CitySpace about his new book “The Situation Room: The Inside Story of Presidents In Crisis." Plus, what he's learned from interviewing Donald Trump. by On Point | Podcast
29 min listen
Rebroadcast: Why the past 75 years of human history have been 'an anomaly': With two wars raging and dynastic power on the rise around the world, the post-1945 world order feels like it’s being tested like never before. One British historian says it's more like a return to normality. by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen
The Jackpod: A prince of our disorder: On Point news analyst Jack Beatty has been reading "The Age of Grievance" by New York Times columnist Frank Bruni. He outlines the ubiquity of grievance in the U.S., and how Donald Trump has captured this to his advantage. by On Point | Podcast
37 min listen
How Black Chicago has shaped American pop culture: From "Soul Train" and the "Oprah Winfrey Show" to the blues and Afro Sheen, for decades, Black Chicagoans have shaped culture in the U.S. and across the world. by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen
What science tells us about why we dream: Humans have long been fascinated by of dreams, but what has science learned about them? Neuroscientist Dr. Rahul Jandial says dreams benefit us -- from helping regulate emotions, to processing trauma. by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen
Why the U.S. needs a reckoning on lockdowns before the next pandemic: The COVID pandemic lockdowns. It was an approach endorsed by many public health experts. But could there have been a better way? by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen
What happened to Etsy?: Etsy used to be the place to shop for quirky, handmade items from independent crafters all over the world. Now, it’s flooded with mass-produced products. What happened to Etsy? by On Point | Podcast
48 min listen
The Jackpod: NBC poll -- Biden leads Trump 70 to 21: On Point news analyst Jack Beatty looks into a correlation between news awareness and political leanings, and how that has inspired a controversial theory about democratic citizenship. by On Point | Podcast
41 min listen
The rise of laser warfare: In April, the U.S. military deployed a pair of high energy lasers to combat enemy drones. Now that the once-imagined weaponry of science fiction is reality, how will it impact the future of warfare? by On Point | Podcast
46 min listen
Inside China's citizen spy network: In China, Big Brother is most definitely watching. Estimates show up to 16 million Chinese citizens -- from university students to taxi drivers -- are political informants for the government. by On Point | Podcast
48 min listen
'We are underreacting to how serious this moment is': Many Republicans in Congress are dodging the question of whether they’ll accept this year’s election results. What’s at stake in 2024 if only one party will accept defeat? by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen
How women became America's safety net: Other countries have social safety nets. The U.S. has women. In the new book "Holding it Together: How Women Became America's Safety Net," sociologist Jessica Calarco says it’s time that changed. by On Point | Podcast
48 min listen
The power of solitude: Being alone often gets a bad rap. But research shows alone time can actually boost overall well-being, increasing our emotional regulation, contentment and creativity. by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen
How Democrats can win back the working-class: Democrats are losing working-class voters at an alarming rate, despite the popularity of President Biden’s policies. A roundtable of working-class voters share what Democrats can do to win them back. by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen
The Jackpod: Stop it now, Joe: On Point news analyst Jack Beatty lays out the ways that President Biden’s Gaza policy has been, what New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof calls, “a moral, practical and political failure.” by On Point | Podcast
39 min listen
Big changes and big problems at the U.S. Postal Service: Missing packages. Undelivered letters. If you've been having problems with your mail lately, you're not alone. The USPS is rolling out big changes across the country, from Richmond, Virginia to Santa Clara, California. by On Point | Podcast
48 min listen
A post-mortem on Oregon’s drug decriminalization efforts: Oregon made history in 2020 when it became the first state in the nation to decriminalize small amounts of hard drugs like cocaine, heroin and meth. But last month – the state repealed it. What happened? by On Point | Podcast
48 min listen
Why the ancient philosophy of stoicism is having a modern revival: The Greco-Roman philosophy of stoicism is having a moment. Through wisdom, temperance, courage and justice you can create a virtuous, well-lived life. But have modern day stoics got it right? by On Point | Podcast
48 min listen
Rebroadcast: U.S. military barracks are in shambles. Will the government take action?: A recent report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office reveals poor living conditions inside military barracks – from mold and exposed sewage, to broken windows, nonexistent HVAC systems and more. by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen
The Jackpod: Question time: With the first presidential debate less than six weeks away, On Point news analyst Jack Beatty explores some approaches to interviewing a candidate like Donald Trump. by On Point | Podcast
37 min listen
Puerto Rico's big political shakeup: Puerto Rico is in the middle of a major gubernatorial race. As a new political party appeals to younger voters -- who've only experienced years of corruption, poverty and financial crisis -- who wins could have a big effect on the territory. by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen
The splintering of the United Methodist Church: Once the second largest protestant denomination in America, the United Methodist Church lost about a quarter of its members over issues of sexuality. Now, the church is overturning its prohibition on LGBTQ clergy and same-sex marriage. by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen
Glenn Loury's 'confessions of a Black conservative': Glenn Loury is a renowned Black economist and conservative social critic. In his new memoir, he details his struggles, from adultery to addiction, all while a professor at Harvard. by On Point | Podcast
48 min listen
How artificial intelligence can help American workers: Labor economist David Autor’s research shows how historically, technological advances hurt the incomes of middle- and working-class Americans. But when it comes to AI, Autor says the exact opposite could happen. by On Point | Podcast
48 min listen
Breaking down the beef between Drake and Kendrick Lamar: Two of rap’s biggest stars are feuding. Drake and Kendrick Lamar have been lobbing diss tracks back and forth for weeks. What does this say about modern hip-hop culture? by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen
The Jackpod: The invisible new deal: On Point news analyst Jack Beatty looks into why President Biden’s initiatives to boost the economy, with legislation such as the American Rescue Plan and the Inflation Reduction Act, are not recognized by many voters. by On Point | Podcast
29 min listen
Abortion, border control, a test of Trumpism: Inside the Arizona Senate race: A lot is at stake in Arizona’s senate race. It could determine control of the Senate -- and the outcome of the presidential election. by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen
Does the U.S. need new nuclear weapons?: The U.S. is building new nuclear weapons, including a massive missile called the Sentinel. They're up to 20 times more powerful than the bomb dropped on Hiroshima. by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen
What neuroscience tells us about spiritual experiences: What happens in the brain when you pray or meditate? Neurotheology explores the connection between our synapses and spiritual revelations. by On Point | Podcast
48 min listen
Can Caitlin Clark mark a turning point for the WNBA?: The NCAA’s all-time scoring leader Caitlin Clark begins her WNBA career on Tuesday. Caitlin Clark helped elevate the game of basketball to new heights at the college level. What impact will she have in the pros? by On Point | Podcast
47 min listen

Related podcast episodes

Skip carousel

Stefan Lorenz Sorgner, "We Have Always Been Cyborgs: Digital Data, Gene Technologies, and an Ethics of Transhumanism" (Bristol UP, 2023): An interview with Stefan Lorenz Sorgner by New Books in Science, Technology, and Society
45 min listen
Stefan Lorenz Sorgner, "We Have Always Been Cyborgs: Digital Data, Gene Technologies, and an Ethics of Transhumanism" (Bristol UP, 2023): An interview with Stefan Lorenz Sorgner by New Books in Anthropology
45 min listen
How Clean is Too Clean?: Why does science fiction often depict a (literally) sanitized future? How has the need for clean environments evolved with science and technology? Is it dangerous to be TOO clean? by Fw:Thinking
37 min listen
AI Unearths Ancient Texts and Exposes Digital Impersonation Scandal by The AI Briefing
2 min listen
Artificial Intelligence: Insights & Oddities [8th Layer Insights] by CyberWire Daily
66 min listen
Artificial Intelligence: Insights & Oddities by 8th Layer Insights
66 min listen
Understanding Today’s Cyberattacks Through an Ancient Lens: Genevieve Liveley, Professor of Classics, RISCS Fellow, and Turing Fellow at the University of Bristol by Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson
28 min listen
EP05: Artificial Intelligence: An artificial intelligence capable of improving itself runs the risk of growing intelligent beyond any human capacity and outside of our control. Josh explains why a superintelligent AI that we haven’t planned for would be extremely bad for humankind. by The End Of The World with Josh Clark
42 min listen
Episode 20: Decoding Bugs: Fungus farming ants, digital bees, composting worms, metamorphic caterpillars -- how can these all be bugs? In this episode, Andrew & Polly dive deeper into the world of the squiggly and the wriggly, parsing out the differences between insects and... by Ear Snacks Podcast for Kids
25 min listen
Episode 1650: BIO VIRAL NANO CHEM WEAPONIZATION PART 3 And drones: THE RAGGED EDGE RADIO BROADCAST WORLDWIDE TEN MILLION FIERCE PDF LIVE NOTES & ARCHIVES MARCH... by THE RAGGED EDGE RADIO ....with Russ Dizdar
62 min listen
Biodiversity and the Extended Specimen Network: Natural history specimens housed in museums, herbaria, and other research collections are revolutionizing science—largely as a result of growing efforts to digitize samples and share data among many users. To meet the robust promise of digital collection by BioScience Talks
29 min listen
Data poisoning: how artists are trying to sabotage generative AI: Computer science culture often means anybody’s data is fair game to feed the AI algorithm – but artists are fighting back by The Conversation Weekly
26 min listen
Dorothy H. Crawford, “Deadly Companions: How Microbes Shaped our History” (Oxford UP, 2018): The history of mankind is interlinked with microbes. As humans evolved and became more advanced, microbes evolved right along with us. Through infection, disease, and pandemic they have helped shape human culture and civilization. by New Books in Science
50 min listen
024 - Exploring the Poop-ome, from the microbiome to metagenomics: In this episode we’re getting our hands dirty by delving into the microbiome - the trillions of bacteria that live inside our guts. by Genetics Unzipped
34 min listen
136 CCNT “Living Robots & Grandpa in the Garden” - 04.24.2019: Basil gets his first pet robot, , , , and a from 2003. Go follow us on our and stay tuned, as we will soon announce the date of our first live stream! And we know it’s not the best platform right now, but join us on ! AGG for the WEEK of... by Canary Cry News Talk
32 min listen
875: Jonathan Kennedy | How Pathogens Have Shaped Our World: "Pathogenesis: A History of the World in Eight Plagues" author Jonathan Kennedy joins us to discuss how microscopic pathogens have shaped our world. by The Jordan Harbinger Show
84 min listen
Downstream: Science Isn’t Truth w/ Adam Rutherford: One of the most powerful justifications for racism in the 20th century was eugenics. Based on pseudo-scientific certainties cherry-picked from the messy world of genetics and behaviour, belief in eugenics led to some of the most profound horrors humans... by Novara Media
105 min listen
Robert Brooks, "Artificial Intimacy: Virtual Friends, Digital Lovers, and Algorithmic Matchmakers" (Columbia UP, 2021): An interview with Robert Brooks by New Books in Science, Technology, and Society
64 min listen
Robert Brooks, "Artificial Intimacy: Virtual Friends, Digital Lovers, and Algorithmic Matchmakers" (Columbia UP, 2021): An interview with Robert Brooks by New Books in Science
64 min listen
Adrienne Mayor, "Gods and Robots: Myths, Machines, and Ancient Dreams of Technology" (Princeton UP, 2018): The first robot to walk the earth was a bronze giant called Talos... by New Books in Early Modern History
42 min listen
Adrienne Mayor, "Gods and Robots: Myths, Machines, and Ancient Dreams of Technology" (Princeton UP, 2018): The first robot to walk the earth was a bronze giant called Talos... by New Books in Religion
42 min listen
Adrienne Mayor, "Gods and Robots: Myths, Machines, and Ancient Dreams of Technology" (Princeton UP, 2018): The first robot to walk the earth was a bronze giant called Talos... by New Books in the History of Science
42 min listen
Karen Bakker, "The Sounds of Life: How Digital Technology Is Bringing Us Closer to the Worlds of Animals and Plants" (Princeton UP, 2022): An interview with Karen Bakker by Princeton UP Ideas Podcast
56 min listen
Robert Brooks, "Artificial Intimacy: Virtual Friends, Digital Lovers, and Algorithmic Matchmakers" (Columbia UP, 2021): An interview with Robert Brooks by New Books in Anthropology
64 min listen
Karen Bakker, "The Sounds of Life: How Digital Technology Is Bringing Us Closer to the Worlds of Animals and Plants" (Princeton UP, 2022): An interview with Karen Bakker by New Books in Science, Technology, and Society
56 min listen
Karen Bakker, "The Sounds of Life: How Digital Technology Is Bringing Us Closer to the Worlds of Animals and Plants" (Princeton UP, 2022): An interview with Karen Bakker by New Books in Science
56 min listen
How can we ensure that AI is aligned with human values? - RAPHAËL MILLIÈRE: Raphael Millière, AI, artificial intelligence, ethics, human cognition, creativity, cognitive science, existential risk, philosophy, deep learning, language models, AGI, consciousness, self perception, EU AI Act, biases in AI, AI governance, virtual romantic partners, social media, education, Kant, by Art · The Creative Process: Artists, Curators, Museum Directors Talk Art, Life & Creativity
61 min listen
Oxford Scientist John Lennox Warns of The Rise of A.I. | #24: Dr. John Lennox, a renowned Oxford Mathematician, joins Larry. They delve into artificial intelligence (AI) and its ethical implications. Dr. Lennox stresses that even in its current state, AI presents pressing ethical concerns, particularly in priva... by Ideas Have Consequences With Larry Alex Taunton
57 min listen
Ep 3: Transhumanism - a short introduction: A movement of radical technologists, scientists, philosophers, politicians, and business people is renegotiating the human condition. Information technology is taking over biology. Implications for consciousness, personal identities, cultures. Origin of ... by The Life Extension Podcast - Technology & Magic, Society & Business
15 min listen
Technology and the Law of Unintended Consequences (Encore) by 8th Layer Insights
52 min listen

Discover this podcast and so much more

How AI is polluting our culture

How AI is polluting our culture

Description

Titles in the series (63)

More Episodes from On Point | Podcast

Related podcast episodes