TechStuff

In celebration of Halloween, we take a look at an article from HowStuffWorks titled 10 Scary Modern Technologies. From drones to voices coming out of thin air, we peek under the big scary bed that is technology. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when a company abandons its core philosophy? MakerBot went from embracing open source to incorporating proprietary technology, alienating makers and shedding co-founders as a result. Here's what happened. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

MakerBot is known as the company that brought 3D printing into the consumer market. We learn about how the company was spawned from a project intended to turn the manufacturing world upside down. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So what exactly is a theremin? It's got an unmistakably unique sound, and it's one of the world's first electronic musical instruments. Join Chris and Jonathan as they explore all things theremin, from the story of its inventor to playing techniques. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when sleep and technology meet? From sleep trackers to the world's first "sleep robot," we look at the science behind sleeping and the tech that tries to exploit it. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do lasers work? What are the most powerful lasers out there today and what do they do? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is electronic waste? What makes it so problematic? And what's the best way to deal with it? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Science fiction authors have thoroughly explored what could happen if we implement artificial intelligence irresponsibly. But they didn't predict that Microsoft would have to rein in a rogue, foul-mouthed chatbot. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How does laser eye surgery work? How does the human eye work? What types of eye problems can laser eye surgery correct? Join Jonathan and Chris for a closer look at laser eye surgery. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As we develop more advanced natural language systems, will we ever reach a point where a computer can detect not just what we say but what we actually mean? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we learn about more recent and proposed space planes. What happens when they transition from experimental aircraft to practical vehicles? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is a space plane and how does it work? From the Space Shuttle to the super secret X-37B, we look at the designs and proposals for reusable spacecraft. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bob Sullivan of the Breach Podcast joins the show to talk about the intersection between tech and voting. Is there a sweet spot? And do voting machines make the process more or less secure? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What was the Enigma machine? What is a cipher? How did the Enigma machine work? Join Chris and Jonathan to learn more about cryptography. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Amiga computers had a reputation for being incredibly powerful, particularly for video applications. But numerous problems at Commodore meant the system was living on borrowed time. What happened? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following the somewhat disappointing performance of the Amiga 1000, Commodore released two new computers to try and capture both the high-end market and the budget computer customer. We look at these two legendary systems and the politics that interfered with them. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jay Miner and his team of engineers were hard at work building the components for the Amiga 1000. Meanwhile, Atari and Commodore were maneuvering against each other and putting Amiga in the middle. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

TechStuff listener Matt wanted to know more about the Amiga line of computers. We take a look at how an engineer from Atari took a big leap in order to achieve his goal of building the best home computer of the early 1980s. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reaching space is difficult, and returning safely is even trickier. Luckily for astronauts, Mission Control follows each shuttle launch in minute detail, and they're on standby to tackle any imaginable problem. Tune in to learn more about exploring space. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Susannah asked that I do an episode about the company MoviePass. Where did it come from? What impact did it have on the entertainment industry? And does it have a future? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How did a patent filed in 1996 cause huge headaches in the podcasting industry? And how did a decision in 2018 finally put the matter to rest? We look at the case of Personal Audio LLC versus podcasting. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listener Dan wanted to know more about Apple's "neural engine." What exactly is it, and what can it do? We explore how a system on a chip can power machine learning in a smartphone. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On October 1, 1982, EPCOT Center opened at Walt Disney World. But that Epcot wasn't the same thing as Walt Disney's initial vision. We look into the history of a futuristic community. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Firefighters are an invaluable part of every community, but how does firefighting work? What tech will you find on a fire truck? Join Jonathan and Chris as they look at the technology behind firefighting. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What exactly is a game engine? What are the notable game engines out there today? And how do they work? A request from listener Tongki. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Back in 2011, we asked listeners what they thought the worst video games of all time were. In this episode, we look at games that received some of the worst reviews since 2011. What makes a bad game so awful? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Netflix has shifted focus to streaming video, though it still operates a DVD rental service. What were some of the challenges and roadblocks the company encountered over the past few years? And what the heck was Qwikster? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Netflix has faced many competitors, but none gave the company as much trouble as Blockbuster. In this episode, we continue Netflix's story and how Blockbuster almost came from behind to topple Netflix's DVD rental service. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Could we blow up an asteroid like in the movie Armageddon? Join Jonathan and Chris as they tackle what may become one of Earth's most important questions: What do we need to do to be better prepared for an asteroid impact? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our continuation of the story of Netflix, we look at how the young company changed dramatically over the first few years of its existence. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listener Kevin wants to know the story behind the company that buried Blockbuster. In this episode, we look at the early years of Netflix and how it weathered some rough times to get a foothold. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We continue our look at the company that created the term GPU. How did Nvidia rise to dominance after such an uncertain start? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nvidia is a company perhaps best known for its graphics processing units. Where did it come from and how has it impacted computing? A request from listener Matthew. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Who was Archimedes, and what did he actually invent? Join Chris and Jonathan as they take a closer look at the works of Archimedes -- including his historically famous, controversial death ray design. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is the dark web? What is its purpose? What sort of stuff is on there? We shine the light on a dark topic, as requested by listener Tyler. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In early 2018, the data analysis and marketing firm Cambridge Analytica came under fire in both the United States and the United Kingdom for different reasons. What exactly happened and how have things changed as a result? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cambridge Analytica made headlines multiple times during its relatively short history. Where did the company come from and what did it have to do with Facebook? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We've changed the way we get information, and that has changed our perceptions of the world. How have echo chambers formed through tech and what can you do to make sure you're not just getting the information that confirms your perspective? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do QR codes store information? What’s the difference between a QR code and a barcode? Why did it take so long for QR codes to take off? Join Chris and Jonathan as they break down QR codes in this podcast. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happened at the nuclear power plants at Three Mile Island, Chernobyl and Fukushima? What did we learn from those disasters? And how bad were they? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cold fusion would transform our world in ways we can't even imagine. Is it really possible? Jonathan explores the science to find the answer. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nuclear power can generate a lot of electricity, but fission brings with it some drawbacks. What if we used fusion? We look at the difference between the two processes and learn about attempts to harness the power of the stars. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How does a fission-based nuclear reactor work? What are some of the proposed modifications of this technology that could potentially make it a more attractive way to generate electricity? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sonar uses sound to gauge the distance between objects. Although most people associate sonar with submarines, humans use sonar for a lot more than underwater navigation. In this episode, Jonathan and Chris take a look at the mechanics behind sonar. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just a few short years after it burst on the scene with an incredibly successful Kickstarter campaign, the Pebble company fell apart. What happened and what did we learn? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Where did the Pebble Smartwatch come from? We look at the story behind one of the most successful Kickstarter campaigns. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How much of your personal information gets collected on the Web? Can you protect your information from prying eyes? And should you? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do web analytics companies gather data? How much could these companies know about you? How hard is it to identify a person based off their browsing history? Get paranoid in this episode requested by listener Raff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What was the Emergency Broadcast System? What did it have to do with the Cold War? How is the Emergency Alert System different from the old EBS? Listen in as Chris and Jonathan explain the origin of the EBS and the EAS. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When CBS bought Fender guitars, the new bosses had some big changes in mind. How did that turn out and how is the Fender of today different from the company that helped spawn new genres of music? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.