10.21.19. Frankenstein: Birth of a Monster

This week on The Micah Hanks Program, we lead off with a Halloween-themed news segment that looks at a pair of real "monsters" of nature, as well as a strange (and scary-looking) creature from Madagascar that locals call "cursed," and which has been keeping a remarkable secret. Also, we have the fright-inducing news about what constant exposure to blue light might actually be doing to us.

Then for our "Unidentified October" segment, we begin with a look at the news about Tom Delonge's To The Stars Academy's recent contract agreement with the U.S. Army, and what that means. We're also joined for a segment by author M.J. Banias, a writer for VICE and author of the book The UFO People. M.J. is a history teacher who offers both a historical and philosophical perspective on the UFO subject, as well as people's belief systems pertaining to it. You can learn more about M.J. at his blog Terra Obscura.

Then in the final half of the show, we continue our study of famous monsters of the horror genre with a look at one of the most famous horror novels of all time, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, which has frightened readers and inspired countless versions and spinoffs in film and other media. However, the message behind the story and its misguided protagonist, Victor Frankenstein--a man who attempted to "play God" with terrible consequences--remains as strong today. Especially as we look at news like that of scientists who may be growing sentient brain matter in the laboratory... at one point should we say that such experiments have gone too far?

Below are links to stories featured in this week's episode:

• Scientists discover big storms can create 'stormquakes'
• 'Cursed' Primate Weirdos Have Extra Thumbs. Scientists Didn't Know About Them Until Now
• Daily exposure to blue light may accelerate aging, even if it doesn't reach your eyes
• The Army Just Contracted With Tom DeLonge's UFO Group to Study Those 'Alien Alloys'
• What We Know About The Army Teaming Up With Tom DeLonge's UFO Research Company
• Scientists 'may have crossed ethical line' in growing human brains
• Frankenstein; Or, The Modern Prometheus by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

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