The Science of 'The Last of Us': Could it Happen in Real Life?

This week the fellas chat "The Last Of Us". The HBO show depicts a world overrun by deadly fungi, but experts say the threat is all too real. Fungi can infect and control the brain, killing hundreds of thousands of people annually. The WHO's list of high-risk fungi includes Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida species, and Cryptococcosis neoformans. Cordyceps, the fungus depicted in the show, is real and can change an insect's behavior. Climate change's impact on fungi is also a concern, highlighting the need for more research to understand their potential impact on humans and the environment. Jer went to a medium and took a lil' something something from it. One man wears RayBan smart glasses to record his hallucinations. A baby is born a giant down in Brazil. For WHAT THE HELLTH?! Addicted to drugs or alcohol? No worries! Just grab a piece of skin, edit it with CRISPR, reattach it, and voila! You'll turn your nose up at that bottle of whiskey or that line of coke. Mice experiments were a success and now researchers are seeking FDA approval for human trials. In five years or so, you'll be saying goodbye to your secret stash and hello to addiction-free skin! Who knew the solution was just a small piece of skin away! Join the post-episode conversation over on Discord!   / discord   Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro 0:19 - The Science Behind The Last of Us 24:36 - Jeremie Goes to a Medium 49:30 - Smart glasses record man hallucinating 55:16 - That's a Big Baby 58:04 - Skin Graft Addiction Treatment 01:01:50 - Outro