In Episode 36 of Rabbit Hole of Research, hosts Joe, Nick, and Georgia welcome novelist Kurt Baumeister to discuss his book Twilight of the Gods—a postmodern, satirical take on Norse mythology that reimagines Loki as a neutral, even heroic, figure navigating a fractured modern world. Together, they dive deep into Loki as a mythic archetype and chaos agent across mythology, pop culture, and political allegory. The conversation expands into AI as a digital trickster, the psychology of narrative glitching, satire as resistance, and how figures like Rod Serling, Q, The Doctor, and even Deadpool carry Loki’s disruptive energy. Expect a lively fusion of mythology, literary theory, science, and pop culture chaos—exactly what you’d expect from a trickster-centered episode.
Visit Kurt Baumeister at:
Website (https://kurtbaumeister.com)
Check out his book: Twilight of the Gods
It’s Science for Weirdos
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We want to Hear From You (leave a comment):
Do you see Loki as a hero, villain, or something in between—and why?
Have you encountered a “Loki” in modern media who really nails the trickster archetype?
What do you think: is AI becoming a modern digital trickster—or just glitching out?
Which Loki variant (myth, MCU, literary, or otherwise) resonates most with you?
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Stay curious, stay speculative, stay safe, and we’ll catch you in the next rabbit hole. Love Y'all!
Images from Recording
Show Notes & Fun facts
Kurt Baumeister’s Loki is inspired by satire and metafiction—not Marvel—positioning Loki as the only ethical god in a fractured pantheon.
The episode draws parallels between AI hallucinations and Loki’s mischief—both disrupt order with unpredictable consequences.
Rod Serling of Twilight Zone fame is framed as a “Loki figure”—breaking narrative rules, testing humanity, and orchestrating moral chaos.
Loki’s mythology evolved alongside Christianity, shifting from helpful trickster to Satanic villain in the late Norse tradition.
Chaos theory, quantum timelines, and emergent systems are used to interpret Loki’s role in both myth and technology.
Episode Highlights:
00:00 – Welcome and Introductions
“Welcome back to the basement studio—we’ve got trickster energy brewing today.”
00:17 – Meet the Author: Kurt Baumeister
“I’m Kurt Baumeister, author of Twilight of the Gods—a satirical, postmodern Loki narrative.”
00:31 – Twilight of the Gods: A Unique Take on Norse Mythology
“In my version, Loki’s the only god who might actually be good.”
01:24 – Loki: The Trickster God
“Loki isn’t just mythic—he’s a meta-agent of transformation across psychology, politics, and physics.”
02:27 – Literary and Political Themes in Twilight of the Gods
“I set it in a fictionalized Germany that looks a lot like 2016 America.”
05:51 – Loki in Modern Media
“Tom Hiddleston’s Loki is great—but I needed my own lane.”
16:45 – AI and the Trickster Archetype
“AI hallucinations are just Loki wearing a digital mask.”
22:00 – Chaos and Religion
“The Norse myths evolved to mirror Christianity—Loki went from prankster to Lucifer.”
24:55 – Exploring Trickster Figures Across Cultures
“Coyote, Anansi, Q, the Joker—they’re all Loki in different masks.”
25:59 – The Complexity of Heroes and Villains
“Everyone thinks they’re the hero of their own story—even Mr. Glass.”
27:43 – Dr. Doom and Other Compelling Villains
“Dr. Doom rules with logic and science—but is still tyranny.”
31:14 – The Twilight Zone and Loki’s Trickster Nature
“Rod Serling is the Loki of television—he tests humanity with cosmic riddles.”
35:43 – AI in Writing and Creativity
“It’s not voice, it’s word mush—AI is just faking style, not feeling.”
46:55 – Conclusion and Book Promotion
“You can find Twilight of the Gods in hardback, paperback, or wherever digital tricksters lurk.”
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