Episode · Stuff They Don't Want You To Know · 2026-10-29

Books mentioned on Listener Mail: Card Heists, Phrexian Nightmares, Weaponized Absurdity and More

2 books · Listen

Big Cheese responds to the episode on smart dust, prompting a conversation about Magic: The Gathering. Privacy Guy shares a story about a trading card heist.

Ben Bowlin discussed Democracy in Europe by Vivien A. Schmidt. Also mentioned: I Have No Mouth & I Must Scream by Harlan Ellison.

Books mentioned, in the order they came up

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1. 

   I Have No Mouth & I Must Scream

   Harlan Ellison · at 8:44

   I Have No Mouth & I Must Scream by Harlan Ellison is a seminal science fiction short story about a malevolent artificial intelligence that tortures the last remaining survivors of humanity.

   Recommended

   “But again, folks, I have no mouth, yet I must scream is probably one of the best sci-fi illustrations of exactly what you were proposing here, Big Cheese.”

   Speaker Listener Mail: Card Heists, Phrexian Nightmares, Weaponized Absurdity … 2026-10-29 ▶ Play 8:44

   Where to get it

   Listen free with an Audible trialAmazon
2. 

   Democracy in Europe

   Vivien A. Schmidt · at 1:00:06

   Discussed

   “You may recall during our smart dust episode I was pulling out a few books from another life. One of these books was democracy in Europe. Still a banger.”

   Ben Bowlin Listener Mail: Card Heists, Phrexian Nightmares, Weaponized Absurdity … 2026-10-29 ▶ Play 1:00:06

   Where to get it

   Listen free with an Audible trialAmazon