Topic: Abyss

Professor Noel Sharkey of the Foundation for Responsible Robotics has released a report titled "Our Sexual Future with Robots," calling for a ban on sex robots designed to look like children. The discussion highlights companies like Abyss Creations and their upcoming AI-enabled doll, Harmony, while questioning the legal status of such devices in Canada and their potential use in therapy for sex offenders.

The hosts discuss the technical philosophy of using fast-acting noise gates to create "digital silence" when neither host is speaking. Curry explains how he helped fellow podcaster Andrew Horowitz set up a similar system for the DH Unplugged show. Dvorak compares the "dead" audio sound to the "Abyss" visual style used by Charlie Rose, which utilizes black velvet to create a void-like background.

Curry explains the technical necessity of fast-acting noise gates to eliminate ambient room noise and create a "dead" sound similar to NPR. He mentions helping Andrew Horowitz set up a similar system for the "DH Unplugged" show. Dvorak compares his preferred "abyss" visual style for TV—a black velvet background—to the set of Charlie Rose.