Balrogs & Blastbeats

The nerds are pressing pause on Balrogs & Blastbeats for just a little moment to focus on some pressing life matters. Hoping to return when the seas are a little calmer. We love you. Stay nerdy.

This week the nerds look at the the science of mind uploading. Where is the current technology at? How far are we away from being able to upload our minds to the digital space? How does pop culture handle this issue? LINKS Follow Northside Nerds on Socials & YouTube Here - https://linktr.ee/northsidenerds THE NERDIEST THING Margy's Thing - Sailor Moon One Piece - https://blackmilkclothing.com/collections/pretty-guardian-sailor-moon?page=1 Grant's Thing - John Wick 4 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Wick:_Chapter_4 Joshua Redbeard's Thing - LOTS of new commander decks - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3K9PEeLG_6M&ab_channel=TheCommandZone

This week the nerds look at the weird and wonderful places we find inspiration for creation. What are the wild stories of ways our staples of popular culture were inspired by less obvious means? LINKS Follow Northside Nerds on Socials & YouTube Here - https://linktr.ee/northsidenerds THE NERDIEST THING Margy's Thing - DnD Character Creators - https://www.wargamer.com/dnd/character-creator Grant's Thing - Coffee - https://www.instagram.com/caffeinemethod Joshua Redbeard's Thing - Shazam! Fury Of The Gods - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shazam!_Fury_of_the_Gods

Northside Nerds presents: Balrogs & Blastbeats. A weekly dive into the larger world of nerd culture, heavy music, science, and psychology. Hosted by Joshua Redbeard, Grant, and Margy. This week the nerds get their heavy metal nerd on as they walk through the history of heavy metal, it's roots, it's inspiration, and it's future. LINKS Follow Northside Nerds on Socials & YouTube Here - https://linktr.ee/northsidenerds THE NERDIEST THING Margy's Thing - Dungeons & Daddies - https://open.spotify.com/show/5Sffly5o4mPetmnTR9zsWh?si=6b8550ca2a9f4d44 Grant's Thing -Dungeons & Daddies - https://open.spotify.com/show/5Sffly5o4mPetmnTR9zsWh?si=6b8550ca2a9f4d44 Joshua Redbeard's Thing - Dungeons & Daddies - https://open.spotify.com/show/5Sffly5o4mPetmnTR9zsWh?si=6b8550ca2a9f4d44 OTHER LINKS Knotfest "Fashion" Article - https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11901189/Knotfest-revellers-dress-wild-outfits-Slipknot-festival-Centennial-Park-Sydney.html

This week the nerds explore the representation of neurodivergence in media. How far have we come from films like Rainman and What's Eating Gilbert Grape? How does it reflect the real life experience of neurodivergence? Is this generation of TikTok Psychologists diagnosing everyone with ADHD and Autism helping or hindering? LINKS Follow Northside Nerds on Socials & YouTube Here - https://linktr.ee/northsidenerds THE NERDIEST THING Margy's Thing - Kafka On The Shore - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4929.Kafka_on_the_Shore Grant's Thing - Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty - https://www.trueachievements.com/n53124/wo-long-xbox-first-boss-achievement Joshua Redbeard's Thing - Piccard - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Trek:_Picard_(season_3) OTHER LINKS "Why Do They Have To Be Brilliant?" Article - https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/sep/15/why-do-they-have-to-be-brilliant-the-problem-of-autism-in-the-movies

This week the nerds take aim at the age old argument that the book is always better than the film. Is that always the case? When did the paradigm shift? What are examples of times the films surpassed the book? And how good is the novelisation of Batman Returns? LINKS Follow Northside Nerds on Socials & YouTube Here - https://linktr.ee/northsidenerds THE NERDIEST THING Margy's Thing - The Seven Wonders Of The World - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wonders_of_the_World Grant's Thing - The Mandalorian Season 3 - https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_cameos_in_Star_Wars Joshua Redbeard's Thing - Djunah's new album Femina Furens - https://djunah.bandcamp.com/album/femina-furens

This week the nerds ask the important question, why are humans so drawn to a good conspiracy theory? Where do they come from? What is on the other side of the giant ice wall? And definitely no questions about alien probing because... No. LINKS Follow Northside Nerds on Socials & YouTube Here - https://linktr.ee/northsidenerds THE NERDIEST THING Margy's Thing - Númenor is Atlantis https://lotr.fandom.com/wiki/N%C3%BAmenor Grant's Thing - Stardew Valley - https://store.steampowered.com/app/413150/Stardew_Valley/ Joshua Redbeard's Thing - Johnathan Majors saved Ant-Man Quantumania - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Majors

This week the nerds look at the imagery and representation of animals within pop culture. Looking at where the concept of the animal hybird comes from in human history, why do we find animals so damn cute, and ask the important question, if you could be any animal for 24 hours, what would you be and why? LINKS Follow Northside Nerds on Socials & YouTube Here - https://linktr.ee/northsidenerds THE NERDIEST THING Margy's Thing - The French Revolution: A Very Short Introduction - https://www.librarything.com/work/46828 Grant's Thing - Dark & Darker - https://www.ironmace.com/ Joshua Redbeard's Thing - A Tolkein Bestiary - https://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/A_Tolkien_Bestiary OTHER LINKS Puppies win the battle of cute - https://www.sciencefocus.com/the-human-body/neuroscience-of-cute/ Concept of virtual population https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/apr/13/using-cute-animals-in-pop-culture-makes-public-think-theyre-not-endangered-study

Northside Nerds presents: Balrogs & Blastbeats. A weekly dive into the larger world of nerd culture, heavy music, science, and psychology. Hosted by Joshua Redbeard, Grant, and Margy. This week the nerds (mainly Margy let's face it) get their science on and dive into the scientific studies behind heavy metal music. Looking at the connections between heavy metal and mental heath issues, self confidence, and banging in the backseat of a car. LINKS Follow Northside Nerds on Socials & YouTube Here - https://linktr.ee/northsidenerds THE NERDIEST THING Margy's Thing - Ayden Thomas - www.instagram.com/ayden_thomas Grant's Thing - Snakes On A Train - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqi78frTL2Q&ab_channel=MovieCentral Joshua Redbeard's Thing - Dungeons & Daddies Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/5Sffly5o4mPetmnTR9zsWh?si=717e9c602411414b OTHER LINKS NERD OF THE WEEK - Carmel Majidi - https://www.cmu.edu/bme/People/Faculty/profile/cmajidi.html MAIN ARTICLE ON THE LIQUID ROBOT - https://www.newscientist.com/article/2356076-metal-robot-can-melt-its-way-out-of-tight-spaces-to-escape/ GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT - https://www.cell.com/matter/fulltext/S2590-2385(22)00693-2?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS2590238522006932%3Fshowall%3Dtrue&fbclid=IwAR2MHDESpdqGy8V_Oe9z4UutwpTtdEGZI3WMivHpD0iX82VIjcWSQ09QgeA

The nerds return for 2023 to catch up on their break and talk about what they're excited for in the year ahead from video games set in an alternative future for the glorious U.S.S.R., to a horror movie where Winnie The Pooh has had enough of your shit. LINKS Follow Northside Nerds on Socials & YouTube Here - https://linktr.ee/northsidenerds THE NERDIEST THING Margy's Thing - Struggling With The Australian Medical System - https://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/download/pdf/Manifesto.pdf Grant's Thing - Operation Fortune: Ruse De Guerre - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Fortune:_Ruse_de_Guerre Joshua Redbeard's Thing - World Of Warcraft (Not linking to that, so go learn about Leeroy Jenkins) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvXRcwcIJh4 OTHER LINKS DND Shorts' Breakdown Of What's Happening Inside Wizards Of The Coast - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4kGMsZSdbY&ab_channel=DnDShorts

This week the nerds hang the mistletoe high for their Christmas special and talk about the capitalistic hellscape that is Christmas, but promise it's better than the Star Wars or Guardians Of The Galaxy Christmas special, but also maybe not as good as any Futurama Christmas specials. LINKS Follow Northside Nerds on Socials & YouTube Here - https://linktr.ee/northsidenerds THE NERDIEST THING Margy's Thing - Starship Troopers - https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/starship_troopers Grant's Thing - Nerf Halo Needler - https://www.ign.com/articles/nerf-lmtd-halo-needler-is-now-available and Violent Night - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12003946/ Joshua Redbeard's Thing - Anno 1800 - https://www.ubisoft.com/en-au/game/anno/1800 OTHER LINKS FRAU PERCHTA - https://boroughsofthedead.com/frau-perchta/

This week the nerds take a look at the dynamics of distopian futures presented in books, games, & other media, and how that is reflected in today's society through government, environment, and dating apps. LINKS Follow Northside Nerds on Socials & YouTube Here - https://linktr.ee/northsidenerds THE NERDIEST THING Margy's Thing - Gojira Live - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBznKAOieHE&t=1s Grant's Thing - Pokemon Scarlet & Violet - https://scarletviolet.pokemon.com/en-au/ Joshua Redbeard's Thing - The Lex Friedman Podcast w/ Todd Howard - https://open.spotify.com/episode/2kh4ncuEGLHllaM5nXms0w?si=8e8f9e82a460433e OTHER LINKS DAMI LEE'S DYSTOPIAN MEGACITIES BREAKDOWN - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5GL836kpls&t=387s&ab_channel=DamiLee

This week the nerds call out our short attention spans by putting a magnifying glass to fads, fifteen minute famers, and people who truly have just faded into obscurity. LINKS Follow Northside Nerds on Socials & YouTube Here - https://linktr.ee/northsidenerds THE NERDIEST THING Margy's Thing - Star Wars: Visions - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtAsl-0o3O0&ab_channel=StarWars Grant's Thing - Avengers: Endgame - https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/avengers_endgame Joshua Redbeard's Thing - Black Panther: Wakanda Forever - https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/black_panther_wakanda_forever OTHER LINKS CASPER VAN DIEN'S INFOMERCIAL FOR CHILD HELP - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FgFbFKLF8A&ab_channel=Childhelp

This week the nerds look at the concept of collecting. Why are nerds so mad for having epic collections of weird and wonderful things? Where does this drive come from? And when does it go from collecting to hoarding? LINKS Follow Northside Nerds on Socials & YouTube Here - https://linktr.ee/northsidenerds THE NERDIEST THING Margy's Thing - Lord Of The Rings Extended Edition - https://screenrant.com/lord-rings-extended-editions-all-extra-scenes/ Grant's Thing - Vatic - https://open.spotify.com/album/6eSyQdEzLe207n5TcOjx88?si=7AuG2K1MSVucMapZT3Q-qw Joshua Redbeard's Thing - Essentialism - https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/18077875-essentialism OTHER LINKS ID SOFTWARE'S MARTY STRATTON’S OPEN LETTER - https://www.reddit.com/r/Doom/comments/gdg25y/doom_eternal_ost_open_letter/ MICK GORDON’S REPLY - https://medium.com/@mickgordon/my-full-statement-regarding-doom-eternal-5f98266b27ce BETHESDA CHIMING IN - https://twitter.com/bethesda/status/1592971214817222656 TL;DR - NIK NOCTURNAL SUMMING THINGS UP - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pS3yYqRA38c&ab_channel=NikNocturnal

This week the nerds ask the question, with the rising popularity of the fantasy genre, of tattoos, of heavy music, etc. Are we still considered alternative? How far does one have to go to still be alternative? Where is the invisible line between the mainstream and the alternative? LINKS Follow Northside Nerds on Socials & YouTube Here - https://linktr.ee/northsidenerds THE NERDIEST THING Margy's Thing - The Broken Earth Series - https://www.goodreads.com/series/112296-the-broken-earth Grant's Thing - Team APS - https://www.youtube.com/c/TeamAPS/featured Joshua Redbeard's Thing - Every Fallout Vault Explained - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MX_MXyt9Ico&ab_channel=N_orte

This week the nerds look deep into the various tropes of races throughout the fantasy world. Where do the concepts of orcs, elves, and dwarves come from? Who has done them well? Why do some believe this is tantamount to racism? LINKS Follow Northside Nerds on Socials & YouTube Here - https://linktr.ee/northsidenerds THE NERDIEST THING Margy's Thing - Mary Has Two Monitors - https://external-preview.redd.it/9Oa1toWwsRnnUVe1e-D3Gl0gNhVuxzTZToUOMwqVdDU.jpg?auto=webp&s=b3a58b476b7107611789d626ff87a3c79e9a5a98 Grant's Thing - Mr Ballen Scary Cabin Story - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkFuZ-_sPP8&ab_channel=MrBallen Joshua Redbeard's Thing - Medieval Babies Are Ugly AF - https://www.vox.com/2015/7/8/8908825/ugly-medieval-babies OTHER LINKS Article on subconscious racism in fantasy - https://www.publicmedievalist.com/race-fantasy-genre/

This week the nerds are joined by tattooist and film maker Josh Todaro, mastermind behind the horror short Button Man that's currently taking the film festival circut by storm. Josh joins the nerds to discuss the allure of all things macarbe, why are humans so drawn to the things that terrify us? What affect does this have on the human psyche? And of course the most important question... What's your favourite scary movie? LINKS Follow Northside Nerds on Socials & YouTube Here - https://linktr.ee/northsidenerds Follow Josh Todaro - @josh_todaro / @Button Man Film Button Man Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPX8Bw0EWWA&ab_channel=ButtonManFilm THE SPOOKIEST THING Josh Todaro's Thing - Universal Halloween Horror Nights - https://www.halloweenhorrornights.com/ Margy's Thing - All Killa No Filla Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/episode/0NamVTJu1vtftpFQyOGLnx?si=5a559c726b49437d Grant's Thing - Cabinet Of Curiosities - https://www.netflix.com/title/80209229 Joshua Redbeard's Thing - Studio 666 - https://www.studio666movie.com/

Northside Nerds presents: Balrogs & Blastbeats. A weekly dive into the larger world of nerd culture, heavy music, science, and psychology. Hosted by Joshua Redbeard, Grant, and Margy. This week the nerds take aim at those who continually flog a horse that's long dead. Why do people continue with things long after their expiry date? When should we throw in the towel? And what unexpected things did we find out about The Bold & The Beautiful along the way? LINKS Follow Northside Nerds on Socials & YouTube Here - https://linktr.ee/northsidenerds THE NERDIEST THING Margy's Thing - Robert Jordan's Home Town Street Names - https://www.reddit.com/r/WoT/comments/6wjfmt/robert_jordan_sites_in_charleston_sc/ Grant's Thing - Critical Hit Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/4AgKtzTqNdC5ukJ6nN61LI?si=6bc8213fef424929 Joshua Redbeard's Thing - Being Tagged As A Huge Nerd Multiple Times - https://www.instagram.com/reel/CjYR6ymg4Qi/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY

This week, the nerds take a look at the ingrained cultures of trolling and online bullying rife in our communities. What is the psychology behind it? What has been their experiences? And how have they learned to push through it? LINKS Follow Northside Nerds on Socials & YouTube Here - https://linktr.ee/northsidenerds THE NERDIEST THING Margy's Thing - The Priory Of The Orange Tree - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40275288-the-priory-of-the-orange-tree Grant's Thing - A Dog's Birthday Party - https://www.rover.com/blog/how-to-throw-dog-birthday-party/ Joshua Redbeard's Thing - Medieval Hip Hop - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmoW-fNZxCY OTHER LINKS The Relentless Doppelganger - https://www.youtube.com/c/DADABOTS_official

This week the nerds look at the representation of nerds and metalheads through pop-culture. They look at the psychology behind stereotyping, healthy and unhealthy tropes, and look at things that absolutely did not age well. LINKS Follow Northside Nerds on Socials & YouTube Here - https://linktr.ee/northsidenerds THE NERDIEST THING Margy's Thing - Post-hardcore - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_post-hardcore_bands Grant's Thing - Pimp Tavarish's Ride - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GX79IILLDlE Joshua Redbeard's Thing - Fallout 4 Mods - https://www.nexusmods.com/fallout4 OTHER LINKS Similarities & Differences Between Abed Nadir & Sheldon Cooper - https://bradhanford.wordpress.com/2015/01/07/abed-nadir-and-sheldon-cooper-what-makes-a-character-and-show-great/