Sysk Pins and Buttons

An artificial intelligence capable of improving itself runs the risk of growing intelligent beyond any human capacity and outside of our control. Josh explains why a superintelligent AI that we haven’t planned for would be extremely bad for humankind.

Chuck Bryant of Stuff You Should Know sits down with your favorite people to talk about their favorite movie. More conversation than interview, Movie Crush, at its heart, is about the love affair we all have with the silver screen.

We humans could have a bright future ahead of us that lasts billions of years. But we have to survive the next 200 years first. Join Josh Clark of Stuff You Should Know for a 10-episode deep dive that explores the future of humanity and finds dangers we have never encountered before lurking just ahead. And if we humans are alone in the universe, if we don't survive intelligent life dies out with us too.

Epilogue: There’s one last thing. Maybe the reason why we don’t see other intelligent life, maybe the reason we are in the astoundingly unique position of having to save the future of the human race, is because we are simulated human beings. It would explain a lot.

Natural viruses and bacteria can be deadly enough; the 1918 Spanish Flu killed 50 million people in four months. But risky new research, carried out in an unknown number of labs around the world, are creating even more dangerous humanmade pathogens.

The Great Filter hypothesis says we’re alone in the universe because the process of evolution contains some filter that prevents life from spreading into the universe. Have we passed it or is it in our future? Humanity’s survival may depend on the answer.

We humans are our own worst enemies when it comes to what it will take to deal with existential risks. We are loaded with cognitive biases, can’t coordinate on a global scale, and see future generations as freeloaders. Seriously, are we going to survive?

Humanity could have a future billions of years long – or we might not make it past the next century. If we have a trip through the Great Filter ahead of us, then we appear to be entering it now. It looks like existential risks will be our filter.

A shirt for to wear to the movies - or just look like you did.

Chuck Bryant of Stuff You Should Know sits down with your favorite people to talk about their favorite movie. More conversation than interview, Movie Crush, at its heart, is about the love affair we all have with the silver screen.

It's a Ponzi Scheme!

Your favorite people — their favorite movie!

The best way to find our podcast!

Spinning is a gateway drug.

We humans could have a bright future ahead of us that lasts billions of years. But we have to survive the next 200 years first. How about surviving in style!

Traditional kids' hand illustration of a turkey

Ever wondered where all the aliens are? It’s actually very weird that, as big and old as the universe is, we seem to be the only intelligent life. In this episode, Josh examines the Fermi paradox, and what it says about humanity’s place in the universe.

One of SYSK's classic band names! Guaranteed to turn heads – and possibly stomachs – these guys are the s**t. (Each and every sale supports Kiva!)

To survive the next century or two – to navigate our existential threats – all of us will have to become informed and involved. It will take a movement that gets behind science done right to make it through the Great Filter.

Legal Eagles

Tuk Tuk the Caveman

I think you better sniff him off the case.

Not to pick sides here, but… Go #TeamJosh!

Welcome to the party, pal.

Bye-bye, tugboat.

Not to pick sides here, but… Go #TeamJeri!

Gancho Ganev, the horse.

Inspired by the Ford Pinto episode, you can now rock one of SYSK's greatest band names ever with this explosive Flaming Death Bolts gear! (Each and every sale supports Kiva!)

Are you a "Josh" or a "Chuck?" Now you can identify as the host you identify with the most!

Are you a "Josh" or a "Chuck?" Now you can identify as the host you identify with the most!

ROLL CALL! Should you find it necessary to alert your fellow SYSK Army members to your presence, your best bet is to break out The Signal™! Sound off like you got a pair!

That's a great band name.

Stuff You Should Know Spring Has Sprung Tour Poster

Stuff You Should Know 2017 North American Tour poster

Stuff You Should Know 2018 Tour Australia + New Zealand poster (digital print)

Stuff You Should Know Warmer Climes Tour poster