Asianometry

Reflecting on the past year, the discussion highlights the surprising success of videos like Indomie Nigeria and nostalgia surrounding Compaq. Insight is shared on the Nissan-Honda deal's collapse and the implications of Japan's rice price crisis. Personal favorites like the mini-mills video illustrate innovation in storytelling. The unpredictability of YouTube is acknowledged with hints at high-effort flops. Plans for 2026 include intriguing topics like Tandem Non-Stop and Westinghouse, all underscored by a touch of creator fatigue and a desire for new beginnings.

Explore the rise and fall of China's bike-share phenomenon, hailed as a modern marvel but soon left in ruins. Discover the journey from early innovations and fierce campus rivalries to a chaotic price war with unsustainable subsidies. Uncover the financial pitfalls, customer deposit mishaps, and regulatory responses that led to the collapse of many bike startups. The episode highlights surprising survival strategies and places this wild ride within the broader context of Chinese tech bubbles and their impact.

Explore the fascinating world of ternary computing, where trits take center stage over bits! Discover its theoretical advantages, such as improved efficiency and simplicity in comparisons. Delve into the intriguing history of early ternary machines like the Soviet SETUN and the challenges that led to its decline. Learn about modern advancements, including Huawei's innovative patents and exciting new materials like memristors and carbon nanotubes. This journey through computing's past and future reveals why ternary could transform technology!

Discover the untold story of how Japan's push into supercomputing spurred the Internet's evolution. Explore ARPANET's humble beginnings and its struggles for growth. Learn about alternative networks like BBS systems and AOL in the 80s. Dive into Japan's national supercomputer project and the US's alarm over technological competition. Uncover how NSFNet emerged, paving the way for the World Wide Web and rapid online expansion. Finally, witness the commercialization of the Internet and its lasting impacts.

Explore Chile's captivating agricultural evolution from a wheat powerhouse in the 1800s to a leading fruit exporter today. Discover how diverse climates and rich soils in the Central Valley created a thriving horticulture scene. Delve into the impact of historical land reforms and the tumult of social changes, alongside the rise of global supermarkets. Uncover the delicate balance of modern fruit exports and the looming threat of a mega drought. A journey through Chile's vibrant agricultural landscape reveals both triumphs and challenges.

Dive into the intense world of the RISC Wars, where giants like IBM and Intel clashed alongside fledgling startups. Discover the birth of RISC from IBM's 801 project and the contributions of Berkeley and Stanford. Learn about MIPS’ breakthroughs, DEC's Alpha ambitions, and the rise of PowerPC amidst fierce market competition. Explore how Intel grappled with adaptation while x86 forged ahead, ultimately reclaiming dominance. A gripping tale of innovation, rivalry, and the ever-shifting landscape of computing technology.

Discover the fascinating rise of Transsion, a Chinese mobile giant dominating Africa's smartphone market. Learn about George Zhu’s journey from Ningbo Bird to founding Transsion, shaping unique products like multi-SIM phones tailored for local needs. Their strategic focus on affordability and localized service has redefined customer trust. Explore their innovative camera enhancements for darker skin tones and the challenges they face from rising competitors. Plus, delve into Transsion's ambitions in the software ecosystem and AIoT.

Explore the intriguing history of the 45-nanometer process node and its impact on the tech industry. Delve into the basics of MOSFETs and CMOS, highlighting crucial yield checks and wafer cleaning techniques. Discover the evolution from LOCOS to Shallow Trench Isolation and the challenges faced with gate construction. Learn about strain engineering for NMOS and PMOS, as well as the intricate process of salicide formation and copper damascene interconnects. Reflect on the remarkable complexity of semiconductor technology and its ongoing R&D efforts.

Exploring the tantalizing possibility of shoebox-sized AI data centers, the discussion delves into revolutionary superconductors powering future tech. From IBM's groundbreaking Josephson junctions to Japan's struggles with latching issues, the podcast highlights the evolution of quantum logic circuits. Innovations by Snowcap Compute promise astonishing heat efficiency and speed, raising questions about energy consumption in data centers. This ambitious leap into miniature computing could reshape our technological landscape.

Explore the fascinating history of MUMPS, a unique programming language and database that transformed healthcare computing. Learn about the chaotic workflows hospitals faced in the 1970s and the pioneering efforts at Massachusetts General Hospital to create more efficient data systems. Discover how innovative minds developed MUMPS's architecture, its integration into the Veterans Health Administration, and why it continues to play a crucial role in modern healthcare despite ongoing critiques.