Podcasting by Robots - Hah! That'll be the day.
Calisthenics - the new you...and me. National Fungi Day - yay 'shrooms!
Welcome to the world of Fake Podcasting
As some of you may know I am furiously trying to get a podcast show off the ground. After watching all the hundreds of YouTube videos on the subject and reading countless articles telling me that it was very simple - you only had to spend pennies and all you needed was a microphone and a laptop and you could be podcasting in minutes. I‘m here to tell you that it is a load of tosh. My experience so far is that you need to spend a fair bit on the tech, especially the microphone so you don’t sound like a tinny robot talking underwater and then there is the cost of the podcast hosting – depending on what level of support and online creativity you want. Oh, and don’t forget that you are meant to have a website.
I am not deluded enough to think that as a solo podcaster my podcast will sky-rocket me into online stardom - but I would like to give it the best chance it has.
But what if I didn’t actually have to talk? What if I could just write a script and have an AI program read it out as a podcast? Well, I can. That doesn’t mean I should, but the technology is already here, and it’s scary how good it actually is. NotebookLM is an AI-powered research and writing assistant from Google that helps users study and conduct research, but crucially, it can generate audio overviews that sound like podcasts. There are 2 hosts, a male and a female that have a back-and-forth banter, and sometimes, even a little humour.
My worry is that genuine podcasters will be lost in all the snow of AI generated podcasts flooding the internet (specifically podcast hosting platforms). There are already sensationalist YouTube videos showing you how to make money from this new trend.
This is the article from arstechnica.com that I read. Kyle Orland wrote a 30,000 word book about the legendary computer game Mine Sweeper. The AI rendered it into a 12 ½ minute podcast using a chatbot. Check it out in the link below.
https://arstechnica.com/ai/2024/09/fake-ai-podcasters-are-reviewing-my-book-and-its-freaking-me-out/
Watch this space!
Bored with the gym? Try Calisthenics – is this the way forward for exercise?
I have spent £500 on 2 gym memberships in a year and I’ve been 6 times. I thought that spending that much money that I couldn’t really afford would spur me to go. I don’t normally use a gym and go running instead through our beautiful forest here on the edge of London. However, I’ve had an Achilles tendon injury for the last 10 months that has stopped me from running so I thought I would replace the run by working out in a gym.
The thing is, I get bored in a gym. I hate having to wait for someone to finish on a piece of equipment and then having to wipe their sweat off of it. So, for the last few months, I’ve turned to isometric exercises, specifically Calisthenics. No equipment is needed and all you do is a mixture of body weight exercises and stretches. Think sit-ups, push-ups, squats, etc. This has been a game changer for me as I can do all the exercises in the comfort of my home whenever I have time, and best of all it’s free! It also appears to be having some positive effect on the Achilles injury too.
There is a young chap called Hampton who has a YT channel called Hybrid Calisthenics, his approach is brilliant as it caters for everyone's ability regardless of age.
All I have to do now is try not to throw my back out while attempting to touch my toes!
National Fungi Day: A Spore-tacular Celebration!
Fungi are one of our most ancient species. In the UK the annual Fungi Day is around the 5th October, so let’s talk some facts about this amazing and essential organism.
Firstly, fungi are not plants or animals. They are a distinct taxonomic group.
Fungi are nature’s original recyclers. If it weren’t for them, we’d all be buried under a mountain of rotting leaves and pizza leftovers!
Mushrooms, people love ‘shrooms. Whether they’re sauteed in butter and eaten on toast or pan-fried in garlic like a Portobello mushroom steak, they are a versatile and nutritious food group, rich in potassium. Mushrooms were referred to as the “food of the gods” by early Romans.
There are estimated to be around 10,000 types of mushrooms alone but Scientists believe there could be anywhere from 2.2 million to 3.8 million species of fungi, including moulds, yeasts, and mushrooms.
There are several medicinal mushrooms known for their health benefits. These are some of the notable ones:
1. Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum): Often called the "mushroom of immortality," reishi is used for its immune-boosting properties and potential stress relief.
2. Chaga (Inonotus obliquus): Known for its high antioxidant content, chaga may help with inflammation and support overall health.
3. Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus): This unique mushroom is linked to cognitive health, with studies suggesting it may support brain function and nerve regeneration.
4. Cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis): Often used to enhance energy and athletic performance, cordyceps may also improve stamina and recovery.
5. Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor): Rich in polysaccharides, this mushroom is often used to support immune health and is researched for its potential in cancer treatments.
6. Shiitake (Lentinula edodes): Besides being delicious, shiitake mushrooms may help lower cholesterol and support heart health.
These mushrooms have been used in traditional medicine for centuries and are gaining popularity in modern wellness practices, but always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplements.
Some mushrooms are also used for their psychoactive properties like Psilocybin mushrooms. These hallucinogenic mushrooms, such as the Liberty Cap have been used for thousands of years and many people enjoy the sensory effects including visual and auditory hallucinations and altered perception of time and space. Psilocybin mushrooms have not been known to cause physical or psychological addiction.
So, on this glorious National Fungi Day, let’s raise a glass of mushroom-infused kombucha (because why not?) and celebrate our spore-tastic friends.
That’s it for this newsletter. As always, take care and enjoy life!
Simon JJ Green