What Next: TBD | Tech, power, and the future
Episodes
The Streaming TV Bloodbath
28 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Shows are disappearing. Staff are getting axed. Is It greed, or necessary for the networks' survival? Guest: Julia Alexander Host: Lizzie O'Leary Lear...
The Hacker Blowing the Whistle on Twitter
26 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Legendary hacker Peiter "Mudge" Zatko’s reputation in the cybersecurity world is unmatched. His allegations against Twitter’s security are all the...
We're Expecting the Wrong Things From the CDC
21 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
There's no way to remove politics from public health. Guest: Tim Requarth Host: Lizzie O'Leary Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/ad...
What All That Money for Green Tech in the Climate Bill Is Buying
19 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Inflation Reduction Act is spurring progress towards new climate technology that, at times, sounds like something out of a science fiction movie. ...
Big Pharma’s Bet on Psychedelics
14 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The psychedelic renaissance is here. But not everyone’s on board. Guest: John Semley Host: Sonari Glinton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit me...
Crypto Could Leave Texas in the Dark
12 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Crypto mining is booming in Texas. Will the power grid be able to handle it? Guest: Russell Gold Host: Sonari Glinton Learn more about your ad choices...
The Monkeypox Vaccine Monopoly
07 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It makes intuitive sense for companies that develop a technology to hold its intellectual property rights. But in the case of vaccines and medical tre...
The Homes We Forgot to Build a Decade Ago
05 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The US has been in a housing shortage for decades. Can it ever be fixed? Guest: Conor Dougherty Host: Emily Peck Learn more about your ad choices. Vis...
The Dark Web of Online Spider Sales
31 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Researchers have untangled a world of illicit trade that threatens ecosystems and endangers species. Guest: Dr. Alice Hughes, Richard Stewart Host: Li...
Paging Dr. Bezos
29 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In buying One Medical, Amazon is primed to be your doctor. Are they disrupting health care, or just collecting more data? Guest: Rebecca Pifer Host: ...
Smart City: Dumb Idea?
24 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Toronto’s Quayside project is a telling example of how smart cities have failed. Could it also show how to make them better? Guest: Ben Green, Jenni...
Europe Is Burning
22 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The continent's deadly heat wave is only the tip of the melting iceberg. Guest: Henry Grabar Host: Lizzie O'Leary Learn more about your ad choices. Vi...
Silicon Valley's Hidden Discrimination
17 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Thenmozhi Soundararajan was scheduled to give a talk at Google for Dalit History Month. It led to vicious attacks against her from some of its employe...
Can Twitter Sue Elon Musk Into Submission?
15 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Dysfunction is nothing new to Twitter. But Elon Musk pulling his offer to buy the company adds a new layer of chaos. Guest: Alex Kantrowitz Host: Lizz...
Paxlovid's Mysteries
10 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
There's still a lot unknown about COVID's new wonder drug. Guest: Rachel Gutman-Wei Host: Lizzie O'Leary Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megap...
Can FEMA Keep Up With Climate Change?
08 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Climate change is causing unprecedented severe weather. Is the agency prepared for it to get worse? Guest: Craig Fugate and Ashley Nerbovig Host: Lizz...
The Good Hackers
03 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
According to the Justice Department, there’s a right way — and a wrong way — to be a hacker. Guest: Josephine Wolff Host: Lizzie O'Leary Learn m...
TikTok’s Mental Health Influencers
01 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Social media makes mental health information accessible. But it's not a perfect solution. Guest: Lindsay Lee Wallace Host: Mary C. Curtis Learn more a...
Does Crypto Investment Need to Be Regulated?
26 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Fidelity made headlines when they announced you could invest your retirement savings in Bitcoin. Then the crypto market crashed. Guest: Anthony Lee Zh...
Does Crypto Investment Need to Be Regulated?
26 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Fidelity made headlines when they announced you could invest your retirement savings in Bitcoin. Then the crypto market crashed.Guest: Anthony Lee Zha...
Can the Law Keep Up With the Internet?
24 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The openness of the internet is its greatest strength. Or a glaring weakness, depending on who you ask. Does something need to change? Guest: Jared Sc...
From the Vault: It's Hot. It's Flooding. Is This the New Normal?
19 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episode originally aired in July 2021. Last year, North Americans saw record-breaking heat, droughts, wildfires, and floods. The science is clea...
The Culture War Over Electric Cars
17 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
One state wants to stop people from buying one. But can electric vehicles be stopped? Guest: Ryan Cornell Host: Sonari Glinton Learn more about your...
Sheryl Sandberg’s Complicated Legacy
12 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
She wanted to be an icon for working women. What went wrong? Guest: Sheera Frenkel Host: Lizzie O'Leary Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaph...
Bots! What Are They Good For?
10 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Elon Musk isn't wrong that Twitter has a bot problem. But he's kind of missing the point. Guest: Samuel Woolley Host: Lizzie O'Leary Learn more about ...
Is Elon Musk Any Good at Business?
05 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Some call him revolutionary. Others call him a hack. Is his success warranted? Guest: Ashlee Vance Host: Lizzie O'Leary Thanks Avast.com! Learn more...
Can an Algorithm Spot a Shooter?
03 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Schools have spent millions to detect threats online. It mostly doesn’t work. Guest: Arijit Sen Host: Lizzie O'Leary Learn more about you...
Online Privacy in a Post-Roe World
29 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What can current surveillance infrastructure tell us about online privacy after the fall of Roe? Guest: Lily Hay Newman Host: Lizzie O'Leary Learn...
Will Bitcoin Ruin El Salvador?
27 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Is El Salvador heading for default after going all in on crypto? Guest: Anna-Cat Brigida Host: Lizzie O'Leary Learn more about your ad choices. Visi...
Will Bitcoin Ruin El Salvador?
27 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Is El Salvador heading for default after going all in on crypto?Guest: Anna-Cat BrigidaHost: Lizzie O'Leary Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy fo...
North Korea's Hacking Army
22 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
They’ve stolen billions of dollars. Is the U.S. ready to crack down? Guest: Jason Bartlett, research associate in the Energy, Economics, and Securi...
North Korea's Hacking Army
22 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
They’ve stolen billions of dollars. Is the U.S. ready to crack down?Guest: Jason Bartlett, research associate in the Energy, Economics, and Security...
How Buffalo Could Transform Social Media
20 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The shooting in Buffalo raises questions about the effectiveness of content moderation. Is the Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism the answer t...
How Buffalo Could Transform Social Media
20 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The shooting in Buffalo raises questions about the effectiveness of content moderation. Is the Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism the answer t...
Inside Trump’s Twitter Clone
15 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Trump's Truth Social network was supposed to be the right's answer to Twitter. What happens to the company if Elon takes over? Guest: Drew Harwell, r...
Can A.I. Know What You're Feeling?
13 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Companies are developing and selling A.I. products intended to tell your boss or your teacher how you're feeling. Guest: Kate Kaye, reporter for Prot...
Is Free Speech Online Just a Myth?
08 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
A conversation with one of the smartest First Amendment lawyers in the country. Guest: Jameel Jaffer Host: Lizzie O'Leary Thanks Avast.com! Lea...
Can the Internet Rescue Abortion Access?
06 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The pandemic changed the way abortion care could be provided online. So what happens now? Guest: Dr. Mai Fleming, family medicine physician and Fello...
The Fantasy of Internet for All
01 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Can Starlink ever fulfill its promise of connecting the world, especially places left behind by traditional internet? Or will it be just another toy...
What Elon Wants With Twitter
29 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Twitter is the platform of choice for politicians, journalists, academics, and many other agenda-setters. Twitter influences conversations that take p...
A New High-Tech Weapon in Ukraine
24 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The conflict between Ukraine and Russia is uncovering new wartime applications for facial recognition technology. Guest: Aric Toler, director of rese...
The COVID Data Disaster
22 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Are we facing down yet another COVID wave right now? Does it matter? Guest: Katherine Wu, staff writer for The Atlantic Host: Lizzie O'Leary Learn m...
How TurboTax Tricks Taxpayers
17 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
How did Intuit build its TurboTax empire? Guest: Justin Elliott, reporter for ProPublica Host: Lizzie O'Leary Learn more about your ad choices. Visi...
Elonnnnnnnnnnnnn!
15 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Is Musk's bid to take Twitter private a genuine attempt to mold the social network in his image? Or is he just going to have some fun, make some money...
Uber Makes Nice With Cabs
10 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The rideshare company's founder once called taxis “evil.” Now, Uber might need them to survive. Guest: Preetika Rana Host: Lizzie O'Leary Learn m...
Uber Makes Nice With Cabs
10 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The rideshare company's founder once called taxis “evil.” Now, Uber might need them to survive.Guest: Preetika RanaHost: Lizzie O'Leary Hosted on...
Elon Trolls the SEC
08 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
With 9.1% ownership of Twitter—and a board seat—Elon Musk is the new master of Twitter's future. Why did the wealthiest man in the world just take...
A Conversation With Europe's Top Tech Cop
03 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
For nearly a decade, Margrethe Vestager has led Europe's efforts to rein in big tech. One newspaper article described Vestager as putting the fear of ...
The White House's Favorite Tech Billionaire
01 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Why did Ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt spend over a decade building relationships with the most powerful Democrats in America? Guest: Alex Thompson, repo...
The Cost of Going Off-Grid
27 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Going off-grid can seem appealing in lots of ways. But are there consequences if everyone unplugs from the system? Are there costs we haven’t consid...
Why the Zelensky Deepfake Failed
25 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The FBI warned that Russia would use deepfakes to support its invasion of Ukraine. Are they missing the real threat? Guest: Noah Giansiracusa, profes...
The Startup Delivering Adderall
20 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In just two years, the mental-health startup Cerebral has grown to operate in 50 states, registered more than 200,000 patients, and reached a $4.8 bil...
Hong Kong’s Covid Crisis
18 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Hong Kong's zero-COVID policy got enviable results, but inadvertently set the stage for disaster. What will it take to change course? Guest: Dr. Kare...
How Minnesota Spied On Protesters
13 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
When Minnesota's Operation Safety Net, a coordinated effort among nine Minnesota law enforcement agencies, was announced in February 2021, its mission...
Putin's Internet Crackdown
11 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Vladimir Putin has always regarded the internet with suspicion. Now, with western tech companies pulling out of Russia and control of the war narrati...
When Your Retina Needs a Software Update
06 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Second Sight restored partial vision to hundreds of patients around the world through retinal implants. Then, on the verge of bankruptcy, they abandon...
Ukraine’s Information War
04 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Up against one of the world's most effective propaganda operations, Ukraine has taken control of the online narrative. With Russian troops closing in,...
Peter Thiel, Patron of the Populist Right
27 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Peter Thiel spent the better part of two decades molding the tech industry in his image. Now, he's leaving Facebook behind and turning his attention t...
Russia's Other Battlefront
25 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
For seven years, Ukraine has served as a virtual testing ground for a generation of cyber weaponry capable of taking down power grids, networks, and s...
The COVAX Fantasy
20 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Over two years into the pandemic, much of the world remains either unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or lacking access to mRNA vaccines entirely. Ho...
The COVAX Fantasy
20 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Over two years into the pandemic, much of the world remains either unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or lacking access to mRNA vaccines entirely. Ho...
"Rampant Racism" at Tesla
18 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Last week, California's Department of Fair Employment and Housing sued Tesla. It accuses the electric vehicle maker of fostering a workplace rife with...
The Rise of a Fast Fashion Juggernaut
13 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In just a few short years, the Chinese fast fashion company Shein upended the way countless young women shop online. It’s approach could soon shape ...
How Safe is the Metaverse?
11 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Facebook’s first crack at the metaverse has a problem: kids. Underage users seem to be flooding Horizon Worlds, potentially putting themselves at ri...
The Code That Runs Your Life
06 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Banks, healthcare providers, and retailers around the world still rely on COBOL, a programming language originally developed in the 1960s. By all acco...
Spotify’s Joe Rogan Mess
04 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
For Spotify, the last month has seen a cascade of controversies around its exclusive podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience. Is it time for the streaming s...
The Downfall of One of the World's Biggest Brains
28 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Ten years ago, IBM made a gamble. Through a monumental advertising and PR campaign, it promised that its AI technology–Watson–would transform the ...
Why Does Matt Damon Want Me to Buy Crypto?
21 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
A recent advertisement for crypto.com, featuring Matt Damon, was met with widespread mockery online. But Damon’s ad is only the most visible example...
Where Are The Little Kids' Vaccines?
14 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today on What Next TBD: What is going on with little kids' vaccines? Why don’t they seem to be a priority for the government or the pharmaceutical c...
Where Are The Little Kids' Vaccines?
14 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today on What Next TBD: What is going on with little kids' vaccines? Why don’t they seem to be a priority for the government or the pharmaceutical c...
The Aftermath of Elizabeth Holmes
07 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Elizabeth Holmes was found guilty of defrauding investors this week in federal court. The former CEO, wunderkind, and blood mogul has been the subject...
Best of 2021: It’s Time to Talk About U.F.O.s
31 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This episode originally aired in July 2021 Last week, the U.S. government released a new report that attempts to categorize 144 verified sightings of...
Best of 2021: It’s Time to Talk About U.F.O.s
31 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This episode originally aired in July 2021Last week, the U.S. government released a new report that attempts to categorize 144 verified sightings of u...
Best of 2021: Are We Getting COVID Testing All Wrong?
24 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This episode originally aired in September. In the U.S., the PCR test is the gold standard for COVID testing. Common knowledge would have it that the...
Best of 2021: Are We Getting COVID Testing All Wrong?
24 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This episode originally aired in September.In the U.S., the PCR test is the gold standard for COVID testing. Common knowledge would have it that the t...
The Carbon Capture Fantasy
17 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Using experimental technology to pull gigatons of carbon out of the air and bury it deep beneath the Earth sounds like a bad sci-fi plot point. If thi...
Who Online Justice Leaves Behind
10 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The U.S. civil court system doesn’t get as much attention as the criminal courts, but it would be hard to overstate its importance. In 2018, for exa...
Did @jack Ruin Twitter?
03 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On Monday, Jack Dorsey stepped down as CEO of Twitter. It’s not the first time he’s left the job. Is this really the end for the man who guided...
Best of 2021: Inside the Subreddit That Blew Up GameStop
26 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This episode originally aired in January 2021 The story of how GameStop went from the verge of a bankruptcy to a $15 billion market value isn’t an ...
Best of 2021: Inside the Subreddit That Blew Up GameStop
26 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This episode originally aired in January 2021The story of how GameStop went from the verge of a bankruptcy to a $15 billion market value isn’t an ea...
Space Junk! (And Space Wars?)
19 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Over the weekend, Russia tested a new weapon—a type of missile that can fly into space and destroy a satellite in orbit. The test created t...
The Kid-Vaccine Holdouts
12 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
A recent poll showed that about a third of parents of younger children would get their kids vaccinated, a third would not, and the final third said th...
How Schools Surveil Your Kids
05 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In schools across the country, tighter digital controls were put in place to keep kids on task during the pandemic. Are they here to stay? Guests: Pr...
Why Are Bots Buying Sneakers?
29 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The bots aren’t just buying cool sneakers. They’re buying concert tickets. Tickets to basketball games and Broadway shows. At the beginning of the...
Why Are Bots Buying Sneakers?
29 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The bots aren’t just buying cool sneakers. They’re buying concert tickets. Tickets to basketball games and Broadway shows. At the beginning of the...
Honey, I Sold the House to Zillow
22 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Between April and June of this year, Zillow bought nearly 4,000 homes. And they had no intention of holding onto them. The plan was to flip houses, of...
Honey, I Sold the House to Zillow
22 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Between April and June of this year, Zillow bought nearly 4,000 homes. And they had no intention of holding onto them. The plan was to flip houses, of...
The Return of Hacktivism
15 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Over the last month, the domain company Epik and the streaming service Twitch have fallen prey to massive-scale hacks. The hackers revealed not just e...
The Return of Hacktivism
15 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Over the last month, the domain company Epik and the streaming service Twitch have fallen prey to massive-scale hacks. The hackers revealed not just e...
Will the Facebook Whistleblower Make a Difference?
08 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The last month has seen a steady drip of leaked documents from inside Facebook, each seemingly more damning than the next. This week, the whistleblowe...
What Instagram Does to Teens
01 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Since 2018, internal research teams at Facebook have been studying the effect on Instagram on mental health. Their results couldn’t be more clear: I...
What Instagram Does to Teens
01 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Since 2018, internal research teams at Facebook have been studying the effect on Instagram on mental health. Their results couldn’t be more clear: I...
Are We Getting COVID Testing All Wrong?
24 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In the U.S., the PCR test is the gold standard for COVID testing. Common knowledge would have it that the test is more accurate—and therefore more e...
Are We Getting COVID Testing All Wrong?
24 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In the U.S., the PCR test is the gold standard for COVID testing. Common knowledge would have it that the test is more accurate—and therefore more e...
Sponsored: Tech Solutions that Serve L.A. Citizens with Ted Ross
22 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The final episode of Season 1 features Ted Ross, Chief Information Officer for the City of Los Angeles. His role became more vital than ever during th...
Sponsored: Tech Solutions that Serve L.A. Citizens with Ted Ross
22 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The final episode of Season 1 features Ted Ross, Chief Information Officer for the City of Los Angeles. His role became more vital than ever during th...
China vs. Video Games
17 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Recently, China restricted video game playing to just three hours a week for its young people: 8pm to 9pm, Friday through Sunday. And that’s not th...
China vs. Video Games
17 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Recently, China restricted video game playing to just three hours a week for its young people: 8pm to 9pm, Friday through Sunday.And that’s not the ...
Can This River Be Saved?
10 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Colorado River Basin is experiencing its 22nd year of drought. Its reservoirs are at their lowest-ever levels. The water stored in the system is a...
Can This River Be Saved?
10 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Colorado River Basin is experiencing its 22nd year of drought. Its reservoirs are at their lowest-ever levels. The water stored in the system is a...