Gray Aliens and Rock Paper Scissors

This episode of The Anthropocene Reviewed reviews gray aliens and rock-paper-scissors. John Green discusses the cultural phenomenon of gray aliens, linking their consistent depiction to human anxieties and self-image, citing H.G. Wells's early predictions of a similar human evolution. He then recounts a personal childhood fear of being the only human surrounded by aliens, illustrating how pervasive cultural narratives shape individual experiences. Finally, he reviews rock-paper-scissors, highlighting its ancient origins and use in resolving seemingly unresolvable choices, emphasizing the role of luck in human life. The episode concludes with a four-star rating for rock-paper-scissors and a two-star rating for gray aliens.