This week we're cooking up a couple stories in the lab so while you wait, please check out Panic World, a fantastic podcast hosted by friend of the show Ryan Broderick.

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Why are cats so popular on the internet? It started with cat memes like I Can Haz Cheezburger and Keyboard Cat, then we became enamored with cat celebrities like Lil Bub, Grumpy Cat, and Princess Monstertruck. And now, we’re witnessing the next evolution in cat internet content: “cute cat AI.”

Our guest and host of American Hysteria, Chelsey Weber-Smith, calls it a “Kitty Horror Picture Show.” Chelsey joins Ryan and Grant to tell us about the explosion of really weird AI-generated cat videos depicting cat families that’s all over TikTok and YouTube right now — much like Elsagate once did in 2014. Then, Ryan takes us back even further, to cover an older cat-based moral panic: Bonsai Kittens. Together, we look at how though technology has changed, we’ve pretty much always wanted to show each other freaky stuff on the internet — whether real or fake.

Our guest Chelsey Weber-Smith hosts American Hysteria, a show that explores the fantastical thinking and irrational fears of Americans. Check it out here or wherever you listen to podcasts.

LINKS

Garbage Day Newsletter

Panic World

American Hysteria

Earlier this year, David's mouse suddenly stopped working, which wouldn't be that weird, were it not for the fact that people across the world were reporting the same issue with the same mouse. What happened, and why? The Hyperfixed Team investigates.

We are doing a LIVE SHOW in Brooklyn in September, get your tickets here

http://tickets.hyperfixedpod.com/

Please consider becoming a hyperfixed premium member. Your support keeps our show alive.

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LINKS:

The Lever (David's investigative news website)

Consumer Reports

Growing up, Alison was a voracious reader. But there was one book series in particular that she devoured. "Samurai Girl" by Carrie Asai. Recently, Alison wanted to learn more about the author whose books she loved nearly 20 years ago. But she couldn't find anything about Carrie Asai. No other writing credits. No bio. So it left Alison wondering, who was Carrie Asai?

LINKS:

• Samurai Girl
• Bob Levy's Book
• Sara Shepard

Get tickets for the Hyperfixed live show!

If you like this episode and would like to hear more like it, as well as join our discord and get discounts on merch, you can support us by going to https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join.

An extended (bonus!) interview from our Fauxbituaries episode, now unlocked for you! Investigative journalist, Craig Silverman, helps us track down one of the authors of a fake obituary site.

Get tickets for the Hyperfixed live show!

If you like this episode and would like to hear more like it, as well as join our discord and get discounts on merch, you can support us by going to https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join.

LINKS:

Craig Silverman's website Indicator

The Hyperfixed episode "Fauxbituaries"

This week, another installment of our Hyperfixer series. We chat with an anonymous hacker who took down a white supremacist dating site.

LINKS:

• Martha Root's Social Media
• Martha Root's Chaos Communication Congress Presentation
• Martha's Website, OK Stupid

Get tickets for the Hyperfixed live show!

The twisted logic behind one company's real estate strategy.

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Check out Planet Money

DISCLAIMER: This episode is not sponsored by Wetzel's Pretzels.

This week we're sharing a podcast we love, the show Smart Girl Dumb Questions. It's a curiosity party, and you're invited. On Smart Girl Dumb Questions, Nayeema Raza asks simple Qs to big thinkers (like Neil deGrasse Tyson, Diplo, or two 11 year olds), trying to make sense of life.

LINKS:

• Smart Girl Dumb Questions podcast feed: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/smart-girl-dumb-questions/id1784967461
• Smart Girl Dumb Questions on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok

When Markus's good friend died suddenly, he went online to get more information. What he found was several AI written obituaries on dodgy looking websites with a litany of factual inaccuracies. Who is making these, and why? And is there anything that can be done to stop them?

To hear our conversation with Craig Silverman (and a bunch of other great bonus episodes, and join our discord, and get discounts on Hyperfixed merchandise, and support independent journalism) become a Hyperfixed Premium member. If we get 150 signups between now and the end of april, we will give away merch to 5 listeners. If we get more than 150, we'll give away more!

https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join

LINKS:

• Joe Supan on fake obituaries
• Craig Silverman's Newsletter, Indicator
• Joshua Braun on fake news and ad technology
• Check My Ads