May 27, 2026
The Hive Mind
<p>In the 68th episode of Rabbit Hole of Research, from the Basement Studio, Joe, Nick, Georgia, Mary, and returning guest Wes Thorn (last seen defending the <a target="_blank" href="https://jothamaustin.substack.com/p/the-show-notes-for-episode-26-exploring">Simulation Hypothesis in Episode 26</a>) dive into one of science fiction’s most unsettling concepts: the hive mind.</p><p>It starts with a simple question: is the private voice inside your skull really yours? From there the crew tumbles down the rabbit hole of collective consciousness, exploring nature’s original hive minds, bees, ants, slime molds, and the 80,000-year-old aspen grove that is technically one single organism, before asking what science actually knows about consciousness itself. Spoiler: not much. There are 29 competing theories and counting, and researchers still can’t agree on a definition.</p><p>The crew discusses Apple TV+’s new show Plur1bus, (no spoilers) a show about an alien signal decoded as a genetic blueprint that folds humanity into a single collective consciousness. The crew debates individuality vs. collective good, whether a true hive mind can have a leader (Nick is unconvinced), the Borg’s mythology-breaking queen problem, and what separates a hive mind from a cult.</p><p>Along the way they get into noetics and non-local consciousness, acquired savant syndrome, yoga philosophy’s concepts, the complexities of fungal networks, and whether the internet is already a proto-hive mind or just a very loud echo chamber.</p><p>And at the end, everyone has to answer the question: would you join?</p><p></p><p><strong>Come see Joe on several panels at </strong><a target="_blank" href="https://concarolinas.org"><strong>ConCarolinas</strong></a><strong> - Charlotte, NC (May 29–31, 2026 ) </strong></p><p></p><p><strong>Check out what the RHR crew is creating</strong></p><p>Joe:</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://guildcomplex.org/35-writers-to-watch/"><strong>Named by the Guild Literary Complex as one of the 35 writers to watch!</strong></a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://frombeyondpress.com/books/red-line-chicago-horror-stories/">Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories Anthology</a> featuring a story by Joe!</p><p>Joe’s Sci-fi physiological thriller Novel: <a target="_blank" href="https://books2read.com/Jotham">Will You Still Love Me If I Become Someone Else?</a></p><p>Joe’s Rom-Com Novella: <a target="_blank" href="https://books2read.com/u/bxLxrv">Tomorrow May Be Too Late</a></p><p>Essay by Joe: From Beyond Press: <a target="_blank" href="https://frombeyondpress.com/blog/specific-knowledge-jotham-austin-ii-on-transformation/">Specific Knowledge: Jotham Austin, II, PhD on Transformations in Fiction</a></p><p></p><p><strong>It’s Science for Weirdos</strong></p><p>Want to support the show? Tell your friends. Follow us on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.instagram.com/rabbit_hole_of_research/"><strong>social media</strong></a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://discord.gg/2nnmKgguFV"><strong>Discord</strong></a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://jothamaustin.substack.com/p/welcome-to-the-rabbit-hole-of-research&ved=2ahUKEwiX4PeypICMAxUyhIkEHZ5IJw4QFnoECBUQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3p7UsO8AepP9kokzfx6AKX"><strong>share the podcast</strong></a>, and let us know what topics you are excited about. Leave a Comment. And for email alerts sign-up for the <a target="_blank" href="https://jothamaustin.substack.com">Substack newsletter</a> and never miss an episode, exciting updates or the bonus images we talk about on the episodes.</p><p></p><p><strong>We want to Hear From You (leave a comment):</strong></p><p>1) Joe, Georgia, Mary, Wes, and Nick all gave their answer at the end, would you join the hive? What would it take to change your answer?</p><p>2) The episode draws a line between a cult and a true hive mind. A cult has a leader with a motive, a hive mind has neither. Do you buy that distinction, or like Nick, feel that it’s a technicality?</p><p>3) Mary brought up concepts from yoga philosophy, the idea that the “you” you think of as yours is actually a collective of everything that came before you. Does that make the idea of a hive mind less scary or more?</p><p></p><p><strong>Future Episodes</strong></p><p><strong>Episode 70 - Nazca lines of Peru and Crop Circles</strong></p><p>Guest: Lorena Salinas</p><p><strong>Three Part Spider-Man Series to get ready for the new MCU </strong><a target="_blank" href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt22084616/">Spider-Man: Brand New Day</a></p><p><strong>Episode 72 – Spider-Man Villain Series 1: Lab Safety</strong></p><p>Guest: Tera Lavoie, PhD</p><p><strong>Episode 74 – Spider-Man Villain Series 2: Scorpion and the Other Chimeras</strong></p><p>Guest: Erin C. Anthony</p><p><strong>Episode 76 – Spider-Man Villain Series 3: What His Villains Reveal About Him</strong></p><p>Guest: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnda0j9dYT-GyB3Mv8ZGbwQ">Comic YouTuber, Alex Hanes (@Hanes4Heroes)</a></p><p></p><p><strong>Future Events to Hang with the Crew:Podcast Cross-Appearances</strong></p><p>Joe on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/live/1Kzg2O7wDSM"><strong>GoIndieNow: 21grams</strong></a> with Joe Compton</p><p>RHR Crew on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.tanzerben.com/"><strong>This Podcast Will Change Your Life</strong></a> with Ben Tanzer</p><p></p><p><strong>Events & Conventions to hang with the Crew:</strong></p><p><strong>Events & Conventions:</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://concarolinas.org">ConCarolinas</a> - Charlotte, NC (May 29–31, 2026 ) - Joe attending as Guest</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://slaythelake.com/slay-the-lake-chicago-pride-book-fest/">Slay the Lake Chicago Pride Book Fest</a> Soundgrowler Brewing Co., Tinley Park, IL 60487 (June 27, 2026 12PM-5PM)</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.shore-leave.com">Shore Leave 46 </a>- Lancaster, PA (July 10-12, 2026)</p><p>Lancaster Wyndham Resort and Convention Center</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.dragoncon.org">Dragon Con</a> - Atlanta, GA (September 3-7, 2026) - Joe attending as Professional</p><p></p><p><strong>For more stuff (Images, Episode Highlights, Notes and Fun Facts, events, etc), subscribe to our </strong><a target="_blank" href="https://jothamaustin.substack.com"><strong>Substack newsletter</strong></a><strong>!</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://discord.gg/2nnmKgguFV"><strong>Join Rabbit Hole of Research on Discord: </strong></a><a target="_blank" href="https://discord.gg/2nnmKgguFV">https://discord.gg/2nnmKgguFV</a></p><p>Don’t forget to give us 5 stars or a like!</p> <br/><br/>Get full access to The Rabbit Hole of Research at <a href="https://jothamaustin.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4">jothamaustin.substack.com/subscribe</a>
