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2,526 episodes — Page 4 of 51
The White House Just Announced a $623 Million EV-Charging Bonanza
Electric vehicle charging stations are still scarce in many parts of the US. The White House announced grants totaling $623 million to top up electric cars, bikes, and scooters. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Air Pollution Is Ruining Your Skin
Wildfire smoke and exhaust fumes are triggering spikes in eczema and other skin conditions. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
In Defense of AI Hallucinations
Chatbots’ habit of spewing untruths is a big problem—but we should also celebrate these hallucinations as prompts for human creativity and a barrier to machines taking over. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Spying on Beavers From Space Could Help Save California
A group of scientists taught an algorithm to spot beaver ponds in satellite imagery, which has the potential to help drought-ridden areas like California bounce back. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
They Had PTSD. A Psychedelic Called Ibogaine Helped Them Get Better
Ibogaine, a plant-based psychoactive drug, drastically reduced symptoms of depression and PTSD in veterans with traumatic brain injuries. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
The Plan to Put Pig Genes in Soy Beans for Tastier Fake Meat
Molecular farming company Moolec has inserted pig genes into soy beans to generate meaty-tasting proteins that can be grown in plants. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
This Ultrasound Bra Could Detect Cancer Sooner
Inspired by her aunt’s battle with cancer, Canan Dağdeviren developed a wearable ultrasound monitor that can screen women between regular checkups. She says it could save 12 million lives a year. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
What Are ‘Missed Period Pills,’ and How Do They Work?
Menstrual regulation—sometimes referred to as “missed period pills"—is a new front in women's battle for bodily autonomy. Here's how it works and what you need to know. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Your Money Is Funding Fossil Fuels Without You Knowing It
Banks use your deposits to make loans to carbon-intensive industries. A new analysis finds that $1,000 in your account creates emissions equal to a flight from NYC to Seattle. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
How to Stop Another OpenAI Meltdown
OpenAI designed its governance structure to protect humanity—and it imploded. The company could take pointers from Mozilla and other projects combining lofty goals with for-profit ventures. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Sorry California, Amazon Will No Longer Sell You Donkey Meat
As part of a settlement with a horse welfare nonprofit, Amazon will no longer sell products containing “ejiao,” which is made with donkey skin. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
What Happens When Facebook Heats Your Home
Big Tech data centers are not only being used to power the internet but also to heat people’s homes. But who’s really winning when Facebook keeps you warm at night? Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Google’s App Store Monopoly Ruled Illegal as Jury Sides With Epic
A jury in San Francisco unanimously found that Google stifled competition for its app store. A judge will now decide on what fixes to require at the company, but appeals could delay the impact of the case for years. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
My Surprisingly Unbiased Week With Elon Musk's 'Politically Biased' Chatbot
Some Elon Musk fans are concerned that Grok, xAI's answer to ChatGPT, is too politically liberal. The nature of the underlying AI technology will make “fixing” its outlook difficult. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
In a World First, a Patient’s Antibody Cells Were Just Genetically Engineered
B cells are prolific producers of antibodies, but for the first time, scientists have modified them to make other proteins to counteract a serious genetic disease. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
OpenAI’s Ilya Sutskever Has a Plan for Keeping Super-Intelligent AI in Check
The “superalignment” team led by OpenAI chief scientist Ilya Sutskever has devised a way to guide the behavior of AI models as they get ever smarter. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Stop Planting Trees, Says Guy Who Inspired World to Plant a Trillion Trees
Ecologist Thomas Crowther’s research inspired countless tree-planting campaigns, greenwashing, and attacks from scientists. Now he’s back with a new plan for nature restoration. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
YouTube Is Now Hiding Which Channels Get a Cut of Ad Revenue
YouTube removed a snippet of code that publicly disclosed whether a channel receives ad and subscription payouts, obscuring which creators benefit most from the platform. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Can Rock Dust Soak Up Carbon Emissions? A Giant Experiment Is Set to Find Out
The idea that sprinkling rock dust on farmland can soak up atmospheric carbon will be tested at large scale thanks to a $57 million purchase from corporations including Stripe and Alphabet. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Why It Took Meta 7 Years to Turn on End-to-End Encryption for All Chats
Mark Zuckerberg personally promised that the privacy feature would launch by default on Messenger and Instagram chat. WIRED goes behind the scenes of the company’s colossal effort to get it right. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Elijah Wood and Mike Tyson Cameo Videos Were Used in a Russian Disinformation Campaign
Videos featuring Elijah Wood, Mike Tyson, and Priscilla Presley have been edited to push anti-Ukraine disinformation, according to Microsoft researchers. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Google Just Launched Gemini, Its Long-Awaited Answer to ChatGPT
Google says Gemini, launching today inside the Bard chatbot, is its “most capable” AI model ever. It was trained on video, images, and audio as well as text. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Spotify Is Screwed
Spotify is the world’s biggest music streamer, but rarely turns a profit and just cut 17 percent of its workforce. Its business model looks increasingly precarious. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
OpenAI Committed to Buying $51 Million of AI Chips From a Startup Backed by CEO Sam Altman
Documents show that OpenAI signed a letter of intent to spend $51 million on brain-inspired chips developed by startup Rain. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman previously made a personal investment in Rain. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
The Race to Find What’s Making America’s Dogs Sick
Hundreds of dogs across multiple states have been struck down with a severe respiratory illness. Veterinarians suspect a mystery bacteria but are still grasping for clues. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
A Life-Extension Drug for Big Dogs Is Getting Closer to Reality
The FDA has yet to approve any drugs for life extension. But biotech company Loyal is now a step closer to bringing one to market—for dogs. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
The Weirdest Reason the Poles Are Warming So Fast? Invisible Clouds
Clouds way up in the stratosphere act like a blanket, trapping heat in the Arctic and Antarctica. That could help explain why models keep underestimating how fast they’re warming. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
A Damning Report Claims a Major Gig Economy Union Had a Culture of Abuse and Toxicity
An independent report obtained by WIRED claims a UK union that won a major case against Uber mistreated its staff and grappled with incidents of racism. Two of its most senior figures have now stepped down. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
The US Wants Vietnam to Be Its New Tech Best Friend
Teaming up with Vietnam may help the US lessen its dependence on China’s tech supply chain. But decoupling from a chipmaking giant like China won’t be easy. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Here’s What’s Next for SpaceX’s Starship
A second Starship test flight advanced a bit further than the first, with the rocket reaching the edge of space but blowing up soon after. Industry experts say it’s still a step forward. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
New Orleans Tried to Control Short-Term Rentals With a Lottery System. It Was a Mess
In trying to limit the impact of short-term rentals like Airbnbs, New Orleans used an elaborate lottery system to pit neighbors against each other. A lawsuit from angry hosts has put it in limbo. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
The Precarious Rise of Disposable Vapes
Disposable vapes from brands like Elf Bar and Lost Mary have taken over the ecigarette market and become a hit among young people. Governments are trying to figure out what to do. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
You Need a Heat Pump. Soon You’ll Have More American-Made Options
The Biden administration is announcing $169 million to supercharge domestic production of a device beloved by climate and energy nerds. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
YouTube Shorts Challenges TikTok With Music-Making AI for Creators
YouTube creators will get to test a new AI tool that generates and remixes music in the style of several famous musicians, including Sia, Demi Lovato, and T-Pain. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Think You Have SAD? Think Again
Research has questioned whether seasonal depression actually exists. Maybe that doesn’t matter. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Ann McKee Is on a Quest to Save Humanity’s Brains
The medical community's leading authority on traumatic brain injuries wants to make contact sports—which she loves—safer for everyone. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Skiing Is Getting Riskier
The threat of avalanches is rising with global warming, but technology can help protect skiers on and off the slopes. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Obamacare Call Center Staff Strike Over Steep Health Care Costs and Scarce Bathroom Breaks
Staff at US federal contractor Maximus claim they only get six minutes a day to use the bathroom, are monitored by an AI system that reports them for going off-script, and can’t afford health care. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Police Use of Face Recognition Is Sweeping the UK
Face recognition technology has been controversial for years. Cops in the UK are drastically increasing the amount they use it. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Big Tech Ditched Trust and Safety. Now Startups Are Selling It Back As a Service
The burgeoning trust and safety industry promises to help tech companies navigate scrutiny and regulation. But these services bring problems of their own. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
A Major Alarm Is Flashing Under Greenland’s Ice
Greenland’s northern ice shelves—long thought to be relatively stable—have lost more than a third of their volume since 1978, new research finds. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Why You Can’t Stop Reading About Daylight Saving Time
In the US, Daylight Saving Time ends and the clocks go back one hour on November 5. You know this. Google knows this. But here we all are. Again. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
YouTube’s Ad Blocker Crackdown Spurs Record Uninstalls
YouTube expanded a “test” that threatens to cut off users who don't turn off their ad blocker. Developers of the tools are scrambling to respond. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Facebook Finally Puts a Price on Privacy: It’s $10 a Month
Meta is about to roll out ad-free subscriptions on Instagram and Facebook. But critics say privacy should not be turned into a luxury. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
The Second Person to Get a Pig Heart Transplant Just Died
Lawrence Faucette died six weeks after undergoing the experimental procedure involving a genetically engineered organ. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
The Vampire Bat Is Moving Closer to the US. That’s a Problem
As the climate changes, the bloodthirsty creatures are moving north from Latin America, bringing the threat of rabies with them. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
A Personalized Brain Implant Curbed a Woman’s OCD
A device in her brain delivers jolts of electricity when it detects abnormal neural activity associated with obsessive thoughts. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Inside Elon Musk’s First Election Crisis—a Day After He ‘Freed’ the Bird
Less than 48 hours after Musk bought Twitter, staff was scrambling to avert a potential legal crisis. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Apple Store Workers Fear the Tech Giant Is Dodging Accountability for Shady Labor Practices
Apple agreed to an independent audit of its US labor practices. Workers at the only unionized Apple Stores say they haven’t yet been contacted, and fear the report will be skewed. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
The AI-Generated Child Abuse Nightmare Is Here
Thousands of child abuse images are being created with AI. New images of old victims are appearing, as criminals trade datasets. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices