Episode 521: Pics or it Did(n't) Happen?

Science Faction Podcast

This episode contains: All three mighty hosts are here this week. Devon shares that a family is moving in next door. He wonders if they should build a ping-pong fence to create a “play-berhood.” Steven updates us on his mini painting projects and talks about getting life back on track. Ben recounts the long journey of reclaiming space on macOS and solving the wallpaper bug. He mentions tools like Wallpaper Engine and Fences by Stardock.

Future or Now?

Let’s Get Skeptical: Ben discusses the rise of AI-powered photo editing tools like the Pixel 9's Magic Editor, which can create highly realistic fake images. This technology challenges our assumptions about the authenticity of photographs.

Read more on The Verge

In related news, a lawyer used ChatGPT in federal court, with disastrous results.

Read more on Forbes

Steven talks about The Acolyte being canceled and shares his thoughts on how loud idiots should be ignored. He also gives early impressions of Star Wars Outlaws after playing 10-12 hours. It's an open-world game, but it lacks the strong hook found in Fallen Order.

Book Club:

We discuss I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream by Harlan Ellison. This chilling short story explores a dystopian future where a supercomputer has destroyed humanity, save for five individuals it tortures eternally.

Goodreads

Comic Adaptation

Next week we are reading:

Falling Down (The Boy in the Iron Box Book 1) by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan.

Amazon Link

(this post created in large part by chat gpt and edited by Steven)