About this podcast
Conversations on a wide range of technology topics
Episodes
The newest 20 of 48 episodes
- The Brains of Great Bolsheviks · 7 min · Episode 49What happens when politics and neuroscience collide? The Soviet Institute for the Brain sought to unlock the secrets of genius—especially those of Bolshevik leaders. In this…
- Isaac Newton on Monetary Policy · 15 min · Episode 48Isaac Newton is best known for physics, but his impact on finance was just as groundbreaking. As Master of the Royal Mint, Newton revolutionized monetary policy, stabilized…
- Innovation, Psychology, and Bebop · 19 min · Episode 47Bebop wasn’t just a musical revolution—it was a transformation of rhythm, thought, and creativity. In this episode, we dive into the innovations that defined bebop, from…
- From Baghdad to Wall Street: Accounting’s Journey · 21 min · Episode 46Accounting is often called the language of business, but where did it all begin? In this episode, we trace the origins of double-entry bookkeeping back to Baghdad’s House of…
- From Cassettes to EVs: Sony’s Power · 7 min · Episode 45What do cassette players, laptops, and electric vehicles have in common? The answer lies in Sony’s pioneering lithium-ion battery technology. This episode explores how Sony…
- Waves of Innovation: Industrial Revolutions & Economic Cycles · 8 min · Episode 44History isn’t just progress—it’s a series of booms, busts, and breakthroughs. This podcast explores the waves of innovation that have shaped economies, from the steam engine to…
- Sex, Lies & the Blue Pill · 13 min · Episode 43Viagra wasn’t just a medical breakthrough—it was a cultural phenomenon. This podcast uncovers the serendipitous discovery of the little blue pill, the brilliant marketing…
- Audiophile Mythologies & Vacuum Tubes: The Market for Niche Innovations · 10 min · Episode 42Are vacuum tubes truly superior, or just audiophile mythology wrapped in nostalgia? This podcast dives into the science, hype, and business of high-end audio, exploring why…
- Always Listen to Your Wife-o-Meter: Innovation Through Spousal Appeal in Gaming · 7 min · Episode 41What if the secret to great game design isn’t just mechanics and graphics—but spousal approval? This podcast explores how developers have used the “Wife-o-Meter” as an unexpected…
- Science, Mysticism & the Strange Parable of the Fish: fMRI, Data & Model Failures · 6 min · Episode 40What happens when bad science meets big claims? This podcast dives into the bizarre world where fMRI scans detected brain activity in a dead fish, exposing major flaws in data…
- Genghis Khan: The Marketing Genius Behind the Mongol Empire · 7 min · Episode 39Forget the barbarian stereotype—Genghis Khan was a master strategist, branding expert, and empire builder. This podcast unpacks how the Mongol Empire revolutionized warfare…
- How Robertson Got Screwed: The Sad, Unfair History of Screws & Fasteners · 14 min · Episode 38It’s a story of innovation, betrayal, and monopolistic power—and it all comes down to screws. This podcast unpacks the fascinating, frustrating history of fasteners, from the…
- QWERTY Keyboard: Challenging Myths of Technological Inferiority · 5 min · Episode 37Was the QWERTY keyboard really designed to slow typists down, or is that just a myth? This podcast dives deep into the history, function, and survival of the world’s most…
- Pirates of Istanbul: Textbook Piracy & Market Strategy · 4 min · Episode 36Step into the underground world of textbook piracy, where high prices fuel black markets and digital smuggling. This podcast uncovers the shadow economy of pirated academic…
- Network Bubbles, Monopolies & the Vail Family: Power, Control & Connectivity · 15 min · Episode 35Step into the world of telecom giants, monopolistic power, and the network effects that shaped modern communication. This podcast unpacks the rise of Theodore Vail, the architect…
- Junk Bonds & The Spreadsheet Revolution & the Crash That Shook Wall Street · 7 min · Episode 34Step inside the high-stakes world of junk bonds, leveraged buyouts, and the rise of financial engineering—a revolution powered by the spreadsheet that ended in market chaos. This…
- Lightbulbs, Electrical Standards & the Battle of the Currents · 16 min · Episode 33Step into the electrifying showdown that shaped modern power! This podcast unpacks the fierce rivalry between Edison, Tesla, and Westinghouse in the Battle of the Currents, the…
- Lenin vs. Bogdanov: Philosophy, Science & Revolution · 13 min · Episode 32Dive into one of the most intense intellectual battles of the early Soviet era! This podcast unpacks the Lenin vs. Bogdanov debate, exploring Materialism and Empiriocriticism…
- Fender’s Tube Amplifiers: Design, Sound & Legacy · 17 min · Episode 31Step into the world of warm, rich tones and vintage craftsmanship as we explore the history, design, and sonic magic of Fender’s legendary tube amplifiers. From the Tweed era to…
- Tesla's Choice: The Power Struggles That Shaped Electricity · 13 min · Episode 30Dive into the electrifying world of standards, history, and politics that shaped the power grid as we know it! This podcast unpacks the fierce rivalries, groundbreaking…
