U
ncanny Valley – WIRED podcast

    Episode recap: five key stories and a deep dive into Texas’s Alpha School

    **Top stories**

    1. **Federal shutdown** – 30 days in, 750 k workers furloughed, no end in sight. Workers face unpaid medical bills, mortgage stress, and the looming cut of SNAP benefits on Nov 1. Back‑pay is uncertain; the shutdown may surpass the 35‑day 2018‑19 record. Republicans, especially Speaker Mike Johnson, are blamed for the stalemate, while billionaire donations (e.g., $130 m from Timothy Mellon) are seen as symbolic at best.

    2. **Grokpedia** – Elon Musk’s AI‑generated Wikipedia replacement. Launched Monday, it offers “far‑right” bias, false history, and a distorted view of slavery and HIV. The entry on WIRED itself claims the site is “far‑left propaganda.” The platform echoes Musk’s rhetoric and spreads misinformation.

    3. **AI in real estate** – Listings now feature AI‑generated videos and photos (“AI slop”) to stage homes. AutoReel’s app lets agents create videos in minutes; 500–1,000 new AI‑staged listings appear daily worldwide. Critics warn that buyers may be misled by fabricated interiors, eroding trust in the market.

    4. **Pig‑kidney transplant** – Massachusetts General Hospital removed a genetically edited pig kidney from a 67‑year‑old after a record nine‑month stay, far longer than the typical 2–3 months. With 90,000 Americans on kidney waitlists and only 28,000 transplants in 2024, the breakthrough offers hope for future xenotransplantation.

    5. **Alpha School, Texas** – A private micro‑school chain that replaces teachers with software. Parents report children stuck on IXL lessons, forced to stay after lunch to catch up, and receiving no snacks until metrics are met. The school uses eye‑tracking, webcam monitoring, and “Limitless” data‑driven goals, sparking concerns about surveillance, lack of human interaction, and a “tech‑first” education model that may not suit all learners. Despite criticism, Alpha expands nationwide, backed by figures like former Secretary of Education Linda McMahon.

    **Hosts**

    Brian Barrett (executive editor) and Leah Feiger (senior politics editor)

    **Contact**

    Uncanny Valley: [email protected]

    Brian on Bluesky: @brbarrett

    Leah on Bluesky: @leahfeiger

    **Listen**

    Play the episode on this page or subscribe via Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, or Spotify.

    ---