David Boles

Human Meme

Society EN ↓ 896 episodes

The Human Meme podcast examines what separates human consciousness from mere biological existence. Each episode investigates the inherited behaviors, cultural transmissions, and cognitive patterns that replicate across generations, shaping how we think, grieve, speak, and remember. David Boles, a New York City writer, publisher, and teacher, hosts these conversations as mindfulness with teeth: no production music, no easy comfort, only the direct inquiry into what makes us recognizably human. Since 2016, the podcast has asked why we weep emotional tears, how language emerged from gesture, and...

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Author

David Boles

Category

Society

Podcast website

humanmeme.com

Latest episode

Oct 2, 2026

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Episodes

Diversity in the Pantry: A Tale of Peanut Butter and Unity 02.03.2024

In the bustling pantry of a quaint New York City kitchen, nestled between a bag of aromatic coffee and a box of delicate teas, there resided an ambitious jar of peanut butter named Peter. Unlike his smooth and creamy peers, Peter harbored a peculiar aspiration: he longed to be a spoonful of jam.

A Snowball's Dream: The Magical Tale of Snowy the Pebble 01.03.2024

Once upon a time, in a quaint little village nestled among snow-capped mountains, there lived a unique snowball named Snowy. Unlike other snowballs, Snowy had a peculiar wish - he yearned to be a pebble. While his snowy companions delighted in the frosty winds and blizzards, Snowy admired the enduring, unchanging nature of the pebbles that lined the mountain paths.

Unspoken Love: A Story of Unrequited Love and Forgiveness 29.02.2024

Once upon a time, there was a young woman named Lila who lived in a small town. She was a kind-hearted and intelligent person who had a passion for music. Lila had a secret crush on her best friend, Alex, who was a talented musician himself. They had been friends since childhood and shared a deep bond.

Rewriting Destiny: Zorax the Alien's Time-Travel Quest to Prevent Hitler's Rise and Its Unexpected Aftermath 28.02.2024

Once upon a time, in the vast expanse of the cosmos, there lived an alien named Zorax, whose planet had been scarred by wars. Zorax, a time-traveler at heart, embarked on a quest to study histories of different worlds, hoping to prevent his home from suffering a similar fate. His travels brought him to Earth, specifically to the early 20th century, a time on the cusp of immense turmoil.

Advertising: Strategies, Ethics, and Future Trends 27.02.2024

Let's start with a bit of history. Advertising, in some form or another, has been around for centuries. Think ancient civilizations – they had their own ways of advertising, be it through town criers or market stalls. But it was the printing press in the 15th century that really set the stage for advertising as we know it. Fast forward to the 20th century, and we see the explosion of radio, televi...

Cat Heads in Space! Episode 18: "The Taylor Ham Revolt: New Jersey Comes for the Cat Heads!" 26.02.2024

In the cosmic kitchen of our feline heroes, a new culinary controversy brews. The Cat Heads, originally hailing from the distant planet of New Jersey, face an interstellar debate over a dish dear to their hearts – or where their hearts used to be.

Elmer Gantry's Rise and Trump's Political Pandering 25.02.2024

"Elmer Gantry," published in 1927, is a piercing satire of American religious fundamentalism and the hypocrisy it often harbors. Elmer Gantry, the protagonist, is a charismatic but morally bankrupt evangelist. He's a master of manipulation, using religion as a tool for personal gain and power. Gantry's rise to prominence is not due to his spiritual convictions but rather his skill in exploiting th...

A Comprehensive Exploration of Universal Basic Income: Unveiling the Future of Economic Stability 24.02.2024

UBI has the potential to redefine our societal and economic landscapes. We'll trace the history of UBI from its philosophical roots to modern-day experiments across the globe, critically analyze its successes, and confront common concerns about its implementation. Delving into the debates around socialism, work ethic, and economic feasibility, we'll dismantle these apprehensions with evidence and...

Evolution of Drama: Aristotle, Avant-Garde, and Absurdist Theatre Unveiled 23.02.2024

From the meticulously structured tragedies of Aristotle, emphasizing catharsis and mimesis, to the bold, rule-breaking experiments of the 1960s' Avant-Garde, and the existential, often bewildering narratives of Absurdist theatre, this narrative digs into the heart of what makes theatre a mirror and a mold of the human experience. As we unravel these threads, we discover not just the evolution of d...

ASMR: Understanding Its Impact on Mental Health, Intimacy, and Digital Culture 22.02.2024

ASMR, at its core, is a sensory experience characterized by a pleasant tingling sensation that typically begins in the scalp and moves down the back of the neck and upper spine. It's a response to certain triggers, often auditory or visual, and it can evoke a feeling of deep relaxation and even euphoria in some individuals. Think of it as a kind of brain massage, triggered by sounds like whispers,...

Dreaming Giant of Echoing Valley: A Legacy of Peace 21.02.2024

Once, in a distant land cradled by mountains and veiled in mist, there lay the Echoing Valley, a place of profound silence and beauty. In this valley, a gentle giant named Eirwyn slumbered for centuries, his heart beating in rhythm with the earth, his dreams a canopy of peace over the land. In the kingdom bordering Echoing Valley, there lived a cunning warlord, Lord Kazuo. He, having heard legends...

Unraveling the Complexities of Factitious Disorder 20.02.2024

Factitious Disorder, a complex mental health condition, stands as a testament to the intricate and often perplexing nature of human psychology. It's a condition where a person deliberately and artificially induces or fabricates symptoms of illness in themselves. Historically, this disorder has been known by various names, most notably as Munchausen Syndrome, named after Baron Munchausen, an Eighte...

Cat Heads in Space! Episode 17: "Mothers and Stew, Love Anew" 19.02.2024

In the vast expanse of space, aboard the S.S. Feline, our intrepid Cat Heads float, pondering the mysteries of the universe. But today, something extraordinary is about to unfold. The stars are like the scattered litter of the cosmos, each a fragment of the unknown... And speaking of unknown, why is there a spaceship shaped like a giant yarn ball approaching us?

Three Reasons NFT Art Failed 18.02.2024

In this Boles.tv live stream highlight, David Boles explains at least three reaons why the NFT Art movement failed. Reasons include price deception, corrupt custodians, the rise of AI, the punishment of taxes, and more!

Freud's Three Caskets Across Ages and Cultures 17.02.2024

Our focus centers on Sigmund Freud's interpretation of the "Three Caskets" motif from Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice." We'll take a look into how Freud's psychoanalytic lens sheds light on the choices represented by the gold, silver, and lead caskets and what these choices reveal about human nature and desire. But we won't stop there. We'll extend this analysis to see how these age-old conc...

Understanding the INTJ Personality: Masterminds of Strategy and Creativity 16.02.2024

Today, we wander into the enigmatic and complex world of the INTJ personality type, a rare blend of intellectual prowess and structured imagination. Often termed the 'Rational Mastermind', INTJ people are a fascinating study in contrasts: strategic yet creative, future-oriented yet adaptable, and logical yet imaginative. This exploration takes us deep into the psyche of INTJ folk, unveiling the nu...

The Mystical and Cultural Significance of Numbers: From Lucky 7 to the Esoteric 11 15.02.2024

We will now share a pathway through the fascinating world where numbers transcend their mathematical identity to become symbols of collective human beliefs, cultural narratives, and mystical meanings. In this exploration, we dive into the luck and divinity associated with the number 7 in American culture and the Book of Revelation, contrasted with its perception in other cultures. We examine the p...

Valentine's Legacy: Althea and Caelum's Eternal Love 14.02.2024

Once, in a time not unlike ours, a quaint village lay nestled in the embrace of ancient hills, where myths whispered with the wind and reality danced with fantasy. It was here that the story of two souls, Althea and Caelum, unfolded—a tale that sought to unravel the provenance and meaning of love. Althea, a weaver of unparalleled skill, was known for her artistry that captured not just images but...

The Enduring Power of Liberal Arts Education in the Modern World 13.02.2024

The Liberal Arts, historically regarded as the education befitting a free person, encompass a diverse range of disciplines – literature, philosophy, history, arts, languages, and social sciences. These fields are often unjustly critiqued in our technology-driven era, seen as luxurious relics without practical application. Yet, this perception is not just short-sighted; it's a fundamental misunders...

Cat Heads in Space! Episode 16: "The Paradox Pulsar" 12.02.2024

"Amidst the star-speckled canvas of the universe, our feline voyagers navigate the endless void. Captain Whiskerfluff, lost in contemplation, stares into the abyss." "The universe, vast and mysterious. Here we drift, heads without bodies, searching for meaning in the void."

Harmony in Twilight: The Uniting Tale of the Shadeborn and Shadowfolk 11.02.2024

In a world where light and darkness danced in a perpetual waltz, there were two distinct peoples: the Shadeborn and the Shadowfolk. The Shadeborn lived beneath the sprawling branches of the ancient Whispering Trees, where gentle shade caressed the land. Their homes were woven from leaves and branches, allowing the soft, dappled sunlight to speckle their lives with ever-changing patterns. They thri...

The Complex Legacy and Future of Eugenics in the Modern World 10.02.2024

This episode aims to foster a critical understanding of how the past informs our present and future, especially in the realm of genetic science and ethics. We'll confront challenging questions about the potential misuse of genetic technologies and the importance of ethical safeguards to prevent a recurrence of history's darker chapters. Join me in this reflective exploration, where we seek to lear...

History and Future of Slavery: Economic, Social, and Ethical Dimensions 09.02.2024

In this episode, we will struggle together through the murky corridors of history to unearth the origins of slavery, examining how this abhorrent practice has morphed across cultures and epochs. We'll also grapple with the paradoxes of its economic incentives, the social and cultural underpinnings that have sustained it, and the philosophical conundrums it presents. As we navigate this challenging...

Human Meme Special Edition: Google Gemini Music 08.02.2024

Today, we are celebrating the release of Google's new AI Bot: Gemini. Our test of Gemini today was musical. We asked Gemini to create the lyrics for two songs for us this morning. What you will hear is based on a single prompt. No revision. No human interference. This is AI, at it's best, at work. The first song is a little Sugar Pop ditty about this Human Meme podcast. The second song, is a Swamp...

How a Writer and Editor Overcame Bias to Inspire a Literary Renaissance 08.02.2024

In a quaint, bustling town known for its vibrant literary scene, there lived a diligent writer named Thomas and his editor, Mr. Eldridge. Thomas, a man of simple but profound thoughts, wrote stories that mirrored the quiet beauty of everyday life. Mr. Eldridge, on the other hand, had a peculiar habit of reading between the lines a bit too fervently, often finding meanings that were never intended...

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