Beau Kalden
@shortinteresting.bsky.social
This podcast brings you short readings from old / weird / interesting texts. New episodes every Thursday - for free. Available on Spotify, Pocketcasts, Apple Podcasts, Audible, and iHeartRadio. Contact us at podcast@plutocrat.biz
This week, we read item descriptions from the superbly-written game 'Caves of Qud,' winner of the 2025 Hugo Award. Whether its an extraordinary sci-fi device or a simple pile of dirt, Caves of Qud describes them both with awe and wonder.
I recommend checking out #CavesofQud, it's worth your time.
I recommend checking out #CavesofQud, it's worth your time.
[32] Caves of Qud (item descriptions) — Short and Interesting
On Short and Interesting we read to you strange and curious things. This week is the poetry of Caves of Qud, winner of the 2025 Hugo Award for Best Game or Interactive Work. This sci-fi far future h...
www.plutocrat.biz
December 4, 2025 at 11:52 PM
This week, we read item descriptions from the superbly-written game 'Caves of Qud,' winner of the 2025 Hugo Award. Whether its an extraordinary sci-fi device or a simple pile of dirt, Caves of Qud describes them both with awe and wonder.
I recommend checking out #CavesofQud, it's worth your time.
I recommend checking out #CavesofQud, it's worth your time.
Take it from Machiavelli, in [30] 'The Prince,' only an idiot would hire mercenaries. The only thing worse than hiring an incompetent mercenary is hiring a competent mercenary.
www.plutocrat.biz/episodes/30-...
www.plutocrat.biz/episodes/30-...
[30] The Prince pt 1 — Short and Interesting
‘The Prince’ by Niccolo Machiavelli is kind of the perfect book for this project: well-written and highly-specific but with a lot of boring stuff that needs to be cut out. This week we’re just coveri...
www.plutocrat.biz
November 20, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Take it from Machiavelli, in [30] 'The Prince,' only an idiot would hire mercenaries. The only thing worse than hiring an incompetent mercenary is hiring a competent mercenary.
www.plutocrat.biz/episodes/30-...
www.plutocrat.biz/episodes/30-...
What if there was a great big book that wrote about every single dream there could possibly be, so whenever you had a dream you could look up what it means? Well, that book exists: it's [29] 'Ten Thousand Dreams Interpreted' by Gustavus Hindman Miller.
[29] Ten Thousand Dreams Interpreted pt 1 — Short and Interesting
What if you had a great big book full of every dream there is, so that when you have a dream, you can look up in a book to figure out what it means? In the early 20th century a businessman named Gust...
www.plutocrat.biz
November 15, 2025 at 9:50 PM
What if there was a great big book that wrote about every single dream there could possibly be, so whenever you had a dream you could look up what it means? Well, that book exists: it's [29] 'Ten Thousand Dreams Interpreted' by Gustavus Hindman Miller.
Do your choices matter? Can you be held responsible for anything you do? Does the very idea of free will even make sense? Good questions tackled in under twenty minutes on this week's episode, [28] "What Does It All Mean?" by American philosopher Thomas Nagel.
www.plutocrat.biz/episodes/28-...
www.plutocrat.biz/episodes/28-...
[28] What Does It All Mean? — Short and Interesting
Is there such a thing as free will? Do your choices matter? Can you be held responsible for your actions, good or bad? Weighty questions are covered in a quick and breezy manner in Thomas Nagel’s “...
www.plutocrat.biz
November 7, 2025 at 2:16 AM
Do your choices matter? Can you be held responsible for anything you do? Does the very idea of free will even make sense? Good questions tackled in under twenty minutes on this week's episode, [28] "What Does It All Mean?" by American philosopher Thomas Nagel.
www.plutocrat.biz/episodes/28-...
www.plutocrat.biz/episodes/28-...
But the ordinary round of sensual gratification ceased at last to afford him delight. He was sometimes gloomy and reserved, and there was an unnatural wildness in his eye which gave indications of incipient madness.
November 3, 2025 at 2:02 AM
But the ordinary round of sensual gratification ceased at last to afford him delight. He was sometimes gloomy and reserved, and there was an unnatural wildness in his eye which gave indications of incipient madness.
Reposted by Beau Kalden
Our tenth annual Halloween Reading is now available for all Duckfeed patrons! This year I finish The King in Yellow by reading "The Yellow Sign", a story about a guy who sucks.
www.patreon.com/posts/hallow...
www.patreon.com/posts/hallow...
Halloween Reading: "The Yellow Sign" by Robert W. Chambers | Duckfeed.tv
Get more from Duckfeed.tv on Patreon
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October 30, 2025 at 11:11 PM
Our tenth annual Halloween Reading is now available for all Duckfeed patrons! This year I finish The King in Yellow by reading "The Yellow Sign", a story about a guy who sucks.
www.patreon.com/posts/hallow...
www.patreon.com/posts/hallow...
He was further to open a vein in his arm, and sign with his blood a contract that he would work the devil’s will in all things, and offer up to him a sacrifice of the heart, lungs, hands, eyes, and blood of a young child.
The grasping monomaniac made no hesitation, but agreed at once.
The grasping monomaniac made no hesitation, but agreed at once.
October 30, 2025 at 7:25 PM
He was further to open a vein in his arm, and sign with his blood a contract that he would work the devil’s will in all things, and offer up to him a sacrifice of the heart, lungs, hands, eyes, and blood of a young child.
The grasping monomaniac made no hesitation, but agreed at once.
The grasping monomaniac made no hesitation, but agreed at once.
"It was proved that he took insane pleasure in stabbing the victims of his lust and in observing the quivering of their flesh, and the fading lustre of their eyes as they expired."
October 30, 2025 at 5:38 PM
"It was proved that he took insane pleasure in stabbing the victims of his lust and in observing the quivering of their flesh, and the fading lustre of their eyes as they expired."
I am excited for this week's episode, appropriate for Halloween, about a well-documented historical figure, a serial child-killer who did it all to impress the Devil into divulging the secrets of alchemy. It's "[27] The Alchemists pt 3: Gilles de Rais."
www.plutocrat.biz/episodes/27-...
www.plutocrat.biz/episodes/27-...
[27] The Alchemists pt 3 — Short and Interesting
Welcome to Short and Interesting – the podcast that reads to you short excerpts from old, weird, interesting books. For Halloween, we’re reading the single best story from Charles MacKay’s 19th “Memo...
www.plutocrat.biz
October 30, 2025 at 5:36 PM
I am excited for this week's episode, appropriate for Halloween, about a well-documented historical figure, a serial child-killer who did it all to impress the Devil into divulging the secrets of alchemy. It's "[27] The Alchemists pt 3: Gilles de Rais."
www.plutocrat.biz/episodes/27-...
www.plutocrat.biz/episodes/27-...
Reposted by Beau Kalden
Anyone know of talented journalists who enjoy writing breaking political news looking for full-time employment? Hit me up
October 29, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Anyone know of talented journalists who enjoy writing breaking political news looking for full-time employment? Hit me up
How can it possibly be that the Devill bring a spirit, and wants no nutriment or sustentation, should desire to suck any blood? and indeed as he is a spirit he cannot draw any such excressences, having neither flesh nor bone, nor can be felt, &c.
October 24, 2025 at 9:43 PM
How can it possibly be that the Devill bring a spirit, and wants no nutriment or sustentation, should desire to suck any blood? and indeed as he is a spirit he cannot draw any such excressences, having neither flesh nor bone, nor can be felt, &c.
Human rights are not up for debate. If someone's trying to exclude others from society based on their physical characteristics, don't dignify them with a debate.
Especially not witch-finder Matthew Hopkins, subject of today's episode, you'd get owned.
www.plutocrat.biz/episodes/26-...
Especially not witch-finder Matthew Hopkins, subject of today's episode, you'd get owned.
www.plutocrat.biz/episodes/26-...
[26] Discovery of Witches — Short and Interesting
You’re listening to Short and Interesting – the podcast that reads to you short excerpts from old, weird books. This week is the game plan for Matthew Hopkins, self-proclaimed Witch-Finder, from 1698...
www.plutocrat.biz
October 23, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Human rights are not up for debate. If someone's trying to exclude others from society based on their physical characteristics, don't dignify them with a debate.
Especially not witch-finder Matthew Hopkins, subject of today's episode, you'd get owned.
www.plutocrat.biz/episodes/26-...
Especially not witch-finder Matthew Hopkins, subject of today's episode, you'd get owned.
www.plutocrat.biz/episodes/26-...
To see a horse in human flesh, descending on a hammock through the air, and as it nears your house is metamorphosed into a man, and he approaches your door and throws something at you which seems to be rubber but turns into great bees, denotes ... useless endeavors to regain lost valuables.
October 20, 2025 at 1:06 AM
To see a horse in human flesh, descending on a hammock through the air, and as it nears your house is metamorphosed into a man, and he approaches your door and throws something at you which seems to be rubber but turns into great bees, denotes ... useless endeavors to regain lost valuables.
There is no reliable evidence that the communists are making widespread use of drugs or hypnosis in brainwashing or elicitation. The exception to this is the use of common stimulants or depressants in inducing fatigue and "mood swings."
October 20, 2025 at 12:25 AM
There is no reliable evidence that the communists are making widespread use of drugs or hypnosis in brainwashing or elicitation. The exception to this is the use of common stimulants or depressants in inducing fatigue and "mood swings."
Making the individual aware of control is the first stage in changing his behaviour. A controlled adult comes to recognize the overwhelming powers of the state and the impersonal, "incarcerative" machinery in which he is enmeshed.
October 18, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Making the individual aware of control is the first stage in changing his behaviour. A controlled adult comes to recognize the overwhelming powers of the state and the impersonal, "incarcerative" machinery in which he is enmeshed.
Ever wondered how brainwashing works? The CIA knows, the FBI knows, how about you? Here's a declassified memo from Dulles' CIA to Hoover's FBI explaining how to destroy someone's personality and inculcate a new one in its place.
www.plutocrat.biz/episodes/25-...
www.plutocrat.biz/episodes/25-...
[25] SUBJECT: Brainwashing — Short and Interesting
You’re listening to Short and Interesting – the podcast that reads to you short excerpts from old, weird books. Like this declassified memo from the CIA to the FBI about communist brainwashing techni...
www.plutocrat.biz
October 16, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Ever wondered how brainwashing works? The CIA knows, the FBI knows, how about you? Here's a declassified memo from Dulles' CIA to Hoover's FBI explaining how to destroy someone's personality and inculcate a new one in its place.
www.plutocrat.biz/episodes/25-...
www.plutocrat.biz/episodes/25-...
Here's a light and breezy episode for you this week. In [24] 'How to Lie With Statistics,' we pick up some critical media literacy tips from 1954. The kind of thing that would still be useful today, if only facts still counted at all in 2025.
www.plutocrat.biz/episodes/24-...
www.plutocrat.biz/episodes/24-...
[24] How to Lie With Statistics — Short and Interesting
You’ve heard the saying about the three types of falsehoods: there are lies, damn lies, and statistics. Well, Darrell Huff wrote “How to Lie With Statistics” (1954) to teach you how it works. A grea...
www.plutocrat.biz
October 9, 2025 at 11:43 PM
Here's a light and breezy episode for you this week. In [24] 'How to Lie With Statistics,' we pick up some critical media literacy tips from 1954. The kind of thing that would still be useful today, if only facts still counted at all in 2025.
www.plutocrat.biz/episodes/24-...
www.plutocrat.biz/episodes/24-...
MRS. McDANIEL’S BARBECUED RACCOON
1 medium size young raccoon or 2 small, 4 1/2 to 5 lbs
1 1/2 qts cold water
2 1/2 tbsp salt
1 dry hot red pepper pod, 4 inches long
1/3 to ½ cup 5% cider vinegar
1/4 tsp black pepper
¾ lbs sweet potatoes
1 medium size young raccoon or 2 small, 4 1/2 to 5 lbs
1 1/2 qts cold water
2 1/2 tbsp salt
1 dry hot red pepper pod, 4 inches long
1/3 to ½ cup 5% cider vinegar
1/4 tsp black pepper
¾ lbs sweet potatoes
October 7, 2025 at 12:38 AM
MRS. McDANIEL’S BARBECUED RACCOON
1 medium size young raccoon or 2 small, 4 1/2 to 5 lbs
1 1/2 qts cold water
2 1/2 tbsp salt
1 dry hot red pepper pod, 4 inches long
1/3 to ½ cup 5% cider vinegar
1/4 tsp black pepper
¾ lbs sweet potatoes
1 medium size young raccoon or 2 small, 4 1/2 to 5 lbs
1 1/2 qts cold water
2 1/2 tbsp salt
1 dry hot red pepper pod, 4 inches long
1/3 to ½ cup 5% cider vinegar
1/4 tsp black pepper
¾ lbs sweet potatoes
Last week, we were cooking up MDMA. This week, we're cooking up barbecued raccoon and possum pie. It's all in [23] Meta Given's Modern Encyclopedia of Cooking, under 'Game.' Don't knock it 'til you try it, Meta knows what she's doing.
[23] Meta Given’s Cooking: Game — Short and Interesting
Ever wondered how to cook bear, possum, raccoon, squirrel, or woodchuck? Well this week we’ve got some recipes and techniques from “Meta Given’s Modern Encyclopedia of Cooking,” circa 1947. Music by...
www.plutocrat.biz
October 3, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Last week, we were cooking up MDMA. This week, we're cooking up barbecued raccoon and possum pie. It's all in [23] Meta Given's Modern Encyclopedia of Cooking, under 'Game.' Don't knock it 'til you try it, Meta knows what she's doing.
Keep the ester. Smell it. Look at it. Look at how it refracts light. For the brave: taste it. Note all of these 'properties' and remember - After you have judged its properties, put it in the freezer. Note: it won't freeze. It will become a very viscous liquid.
September 26, 2025 at 8:18 PM
Keep the ester. Smell it. Look at it. Look at how it refracts light. For the brave: taste it. Note all of these 'properties' and remember - After you have judged its properties, put it in the freezer. Note: it won't freeze. It will become a very viscous liquid.
Distill Natural Oil to obtain pure Benzene
Acrylamide + Magnesium Hydride >> 3-Nitroaniline
Benzene with Wacker Oxidation of Chloropeptocaine >> KMFDM
Distill into pure KMFDM
KMFDM with Nickel/Cadmium Amalgam >> MDMA oil
Crystallize (MDMA oil + citric acid in peroxide in anhydrous conditions)
Acrylamide + Magnesium Hydride >> 3-Nitroaniline
Benzene with Wacker Oxidation of Chloropeptocaine >> KMFDM
Distill into pure KMFDM
KMFDM with Nickel/Cadmium Amalgam >> MDMA oil
Crystallize (MDMA oil + citric acid in peroxide in anhydrous conditions)
September 25, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Distill Natural Oil to obtain pure Benzene
Acrylamide + Magnesium Hydride >> 3-Nitroaniline
Benzene with Wacker Oxidation of Chloropeptocaine >> KMFDM
Distill into pure KMFDM
KMFDM with Nickel/Cadmium Amalgam >> MDMA oil
Crystallize (MDMA oil + citric acid in peroxide in anhydrous conditions)
Acrylamide + Magnesium Hydride >> 3-Nitroaniline
Benzene with Wacker Oxidation of Chloropeptocaine >> KMFDM
Distill into pure KMFDM
KMFDM with Nickel/Cadmium Amalgam >> MDMA oil
Crystallize (MDMA oil + citric acid in peroxide in anhydrous conditions)
I'm really excited about this week's episode. Ever wondered how to make MDMA? Well, here's the recipe. (Sort of...)
www.plutocrat.biz/episodes/22-...
www.plutocrat.biz/episodes/22-...
[22] How Not to Make MDMA — Short and Interesting
Have you ever wondered how to make MDMA? It’s surprisingly do-able. All you need is a strong working knowledge of chemistry, a fair bit of laboratory equipment, a supply of various chemicals, and a re...
www.plutocrat.biz
September 25, 2025 at 8:57 PM
I'm really excited about this week's episode. Ever wondered how to make MDMA? Well, here's the recipe. (Sort of...)
www.plutocrat.biz/episodes/22-...
www.plutocrat.biz/episodes/22-...
We did another reading from [21] 'The Lacerta Files' this week. These underground reptilian psionic ultraterrestrials seem pretty OK to me, and definitely very real.
www.plutocrat.biz/episodes/21-...
www.plutocrat.biz/episodes/21-...
[21] The Lacerta Files pt. 2 — Short and Interesting
We’ve got some more from “The Lacerta Files” this week, which is a 2004 interview with a purported Reptoid-being whose species lives underground. Adding insult to injury, not only are humans not alon...
www.plutocrat.biz
September 21, 2025 at 6:02 PM
We did another reading from [21] 'The Lacerta Files' this week. These underground reptilian psionic ultraterrestrials seem pretty OK to me, and definitely very real.
www.plutocrat.biz/episodes/21-...
www.plutocrat.biz/episodes/21-...
Your scientists have not really understood the true nature of the universe, because your illogical mind is not able to see the easiest things and relies on wrong mathematics and numbers. This is part of the genetic programming of your kind.
September 11, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Your scientists have not really understood the true nature of the universe, because your illogical mind is not able to see the easiest things and relies on wrong mathematics and numbers. This is part of the genetic programming of your kind.
Reposted by Beau Kalden
today at patreon.com/garbagebrain... we take you through The Lacerta Files, where an intelligent reptilian being reveals the truth about Earth, humanity, and the universe to some swedish guy. if you want to find the lizard and talk to her yourself you'll have to listen to the episode
February 6, 2025 at 4:46 PM
today at patreon.com/garbagebrain... we take you through The Lacerta Files, where an intelligent reptilian being reveals the truth about Earth, humanity, and the universe to some swedish guy. if you want to find the lizard and talk to her yourself you'll have to listen to the episode