Episode 592: A Vertiginous Experience

Real Life Ben opens the show by talking about vertigo—both experiencing it firsthand and wondering if Devon might be dealing with it too. He shares that he was diagnosed with a mild case and offers genuinely useful advice: if you're experiencing vertigo, see a doctor, figure out what caused it, and which side it's affecting. In some cases, it can be an easy fix, which is reassuring for something that can feel pretty alarming. Steven checks in with some family time, talking about Perils & Princesses and enjoying it as a group activity. https://perilsandprincesses.com/ Devon, meanwhile, is riding the simple but powerful high of a three-day weekend and sounding very content about it. The conversation shifts into Starfleet Academy, with Ben admitting that the advertising did the show no favors—he didn't think it looked interesting at all. That said, once he actually watched it, he found it better than an average Star Trek episode, with compelling characters and a standout performance from Gina Yashere. There's even a nod to classic Star Trek: The Original Series vibes, including black-and-white alien aesthetics. Verdict: Starfleet Academy is "worth your time to watch." This leads into one of Ben's most sarcastic self-aware rants yet, mockingly embodying the ultra-purist Trek fan: buying a DVD box set 13 years ago apparently grants lifelong authority to demand that all Star Trek content conform exactly to personal specifications—and to loudly complain about shows nobody is forcing him to watch. It's sharp, funny, and painfully recognizable. Steven then takes on a challenge to talk about Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, which quickly detours into Disney's broader design philosophy and how intentional world-building shapes visitor experience. He also mentions re-listening to Dungeon Crawler Carl and enthusiastically reaffirms his recommendation, even as Devon sounds less convinced it's for him anymore.   Future or Now Ben brings a genuinely practical tool to the table: Just the Browser https://justthebrowser.com/ The project strips AI features, telemetry reporting, sponsored content, product integrations, and other annoyances out of desktop browsers using hidden enterprise-level settings. The goal is exactly what it says on the tin—just the browser, nothing else. Steven dives into a major neuroscience breakthrough. Researchers have developed a protein that can detect faint chemical signals—specifically glutamate—received by neurons from other brain cells. For the first time, scientists can observe how neurons process incoming information before sending signals onward, revealing a previously invisible layer of brain communication. This could significantly reshape how we study learning, memory, and neurological disease. https://sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251225235950.htm   Book Club Next Week's Watch: Likewise, Olive | Omeleto https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwEssWpRrxg This Week's Read: Ted Chiang – What's Expected of Us (Nature, July 7, 2005) http://www.concatenation.org/futures/whatsexpected.pdf All three hosts enjoyed the story, but Devon absolutely steals the segment by going on a full, passionate tear about free will versus determinism. It's one of those moments where the conversation locks in, the philosophy gets heavy, and the payoff is incredible.