Baked Potato Soup and Podcast News

“Someplace between apathy and anarchy is the stance of the thinking human being; he does embrace a cause, he does take a position and he can’t allow it to become business as usual. Humanity is our business.”

We lend our idle hands to the creation of machinery and contemplate our fate. We look to the past with nostalgia for its simplicity and race toward the unknown with vigor and ignorance. However, thankfully, we do so with the help from our dear friend Rod Serling, and his words above.

The Pear Tree Project just completed taping our fourth podcast, which will air on November 18, 2025, at 11 am and 11 pm (EST), on Dreamvision 7 Radio Network.

Here are some excerpts from our recording:

Do you believe that AI is having an impact on mental health?

It is a fact that our over-reliance on technology is leading to decreased physical activity. With our increased screen time we are living a more sedentary lifestyle, which can negatively impact physical health, and in turn create mental health problems.

Technology use has been linked to higher levels of anxiety and depression, potentially due to social media pressures, cyberbullying, and social comparison.

Relying on digital communication can lead to a decrease in face-to-face interactions, causing loneliness and social isolation. 

There is something called automation bias, which basically translates to people favoring technology’s output over their own judgment, even when the technology is wrong.

There is also automation complacency, which is a reduced sense of vigilance and responsibility when monitoring technology, which can lead to errors being overlooked.

Some examples include a reduction in skills and decreased productivity.

An over-dependence on technology can lead to a loss of basic skills, such as problem-solving and navigating without digital assistance.

Constant digital notifications and the temptation to multitask can lead to a loss of focus and increased procrastination. 

In addition, the realistic conversation style of AI can lead some vulnerable individuals to develop delusional thinking or what is referred to as “AI-induced psychosis,” which is where people believe AI is a higher power or a real partner, leading to breaks with reality.

And perhaps most importantly, AI lacks genuine human empathy, judgment, and moral responsibility.

Who would you say are the largest consumers/users of AI?

While AI has cemented its stronghold on the industries of banking, healthcare and technology; it is quickly encroaching into many other professions.

To the surprise of the unsuspecting, AI is currently being utilized to create some of your favorite music and movies.

AI is tugging at our heart strings, not its own with sappy commercials (on/off social media). This has become a point of contention for some consumers as it highlights their loneliness, inability to relate to perfect images and struggle to connect with the messaging and AI delivery of it.

Lastly, AI is quickly infiltrating the world of journalism and making it harder and harder to distinguish reality from fake news.

What do you see as the top potential concerns AI poses to society?

(AI’s answer) – Top concerns about AI include bias and discrimination, the spread of misinformation and social manipulation, threats to privacy and security, potential job displacement and economic inequality, and the risk of unintended or malicious use, including safety issues in critical applications like autonomous weapons. These risks range from current problems like biased algorithms and fake news to future concerns about losing control of more advanced AI systems.

(Founding Pear’s answer) – Victor Frankenstein created intelligent life, and then abandoned his creation, leading to a tragic cycle of violence and misery for the creator and the creature.

Mary Shelley’s novel explores the moral responsibility that comes with technological and scientific power.

Frankenstein is a cautionary tale about the potential for ambition and scientific discovery to be destructive when not tempered with ethical consideration and caution.

Our pursuit of forbidden knowledge can lead to disastrous results.

Did You Know? Loaded Baked Potato Soup (serves four):

Baked Potato

• 1/2 stick butter
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 1/2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1” chunks
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Toppings:

• 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
• 4 strips bacon, cooked until crispy, chopped
• 1/4 cup chives, minced