Radiolab NULL
4 snips
Apr 15, 2022 
Joseph Tartaro, an offensive security consultant, recounts his bizarre experience with a 'null' license plate that led him into a quirky community of the nameless. Alongside Christopher Null, a tech journalist, they dive into the comedic chaos caused by their shared name and the absurdities of bureaucratic blunders. Laughs abound as they explore how technology misinterprets names and the broader implications of these digital hiccups. From unexpected parking tickets to the serious fight for justice against tech-driven misunderstandings, their stories blend humor with real-world significance.
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The Null License Plate
- Joseph Tartaro, a security consultant, acquired a vanity license plate reading "null".
- This led to him receiving hundreds of parking and traffic tickets meant for cars with blank license plates.
The Null Family Troubles
- People with the last name "Null" face online issues due to systems interpreting their name as a database null value.
- This results in errors, rejected registrations, and misdirected mail.
Null Family Anecdotes
- Members of the Null family shared anecdotes about the various problems their last name causes.
- These range from receiving misaddressed government letters to insurance claims being processed with a comma instead of their name.