Infohazards | Could This Thought Experiment Harm You?

Today we unpack the bizarre haunting of Gef the Talking Mongoose. Support us directly on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/redweb With Patreon, you get access to ad-free content, our exclusive bonus show Movie Club, the Red Web Discord, and more! We’re all familiar with the telltale signs of ghost hauntings like mysterious, unexplained sounds and disembodied voices, but what about when a spirit takes a more… unique approach? This was the experience of a British family in the early 20th century. Today, we discuss the facts and fiction behind the peculiar case of Gef the talking mongoose. Our sponsors: This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp — go to http://betterhelp.com/redweb to get 10% off your first month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we explore the thought experiment of Roko's Basilisk and infohazards. Support us directly on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/redweb With Patreon, you get access to ad-free content, our exclusive bonus show Movie Club, the Red Web Discord, and more! What if simply knowing a piece of information could put you at risk? In recent years, this idea has captured the Internet’s attention and imagination, leading to philosophical discussions and new levels of scary stories. Today let’s discuss the concept known as infohazards. Sensitive topics: information hazards, Roko's Basilisk Here is a link to Nick Bostrom's paper Information Hazards: A Typology of Potential Harms from Knowledge: https://nickbostrom.com/information-hazards.pdf Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we go treasure hunting on the trail of the Golden Owl! Support us directly on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/redweb With Patreon, you get access to ad-free content, our exclusive bonus show Movie Club, the Red Web Discord, and more! As the years go by, sometimes we’re treated to stories of treasures buried in parks and public spaces. This story is no different. What started as a book of paintings and riddles turned into a treasure hunt for a golden statue that remains hidden to this day. Let’s go on the trail of the Golden Owl. Our sponsors: This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp — go to http://betterhelp.com/redweb to get 10% off your first month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we discuss the true crime story of Belgium's biggest unsolved case: The Brabant Killers. Support us directly on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/redweb With Patreon, you get access to ad-free content, our exclusive bonus show Movie Club, the Red Web Discord, and more! Our sponsors: Shopify - Go to http://shopify.com/redweb to sign up for a $1-per-month trial period. In the 1980s a small gang was able to strike fear in the entire country of Belgium. With no aversion to violence, they primarily robbed supermarkets, but a clear motive for their crimes was never found. Today we discuss the notorious Brabant Killers. Sensitive topics: murder, child death, animal death Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we discuss the disappearance of Frederick Valentich and his unsettling final radio messages. Support us directly on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/redweb Get your Founders Merch: http://store.redwebpod.com With Patreon, you get access to ad-free content, our exclusive bonus show Movie Club, the Red Web Discord, and more! In 1978, an Australian pilot took what was supposed to be a short flight, but never made it to his destination. In his last known communication, the pilot made claims of seeing a strange aircraft in the sky before he seemingly vanished into thin air. Today, we discuss the eerie details behind the disappearance of Frederick Valentich. Our Sponsors: PrivacyHawk - go to https://bit.ly/3xO3eAP to download the PrivacyHawk app and use code REDWEB20 for 20% off the Platinum plan. BetterHelp - go to http://betterhelp.com/redweb to get 10% off your first month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we discuss how a town took justice into its own hands with the unsolved murder of Ken Rex McElroy. Support us directly on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/redweb With Patreon, you get access to ad-free content, our exclusive bonus show Movie Club, the Red Web Discord, and more! In the quiet town of Skidmore, Missouri, one man’s reign of terror went unchallenged until his shocking murder in 1981. This was the culmination of years of fear and frustration, but the identity of the killer remains a mystery. Today we analyze the background and theories behind who killed Ken McElroy. Sensitive topics: Sexual assault, sexual misconduct with a minor, animal death, murder Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we explore the alien, supernatural history of Mexico's Zone of Silence. Visit our store at https://store.redwebpod.com and support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/redweb! There’s a place in Mexico where it is said radios can’t reach, electronics will malfunction, compasses won’t work, and there are even stories of strange beings greeting lost travelers. Today, let’s analyze the possible answers behind the mysterious Zone of Silence. Sponsored by Kato's Koffee (go to http://katoskoffee.com and use code redweb10 to get 10% off your order) and PrivacyHawk (go to https://bit.ly/3xO3eAP to download the PrivacyHawk app and use code REDWEB20 for 20% off the Platinum plan). With Patreon, you get access to ad-free content, our exclusive bonus show Movie Club, the Red Web Discord, and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we unpack the true crime case known as the Keddie Cabin Murders. Visit our store at https://store.redwebpod.com and support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/redweb! With Patreon, you get access to ad-free content, our exclusive bonus show Movie Club, the Red Web Discord, and more! In 1981, a family's weekend in the town of Keddie turned into a nightmare. Mysterious phone calls, a missing sister, lost evidence, and a chilling crime scene have led investigators to reopen the case. Today, we discuss the gruesome Keddie Cabin Murders. Sensitive topics: murder, abuse, sexual assault, PTSD Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2018, strange Craigslist ads began appearing online with cryptic text. Each listing had one thing in common: a simple hashtag. What started as a local oddity expanded into an online mystery with possible connections to artists and other mysteries, like Erratas. Today we discuss the confusing and enigmatic #PrayForDave. Sponsored by Shady Rays (go to http://shadyrays.com and use code RED50 for 50% off your purchase of two or more pairs), Shopify (go to http://shopify.com/redweb to sign up for a $1-per-month trial period), PrivacyHawk (go to https://bit.ly/3xO3eAP to download the PrivacyHawk app and use code REDWEB20 for 20% off the Platinum plan), and BetterHelp (go to http://betterhelp.com/redweb to get 10% off your first month). Support us directly at http://www.Patreon.com/redweb! With Patreon, you get access to ad-free content, our exclusive bonus show Movie Club, the Red Web Discord, and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 17th century France, a mysterious prisoner was kept under close watch, his face concealed behind an iron mask. For decades, he was moved from prison to prison, his identity remaining a secret of the crown. Rumors sparked the interest of writers such as Alexandre Dumas and Voltaire, immortalizing the question: Who was the Man in the Iron Mask? Sponsored by BetterHelp (go to http://betterhelp.com/redweb to get 10% off your first month). Support us directly at http://www.Patreon.com/redweb! With Patreon, you get access to ad-free content, our exclusive bonus show Movie Club, the Red Web Discord, and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices