From the Vault: Beyond the Uncanny Valley

In this episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert discusses the xenomorph queen from the “Alien” universe…See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 

In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe explore the world of pretend play in childhood development and human consciousness. (part 5 of 5) (originally published 1/23/2025)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 

In 1970, roboticist Masahiro Mori wrote an essay that said the closer robots come to lifelike, the more they unsettle humans. His theory became the Uncanny Valley, and science has been evaluating it – and what makes something creepy - in recent years. Learn all about it with Josh ...  Show more

In this classic episode, Josh Clark joins the podcast to talk about humanoid robots. Why are we so concerned about building them and are they a good idea? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 

Disney Imagineers are working on animatronic figures that can make eye contact with humans and the results are fascinating (and a little creepy). We explore what has to happen to create a robot that can make eye contact. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodca ...  Show more

Ever noticed how eyes in a painting sometimes follow you around the room? It’s weird! But it’s also fully explainable and Josh and Chuck do just that here.