In the first half, cognitive archaeologist Dr. Heather Lynn discussed her research on ancient technologies and their philosophical connection to modern AI. She pointed out that AI is not just a contemporary phenomenon but part of a long continuum of human efforts to externalize and preserve thought. "A cave painting... establishes an older principle, something that existed in a person's mind that can be given a durable form outside of that person," she explained, framing ancient symbolic acts as early forms of information technology.
She illustrated this continuity with the example of Sumerian cylinder seals, describing them as "an ancient flash drive" that stored and authenticated information 4,000 years ago. Lynn highlighted the durability and portability of these artifacts, noting their role in enabling communication and coordination across time and space. Addressing contemporary fears about AI, she acknowledged the risks, particularly if AI technology is weaponized or given autonomous control over critical decisions.
Her upcoming book, Codex Machina, explores how AI is decoding ancient civilizations and lost languages. She expressed concern about data ownership and preservation, warning that digitizing and feeding information into AI could lead to the loss of original artifacts and texts. Lynn also discussed her Substack and podcast, The H Files, where she explores "occult architecture beneath modern power," blending history with hidden narratives.
-------------
In the latter half, author Andrea Perron, eldest daughter of the Perron family, shared firsthand accounts of living in the Rhode Island farmhouse that inspired the film The Conjuring. Purchased in 1970 by her mother, Carolyn, the 1736 colonial-era home quickly became a site of intense paranormal activity. She recounted a harrowing apparition her mother encountered: A female figure with a broken neck, who "had sprigs of wild hair coming off of her skull, two vacant hollow eyes... when she smiled at my mother, my mom freaked out." The clock in their parents' bedroom consistently stopped at 5:15 a.m. during manifestations, inspiring details in the film. Her father, initially skeptical, was eventually convinced after a spirit in the cellar made physical contact.
Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren appeared unexpectedly at their door in 1973, contrary to the movie's portrayal of a sought-out investigation. Perron recounted a séance with the Warrens in which the medium they brought collapsed on the table. "The priest was quaking over in the corner of the dining room. The chair that my mother was sitting in levitated at least two feet off of the ground, and then in a split second, she and the chair were tossed from the middle of our dining room into the center of our parlor." Lorraine identified a malignant presence named Bathsheba, and a Catholic exorcist dispatched to the home said, "I am so sorry, Mrs. Perron, this house cannot be cleansed. There's too many of them."
She confirmed that The Conjuring drew from her family's story but said Hollywood omitted much of the darker material for mass appeal. Perron revealed ongoing efforts to preserve the farmhouse's legacy, with paranormal investigator Jason Hawes of Ghost Hunters attempting to acquire the property. Perron also touched on her battle with cancer and her plan to re-release her book "A Wonder to Behold," which focuses on her research on extraterrestrials.
News segment guests: Jeff Nelken, Kevin Randle