RedCircle VERIFY_TOKEN_dfa680d5-1ad8-45a3-9c93-07d49ae12711 -- Rendered At Sun, 01 Nov 2026 19:59:53 +0000 Certainly Dubious https://redcircle.com/shows/certainly-dubious en-US All rights reserved. Mark Diaz and David Ames Two longtime friends take on the intriguing and the bizarre with opposing viewpoints. We invite you to listen in and pick a side: Mark "the open-minded" and David "the skeptic." dfa680d5-1ad8-45a3-9c93-07d49ae12711 Two longtime friends take on the intriguing and the bizarre with opposing viewpoints. We invite you to listen in and pick a side: Mark "the open-minded" and David "the skeptic."

]]> episodic no Mark Diaz and David Ames gracefulatheist@gmail.com false full The Halloween Episode The Halloween Episode 106 1 Mark Diaz and David Ames It's the Halloween episode, and Mark and David turn down the lights to swap stories. They cover Halloween traditions and the horror movies they love (and the horror movies that scarred them). Mark tells a few personal stories he still can't explain. David talks about seeing horror movies way too young and finding it difficult to suspend disbelief today.

Mark and David veer into fun topics like:

  • Spook vs Gory Halloween
  • Dia De Los Muertos
  • Mark's haunted childhood home
  • Positing a supernatural detector
  • The "magic" of Halloween
  • Horror movies and shows mentioned
  • The Exorcist
  • The Conjuring
  • Poltergeist
  • Jaws
  • Aliens
  • Ex Machina
  • Siren
  • The Ring
  • The Twilight Zone
  • Stranger Things
  • The Haunting of Hill House
  • Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die
]]> <p>It&#39;s the Halloween episode, and Mark and David turn down the lights to swap stories. They cover Halloween traditions and the horror movies they love (and the horror movies that scarred them). Mark tells a few personal stories he still can&#39;t explain. David talks about seeing horror movies way too young and finding it difficult to suspend disbelief today.</p><p>Mark and David veer into fun topics like:</p><ul><li>Spook vs Gory Halloween</li><li>Dia De Los Muertos</li><li>Mark&#39;s haunted childhood home</li><li>Positing a supernatural detector</li><li>The &#34;magic&#34; of Halloween</li><li>Horror movies and shows mentioned</li><li class="ql-indent-1">The Exorcist</li><li class="ql-indent-1">The Conjuring</li><li class="ql-indent-1">Poltergeist</li><li class="ql-indent-1">Jaws</li><li class="ql-indent-1">Aliens</li><li class="ql-indent-1">Ex Machina</li><li class="ql-indent-1">Siren</li><li class="ql-indent-1">The Ring</li><li class="ql-indent-1">The Twilight Zone</li><li class="ql-indent-1">Stranger Things</li><li class="ql-indent-1">The Haunting of Hill House</li><li class="ql-indent-1">Good Luck, Have Fun, Don&#39;t Die</li></ul> 733699b4-6dd9-4914-871a-05713f30b4f2 https://redcircle.com/shows/dfa680d5-1ad8-45a3-9c93-07d49ae12711/episodes/cd8be25d-1ce2-425b-945c-46b4dbca6e57 Tue, 27 Oct 2026 23:24:50 +0000 4086 false full It's Nolan Time It's Nolan Time 105 Mark Diaz and David Ames With guest host, Mark Wiberg Is Nolan’s Time Genius or Nonsense? Memento, Inception, Interstellar, and Tenet

Mark and David discuss Christopher Nolan’s recurring use of time across films with guest Mark Wiberg, debating whether it’s brilliant or overly complicated. Wiberg ranks Interstellar highest for its time pressure on humanity, relativity set pieces like Miller’s planet, and the emotional video-message sequence, wchhile noting issues with early dialogue, character development, and the final reunion. They revisit Memento’s reverse structure, unreliable narrator, manipulation of Leonard’s memory, and the reveal that he chooses to continue the quest. Inception’s nested dream time is criticized for exposition and an ambiguous ending, though praised for ambition and effects. Tenet divides them: Davidt calls it a favorite for entropy reversal, determinism themes, and set pieces, while others find it cold or confusing. They end with broader thoughts on time stories, determinism vs free will, and recommendations.


Check out Wiberg's DJ Butterz Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/@DJButterz

]]> <p>Is Nolan’s Time Genius or Nonsense? Memento, Inception, Interstellar, and Tenet</p><p>Mark and David discuss Christopher Nolan’s recurring use of time across films with guest Mark Wiberg, debating whether it’s brilliant or overly complicated. Wiberg ranks Interstellar highest for its time pressure on humanity, relativity set pieces like Miller’s planet, and the emotional video-message sequence, wchhile noting issues with early dialogue, character development, and the final reunion. They revisit Memento’s reverse structure, unreliable narrator, manipulation of Leonard’s memory, and the reveal that he chooses to continue the quest. Inception’s nested dream time is criticized for exposition and an ambiguous ending, though praised for ambition and effects. Tenet divides them: Davidt calls it a favorite for entropy reversal, determinism themes, and set pieces, while others find it cold or confusing. They end with broader thoughts on time stories, determinism vs free will, and recommendations.</p><p><br></p><p>Check out Wiberg&#39;s DJ Butterz Youtube</p><p>https://www.youtube.com/@DJButterz</p> b1084d08-e9df-470c-8154-eaf77dd0af98 https://redcircle.com/shows/dfa680d5-1ad8-45a3-9c93-07d49ae12711/episodes/9d32b4f8-e437-44b9-8ec0-a4a2dc2095a8 Sun, 11 Oct 2026 02:45:33 +0000 4702 false full Solaris and AI Solaris and AI 104 1 Mark Diaz and David Ames This week Mark and David ostensibly talk about the book and movie versions of Solaris. Solaris is a story that asks some deep questions like:

  • What are the limitations of Science?
  • How do you determine if an entity is conscious?
  • What are 50 ways to kill your re-animated loved one?


However, Mark triggered David by asking about AI. This causes David to go on a long and tedious explanation of why LLMs are not conscious. Which is basically a recapitulation of:

https://gracefulatheist.com/2026/06/07/humanism-and-ai/

They discuss this aritcle in Verge: AI bots started a religion — humans immediately followed

https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/975017/ai-spiralism-chatbot-movement

Counter points to my argumetns on LLMs:

Are LLMs conscious?

https://preposterousuniverse.com/podcast/2026/08/10/363-chandra-sripada-on-how-llms-and-humans-are-cognitive-cousins/

Do LLMs plan?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=locKEKxG3os

Other topics Mark and David veer into:

  • The Odyssey
  • Morality
  • Re-dos
]]> <p>This week Mark and David ostensibly talk about the book and movie versions of Solaris. Solaris is a story that asks some deep questions like:</p><ul><li>What are the limitations of Science?</li><li>How do you determine if an entity is conscious?</li><li>What are 50 ways to kill your re-animated loved one?</li></ul><p><br></p><p>However, Mark triggered David by asking about AI. This causes David to go on a long and tedious explanation of why LLMs are not conscious. Which is basically a recapitulation of:</p><p>https://gracefulatheist.com/2026/06/07/humanism-and-ai/</p><p>They discuss this aritcle in Verge: <strong>AI bots started a religion — humans immediately followed</strong></p><p>https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/975017/ai-spiralism-chatbot-movement</p><p>Counter points to my argumetns on LLMs:</p><p>Are LLMs <span>conscious</span>?</p><p>https://preposterousuniverse.com/podcast/2026/08/10/363-chandra-sripada-on-how-llms-and-humans-are-cognitive-cousins/</p><p>Do LLMs plan?</p><p>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=locKEKxG3os</p><p>Other topics Mark and David veer into:</p><ul><li>The Odyssey</li><li>Morality</li><li>Re-dos</li></ul> 25caa736-8316-4e9e-b29f-adcc100c9d57 https://redcircle.com/shows/dfa680d5-1ad8-45a3-9c93-07d49ae12711/episodes/7d1fffcd-4abb-473c-a99e-aac0ae1e10a3 Sun, 16 Aug 2026 15:38:09 +0000 4128 false full The Big Foot Edition The Big Foot Edition 103 1 Mark Diaz and David Ames The Squatch Mark and David watched "The Legend of Boggy Creek" and discuss the Fouke Monster and the Big Foot legend.

Should the creature be called:

  • The Fouke Monster
  • Big Foot
  • Sasquatch
  • The Squatch


We veer into:

  • How truly atrocious "The Legend of Boggy Creek" movie is
  • Our appreciation for the musical interlude in the movie
  • The personal vendetta the Fouke Monster has for one group of people
  • The different ways Mark and David look at evidence
  • Cryptids and stories around the camp fire
  • What humans get out of monster stories
  • Science progresses one tomb stone at a time
  • Science Fiction and dreamers led us to our modern world
]]> <p>Mark and David watched &#34;The Legend of Boggy Creek&#34; and discuss the Fouke Monster and the Big Foot legend.</p><p>Should the creature be called:</p><ul><li>The Fouke Monster</li><li>Big Foot</li><li>Sasquatch</li><li>The Squatch</li></ul><p><br></p><p>We veer into:</p><ul><li>How truly atrocious &#34;The Legend of Boggy Creek&#34; movie is</li><li>Our appreciation for the musical interlude in the movie </li><li>The personal vendetta the Fouke Monster has for one group of people</li><li>The different ways Mark and David look at evidence</li><li>Cryptids and stories around the camp fire</li><li>What humans get out of monster stories</li><li>Science progresses one tomb stone at a time</li><li>Science Fiction and dreamers led us to our modern world</li></ul> ca64e4a6-5697-4ed0-b13f-c37b7b908086 https://redcircle.com/shows/dfa680d5-1ad8-45a3-9c93-07d49ae12711/episodes/4c4da7cc-f9ef-4e36-8eb1-6d9d5ad7f3c1 Sun, 05 Jul 2026 22:54:16 +0000 3507 false full The UAP Edition The UAP Edition 102 1 Mark Diaz and David Ames Scientists and Fighter Pilots; Aliens and Angels Earlier in June more UAP documents were declassified. A document dump, if you will. Ostensibly, that is the topic of this weeks Certainly Dubious. We also veer into topics such as these:

  • Calling them UAPs vs UFOs
  • Science changes its mind and has an attitude
  • In which we accidentally talk about Covid 19
  • Fighter pilots are heroes and no one should ever doubt them
  • The Drake equation and the Fermi paradox
  • Borges' Library vs Monkeys with typewriters
  • Mark and David assert their sanity and that is not a demand, that is a solid fact! What we demand is solid facts!"
  • God is cool with aliens
  • Should angels be considered aliens?
  • How open minded can you be?
  • How to avoid an anti-moral bender
]]> <p>Earlier in June more UAP documents were declassified. A document dump, if you will. Ostensibly, that is the topic of this weeks Certainly Dubious. We also veer into topics such as these:</p><ul><li>Calling them UAPs vs UFOs</li><li>Science changes its mind and has an attitude</li><li>In which we accidentally talk about Covid 19</li><li>Fighter pilots are heroes and no one should ever doubt them</li><li>The Drake equation and the Fermi paradox</li><li>Borges&#39; Library vs Monkeys with typewriters</li><li>Mark and David assert their sanity and that is not a demand, that is a solid fact! What we demand is solid facts!&#34;</li><li>God is cool with aliens</li><li>Should angels be considered aliens?</li><li>How open minded can you be?</li><li>How to avoid an anti-moral bender</li></ul> 262277dc-6739-4d5c-9258-51f8d8d7b8d9 https://redcircle.com/shows/dfa680d5-1ad8-45a3-9c93-07d49ae12711/episodes/82af74e0-e9fa-4ef4-9de5-8992b508ad8c Sat, 20 Jun 2026 22:33:40 +0000 3355 true full We are Certainly Dubious We are Certainly Dubious 101 1 Mark Diaz and David Ames Santa Claus, Psychoses, Star Trek morality and the zombie apocalypse Welcome to the Certainly Dubious podcast, where two longtime friends take on the intriguing and the bizarre with opposing viewpoints. We invite you to listen in and pick a side: Mark "the open-minded" and David "the skeptic."

So, sit down with your coffee, tea, beer, or the ubiquitous bottle of water and listen in while two old friends talk about things that they are in no way qualified to comment on. Oh, and turn off all the lights; this podcast is better in the dark.

In this episode Mark and David discuss:

  • Introduction to the podcast and each other
  • How we met each other
  • Teaching our children about Santa Claus
  • Social contagion of psychoses
  • Love and grace: is it just biochemical?
  • Star Trek morality
  • Our roles in the zombie apocalypse


Join us and pick a side!


Show page https://redcircle.com/shows/dfa680d5-1ad8-45a3-9c93-07d49ae12711


Mark's podcast

Read Keeper’s Journey: The only way back is forward

https://www.reedkeeper.com/


David's podcast

Graceful Atheist Podcast

https://gracefulatheist.com/podcast/

]]> <p>Welcome to the Certainly Dubious podcast, where two longtime friends take on the intriguing and the bizarre with opposing viewpoints. We invite you to listen in and pick a side: Mark &#34;the open-minded&#34; and David &#34;the skeptic.&#34;</p><p>So, sit down with your coffee, tea, beer, or the ubiquitous bottle of water and listen in while two old friends talk about things that they are in no way qualified to comment on. Oh, and turn off all the lights; this podcast is better in the dark.</p><p>In this episode Mark and David discuss:</p><ul><li>Introduction to the podcast and each other</li><li>How we met each other</li><li>Teaching our children about Santa Claus</li><li>Social contagion of psychoses</li><li>Love and grace: is it just biochemical?</li><li>Star Trek morality</li><li>Our roles in the zombie apocalypse</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Join us and pick a side!</p><p><br></p><p>Show page https://redcircle.com/shows/dfa680d5-1ad8-45a3-9c93-07d49ae12711</p><p><br></p><p>Mark&#39;s podcast</p><p><a href="https://www.reedkeeper.com/" rel="nofollow">Read Keeper’s Journey</a>: The only way back is forward</p><p>https://www.reedkeeper.com/</p><p><br></p><p>David&#39;s podcast</p><p><a href="https://gracefulatheist.com/podcast/" rel="nofollow">Graceful Atheist Podcast</a></p><p>https://gracefulatheist.com/podcast/</p> e0be299a-3b2f-47f0-a39d-36bbb25ff3a8 https://redcircle.com/shows/dfa680d5-1ad8-45a3-9c93-07d49ae12711/episodes/81da1b4a-e54b-4ab5-ab92-854ae624c509 Sun, 31 May 2026 20:16:15 +0000 2626 false