After Things Podcast

Aliens, Boltzmann Brains, and Codex Automation

May 12, 2026
Episode Description from the Publisher

Andrew Mayne, Justin Robert Young, and Brian Brushwood dig into the latest UFO-file buzz and explain why alien discourse so often feels like an endless build with no bass drop. They talk through why so much recent evidence comes down to misunderstood thermal imaging, camera artifacts, cropped data, and human storytelling instincts, while also criticizing skeptics who dismiss possibilities too quickly. That opens the door to a much bigger conversation about SETI, microbial life in the solar system, civilization-scale energy use, holographic-universe theory, Boltzmann brains, vacuum decay, and the idea that reality may be far stranger than the evidence currently supports. In the second half, they pivot to AI tools and computer automation, with Justin describing his Codex-powered daily briefing workflow, Andrew showing off weird science poster experiments and iPhone control via Mac mirroring, and Brian reacting in real time after buying a MacBook to start exploring computer-use agents. They wrap with a few enthusiastic recommendations from TV, movies, and a very niche automotive documentary release. Picks: Brian Brushwood: Knight Rider Declassified trailer and limited-release documentary project Justin Robert Young: 30 Rock season 2 episode “Rosemary’s Baby” Andrew Mayne: Michael

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