A new technology turns every human being into a super genius, ushering in heaven on earth. There’s just one problem: it doesn’t work in Liverpool.

Something to consider when reading/listening:

If it’s possible to use technology to increase our intellectual and emotional intelligence, does this destroy the idea that certain people are ‘good’ and others are ‘bad’?

You might enjoy this episode if you like:

Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives by David Eagleman

Fiction that makes you think

Philosophical fiction

Speculative fiction

John Wyndham

Liverpool

Brains

Contemplating the meaning of life

Any form of philosophical enquiry

Thank you to Ryan Hurst for performing the episode. Ryan is a British actor, born in Liverpool. He attended Formby High School and was a member of the Manchester Youth Theatre, English National Ballet and National Youth Theatre. Ryan trained at Rose Bruford College and has over 30 years experience in the arts industry: theatre (classical and contemporary), film and TV (domestic and international), and directing. His UK TV credits include roles in 'Casualty', 'Brookside', 'Emmerdale' and 'City Central'. Ryan gained international recognition starring as the lead role of James Steven Dyer in the acclaimed award winning Polish drama series 'Londynczycy' (Londoners). Ryan has recently returned to acting following a life changing cycling accident and is working on a number of theatre and TV projects.

Ryan’s IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6620532/bio/?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm

Thanks very much for listening! Don’t forget to follow/subscribe in your podcast app.

And you can join the mailing list here: meaninglessproblems.substack.com

Let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast as a whole at [email protected] (My real name is Craig Wilmann, Doe is a nickname I apparently gave myself when I was was two)

Websites:

Meaninglessproblems.com & Loveyourwork.uk

Credits:

Written by Doe Wilmann

Performed by Ryan Hurst

Thanks to Ryan Hurst for reading early versions of this episode and providing notes.

Artwork by Katie Empett

Music by Claude Debussy with permission from Pond5.

A license to use the media (Debussy Suite Bergamasque, Clair De Lune (Piano Cover) 229744340 Music ahawke99110 2023-03-02 Individual) was purchased under Pond5's Content License Agreement, a copy of which is available for review at https://www.pond5.com/legal/license. The Pond5 license authorizes the licensee to use the media in the licensee's own commercial or non-commercial production and to copy, broadcast, distribute, display, perform and monetize the production or work in any medium - including posting and monetization on YouTube - on the terms and conditions outlined therein.

Meaningless Problems with Doe Wilmann

(C) 2025