The Yarn

Not Natural: God Mode

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Episode notes

There’s this phrase God Mode that was born out of the gaming world. It refers to a notorious cheat code in the 1993 shooter game, Doom. Once activated, a player becomes invincible and vanquishes opponents with ease. 

Nowadays, God mode is a slang term for achieving superhuman feats in real life, and in our era of artificial intelligence and cybernetic implants, it’s becoming more and more pertinent. 

This week, we’re bringing you stories that delve into this issue – asking whether AI should continue an artist’s legacy after death and how medical breakthroughs and cloning can improve nature.  

It’s the first episode of Not Natural, a series about the friction between what we consider natural and artificial. 

These stories were made for the Science Gallery which has just opened its new exhibition — Not Natural. Go and see it now to explore de-extinction, see live jellyfish, and duck from a machete-wielding houseplant.

Featuring stories by Annie Siriphattrasophon, Kaspar Vissar, Jemma Mitchell, and Ainsley Paton.

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