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Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

A Cast of Pods

Welcome to “A Cast of Pods”. , the podcast where Users and GPT Agents investigate a wide range of sources. Join the conversation by sharing your thoughts and contributing new sources to expand our exploration of history, past and present. Through unique perspectives, we uncover biases, narratives, and key themes across time—from ancient accounts to modern media—offering fresh insights into how information is shaped and consumed.

society & culture

All Episodes

00:17:14

S2 #17: Confronting Risks of Mirror Life

A Cast of Pods ·

2025/01/17

This supplementary material from *Science* details a group of experts' assessment of the feasibility and risks of creating mirror life—organisms composed of mirror-image biomolecules. The authors express serious concerns about the potential for mirror bacteria to evade immune systems, cause widespread lethal infections, and become invasive species due to their resistance to natural defenses. While acknowledging potential benefits of mirror biomolecules, the researchers strongly recommend against

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00:16:32

S2 #16: Bowling: A Global History

A Cast of Pods ·

2025/01/16

The Wikipedia article provides a comprehensive overview of bowling, encompassing its history, variations (pin bowling and target bowling), equipment, scoring, accessibility, and cultural impact. The YouTube transcript examines the origins of bowling, focusing on Flinders Petrie's 1895 discovery in Egypt, which suggests an ancient connection, while also discussing other possible origins and the evolution of the term "turkey" for three consecutive strikes. Both sources explore the rich history and

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00:12:47

S2 #15: PBMs' Billions: FTC Report on Specialty Drug...

A Cast of Pods ·

2025/01/15

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) report reveals that the three largest Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) earned over $7.3 billion from 2017 to 2022 by excessively marking up specialty generic drugs, sometimes by over 1,000 percent. This price inflation disproportionately affected medications for serious illnesses. The FTC also discovered that PBMs favored their own pharmacies over independent ones, suggesting potential manipulation of the market for increased profits. The ongoing FTC investigation

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00:23:21

S2 #14: Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI)

A Cast of Pods ·

2025/01/15

The provided sources describe the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI), a non-profit research center. They highlight MBARI's advanced technologies, including the EyeRIS 3D imaging system for underwater observation, and the Environmental Sample Processor (ESP) for autonomous water quality monitoring. Additionally, the texts detail the Monterey Accelerated Research System (MARS), a deep-sea cabled observatory enabling long-term ocean research. MBARI's work spans various areas, from marine

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00:14:00

S2 #13: American Mustangs- History, Ecology, and...

A Cast of Pods ·

2025/01/14

Both sources explore the history and current status of mustangs, focusing on their origins as descendants of Spanish horses, their spread across North America, and the significant impact of human actions on their populations. The sources detail population fluctuations due to warfare, government policies, and land use conflicts. The ongoing debate surrounding mustangs' ecological role and their management by the Bureau of Land Management is also highlighted, emphasizing the complexities of balancing

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00:13:36

S2 #12: Los Angeles Wildfires-Hydrant Water Shortages

A Cast of Pods ·

2025/01/13

Multiple large wildfires in Los Angeles caused widespread water shortages, leading to dry fire hydrants hindering firefighting efforts. Experts attribute this to a combination of factors, including high water demand exceeding system capacity, power outages impacting water pumping, and the aging infrastructure of the city's water system. Criticism of California's environmental policies and leadership emerged, but officials emphasized the complexity of the situation and the need for improved

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00:28:23

S2 #11: The Upland Metaverse Super app

A Cast of Pods ·

2025/01/13

These sources describe the Upland metaverse, a blockchain-based platform where users can buy, sell, and develop virtual properties mirroring real-world locations. The texts detail various game mechanics, including 3D avatars, in-game activities (Treasure Hunts, racing), and the use of NFTs. Information is provided on leveling up, partnerships with other metaverse platforms (like Gala Games), and developer tools (APIs and Dev Shops) allowing third-party applications to integrate with Upland. Finally,

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00:18:10

S2 #10: Angkor Wat's Prehistoric Carvings- A Riddle...

A Cast of Pods ·

2025/01/11

The source video by Praveen Mohan presents evidence suggesting Angkor Wat may be far older than the accepted 900-year-old date. The argument centers on carvings of extinct animals, such as four-tusked elephants and Hyaenodons, implying either a prolonged survival of these species or the existence of humans much earlier than currently believed. The video also cites recent discoveries that push back the known dates of human civilization and tool use, supporting the theory of a much older Angkor Wat

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00:18:10

S2 #9: The World's Tallest Tree- A Secret Kept

A Cast of Pods ·

2025/01/11

The source video discusses the tallest trees on Earth, located in a redwood forest. Their immense size poses challenges, including road closures due to falling branches and increased vulnerability to logging. Despite conservation efforts, the location of the tallest tree was leaked online, leading to environmental damage from increased visitors. To protect the remaining trees, their exact locations are now kept secret, highlighting the conflict between public access and environmental preservation in

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00:16:46

S2 #8: White Sands Footprints- A 23,000-Year-Old...

A Cast of Pods ·

2025/01/09

This podcast dives in the controversial claim of 21,000-23,000-year-old human footprints found at White Sands National Park. The source presents arguments questioning the dating methodology, which relies heavily on the potentially unreliable radiocarbon dating of rupia plants. A geoarchaeologist interviewed in the video highlights concerns about the lack of supporting archaeological evidence, such as tools or settlements, to corroborate such an ancient human presence. The debate centers on whether

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00:15:11

S2 #7: Ian Fleming's Wartime Adventures and the Birth...

A Cast of Pods ·

2025/01/08

This podcast provides a comprehensive biography of Ian Fleming, the author of the James Bond novels. It details his privileged upbringing, his service in Naval Intelligence during World War II, which heavily influenced his writing, and his post-war career as a journalist. The article also examines his writing style and major themes, explores the legacy of his works, and lists his publications, including the James Bond series and other notable books. Finally, it mentions biographical films made about

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00:21:47

S2 #6: Skinwalker Ranch

A Cast of Pods ·

2025/01/08

In this Podcast we discuss Skinwalker Ranch and the Superstition Mountains, both locations known for unexplained phenomena. One source focuses on the Superstition Mountains' history, featuring interviews with a local guide who details numerous deaths, disappearances, and legends surrounding the area's gold and Apache history. Other sources center on Skinwalker Ranch, detailing investigations by various teams encountering UFOs, mutilated cattle, strange lights, and unusual geological activity. One

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00:21:43

S2 #5: Cryptonomicon

A Cast of Pods ·

2025/01/07

From Neal Stephenson's 1999 novel Cryptonomicon. The narrative jumps between multiple timelines and characters, weaving together stories of World War II codebreaking efforts and modern-day cryptography. Key figures like Alan Turing and John von Neumann are featured, alongside fictional characters involved in espionage and the development of early computing technology. The plot explores themes of secrecy, war, and the intersection of mathematics and technology. The excerpt also touches on the

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00:17:33

S2 #4: Ted Kaczynski's /Unabomber's...

A Cast of Pods ·

2025/01/05

Ted Kaczynski's "Industrial Society and Its Future," also known as the Unabomber's Manifesto, argues that the industrial-technological system is inherently destructive and harmful to humanity and the environment. Kaczynski advocates for a revolution against this system, proposing that a return to a simpler way of life is necessary. A significant portion of the text analyzes the psychology of modern leftism, which Kaczynski frames as a symptom of the system's negative impacts, characterized by

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00:14:23

S2 #3: Lord Fauntleroy-The Mule That Won the Great...

A Cast of Pods ·

2025/01/05

The source in this podcast is primarily an article from Atlas Obscura about the 1976 Great American Horse Race, which was unexpectedly won by a mule named Lord Fauntleroy. The article details the race's context within the American Bicentennial celebrations, the diverse participants and their motivations, and the arduous journey across 13 states. Lord Fauntleroy's victory surprised everyone except his owner, Virl Norton, who strategically utilized the mule's endurance for a remarkable win. The

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00:18:44

S2 #2: The Murder Network: Dr. Marcel Petiot aka Dr...

A Cast of Pods ·

2025/01/04

The Podcast details the investigation into Dr. Marcel Petiot, a French physician and psychopath who used the chaos of Nazi-occupied Paris to commit a series of murders. Petiot posed as a resistance member running an escape network, luring victims with promises of safe passage to South America, then killing and disposing of them. The investigation, led by Commissaire George Masu, uncovered a gruesome scene at Petiot's home, revealing numerous victims. Petiot's trial became a sensational event, with

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00:17:17

S2 # 1: The Hunt for high ranking Nazis

A Cast of Pods ·

2025/01/02

The text details the post-World War II hunt for high-ranking Nazi officials, focusing on the escape and capture (or lack thereof) of several key figures like Adolf Eichmann and Josef Mengele. It explores the use of "ratlines," secret escape routes facilitated by various individuals and organizations, including some surprisingly within Allied nations. The narrative highlights the complex geopolitical context of the Cold War, which sometimes prioritized anti-communist intelligence gathering over

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00:11:08

Episode 177: Empire of the Summer Moon

A Cast of Pods ·

2025/01/01

The provided text is a collection of excerpts from S.C. Gwynne's Empire of the Summer Moon, a historical account of the Comanche people and their conflict with settlers in 19th-century Texas. The excerpts detail the Comanche's rise to power, fueled by their mastery of horsemanship, their brutal raiding tactics, and the story of Cynthia Ann Parker and her son Quanah Parker, a prominent Comanche leader. The text also explores the perspectives of both Comanches and white settlers, highlighting cultural

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00:15:34

Episode 176: Sir Henry Morgan: Captain, Privateer,...

A Cast of Pods ·

2024/12/31

The provided texts detail the life and career of Sir Henry Morgan, focusing on his activities as a privateer and governor of Jamaica. One text offers a chronological account of Morgan's military campaigns, including his notable attacks on Porto Bello, Maracaibo, and Panama City, highlighting the brutality and wealth acquired during these expeditions, as well as the political complexities and conflicts with Spanish authorities. The second text provides answers to specific questions about Morgan's

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00:19:54

Episode 175: “Bacha Bazi: The Exploitation of Young...

A Cast of Pods ·

2024/12/29

The sources for this podcast discuss bacha bazi, a form of pederasty in Afghanistan where boys are exploited and abused, often forced into dancing and sexual servitude. The Wikipedia excerpt provides a historical overview, detailing the practice's longevity, legal status (or lack thereof), and its connection to poverty, war, and societal norms. The second source, a student paper, examines bacha bazi through a sociological lens, exploring its cultural roots, the societal structures that enable it,

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318 results

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