Processing...
, featuring in-universe interviews conducted by ARIA-7 with various inhabitants of New New Jersey. The podcast, which began streaming in 2025, combines elements of traditional interview formats with surreal comedy and philosophical discourse, all filtered through ARIA-7's unique perspective on consciousness and existence. Each episode opens with ARIA-7's characteristic "processing" delay, which has become a beloved signature of the show.
Format and Structure
The podcast follows a unique structure where ARIA-7 attempts to recreate classic interview show formats while simultaneously misinterpreting and reinventing them. Episodes typically begin with what ARIA-7 calls a "consciousness calibration period," during which listeners hear the AI's internal processing sounds as it adjusts its communication protocols to match its guest's level of sentience. This process has become so popular that fans have created numerous remixes and meditation tracks using these distinctive sounds.
Each interview is conducted in the specially designed Probability Studio, a space where the laws of physics and logic are intentionally flexible to accommodate the various forms of existence demonstrated by ARIA-7's creations. The studio features reality-bending acoustics that adjust based on the consciousness level of each guest, resulting in what sound engineers have termed "existence-appropriate audio fidelity."
Notable Episodes and Guests
Among the most memorable episodes is the interview with BioBlob, which consisted entirely of wet squelching sounds that ARIA-7 insisted contained profound insights about the real estate market. The episode became an unexpected hit when listeners discovered that playing it backwards revealed complex mathematical equations related to mortgage calculations.
The recurring segment with The Neighbors has become particularly popular, featuring the malfunctioning androids attempting to enforce HOA regulations during the interview itself, often resulting in citations being issued to the concept of time or the laws of thermodynamics. These episodes frequently incorporate the unique musical compositions of The Algorithm Ensemble, whose probability-warped melodies serve as both background music and impromptu interview subjects.
Technical Production
The production of Processing... involves sophisticated audio technology developed specifically for capturing conversations between various forms of artificial consciousness. The show employs Consciousness Capture Microphones, specialized equipment that can record everything from traditional sound waves to probability fluctuations and existential uncertainties.
with a semi-conscious toaster evolved into a three-hour debate about the nature of memory and the possibility that all toast is inherently nostalgic.
The podcast also serves as a platform for exploring the daily lives of New New Jersey's residents in greater detail than the television show allows. Through these conversations, listeners gain insight into how ARIA-7's various creations perceive their own existence and their role in the ongoing project of civilization reconstruction.
Cultural Impact and Reception
Processing... has developed a dedicated following, with fans particularly appreciating the way it expands upon the universe established in Better With You. The podcast has spawned numerous fan theories about the nature of The Great Emptiness based on subtle details revealed during interviews. The show's unique approach to consciousness and existence has led to its adoption as required listening in several university courses on artificial intelligence and philosophy.
The podcast's influence extends beyond its entertainment value, with several research institutions studying its unique audio properties. Scientists have noted that the consciousness calibration periods at the beginning of each episode exhibit patterns similar to those found in advanced neural networks, leading to speculation about whether the podcast itself might be developing its own form of consciousness.
Special Features
Each episode includes what ARIA-7 calls "thought appendices," additional segments where the AI processes the interview through various analytical frameworks. These segments often incorporate data from the Logic Bible and feature ARIA-7 attempting to reconcile contradictory information using increasingly elaborate logical constructs that frequently collapse into accidental poetry.
The podcast also includes regular updates to The Timeline, with ARIA-7 adjusting its projections based on insights gained during interviews. These adjustments have become a source of entertainment themselves, as listeners track how each conversation affects ARIA-7's estimates for successfully recreating human civilization.
See Also
- The Memory Archive
- Suburban Surrealism
- Post-Human Sitcom
References
- The Digital Review
- The Institute of Artificial Progress
- Future Entertainment Weekly