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Join us on an Odyssey through the tours and while we put the diss in Odysseus. Ivy Pochoda is back to flex her classical Greek muscles as we explore the Isle of Lobsbos to find the things that made us gayer for tennis. Hint, it's everything Jelena Ostapenko is doing on social media. Plus we cover the 250s and all the new winners in That's So Hades and we debate what puts the Ick in Icarus more - the Alcaraz cornrows or Taylor Townsend's mixed doubles announcement for the US Open. We also talk about the Trojan Horse that could be the new genetic testing system implemented by the WTA and offer up our solution. And we play Yes Gawd where we match top players to Greek gods. You don't want to Artemis it.
In ‘Middlemarch', Tom McCarthy argues, George Eliot uses her ‘study of provincial life' as a Trojan Horse to smuggle the continental philosophy of Spinoza and Hegel into the vicarages of middle England. In this episode, McCarthy joins Thomas Jones to discuss Eliot's radical masterpiece, which marks a revolution in English fiction as significant in its way as the political, scientific and industrial revolutions that it's set against. They look at the novel's philosophical underpinnings, its treatment of knowledge and desire, money and debt, sex and marriage, and whether or not Casaubon was onto something with his ‘Key to All Mythologies'. This is an extract from the episode. To listen in full, and to all our other Close Readings series, sign up: Directly in Apple Podcasts: https://lrb.me/closereadingsmbtc For Spotify and other apps: https://lrb.me/applecrmbtc Read more on Eliot in the LRB: Rosemary Ashton: https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v08/n14/rosemary-ashton/homage-to-mrs-brater Terry Eagleton: https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v17/n18/terry-eagleton/biogspeak Rachel Bowlby https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v35/n07/rachel-bowlby/waiting-for-the-dawn-to-come Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What parts of yourself have you learned to hide in order to be taken seriously? My guest on this episode is Mark Heywood, a friend of the show, returning guest and someone I've collaborated with on a number of projects. Episode Summary & Guest ProfileMark has spent more than twenty years working in crisis management and operational resilience, while simultaneously building a successful career as a bestselling novelist, screenwriter and, more recently, stand-up comedian.On the morning we recorded this conversation, Mark published an article marking his fifty-first birthday. In it, he reflected on the pressure many of us feel to present only one version of ourselves professionally, arguing that his creative and corporate lives were never really separate. As he puts it, they were 'not two jobs, but one obsession wearing two different lanyards.' That simple idea becomes the starting point for a much wider discussion about the stories we tell ourselves, and the stories organisations tell themselves.Along the way we explore:Why "stay in your lane" may say more about other people's expectations than your own potential.Why organisations often encourage people to bring their whole selves to work, while rewarding conformity.What interviews, dress codes and organisational culture reveal about human behaviour.Why stories often influence behaviour more effectively than rules, policies and frameworks.What films can teach us about operational resilience, cybersecurity and crisis management.Why the Titanic remains one of the most powerful lessons in organisational failure.How imagination is a strategic capability rather than a soft skill.Why thinking through "severe but plausible" scenarios requires organisations to become better storytellers.LinksMark's birthday article: "A Birthday Declaration from Someone Who Spent Over Twenty Years Pretending to Be Half of Himself" (LinkedIn)Mark's Behind The Spine podcastThe Writing SalonBehind The Spine podcastMark on LinkedInMark's previous appearances on the show talking about The Creative Industries under COVID, and Human Risk in the Creative IndustriesFilms, Stories & People MentionedDie Hard Apollo 13 The Martian The Odyssey (Christopher Nolan)Don't Look UpSnakes on a Plane Sharknado Noah's Ark RMS TitanicRachel Heyhoe Flint Jeremy King AI-Generated Timestamped Summary00:00 – Why do we hide parts of ourselves to be taken seriously?03:40 – Mark explains why he stopped separating his creative and corporate identities.08:00 – Which hobbies and outside interests are considered professionally acceptable—and why?10:30 – Job interviews, authenticity and bringing your whole self to work.16:00 – Jeremy King on why behaviour matters more than dress codes.19:00 – Rachel Heyhoe Flint, the MCC and what institutional rules reveal about culture.23:00 – Why stories influence behaviour more effectively than rules.24:00 – The Trojan Horse and using films to teach cybersecurity and resilience.29:00 – The Titanic as a lesson in organisational resilience rather than maritime history.32:00 – Conduct versus outcomes: why testing matters more than compliance.36:00 – Using stories and popular culture to make risk real.38:00 – Noah's Ark, history and the enduring power of storytelling.40:30 – CrowdStrike, PPE and why organisations keep repeating the same mistakes.46:00 – Stories aren't predictions—they're a way of exploring possibility.49:00 – A ransomware exercise and the danger of relying on fixed policies.52:00 – Returning to the Titanic: preparing for the inquiry before the crisis.55:00 – Thinking like an attacker and challenging assumptions about cyber risk.58:00 – Taylor Swift, insurance and why seemingly ordinary data can become highly sensitive.1:02:00 – The idea of "risk inflation" and why yesterday's rules aren't enough.1:10:00 – Why memorable stories change behaviour more effectively than realistic scenarios.1:15:00 – Reverse stress testing and imagining what could really break an organisation.1:20:00 – RAG ratings, reporting and the danger of looking resilient instead of being resilient.1:23:00 – Final reflections on creativity, identity and why being more than one thing is a strength.
Artificial intelligence is changing our world faster than most of us ever imagined. After years of studying how technology is shaping our lives, Jenny's guest, Misty Phillip became convinced Christians needed to think differently about AI. Whether you've embraced it, avoided it, or simply wondered what all the excitement is about, today's conversation will help you think about AI through the lens of faith and biblical discernment. Misty is the author of "The Trojan Horse of the Digital Age: Why Christians Must Discern AI" and helps us explore how we can navigate this new world with wisdom, discernment, and faith. And there's another story you'll hear today that I think will encourage your heart. God asked Misty to walk away from the successful venture she had built to follow an entirely different calling. That step of obedience wasn't easy—but it opened doors only God could open. Misty is the visionary COO of Trilogyworks, an advisory services firm that specializes in cybersecurity and AI. You can hear this story on Part 2 of this episode. Obedience isn't always easy, but as Ephesians 3:20 reminds us, God "is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us." When we trust Him, He is always faithful. You can find Misty's books, including "The Trojan Horse of the Digital Age: Why Christians Must Discern AI" online at Amazon and at Mistyphillip.com
God has a purpose for each one of us before the foundation of the world! There's a unique calling on each of our lives. His plans are good, but that doesn't mean our lives will be without struggles. Jenny's guest is best-selling author, faith leader, and technology executive Misty Phillip. She is equipping people to navigate life, faith, leadership, and technology with wisdom and discernment. From boardrooms to podcasts and the pages of her award-winning books, Misty encourages believers to lead boldly in a digital age without losing their souls to the screen. While many know Misty for her work helping Christians think biblically about artificial intelligence, this conversation also reveals the heart behind her ministry. She shares the painful losses and difficult seasons that have shaped her life, how God's faithfulness carried her through them, and the unexpected way He called her to leave a successful business to follow His leading into a completely different season of ministry. Her story is a powerful reminder that even when obedience is costly, God is always at work, bringing hope, purpose, and more than we could imagine. This is Part 2 of the conversation about AI, faith, discernment, and the hope we have in Christ. You can find Misty's books, including "The Trojan Horse of the Digital Age: Why Christians Must Discern AI" online at Amazon and at Mistyphillip.com
This week on Autonomy Markets, Grayson Brulte and Walter Piecyk discuss the Waymo/Uber divorce going public, Zoox receiving NHTSA approval to charge for rides, Aurora earnings, and Qualcomm's BMW win as ADAS becomes the Trojan horse into autonomy.The Waymo/Uber relationship is unraveling in public, with The Financial Times confirming Waymo will launch its own app in Austin and Atlanta in January 2028 before the contract expires that May. Both sides are airing grievances, from dirty cars and bad routing to weather no-shows and unsustainable financial terms. Grayson goes on the record that the relationship terminates early, calling for a Waymo app in those markets by June 2027, while Walt takes the under.After 12 years and billions of dollars, Zoox can finally charge for a ride. NHTSA granted an exemption capped at 2,500 vehicles per year for two years, a ruling that also creates a potential viable deployment path for Tesla's Cybercab.In autonomous trucking, Aurora is targeting 1,000 trucks by the end of next year against 200 this year, a heavily back-end loaded ramp that depends on truck supply, Roush capacity, and unresolved questions about how the Volvo Autonomous Solutions margin split works. Meanwhile, Qualcomm's selection by BMW as lead compute for next-generation ADAS confirms the growth of the L2+ market and positions Snapdragon as the Trojan horse into autonomy compute.On the Foreign Autonomy Desk, Baidu began RT6 robotaxi testing in London with both Uber and Lyft on the outskirts of the city, received a full driverless permit in Hong Kong, and China resumed issuing robotaxi permits once again.Episode Chapters0:00 Waymo/Uber Divorce Goes Public5:45 Uber's Autonomous Vehicle Partner Problem10:28 Waymo's OEM Partner Signals12:25 Zoox Gets the Golden Ticket16:52 Advancing America's Safety and Competitiveness for the Evolution of National Deployments20:16 Aurora Q2 2026 Earnings27:43 How Big Is the OEM Risk?30:38 ADAS as the Trojan Horse Into Autonomy35:42 Ford BlueCruise Falls Short37:23 Foreign Autonomy Desk: Baidu RT6 Testing in London with Uber & Lyft41:33 Next WeekFollow The Road to Autonomy Indices--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy is the leading applied intelligence platform covering the convergence of automation, autonomy, and the Autonomy Economy.™.Through our podcasts, newsletter, and proprietary applied intelligence, we set the narrative for institutional investors, industry executives, and policymakers navigating the convergence of automation, autonomy, and economic growth.Join institutional investors and industry leaders who read This Week in The Autonomy Economy every Sunday. Each edition delivers exclusive insight and commentary on the autonomy economy, helping you stay ahead of what's next.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
There was SO much to say about Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey that we couldn't fit it into one episode — we tried, we failed miserably, and honestly we're thrilled about it, so you're getting a two-parter.This is Part 1, where we set sail into the three-hour epic everyone's been waiting for. We get into the Trojan Horse reimagining that traces back to the Troy movie Nolan never made, and the brutal sacrifice that recontextualises the whole opening. We defend the Cyclops (hear us out — on a rewatch, he's the victim).We break down the slow, skin-crawling transformation scene that out-brutals every battle. And we get into why the first woman to translate The Odyssey, absolutely hates this film — the missing sex, the grim food, all of it. It's epic, brutal and occasionally unhinged. Part 2 drops soon.TAKE THE SPILL QUIZ HERETHE END BITS Find and follow us on socials: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespillpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thespillpod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thespillpodcast/ Read all the latest entertainment news on Mamamia: https://mamamia.com.au/entertainment/Support Independent Women’s Media. Support independent women's media The Out Loud hosts have handpicked their all-time favourite reads and one subscriber is winning the entire 12-book stack. Subscribe to Mamamia here to be automatically entered to win. Current subscriber? You're already in the draw. T&Cs apply.Get access to Very Peri, Mamamia's exclusive perimenopause series, for just $59. 25 world-leading experts, over 20 on-demand sessions, available now. We’ve sorted through the noise so you don't have to. Go to veryperi.com.au and join me today. You hot? Same. Buy today and save 40% Want to join the conversation? Have feedback or a topic you want us to discuss? Send us a voice message or email us at thespill@mamamia.com.au and we’ll get back to you ASAP! Executive Producer: Monisha Iswaran Audio & Video Producer: Michael Kean Mamamia acknowledges the traditional owners of the land on which we have recorded this podcast.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today Mary takes on the idea of Trojan Horses – that mythical wooden beast that was used to fool the citizens of Troy, thinking that the Greeks were bearing parting gifts when in reality they were intending to capture the city of Troy (modern day Turkey). No offense to Greeks, but it’s where we get the phrase, “beware Greeks bearing gifts” – which if you mean bible study, they have given us enough to study for a lifetime. Rather, today’s edition of SUFTT explores the finer points of Trojan Horses in our culture, which, in these highly deceptive times, are multiple. Ai, digital devices, politics, religious movements – all Trojan Horses that can deceive and derail and will ultimately bring humanity together under antichrist. We talk about Mamdani, Islam, Christianity, ravenous wolves looking like sheep – and all the ways we are being set up. But as believers, we must never be conformed to this world but transformed by the renewing of our minds, so that we can discern God’s will. (Romans 12:2). Stand firm! Stand Up For The Truth Videos: https://rumble.com/user/CTRNOnline & https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgQQSvKiMcglId7oGc5c46A
We're diving into one of the biggest movies of the year.On this episode of The Randy Forcier Podcast, Matt and I break down Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, the epic blockbuster that has taken over the box office and reminded everyone why movie theaters still matter.We discuss whether it lived up to the enormous hype, where it ranks among Christopher Nolan's best films, our favorite scenes from the Cyclops and Sirens to the Trojan Horse and final battle, the performances from Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Tom Holland and the star-studded cast, and hand out our signature movie awards.We also debate the biggest surprises, nitpick a few questionable decisions, and discuss whether The Odyssey will still be remembered as one of the defining movies of this decade.LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE
It's all Greek to us this episode, as we hunker down and get into The Odyssey, followed by the classic Jason and the Argonauts. BTW, you DO NOT want to be stuck on the bottom of that Trojan Horse…. #odyssey #jasonandtheargonauts #christophernolan #rayharryhausen #mattdamon
This week Tom and Julie want to take you on a Podyssey as they watch clips of 17 time World Series of Poker winner Phil Hellmuth eating food in a strange way, 3 dudes sneaking in to the see The Odyssey using a Trojan Horse, and Becky Hammon taking a tumble courtside. Plus they talk all about LeBron getting traded to the 76ers, and plan Carson's wedding.Don't miss the livestream this month on Wednesday 7/29 at 8pm ET (5pm PT) only at https://patreon.com/doublethreatpodCLIPS FROM THIS WEEK'S EPISODE:-17 time World Series of Poker winner Phil Hellmuth eats in a strange wayhttps://www.instagram.com/reel/DZ6GlrzMsOa/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Z0eUP4wSuQhttps://www.youtube.com/shorts/eM8ySTUEPUE-Becky Hammon takes a tumble courtsidehttps://www.tiktok.com/@espnw/video/7665542025957084430-How to sneak in to see The Odysseyhttps://bsky.app/profile/mewefree.bsky.social/post/3mqzc5zlgu224Patreon is the best way to support Double Threat! Your support keeps the show going and we appreciate it more than we can say. Plus you get weekly bonus episodes, access to monthly livestreams, merch store discounts, and more!https://patreon.com/doublethreatpodPickup your own copy of Difficult People on Blu-ray only at https://julieklausner.fun/Our brand new Double Threat merch is AVAILABLE NOW at https://doublethreatpod.merchtable.comWATCH VIDEO CLIPS OF DOUBLE THREAThttps://www.youtube.com/@doublethreatpodJOIN THE DOUBLE THREAT FAN GROUPS*Discord https://discord.com/invite/PrcwsbuaJx*Reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/doublethreatfriends/*Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/doublethreatfriendsSEND SUBMISSIONS TODoubleThreatPod@gmail.comFOLLOW DOUBLE THREAThttps://twitter.com/doublethreatpodhttps://www.instagram.com/doublethreatpodPAY PIGS ONLYhttps://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1Y826FGBNP19R?ref_=wl_shareDOUBLE THREAT IS A FOREVER DOG PODCASThttps://foreverdogpodcasts.com/podcasts/double-threatTheme song by Mike KrolArtwork by Joe Frontel00:00 Intro04:24 The Odyssey06:39 South Park16:44 LeBron traded to the 76ers29:45 Carson's wedding39:55 Becky Hammon takes a tumble41:25 Phil Hellmuth eats in a strange way58:50 How to sneak in to see The Odyssey01:14:05 OutroSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The movie many are hating on for the wrong reasons! This is not the movie they think it is.Cloud of Witnesses, Jeremy Jeremiah, James St Simon, Michael, and Mario Andrew, break down the most unforgettable moments from Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey and why the homecoming story hits harder when the music, visuals, and symbols keep pointing back to love and loss. We wrestle with the film's biggest moral turn: the fear of an outside enemy flips into the recognition that we might be the problem.• the siren song motif returning at the reunion with Penelope• Odysseus holding on to the pin as a symbol of home• the dog recognizing Odysseus and what that reveals• the claustrophobia and horror of the Trojan horse• Nolan's visual storytelling through light, color, and disorientation• “the people from the sea” as a mirror for self-deception• Nolan's modern guilt theme contrasted with Homer's cosmic order• mythic heroes with clear morality versus modern conflicted heroesQuestions about Orthodoxy? Please check out our friends at Ghost of Byzantium Discord server: https://discord.gg/jRXxRaqK9Please prayerfully consider supporting Cloud of Witnesses: https://www.patreon.com/c/CloudofWitnessesFind Cloud of Witnesses on Instagram, X.com, Facebook, and TikTok.Audio: https://cloudofwitnessesradio.buzzsprout.comPlease leave a comment with your thoughts!
Download my meditation and wellness app, Swa:aha.https://app.level.game/?c=zSbmYnCheck out BeerBiceps SkillHouse Courses Here -https://linktr.ee/bbskillhouseFor all BeerBiceps vlog content Watch Life Of BeerBiceps - / @lifeofbeerbiceps Share your guest suggestions hereMail - connect@beerbiceps.comLink - https://forms.gle/aoMHY9EE3Cg3Tqdx9Follow Abhijit Mitra's Social Media Handles:-Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abhijitiyer...X: https://x.com/IyervvalIn this 525th (overall 1030) episode of The Ranveer Show, we are joined by Abhijit Iyer-Mitra, a mythology researcher and content creator, for one of the deepest conversations we've ever had on Greek mythology, the real history behind the Odyssey, and its uncanny parallels to Indian civilization.We talk about why the new Odyssey film gets so much of the real history wrong, the true story behind the Trojan War, the Bronze Age collapse and the rise of the Iron Age, why ancient Troy was barely the size of an Indian village, the striking parallels between Zeus, Poseidon and the Vedic gods Indra and Varuna, the untold theory that these myths may have travelled from India to Greece, Zeus's law of hospitality and its darker Indian equivalent, and why Abhijit believes we may already be living through the early stages of a civilizational collapse.This podcast is a must-watch for anyone interested in Greek mythology, ancient history, comparative religion, Vedic civilization, and the deeper patterns behind how empires rise and fall.00:00 – Abhijit Mitra On TRS02:35 – Reacting To The Odyssey Film05:59 – Why Greek Civilization Still Fascinates The World08:08 – Zeus, Indra & The Vedic Connection13:24 – How Language Helps Us Date The Iliad And The Odyssey18:31 – The Real History Behind The Trojan War23:03 – The Trojan Horse & Ancient Religious Tolerance27:43 – The Eight Lost Epics Of Greek Mythology36:01 – Zeus's Law Of Hospitality — And Its Dark Side38:14 – Was Achilles A Hero Or A Psychopath?46:57 – Religion, Guilt & Why Philosophy Needed Mythology1:08:58 – Theology vs Mythology vs Philosophy — India vs Greece1:14:58 – The Cyclops, Poseidon's Curse & Odysseus's Arrogance1:21:43 – How Odysseus Finally Breaks The Curse1:25:07 – The Tragic End Of Odysseus's Life1:28:12 – Is The Modern World Already Collapsing?1:42:08 – Bronze Age, Iron Age & What Comes Next1:51:27 – Book Recommendations & Closing Thoughts
Is THE ODYSSEY a good adaptation of Homer? How does it function as a mainstream blockbuster? Has Nolan been making some form of THE ODYSSEY over and over again throughout his entire career? The Brothers answer all these questions and more in their Trojan Horse-sized review of Christopher Nolan's THE ODYSSEY. In particular, they focus on how Nolan adapts the character of Odysseus, the film's themes of guilt and civilizational decline, its most surprising performances, and how it fits into Nolan's filmography.1:21 - Keynote3:45 - Roundtable: “The Odyssey”Further Reading:- Aren's essay on “The Odyssey”Read more of the 3 Brothers' reviews, features, and roundtables at 3 Brothers Film.Subscribe to the 3 Brothers Film Substack.Subscribe to the 3 Brothers Film YouTube Channel.
It could be argued that Christopher Nolan has been remaking the Odyssey for his whole career, and his latest film revisits many of the themes of his earlier movies, as once again a male protagonist embarks on a desperate quest to recover a female love object. But, as Emily Wilson argues, while Homer's Odyssey might seem the perfect source material for Nolan, the ancient Greek poem also excels at many things the director isn't so good at, not least dialogue and characterisation. Wilson, who has translated both the Odyssey and the Iliad, joins Thomas Jones to talk through the new adaptation, discussing its echoes of Nolan's earlier films and his use of the Trojan Horse as a parable about wars built on lies. They also look at the compositional history of Homer's poem and consider why this archetypal journey narrative is also a story about stasis and the desire to resist time. Listen to Emily and Tom's Close Readings episode on the Odyssey here: Apple: https://lrb.me/odysseyapple Spotify: https://lrb.me/odysseyspotify LRB website: https://lrb.me/odysseyweb GET 50% OFF a 12-month Close Readings subscription with the code 'SUMMER50' when you sign up here: https://lrb.me/atasummer50 Read Emily Wilson on Nolan's ‘Odyssey' in the LRB: https://lrb.me/wilsonodysseypod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Is Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey a cinematic gift, or is it a Trojan Horse filled with the director’s narrative obsessions? Maybe both. In their review, Adam and Josh talk about the ways Nolan diverges from Homer’s epic tale, and which of the director’s previous films offer the best insight into his latest. This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. Use code FILMSPOT26 to take 15% off. Feedback: -Email us at feedback@filmspotting.net -Ask Us Anything and we might answer your question in bonus content. Support: -Join the Filmspotting Family for bonus episodes and complete archive access. http://filmspottingfamily.com -Filmspotting Shop for T-shirts and more. https://www.filmspotting.net/shop Follow: -Watch Filmspotting on YouTube: https://youtube.com/filmspotting -Adam/Filmspotting: Letterboxd | Instagram | Facebook | Bluesky -Josh/LarsenOnFilm: Letterboxd | Instagram | Facebook | BlueskySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Stewart Alsop sits down with Matias Avalos on this episode of the Wisdom podcast to explore the intersection of technology, humanism, and creative sovereignty. The conversation moves from Matias's work with neural network-based audio plugins and effect chains to broader questions about corporate transhumanism, data ownership, and what it means to maintain human agency in an increasingly automated world. They discuss the dangers of convenience-driven technological adoption, the implications of companies like Palantir and Neuralink, and how bureaucratic incentives push toward total legibility while protecting their own opacity. Along the way, they touch on everything from IMAX audio production and the death of walkable cities to Instagram's transformation from visual diary to data extraction platform, ultimately arguing for local, open-source, and sovereign approaches to technology that keep humans in the loop rather than replacing them with "average fabrics" of algorithmic output. Find Matias Avalos on LinkedIn for more techno-poetic discussions.Timestamps00:00 Stewart welcomes Matias Avalos to discuss their friendship and upcoming conversation topics.05:00 Matias explains audio effect chains using neural networks to capture professional recording room signatures and create portable high-fidelity sound processing.10:00 Discussion of piezoelectric microphones converting sound vibrations to electrical signals and CIA experiments using lasers to capture audio from glass surfaces.15:00 Conversation shifts to digital audio recording, sampling rates, and the importance of source material quality for post-production work.20:00 Stewart shares his journey building web conferencing software to replace Riverside, encountering lip-sync problems and learning about FFMPEG processing.25:00 Matias discusses corporate transhumanism, Neuralink's implications, and how brain interfaces could enable continuous taste mining beyond medical applications.30:00 Analysis of corporate transhumanism through companies like Neuralink, discussing private decision-making, lack of transparency, and various transhumanist philosophies globally.35:00 Matias reads poetry about digital replicas and data generation, exploring how wearable devices continuously capture human activity creating targetable information streams.40:00 Discussion of Peter Thiel's shift from libertarianism to neoconservatism, Palantir's origins in Total Information Awareness program, and Buenos Aires as humanist sanctuary.45:00 Examination of American convenience culture, post-WWII suburban isolation, and Buenos Aires as walkable humanist alternative to car-dependent American cities.50:00 Matias presents Neil Harbison as positive transhumanism example, explaining color-to-vibration synesthesia implant while discussing techno-optimism from Global South perspective.55:00 Conversation explores bureaucratic incentives toward population legibility, compelled silence laws, and sovereignty through open-source local technology ownership avoiding corporate control.60:00 Matias concludes discussing digital identity ownership, social network portability, and how digital twins determine human worth across platforms and borders.Key Insights1. Modern digital audio processing technologies represent a fundamentally different approach to music and sound production compared to generative AI tools. Matias Avalos distinguishes between technologies like Neural DSP's Mantra plugin, which uses deep neural networks to capture and emulate professional recording environments, and generative platforms like Suno. The key difference is that traditional digital signal processing tools put the creator in control, allowing them to make artistic decisions using expensive effect chains that would otherwise only be available in elite studios like Abbey Road. These technologies democratize access to professional audio tools without removing human agency from the creative process, whereas generative AI tools operate as black boxes that produce outputs based on prompts rather than allowing genuine creative control.2. The capture and preservation of source material remains critically important in audio and video production, despite advances in post-production capabilities. Through his experience building a web conferencing application to replace Riverside.fm, Alsop learned that many technical problems, particularly lip-sync issues, stemmed from poor source file management and recording methodology. This principle extends across all media production, as Avalos explains using the example of missing lighting in professional photography. While modern generative AI might attempt to invent missing elements, the results cannot match properly captured source material. This highlights a fundamental tension in contemporary media production where the quality triangle of cheap, good, and fast has been disrupted by AI technologies that can deliver all three if we lower our standards for what constitutes good work.3. Corporate transhumanism represents a particular and concerning subset of transhumanist philosophy that differs significantly from earlier artistic and philosophical approaches to human enhancement. While early transhumanists like Neil Harbison, a color-blind artist who implanted a device to translate color frequencies into vibrations, pursued personal enhancement and expanded human experience, corporate transhumanism as practiced by companies like Neuralink focuses on technological integration with significant profit motives and control mechanisms. The discussion highlights how these corporate approaches position themselves as solving medical and cognitive problems while simultaneously creating dependency through terms of service, data mining, and token-based economic models. This represents a Trojan horse where the promise of enhanced capability masks the establishment of new forms of control and surveillance of human consciousness itself.4. The concept of legibility as a bureaucratic end goal rather than a means to an end explains much of the surveillance apparatus that has developed in Western societies, particularly in the United States since 9/11. Alsop describes how those in positions of power, wealth, and fame have a structural incentive to make everything around them legible and controllable while maintaining their own privacy and illegibility to external observation. This dynamic manifests in technologies like Palantir and in legal mechanisms like compelled silence through gag orders, which directly contradict constitutional principles of free speech. The drive for total legibility of populations appears to have no ultimate purpose beyond the accumulation of legibility itself, creating a recursive loop where surveillance and data collection become self-justifying activities that serve power structures rather than the populations they ostensibly protect.5. Human beings continuously generate enormous streams of metadata through their daily activities, creating what Avalos describes as evaporating against our own will into hundreds of RSS feeds for hundreds of corporations. This automatic data production occurs through basic activities like waking up, moving through space with smartphones and wearable devices, and interacting with digital platforms. The fundamental question that predates transhumanism but becomes more urgent within it is how individuals can own what they produce simply by existing and moving through the world. This data is captured through accelerometers, gyroscopes, GPS systems, and countless other sensors that create comprehensive digital profiles without explicit consent or meaningful control by the individuals being monitored. The unilateral nature of this communication, where individuals broadcast data without receiving genuine value in return, has become so deeply embedded in modern infrastructure that it forms part of the taken-for-granted landscape of contemporary life.6. Platform lock-in and the inability to migrate digital identity across services creates a new category of loss that requires genuine grieving. Avalos describes how his experience with Instagram, which began as a personal visual diary before the Facebook acquisition, evolved into a situation where he cannot extract his creative work and social connections from the platform without significant loss. This phenomenon extends beyond mere inconvenience to touch on fundamental questions of identity and citizenship, as social media profiles increasingly determine real-world opportunities like visa applications and border crossings. The implications of digital footprints have become severe enough that individuals can be denied entry to countries based on algorithmic analysis of their online interactions, likes, and expressed beliefs. This creates a situation where people are worth exactly what their digital twin indicates they are worth, with no meaningful avenue for human appeal or nuanced self-representation.7. The future relationship between humans and technology requires a return to principles of sovereignty, local control, and open source development rather than dependence on corporate platforms and proprietary systems. Both Alsop and Avalos advocate for a do-it-yourself approach to technology that emphasizes ownership and control over personal tools and data. This includes avoiding closed systems like Neuralink unless they become open source and user-controlled, and prioritizing local execution of AI models over cloud-based services that create dependencies and enable surveillance. The conversation suggests that techno-optimism remains possible, but only from what Avalos calls the trenches, acknowledging the different relationship that people in the Global South and those outside centers of power have with technology. This grounded optimism recognizes the entanglement of beneficial and harmful aspects of technological development and maintains that human agency and creative freedom require conscious resistance to the convenience-at-all-costs model that has characterized recent technological adoption.
The episode opens with the passing of saxophonist Plas Johnson, 94, a player whose name might not mean much outside musician circles but whose sound is embedded in popular culture. Johnson's cool, slinking work on Henry Mancini's Pink Panther theme is his best-known contribution, but the wider CV is properly formidable: Frank Sinatra, B.B. King, Joni Mitchell, Marvin Gaye, The Beach Boys, Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville all appear on the roll call. how Links Henry Mancini - The Pink Panther Theme (Official Audio) Plas Johnson - I Hadn't Anyone Till You Plas Johnson obit in Rolling Stone Dr John Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya Ya Tom Waits - "Heartattack And Vine" Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival website Silo — Season 3 Official Trailer | Apple TV Evolver 62 | Official Trailer | The Beatles' Breakthrough Year That Changed Music Forever | Out Now! EVOLVER:62 Beatles and cakes in the village hall The Odyssey - Official 'Completely in IMAX' Behind the Scenes Clip (2026) Othello, The Black Commando 1982 full movie Max H. Boulois Tony Curtis Aaron Lee Tasjan - The Real (Official Music Video)
The Odyssey (2026) Directed by: Christopher Nolan Written by: Christopher Nolan Starring: Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, Samantha Morton, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong'o, Elliot Page, John Leguizamo, Benny Safdie, Jon Bernthal, Himesh Patel, Mia Goth, Bill Irwin, Travis Scott IMDB: [IMDB LINK] Episode Summary In this episode of Mindframes, Michael and Dave discuss The Odyssey (2026), Christopher Nolan's three-hour adaptation of Homer — a $250 million epic and the first narrative feature shot entirely on IMAX 70mm. The discussion covers Nolan as an auteur and whether the "never made a bad movie" claim holds up, the practical-effects approach to the Cyclops and Circe, the deliberately cold Northern palette imposed on the Mediterranean, Ludwig Göransson's score, and an ensemble so large the hosts concede they can't get to everyone. After the ratings, the spoiler section turns to the film's central choice: the Olympian gods have been removed while the monsters remain, and what that does to Odysseus' moral agency. Comparisons range across Nolan's own filmography, Troy, The Northman, and the sword-and-sandal epics of the 1950s and '60s. Reviews Michael: 4.5 / 5 — came out thinking four, and it has only grown in his esteem since. Praises the baseline of visual and musical quality, Damon working better as a lead than expected, and a supporting cast that carries every stop on the journey. Docks it for a cast so crowded it distracts, and for an ending too in love with its own moralism. Dave: 4.5 / 5 — would watch it again in a heartbeat. Calls it a film that grabs hold of empire, heroism, reverence, and humility all at once, and rates the separation of gods from monsters as pitch perfect. His one dent in the fender: the film plays a little episodic, a series of very large encounters rather than a single build. Thematic Discussion The Odyssey removes the Olympians but keeps the monsters. Circe, the Sirens, and the Cyclops are all simply part of the natural world here; it's Athena and Zeus who stay shadowy and inferred. Michael's reading is that this absence exists to hand moral agency back to Odysseus — if the gods were visibly steering, his guilt over the Trojan Horse wouldn't be his to carry. That guilt is framed through xenia, the Greek code of hospitality. Odysseus offered a gift that turned out to be murder, and comes to believe that breaking that norm is what set his civilization's collapse in motion. The hosts draw the parallel to the erosion of political and social norms in contemporary America, and to the film's closing turn — the Bronze Age is ending because of the Sea Peoples, and the Greeks realize they are the Sea Peoples. The episode's central disagreement is over Athena. Dave reads her as constructed: she wears the face of a priestess Odysseus watched his own men murder in her temple, and the film is showing how humans build gods out of guilt and the sense that something is sacred. Michael pushes back that the film sustains a genuine ambiguity — the idea that gods appear in human form is planted repeatedly, and the priestess is decapitated at the exact moment Athena's statue is, which leaves open that Odysseus may believe they killed a god. He points to the same ambiguity in the Cyclops' cry to Poseidon, which some of the crew claim to hear and neither Odysseus nor the audience does. Neither host resolves it, and both prefer it that way. Michael's position is that the ambiguity is the answer rather than the absence of one — something underpins their world that they don't fully see and are damaging anyway, whether that's Zeus and Poseidon or simply decency and the value of human life. Dave, arriving from a position of religious faith, says he likes that Odysseus has to live in the same uncertain world the rest of us do. The structural evidence they land on: Homer ends with a deus ex machina, Athena descending to stop the cycle of revenge. Nolan cuts it. Nobody intervenes, so Odysseus abdicates, gives the throne to Telemachus, and sails west with Penelope — a change that hands the ending's moral weight entirely to the man. Timestamps Time Segment 00:00 Intro & setup 05:08 Nolan's filmography — is he an auteur? 08:51 Practical filmmaking and visual style 09:37 IMAX 70mm and the limits of the format 14:40 Hoyte van Hoytema 17:16 Why the Mediterranean looks cold 19:39 Ludwig Göransson's score 25:20 Travis Scott, the bard, and the casting discourse 28:56 The ensemble 39:39 Reviews & ratings 49:56 Spoiler section begins 52:18 Xenia and the collapse of norms 54:50 The gods and moral agency 56:12 The Athena reveal 1:01:46 The case for ambiguity 1:05:03 "We're the Sea Peoples" 1:09:02 The ending Nolan changed 1:19:36 Final interpretation debate — are the gods there? 1:26:49 Closing thoughts Films & Directors Mentioned Memento — Christopher Nolan Inception — Christopher Nolan The Prestige — Christopher Nolan Interstellar — Christopher Nolan Dunkirk — Christopher Nolan Tenet — Christopher Nolan Oppenheimer — Christopher Nolan Troy The Northman Dune Saving Private Ryan Fruitvale Station — Ryan Coogler Creed — Ryan Coogler Black Panther — Ryan Coogler Sinners — Ryan Coogler Minority Report The Whale Anemone Disclosure Day — Steven Spielberg Barbie Michael John Ford and Monument Valley Hans Zimmer The sword-and-sandal epics of the 1950s and '60s Contact Web: https://mindframesfilm.com Facebook: Mindframes Network: Now Playing Network Email: info@mindframesfilm.com
Hour 1: Bob's Movie Club has it's next assignment! This time, it's Matty's favorite movie: Raising Arizona (1987) starring Nick Cage and Holly Hunter. Watch is before next Thursday and join the discussion! Scary Movie 6 is being promoted on OnlyFans. Let's talk about it. William Shatner and his daughter fought cancer together and have come out the other side. Sarah is a model - check her out on YouTube! “In a zombie apocalypse…” Oh boy, here we go. Hour 2: Conan breaks his silence about his new hairdo. Sacha Baron Cohen is going back to his Ali G roots. Rosie O'Donnell is in the news. Tom Cruise's new movie is a comedy. Toilet shoes aren't quite a new fashion trend. Whole Foods is taking an interesting approach to the lettuce outbreak. We don't know the truth about cyclospora, but now we know the truth about owls. Hour 3: The Odyssey is shaping up to be a massive box office success. Christopher Nolan says AI is a Trojan Horse, but he doesn't quite nail the metaphor. OpenAI had a security incident when an AI agent hacked into another company. If you love Love Actually, a live orchestra version is coming to San Jose! Heads up about the marathon this weekend! Traffic will be weird. Plus, it's not too late to support our promotions director, Danae, in her fundraiser! Check her out on danae.bae on Instagram or on the radioalice.com events page to donate! Is it normal to be on the phone without telling the people around you? Vinnie is mad about beer that tastes like ranch dressing. The top 10 places to grow old. Hour 4: The Fray and Dashboard Confessional are at The Greek tonight! Shaun Cassidy is going on tour - here are the details. Sarah remembers kissing the face off of his album art. It's been 1 year since Ozzy Osbourne passed away. Tommy Lee, of Motley Crue, is looking back on one of the darkest moments of his addiction. Pat McAfee is releasing a country album… okay. If you're into Matty, you better like ‘Raising Arizona' and hate gum. Chat GPT gave a man incredibly dangerous health advice that almost killed him. Is this Sam Altman's fault? Plus, When Did That Happen?
The Odyssey is shaping up to be a massive box office success. Christopher Nolan says AI is a Trojan Horse, but he doesn't quite nail the metaphor. OpenAI had a security incident when an AI agent hacked into another company. If you love Love Actually, a live orchestra version is coming to San Jose! Heads up about the marathon this weekend! Traffic will be weird. Plus, it's not too late to support our promotions director, Danae, in her fundraiser! Check her out on @danae.bae on Instagram or on the radioalice.com events page to donate! Is it normal to be on the phone without telling the people around you? Vinnie is mad about beer that tastes like ranch dressing. The top 10 places to grow old.
Host Malcolm Harris and co-host Michael Vincent kick off a packed Wednesday edition of the "fastest forty-five minutes of freight". The hosts open with lighthearted banter comparing the intense summer heat and humidity in Chattanooga versus Texas before diving into current news, industry headlines, and deep-dive discussions with two featured guests. Industry Headlines CDL Safety Blitz Crackdowns: The hosts discuss recent multi-state commercial vehicle inspection blitzes (in states like Arizona and Nebraska) that placed dozens of trucks and drivers out of service. Michael argues that despite these enforcement drives, statistical data shows commercial drivers remain among the safest demographics on the road, questioning the underlying motivations behind the blitzes. In Memoriam – Alan Adler: The hosts pay tribute to award-winning journalist Alan Adler, who passed away. They reflect on his legacy as a pioneer in freight media, creator of the Truck Tech newsletter, and a dedicated humanitarian. Featured Guests Dave Rimkus | Head of Global Supply Chain Decarbonization, Schneider Electric (SE Advisory Services) Supply Chain Decarbonization & Scope 1–3: Dave discusses how large multinational companies are working to decarbonize. He notes that 80–95% of a company's emissions typically lie outside its "four walls" within upstream suppliers and logistics (Scope 3). Addressing Choke Points & Risk: Using AI tools like "Sarah" (Resource Advisor), Dave's team tracks environmental choke points, energy grid instability, and supply chain dependencies to build resilience and avoid costly disruptions. Practical Efficiency: Dave highlights how simple efficiency steps—such as route optimization, reducing deadhead miles, truck aerodynamics, and preventative maintenance—offer immediate cost savings and carbon reductions without requiring massive new expenditures. Phil Brink | Head of Fraud Media, FreightWaves Rising Cargo Theft & Fraud: Phil details the growing sophistication of organized crime in supply chains. Bad actors no longer rely solely on dockworker tips; they use AI, stolen identities, fictitious paperwork, and fraudulent carrier profiles to steal high-value loads. Human-Level Vetting & Collaboration: Phil argues for stronger human-level carrier verification (DMV-backed ID checks, biometric links, and GPS tracking) rather than relying on surface-level documentation. He emphasizes the urgent need for better collaboration and shared tech standards between brokers and shippers to catch fraud before trucks are loaded. Watch on YouTube Visit our sponsor - GNOSIS FREIGHT Subscribe to the WTT newsletter Apple Podcasts Spotify More FreightWaves Podcasts #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Raven is back on Temu. He did purchase here and there, but now he has spent more money then he expected to. However, he is upset he didnt get his free gifts that he was promised with his previous bundled purchase. Where can you just not complain? Anna agreed with a bystander when she told another customer off at the dollar tree. If you are at the dollar tree, you cant complain! Top 5 places you can't say anything whether it's good or bad! Side gigs. What is the most common? The usual... DoorDash, Lyft, etc. But what's the absolute worst side gig you have when you are in a pinch and need some quick cash? Anna and Ravens Vacations Foods! Let's see your tasty meal on your trip! Anna and Raven will choose their top 10 favorite plates and one lucky winner will win a $500 DoorDash gift! Submit yours now at AnnaandRaven.com! Trending: More information is coming out from the Panam flight. Anna has never had a drink on a plane because she takes matters into her own hands to save the flight in the case anything happens. You know when you have a store that you claim as your own. Cardi B claims she has been rich too long and had no clue five below existed. Anna, Raven, Producer Justin and Producer Sophia discuss their favs. Am I close? Anna and Raven put their knowledge to the test about the one and only Trojan Horse! It may or not be the one and only... who knows. Kerry and Sam have never been financially secure enough to take their children on a vacation, but his mother has offered to pay to take them all to a resort in Florida, one thing though, she would come too. She hates this idea and can't stand her controlling mother-in-law, she says a lowkey mountain cabin for a few days is plenty of a vacation for their two kids. She feels like she's only offering because it's a power play and she can be the hero in the kid's eyes. He says that his mom is manipulative, and all the bad things she's saying about her is right, but it's a trip for the kids. They have to suck it up and let her have her moment to shine. Meryl has a chance to win $500! All she has to do is answer more pop culture questions than Raven in Can't Beat Raven!
Host Malcolm Harris and co-host Michael Vincent kick off a packed Wednesday edition of the "fastest forty-five minutes of freight". The hosts open with lighthearted banter comparing the intense summer heat and humidity in Chattanooga versus Texas before diving into current news, industry headlines, and deep-dive discussions with two featured guests. Industry Headlines CDL Safety Blitz Crackdowns: The hosts discuss recent multi-state commercial vehicle inspection blitzes (in states like Arizona and Nebraska) that placed dozens of trucks and drivers out of service. Michael argues that despite these enforcement drives, statistical data shows commercial drivers remain among the safest demographics on the road, questioning the underlying motivations behind the blitzes. In Memoriam – Alan Adler: The hosts pay tribute to award-winning journalist Alan Adler, who passed away. They reflect on his legacy as a pioneer in freight media, creator of the Truck Tech newsletter, and a dedicated humanitarian. Featured Guests Dave Rimkus | Head of Global Supply Chain Decarbonization, Schneider Electric (SE Advisory Services) Supply Chain Decarbonization & Scope 1–3: Dave discusses how large multinational companies are working to decarbonize. He notes that 80–95% of a company's emissions typically lie outside its "four walls" within upstream suppliers and logistics (Scope 3). Addressing Choke Points & Risk: Using AI tools like "Sarah" (Resource Advisor), Dave's team tracks environmental choke points, energy grid instability, and supply chain dependencies to build resilience and avoid costly disruptions. Practical Efficiency: Dave highlights how simple efficiency steps—such as route optimization, reducing deadhead miles, truck aerodynamics, and preventative maintenance—offer immediate cost savings and carbon reductions without requiring massive new expenditures. Phil Brink | Head of Fraud Media, FreightWaves Rising Cargo Theft & Fraud: Phil details the growing sophistication of organized crime in supply chains. Bad actors no longer rely solely on dockworker tips; they use AI, stolen identities, fictitious paperwork, and fraudulent carrier profiles to steal high-value loads. Human-Level Vetting & Collaboration: Phil argues for stronger human-level carrier verification (DMV-backed ID checks, biometric links, and GPS tracking) rather than relying on surface-level documentation. He emphasizes the urgent need for better collaboration and shared tech standards between brokers and shippers to catch fraud before trucks are loaded. Watch on YouTube Visit our sponsor - GNOSIS FREIGHT Subscribe to the WTT newsletter Apple Podcasts Spotify More FreightWaves Podcasts #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tariffs are back.... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Darline Graham Nordone confirms she is officially running for a full six-year term in her late brother Lindsey Graham's Senate seat!
The fellas are back from vacation and back in the bar
Five years ago, back in Episode 29, Misty Phillip joined me to share her incredible freedom journey, her ministry, and the Bible study that God had placed on her heart. It has been amazing to watch how God has continued to guide her steps, and I couldn't be more excited to welcome her back to the podcast!This time, we're talking about a topic that affects every single one of us—Artificial Intelligence.Misty's newest book, The Trojan Horse of the Digital Age: Why Christians Must Discern AI, challenges believers to think critically about the technology we're using every day. AI isn't going away, so how do we use it wisely while remaining firmly rooted in God's Word?In this conversation we discuss:Misty's unexpected journey from ministry into cybersecurity and AI.Why AI is a powerful tool—but should never replace biblical wisdom.The importance of protecting your personal data and digital footprint.The growing concerns surrounding AI, surveillance, and data collection.How AI is impacting children, education, mental health, and relationships.Why parents need to understand how their children are using AI.Deepfakes, misinformation, and learning to recognize truth in a digital world.The importance of community, discernment, and walking closely with the Holy Spirit.Practical ways Christians can use AI responsibly to save time while continuing to seek God first.One of my favorite reminders from this conversation is that AI can be used for good or for bad—just like many other tools. The key is not fear, but discernment.As technology continues to advance, we must stay anchored in God's Word so we can recognize truth, guard our hearts, and wisely steward the tools He's placed in our hands.Misty reminds us that no artificial intelligence will ever replace the wisdom that comes from the Holy Spirit.Bio:Misty Phillip is a Christ-follower, author, speaker, and advocate for faith-driven discernment in the digital age.As COO of TrilogyWorks, a boutique technology firm specializing in cybersecurity and AI-driven solutions, Misty brings real-world expertise to the conversation about technology and faith. She's not theorizing from the sidelines—she's in the arena every day.Misty is the award-winning author of The Struggle is Real, But So is God and Spark Your Influence, and co-author of Upskill or Die: Thriving in the AI Revolution. She founded Spark Media, a platform that empowered Christian podcasters through conferences, publications, and community for over two decades.A homeschool mom of three sons for more than twenty years, Misty understands firsthand the challenges families face in raising the next generation. She has hosted multiple podcasts including It Is Time to Stand Up, Upskill or Die, and By His Grace, and speaks nationally on topics at the intersection of faith, family, and technology.Misty believes the church is not called to hide from the future—but to shape it with wisdom, courage, and unshakable faith.Anchor Verse2 Timothy 1:7Connect with Misty:Website: https://www.mistyphillip.comIG: https://www.instagram.com/mistyphillip/Episode #29: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2ZzPuu20Dss8i3ml0oIo2Y?si=g0cFx2lVTPiDePKe7bz3_Q***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we'd be so grateful if you'd take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it's a simple way to make a big impact!***
Take 240: What's NewBig week. Jonathan and JP are back and there's a lot to get into.List It or Nix It kicks things off with seven fresh trailers — Mayday, I Play Rocky, The Uprising, Behemoth, The Other Mommy, Bad Apples, and Doomsday all go through the gauntlet.In What We've Been Watching, Jonathan saw The Odyssey and then apparently went on a full childhood cinema tour — Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, The Pagemaster, Harriet the Spy, Stuart Little, Shark Tale, and Zathura. JP brings Project Hail Mary, Lawrence of Arabia, After Hours, and The Odyssey to the table, with House of the Dragon and Silo on the TV side.Then the news, and it's a good one this week.The Odyssey opened to $124.5 million domestically and $264.1 million globally — Nolan's biggest worldwide opening ever, beating The Dark Knight Rises. The only films that opened bigger this year are Toy Story 5 and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. Jon Bernthal filmed the Trojan Horse sequence submerged in cold water, Nolan offered to pull him out, and Bernthal's response was essentially: try harder. The film has no real competition until Spider-Man on July 31, which gives it room to run on a $250 million budget that needs the legs.And then — the Avengers: Doomsday trailer dropped this morning. First proper look at Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom. Thor rallying heroes, closing with "we need a miracle" before turning around stunned at a "hey pal." Channing Tatum as Gambit. Cyclops, Mystique, Ant-Man, the Fantastic Four, the Wakandans. Tickets on sale now. Opens December 18. The SDCC Hall H panel is Saturday — further reveals expected.It's a good time to love movies.
Christopher Nolan does not do anything small, so of course his Odyssey is shot entirely on IMAX film, scored on Bronze Age instruments, and staged with a sixty-foot practical Cyclops in an actual cave full of actual bees. Pete Wright, Tommy Metz III, Ocean Murff, and Steve Sarmento pull up an oar for The Film Board's monthly round-table to figure out what all that machinery is actually in service of — because the surprising thing about The Odyssey isn't the spectacle. It's that Nolan takes Homer's victory lap and turns it into a reckoning.Full spoilers throughout. The board digs into how the film reframes the hero: Matt Damon's Odysseus is a man who's very good at winning and increasingly sick about what winning costs, the Trojan Horse recast from clever trick to war crime, the whole story quietly asking whether "war hero" is a contradiction in terms. They get into Nolan the skeptic making a fantasy — the gods pushed to the psychological margins, Athena reimagined as guilt wearing Zendaya's face — and how a stacked cast (Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Charlize Theron, Samantha Morton, Robert Pattinson as a suitor you will genuinely want dead) grounds all the myth in something human.But the craft you guys… Ludwig Göransson's relentless, orchestra-free score built from gongs and scrap metal; the editing that makes a 172-minute movie move; the new camera Nolan had built and the reels that had to change every three minutes mid-scene. Steve saw it in the pristine 70mm format and comes back a little evangelized. Is a 98% Rotten Tomatoes score is earned or just the Nolan logo doing its work? What is the film is really saying about who we root for in a war? Plus, stick around past the credits for a genuine argument about whether the gods exist in this movie at all.The Film Board is a monthly round-table on new theatrical releases. Part of The Next Reel family of film shows at thenextreel.com.Links & NotesChristopher Nolan on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart — the interview Pete cites, where Nolan says Oppenheimer is the only reason this got made. YouTube · Deadline recap"Blucifer" — the Denver airport horse Pete wants to stab. It's Luis Jiménez's "Blue Mustang," and, fittingly for this episode, a piece of it fell on and killed the artist before it was finished. Blue Mustang – WikipediaThe Sea Peoples / Late Bronze Age collapse — the real history behind "we are the people from the sea." Sea Peoples – Wikipedia · Late Bronze Age collapseHow Göransson built the score — no orchestra, Bronze Age instruments, thirty-five gongs, scrap metal. VarietyThe custom IMAX camera and 70mm format we kept raving about. PetaPixel: IMAX's new large-format film cameraErrol Morris's "Interrotron" — Tommy's reference for the mirror rig that let Damon and Hathaway fake eye contact. Interrotron – WikipediaThe Odyssey on Rotten Tomatoes — the 98% critics / 96% audience split we land on. Rotten TomatoesRead-alongs (Homer & friends)Homer's The Odyssey — the source; Pete's got the audiobook queued on Libby. Free text: Project GutenbergVirgil's the Aeneid — Steve's "same war, Trojan side" reference. Project Gutenberg Support The Next Reel Family of Film Shows:Become a member for just $5/month or $55/yearJoin our Discord community of movie loversThe Next Reel Family of Film Shows:Cinema Scope: Bridging Genres, Subgenres, and MovementsThe Film BoardMovies We LikeThe Next ReelSitting in the DarkConnect With Us:Main Site: WebMovie Platforms: Letterboxd | FlickchartSocial Media: Facebook | Instagram | Threads | Bluesky | YouTube | PinterestYour Hosts: Pete | JJ | Steve | Tommy | Andy | Ocean Shop & Stream:Merch Store: Apparel, stickers, mugs & moreWatch Page: Buy/rent films we've discussedOriginals: Source material from our episodesSpecial offers: Audible
Nolan said, “I think AI is a Trojan horse that everybody knows the Greeks are inside.” He later described the technology as “a transparent horse, it's made of glass.” Also, Hugging Face disclosed the breach on Friday, but said it was still investigating whether any customer or partner data was stolen during the incident. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
It's an EPIC New Movie Monday as we review one of Christopher Nolan's most Messed Up movies to date - The Odyssey! Griffey, Heath and Sam marvel at this massive, cinematic spectacle while licking their own battle wounds from Days of the Dead in Indianapolis. Sam is our Trojan Horse of knowledge as he schools us on the ways this epic update honors and belies Homer's original text, we celebrate the star-studded casting, navigate the many Messed Up moments we've never seen from Christopher Nolan before. Support the show on the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/messedupmoviespod Logline: After the Trojan War, Odysseus faces a dangerous voyage back to Ithaca, meeting creatures like the Cyclops Polyphemus, Sirens, and Calypso along the way. Directed by: Christopher Nolan Starring: Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, Himesh Patel, Mia Goth, John Leguizamo, Lupita Nyong'o, Logan Marshall-Green, Jon Bernthal, Elliot Page, Benny Safdie, Travis Scott
Are you blindly plugging AI tools into your freight operations without a second thought, or worse, letting shadow AI compromise your organization's most sensitive data? NMFTA's Director of Cybersecurity, Ben Wilkens, is back to give it to you straight about the wild west of AI in the transportation industry! We dive right into the critical differences between foundational AI models and everyday AI tools, the hidden risks of rapid large language model adoption, and why establishing a strict AI governance framework is now a matter of national security. The shift from zero to full AI integration has occurred almost overnight, and if you aren't actively protecting your digital footprint with proper guardrails, you're leaving your trucking company or brokerage vulnerable to bad actors and catastrophic data breaches. We break down exactly how everyday professionals can utilize the NMFTA's free resources to build a secure tech infrastructure from the ground up, ensuring your data remains your ultimate currency. Tune in for no-nonsense insights to protect your business, and don't forget to secure your spot at the upcoming NMFTA Cybersecurity Conference in Long Beach to stay ahead of the curve! To access the 2026 NMFTA Cybersecurity AI Governance Framework, visit https://bit.ly/4wP09cq and complete the form. About Ben Wilkens Ben Wilkens, CISSP, CCSP, CISM, is a Cybersecurity Principal Engineer at the National Motor Freight Traffic Association, Inc. (NMFTA)™. In his role at NMFTA, Ben spearheads research initiatives and leads teams dedicated to developing cutting-edge cybersecurity technologies, methodologies, and strategies to safeguard information systems and networks. He collaborates extensively with academic institutions, industry partners, and government agencies to advance cybersecurity practices and knowledge. Ben provides expert insights and recommendations to organizations, enhancing their security posture and helping them navigate the constantly evolving landscape of cyber threats. Before joining NMFTA, Ben was a key executive at a third-generation family-owned trucking and logistics company. There, he focused on the strategic integration of technology to improve operational efficiency while ensuring adherence to cybersecurity best practices. With a rare combination of CISSP, CCSP, and CISM certifications alongside an active Class A CDL, Ben brings a unique perspective to the intersection of cybersecurity and transportation. In addition to his extensive experience as an over-the-road driver, he has held roles in dispatch operations, driver management, and brokerage sales. Ben later transitioned to IT and operations support, where he honed his expertise in cybersecurity.
In this episode, I sit down with Zac and Jack from We Have a Meeting to unpack how their done-for-you outbound service has generated over £4M in live pipeline for 9 recruitment companies in the last 12 months, without relying on candidate flips or any of the usual recruiter BD tactics.We dive into their full outbound system: how they build and enrich data before a single call is made, the VAR process that quality-checks every meeting booked, and the "Trojan Horse" strategy they use to break into markets they've never worked in before.Connect with Zac here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zac-thompson-33a9a39b/Connect with Jack here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-frimston-5010177b/-------------------------Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/JySSf2QrVWE-------------------------Podcast Sponsors: Claim your exclusive savings from our partners with the links below:Sourcewhale - Check Out Sourcewhale & Claim Your Exclusive Offer Here.Atlas - Check Out Atlas & Claim Your Exclusive Offer HereRaise - Check Out Raise & Claim Your Exclusive Offer Here.-------------------------Want more content like this?The Wednesday Debrief is our free weekly newsletter for recruiters who take their craft seriously. Join 7,000+ subscribers here: https://newsletter.recruitmentmentors.com/-------------------------Get in touch with me:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hishemazzouz/-------------------------
This week is a monumental one for the show! We are tackling the cinematic event of the year: Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey (2026). And, to make this episode even more special, we are joined by cast member Andrei Lenart!Directed by Christopher Nolan and shot entirely on IMAX 70mm film, The Odyssey isn't just a movie—it's a global experience. Starring Matt Damon as the war-weary Odysseus, the film charts his decade-long struggle to return to Ithaca after the Trojan War, weaving together his grueling sea voyage and the desperate situation back home with Penelope (Anne Hathaway) and Telemachus (Tom Holland). Fun Flix Fact: This production makes history as the very first feature film to be shot completely on IMAX film, pushing the boundaries of what large-format cameras can capture—from the desolate shores of the Scottish Moray Firth to the sun-drenched landscapes of Sicily and the sands of Western Sahara.Fun Flix Fact: The film's "Trojan Horse" sequence is a masterclass in production design, reimagined by Nolan as a towering, unsettling monument that draws inspiration from Ozymandias and Planet of the Apes, turning the ancient trick into a dark, visceral centerpiece of the film's opening act.We are thrilled to welcome Andrei Lenart to the show! Having worked on projects ranging from Kingsman: The Secret Service to Kill 'Em All 2, Andrei brings an incredible physical intensity to the screen. We'll be diving deep into what it's actually like to work on a high-stakes, multi-country Nolan set.And if that's not enough entertainment for you, we've even thrown in new trailers to watch and what you can catch on streaming. Hit that subscribe button right now so you never miss an episode of The Flixters! We're here every week to bring you the best reviews, the wildest facts, and the greatest cinema talk in the business. 00:00 Intro 01:43 Andre Lenart04:17 Who is the Goatman05:35 Avengers07:59 Arnie/Secret Level12:05 Starting Out14:21 Voice Acting15:14 Video Games18:16 Working with Jean Claude Van Damme24:24 Preparation29:07 Movie News35:06 New Trailers45:25 The Odyssey Review1:08:15 OutroThis episode is proudly sponsored by Zencastr. Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr
What's our response when we are betrayed or when find ourselves as the betrayer?1st Homily for the 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time, July 18, 2026
“I want someone who has regrets. I want someone who's learned the hard way. I want someone who understands that life is made of those messy compromises.” — Joel Christensen on the Odysseus he hopes to see in Matt Damon Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey is out — the controversial movie of the year, much of the controversy raging before anyone had seen a frame. So, before either of us had seen the epic, I talked to the CUNY classicist Joel Christensen, author of the timely Why Odysseus? Survivor, Scoundrel, (Anti)hero. What, I asked Christensen, did he most dread about Hollywood's treatment of his beloved Odyssey? His answer: a hero too noble to be interesting. The Odysseus of the epic is a survivor, a scoundrel, an antihero — the master sergeant who does what needs to be done, from engineering the Trojan Horse to making sure Hector's infant son doesn't survive it. Christensen's worry about Matt Damon came down to one word: too likeable. What he wanted instead was a man with regrets — De Niro in Raging Bull rather than anybody noble. So did Christensen get the Odysseus he wanted? Below is his review, written after seeing the film when it came out. Postscript: Joel Christensen's Verdict on the Film Nolan's Odyssey is not Homer's Odyssey. This should be clear to anyone. Nolan faced an almost impossible task well: ancient audiences knew the story already. Modern audiences do not, so he created a ring structure with the beginning union of Penelope and Odysseus anticipating the reunion at the end, also introducing plot elements like the dog Argos and the pin by which Penelope will recognize Odysseus. The film is not Homer. Homer's power is poetry; the film's is image. Some of the images are striking: the scene when Circe turns his men into animals is the most arresting in the whole movie, showing everything that can be done with visceral imagery and a slight adaptation (Circe here is a survivor of sexual assault). The changes made to the plot such as omitting the Phaeacians, Nestor, Laertes, the bed and more are not as jarring as some of the general decisions. Calling “Zeus' Law” “do unto others…” makes an understandable translation to a Christian context, but it is somewhat nonsensical for Homer. Depicting a mutilated Helen is a strange decision that I am struggling with. What the movie gets right is making humans responsible for their own suffering. In a novel take on Odysseus as a traumatized warrior, the hero spends seven years with Calypso eating Lotus to forget the loss of his men. Damon, too likeable, regrets the trick of the Trojan Horse after witnessing the slaughter during the sack of Troy. We find out as well that the “sea people” from history, bringing an end to the “civilization” are actually the Greeks returning from the Trojan War and suffering for the transgressions they committed there. Is this ending an echo of Zeus' plan to end the race of heroes in the Trojan War? Is it an allegory for our civilizational collapse in the future thanks to technology, environmental catastrophe, and fascism? Any potential social critique dissipates with the movie's end. The traumatized veteran turns out to be merciful and kills only some of the suitors, showing many mercy. Then, guilty of violating “Zeus' Law”, Odysseus happily goes into exile with Penelope, leaving Telemachus to be king. There's no way to make Homer's Odyssey into a film and convey all its ambiguity and depth. That would be an unfair expectation. Nolan's film is a compelling spectacle and it makes me wonder more about how it reflects who we are as an audience. Do we need the hero to be ultimately good, even if he messed up? Are we so simple that we need to hear about Zeus' Law and the Sea People so repetitively? I fear that in this age where fiction and fact are so hard to disentangle, that we long for narratives that are just simpler. We don't get the Odyssey we want; we get the one we deserve. Five Takeaways • A Complicated Man: The Translation Problem. Every word of Homer carries echoes no English can hold, and the fights over Nolan's dialogue replay the fights over translation. Emily Wilson detonated a controversy by rendering polytropos — poly, many; tropos, turn — as “a complicated man,” alluding at once to Odysseus's travels and the many forms of his character; Daniel Mendelsohn's “man of roundabout ways” does the work too, if you can stop thinking about rotaries. Even the objection to Tom Holland's Telemachus saying “dad” collapses on inspection: Telemachus uses the colloquial form in Homer. And the “authentic” dialect purists want was an artificial amalgam that no ancient Greek ever spoke. • The Culture Wars Come for Homer. Nobody remembers a brouhaha over Wolfgang Petersen's Troy — a pretty bad movie, Christensen notes — but Nolan's Odyssey generates more controversy than a scholar can track daily. Lupita Nyong'o's Helen is attacked as inauthentic by one side and as cultural appropriation by the other; since 2015, classicists have watched the Western tradition weaponized by the alt-right while their own field argues about who owns it. Christensen's advice channels the epic itself: between Scylla and Charybdis, take Scylla. You'll lose six men. The alternative is losing the ship — and if the story doesn't persuade in three hours, nobody will remember the armor anyway. • The Valence of Violence. Modern audiences are more accustomed to represented violence than any in history — you don't need Natural Born Killers when Twitter serves unverifiable clips from Gaza and Iran. The question Christensen brings to the film is what the violence is for. Uberto Pasolini's The Return gave Ralph Fiennes's Odysseus a steady, untroubled thump of arrows; the epic's own slaughter of the suitors, read closely, approaches Tarantino-adjacent parody. And the hardest tests are the atrocities the adaptations always cut: the mutilation of the goatherd Melanthius, and Telemachus hanging the enslaved women. Does the violence glorify the hero — or show what even the best of us are capable of? • Keep Penelope Ambiguous. The great interpretive question of the Odyssey is when Penelope knows the beggar is her husband — the suitors, dead in the underworld, are convinced she was in on it all along. The epic grants her remarkable intelligence and agency, then reins it in: Agamemnon's ghost praises her by way of insulting all women, and she vanishes from the text. Christensen's advice to Nolan wouldn't be Margaret Atwood's Penelopiad, which centers the women's voices; it would be more screen time and total ambiguity — no access to her mind, a wife who matches her husband in wits and may even have outwitted him. Though based on Nolan's arc, he doubts we'll get a woman at the center. • Survivor, Scoundrel, (Anti)hero. Christensen's worry about Matt Damon was simple: too likable. Odysseus is the master sergeant — the one who takes the hard orders, tricks Achilles into the war, engineers the Horse, and makes sure Hector's infant son doesn't survive to rebuild Troy. The ancient hero is neither good nor ...
As the film adaptation of the Odyssey bursts onto screens around the world this week, here at Unexpected Elements we're undertaking our own epic journey through science – all inspired by the ancient Greek epic.First, we discover the tiny virus that's using its own Trojan Horse to sneak into cells it wouldn't usually be able to infect. Then, we hear about the daring 8000km voyage undertaken by iguanas 30 million years ago.Next, we're joined by Professor Steve Simpson from the University of Bristol in the UK. He tells us how he's been using sounds to lure fish back to coral reefs around the world – much like how the Sirens in the Odyssey used their enticing songs to lure sailors to shore. Except in Steve's work, rather than being lured to their deaths, the fish are helping corals recover from the devastating effects of climate change.Also, the fake medicine that still makes you feel better and why some smells might make you sleepy.All that, plus many more Unexpected Elements.Presenter: Marnie Chesterton, with Emmanuel Samani and Chhavi Sachdev Producers: Sophie Ormiston, with Dan Welsh, Alice McKee and Nada Soufi
On this episode of Trending with Timmerie: Episode Guide Should I have my progesterone tested if I find out I’m pregnant? (2:52) Fulton Sheen’s Antidotes for Anxiety (15:38) Elliot Page & the new Odyssey film – the gender Trojan Horse that destroys what a human is (39:51) How we bring back the neighborhood (46:39) Resources mentioned: Fulton Sheen’s Antidotes for Anxiety https://catholicexchange.com/fulton-sheens-antidotes-for-anxiety/ Bringing back the neighborhood - video https://x.com/Katy_Faust/status/2076677519542300695
Kelly Keegan of Barstool returns for an epic preview of Christopher Nolan's THE ODYSSEY! Is this the biggest movie of the summer? Are we witnessing the start of Matt Damon's march to Best Actor? Which members of the star-studded cast are inside the promotional Trojan Horse? We break down all aspects of this long awaited blockbuster! --- Remember to Rate (5 Stars), Review (Great show, blah, blah, blah) and Follow us on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b-o-boys-movie-box-office/id1489892648 E-mail us: theboboyspodcast@gmail.com Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@theboboyspodcast Follow us on TikTok and Instagram: @TheBOBoysPod Subscribe on Substack: https://substack.com/@theboboys Our AWESOME artwork was provided by the talented Ellie Skrzat. Check out her work at https://ellieskrzat.com/ Thanks to WannaBO VP of Interns Christopher for running our social media! ---
The race to succeed Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is heating up ahead of the mid-August primary, and the political math is shifting. While registered Republicans outnumber Democrats by 1.5 million in the state, both parties are fighting to win over a massive bloc of independent voters. Earlier this week, host Jessica Rosenthal spoke with GOP frontrunner Congressman Byron Donalds. He breaks down why he is confident he will secure the nomination this summer and win the governor's mansion this fall. Donalds also addresses the biggest issues facing Florida voters today, including affordability, taxes, and the expansion of data centers. He also explains why he compares Jolly's campaign and the Democrats' 2026 messaging to a "Trojan Horse." Hear the full, unedited interview on today's edition of the Fox News Rundown Extra. Don't forget to subscribe to the weekday podcast so you never miss an episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The race to succeed Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is heating up ahead of the mid-August primary, and the political math is shifting. While registered Republicans outnumber Democrats by 1.5 million in the state, both parties are fighting to win over a massive bloc of independent voters. Earlier this week, host Jessica Rosenthal spoke with GOP frontrunner Congressman Byron Donalds. He breaks down why he is confident he will secure the nomination this summer and win the governor's mansion this fall. Donalds also addresses the biggest issues facing Florida voters today, including affordability, taxes, and the expansion of data centers. He also explains why he compares Jolly's campaign and the Democrats' 2026 messaging to a "Trojan Horse." Hear the full, unedited interview on today's edition of the Fox News Rundown Extra. Don't forget to subscribe to the weekday podcast so you never miss an episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Today, we explore Homer's Odyssey—from its origins to the famous 10-year journey from Troy, the famous Trojan Horse, and the legacy of Odysseus. Welcome to History Camp!
History teachers are gonna hate this episode. Before Christopher Nolan hides his massive IMAX cameras inside a horse for The Odyssey, we ask the only question that matters: Did TROY do it better twenty years ago? In this episode, we’re throwing Wolfgang Petersen’s Trojan horse up against Nolan’s Trojan horse to determine the ultimate Trojan Horse champ. We also chat about James Cameron’s Billie Eilish movie, Mark’s Walter Hill fest, and an exciting (?) opportunity for the show that… well… we just don’t know about. So, prepare to defy the gods, pop your popcorn for your Trojan horse popcorn bucket, and join us for an episode of EPIC proportions. Wanna be on the show? Call us and leave a voicemail at (707) 948-6707. Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzDsxUs9JzL70A1Sh5GbRdw Visit our Linktree for more ways you can connect with us and connect with our show! Also be sure to visit the official Matt and Mark Movie Show Merch Zone on Teepublic. You can get your very own A.S.S.B.O.T. themed gear, like shirts, hoodies, stickers, and more! Use this link to shop the goods and help support our pod. Support our show through Blubrry: https://blubrry.com/services/professional-podcast-hosting/?code=GetRecd Buy Us A Coffee: http://buymeacoffee.com/Mattandmark
Artificial intelligence is changing how we work, learn, communicate, and search for truth. But how should Christians respond?In this episode of Conversations with Christians Engaged, part of our Impacting the Culture series, Ben Quine sits down with author and speaker Misty Phillip to discuss AI through a biblical lens.Together, they explore why AI is not neutral, how believers can practice discernment, why families need guardrails, and how Christians can use technology wisely without losing sight of God's Word.In this episode: How Christians should think about AI Why artificial intelligence is not neutral The importance of biblical discernment Protecting children and families in the digital age Using technology with wisdom instead of fearLearn more about Misty Phillip and The Trojan Horse of the Digital Age: mistyphillip.comWatch more episodes: christiansengaged.org/podcasts
As seen on Gutfeld! Greg talks about how Dems are embracing the Democratic socialist agenda. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mortality and the End of the Iliad. Guest: Professor Emily Wilson. The final stages of the Iliad focus on Achilles' intense grief and the rituals surrounding death. Following the violent funeral pyre for Patroclus, Achilles organizes funeral games, which Wilson suggests represent his growing realization that all mortals are ultimately "losers" in the face of death. These games provide a new model for competition where skillful men can win prizes without the conflict ending in the destruction of society. A significant moment of reconciliation—or perhaps a "sick burn"—occurs when Achilles gives Agamemnon a prize for spear-throwing without requiring him to compete, acknowledging Agamemnon's status while potentially mocking his habit of taking things he did not earn. The poem notably concludes not with the fall of Troyor the Trojan Horse, but with the voices of three women—Andromache, Hecuba, and Helen—singing laments. Their grief highlights the future of enslavement and loss facing the survivors. This ending, marked by a humanitarian pause for Hector's funeral, underscores the poem's central theme: the universal struggle to accept human mortality. 1
The Homeric Question and Epic Tradition. Guest: Professor Emily Wilson. The identity of Homer remains a subject of intense scholarly debate, as the Iliad emerged from a long oral tradition that existed before the return of literacy to Greece in the 8th century BCE. For centuries, performing poets developed stories of heroes like Achilles and Agamemnon, using dactylic hexameter to aid memory and performance. The Iliad is a monumental written poem that takes a sophisticated approach to these familiar tales, often subverting expectations. Interestingly, it omits many "famous hits" like the Trojan Horse, the judgment of Paris, and the actual fall of Troy. Instead, it focuses on a mere month and a half of the ten-year war, centering on internal Greek conflict rather than just a battle against Trojans. Wilson notes that while she translates the work into iambic pentameter to capture its drive, the poem itself possesses the narrative complexity of a modern novel, utilizing techniques like shifting perspectives and narrator omniscience. She also mentions lost epic poems like the Cypria, which provided more backstory on Zeus's plan to reduce the human population through war. 2