Episode 546: Overfilled Wine Glasses, Octavarium, and Overpopulation

Real Life Updates

Devon’s Redecoration Adventure
Devon has been painting and redecorating—at Jen’s request—to make things look more "adult." This involved taking down metal posters to put up a TV for gaming, which led to a frustrating experience with Displate (spoiler: they suck). While redecorating, Devon also came across a fascinating philosophy YouTuber, Alex O’Connor.

▶️ Watch Alex O’Connor: YouTube Link

Also, ChatGPT can apparently generate a perfect glass of wine… all the way to the top.

Steven’s Gaming Corner
Steven has been playing Avowed (part of Xbox Game Pass—so "free"). His verdict? "Pretty fun." Thanks to his beefy new graphics card, he’s playing on PC.

▶️ Check out Avowed: Steam Link

He also tried Keep Driving, a game about driving to the right, avoiding potholes, picking up hitchhikers, and helping a little girl find her parents—all while managing fuel, energy, and car repairs.

▶️ Try Keep Driving: Steam Link

Ben’s Solitaire Obsession
Ben has discovered Scoundrel Solitaire by Zach Gage and Kurt Bieg, a solitaire game played with a real deck of cards and a D20.

▶️ Learn how to play: Rules PDF
▶️ Play online: Itch.io Link

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Future or Now: Music & Media

Renee’s Music Question:
Renee’s kid is getting into 90s rock (Weezer, The Offspring, etc.), and that sparked a conversation about favorite musical sounds and guitar solos. Here’s what we came up with:

• Ben: The sound of an orchestra tuning up (potential energy). Favorite solo: We Will Fall Together – Streetlight Manifesto

• Steven: Any heavy bass sound. Favorite solo: Waking the Demon

• Devon: Pinched harmonics. Favorite solo: Octavarium (Razor’s Edge) – John Petrucci

▶️ Dream Theater - Octavarium Guitar Solo: YouTube Link

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man
We checked out Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, which fills in gaps between the Tom Holland movies. Like X-Men '97, it takes some big swings.

▶️ More on the show: IMDB Link

Devon’s Disturbing Read
Devon is reading Animal Liberation Now by Peter Singer. It’s unsettling, to say the least. More thoughts after he finishes.

▶️ Read it here: Google Books Link

Steven’s Movie Night
Steven watched some of Wicked Part 1 with his kids. They haven’t asked to watch more. Suspicious. He also revisited Return to Oz, which remains a fever dream.

▶️ Return to Oz: Rotten Tomatoes Link

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Book Club Corner

Next Week: To Be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chambers
A look at 22nd-century space exploration using somaforming—biological modifications that allow astronauts to survive hostile environments. But what happens when Earth moves on without them?

▶️ Audiobook: Audible Link

This Week: Billennium by J.G. Ballard
A classic dystopian short story exploring extreme overpopulation. But why "20,000 million"? And what would you do if you suddenly came into wealth? Would you help others?

▶️ Read it here: PDF Link

▶️ World population discussion: Worldometer