

Close All Tabs
KQED
Ever wonder where the internet stops and IRL begins? Close All Tabs breaks down how digital culture shapes our world through thoughtful insights and irreverent humor. From internet trends to AI slop to the politics of memes, Close All Tabs covers it all.How will AI change our jobs and lives? Is the government watching what I post? Is there life beyond TikTok? Host Morgan Sung pulls from experts, the audience, and history to add context to the trends and depth to the memes. And she’ll wrestle with as many browser tabs as it takes to explain the cultural moment we’re all collectively living.Morgan Sung is a tech journalist whose work covers the range of absurdity and brilliance that is the internet. Her beat has evolved into an exploration of social platforms and how they shape real-world culture. She has written for TechCrunch, NBC News, Mashable, BuzzFeed News and more. We love listening to shows about technology and culture like Power User with Taylor Lorenz, ICYMI, Wow If True, Hard Fork, There Are No Girls On the Internet, Endless Thread, Uncanny Valley from Wired, It’s Been a Minute, and You’re Wrong About. If you like them too, then trust us–you’ll like Close All Tabs.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 3, 2025 • 36min
From MIT’s TeachLab: The Homework Machine
The Close All Tabs team is taking the week off, but we wanted to share something else we think you’ll be into: a new mini series from MIT’s TeachLab Podcast. It’s called The Homework Machine, and it dives deep into how teachers and students are navigating the arrival of generative AI in schools.
Episode one is titled “Buckle Up, Here It Comes.”
In late November of 2022, ChatGPT was released to the public as a free research preview. Pretty quickly, students figured out ChatGPT was really good at doing their homework for them. Schools scrambled to figure out what to do: Ban it? Embrace it? Teachers and students found themselves adapting to a new reality.
Hosts Jesse Dukes and Justin Reich share stories of teachers and students reacting to the arrival of an exciting, alarming, and strange new technology.
Further reading/listening:
TeachLab Presents: The Homework Machine – TeachLab from MIT
Teachers Strike Back Against AI Cheating – Close All Tabs
Read the transcript here
Want to give us feedback on the series? Shoot us an email at CloseAllTabs@KQED.org
You can also follow us on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 27, 2025 • 31min
Teachers Strike Back Against AI Cheating
Cheating in school isn’t new. But with AI making it easier than ever, teachers face a new challenge: where to draw the line and how to make sure students are still learning. In this episode, we’ll take a look at three different approaches educators are adopting to deal with AI in their classrooms.
First, Morgan sits down with Max Spero, founder of the AI detection company Pangram Labs, to discuss how detection tools should, and should not, be used in the classroom. Then, we hear from KQED reporter Marlena Jackson Retondo about the return of the iconic “blue books,” and the benefits of “analog” learning. Finally, Morgan calls up her cousin, Jeremy Na, who happens to be an English teacher in San Jose. He explains how he adapted his teaching style to focus on the process of learning, rather than a final grade — and why his method has kept AI out of his classroom (for the most part).
Guests:
Jeremy Na, Bay Area-based educator
Max Spero, CEO of Pangram Labs
Marlena Jackson-Retondo, engagement producer and reporter for KQED
Further reading/listening:
Everyone Is Cheating Their Way Through College – James D. Walsh, NYMag
Taking Exams in Blue Books? They're Back to Help Curb AI Use and Rampant Cheating – Marlena Jackson Retondo, KQED’s Mindshift
They Were Every Student’s Worst Nightmare. Now Blue Books Are Back. – Ben Cohen, The Wall Street Journal
Read the transcript here
Want to give us feedback on the series? Shoot us an email at CloseAllTabs@KQED.org
You can also follow us on Instagram
Credits:
This episode was reported and hosted by Morgan Sung. Our Producer is Maya Cueva. Chris Egusa is our Senior Editor. Additional editing by Chris Hambrick. Jen Chien is KQED’s Director of Podcasts, and also helps edit the show. Sound design by Maya Cueva and Brendan Willard. Original music, including our theme song, by Chris Egusa. Additional music from APM. Mixing and mastering by Brendan Willard. Audience engagement support from Maha Sanad. Katie Sprenger is our Podcast Operations Manager. Ethan Toven-Lindsey is our Editor in Chief. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 20, 2025 • 33min
Before ChatGPT, There Were 'Shadow Scholars'
Thousands of writers in Kenya make their living ghostwriting academic papers for wealthy Western students. It’s an industry known as “contract cheating” or “essay mills,” and is the subject of a new documentary, “The Shadow Scholars.” Directed by Eloise King, the film follows Kenyan-born Oxford Professor Patricia Kingori as she investigates this hidden industry and seeks to understand the essay writers working in the shadows of the educational system.
Morgan talks with Patricia and Eloise about the world of academic cheating, and how these writers are adapting to a world in which AI-generated essays are just a click away.
Guests:
Patricia Kingori, professor of global health ethics at the University of Oxford
Eloise King, director of “The Shadow Scholars”
Further reading/listening:
The Shadow Scholars — Directed by Eloise King
Kenya’s “Fake Essay” Writers and the Light they Shine on Assumptions of Shadows in Knowledge Production — Patricia Kingori, Journal of African Cultural Studies
How writing essays for American students has become a lucrative profession overseas — Farah Stockman, The Independent
Georgia Bans Commercial Cheating Services — Derek Newton, Forbes
Companies that use AI to help you cheat at school are thriving on TikTok and Meta — Chris Stokel-Walker, Fast Company
Read the transcript here
Want to give us feedback on the series? Shoot us an email at CloseAllTabs@KQED.org
You can also follow us on Instagram
Credits:
This episode was reported and hosted by Morgan Sung. Our Producer is Maya Cueva. Chris Egusa is our Senior Editor. Jen Chien is KQED’s Director of Podcasts, and also helps edit the show. Sound design by Maya Cueva. Original music, including our theme song, by Chris Egusa. Additional music from APM. Mixing and mastering by Brendan Willard. Audience engagement support from Maha Sanad. Katie Sprenger is our Podcast Operations Manager. Ethan Toven-Lindsey is our Editor in Chief. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 13, 2025 • 36min
Does Gen Z Have A Staring Problem?
Have you heard of the “Gen Z stare”? It’s the blank look some Gen Zers seem to give instead of the usual greetings or small talk—and it’s the latest skirmish in a years-long generation war between Gen Z and Millennials. Internet culture researcher Aidan Walker joins Morgan to trace the origins of this rivalry, unpack what behavioral quirks like “the Gen Z stare” and “the Millennial pause” reveal about each generation’s relationship with technology, and explore why everyone seems to forget about Gen X.
Guests:
Aidan Walker, independent writer, content creator, and internet culture researcher
Further reading/listening:
Is the ‘Gen Z stare’ just a call to look inward? — Manuela López Restrepo and Mia Venkat, NPR
Have you been a victim of the ‘gen Z stare’? It’s got nothing on the gen X look of dread — Emma Beddington, The Guardian
Gen Z is staring at you. It may be more than just a quirk. — Kalhan Rosenblatt, NBC News
Read the transcript here
Want to give us feedback on the series? Shoot us an email at CloseAllTabs@KQED.org
You can also follow us on Instagram
Credits:
This episode was reported and hosted by Morgan Sung. Our Producer is Maya Cueva. Chris Egusa is our Senior Editor. Jen Chien is KQED’s Director of Podcasts, and also helps edit the show. Sound design by Chris Egusa. Original music, including our theme song, by Chris Egusa. Additional music from APM. Mixing and mastering by Brendan Willard. Audience engagement support from Maha Sanad. Katie Sprenger is our Podcast Operations Manager. Ethan Toven-Lindsey is our Editor in Chief. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 6, 2025 • 33min
Is Algospeak Coming for Us?
Join linguist Adam Aleksic, an etymology aficionado and author of Algospeak, as he delves into how social media is reshaping language. He discusses the rise of terms like 'unalive' created to bypass algorithm filters and how these euphemisms are blending into everyday life. Adam explores the 'euphemism treadmill' theory, revealing how language evolves alongside societal changes. With a fascinating look at the impact of algorithms on identity and communication, he highlights the intricate dance between technology and authentic discourse.

Jul 30, 2025 • 33min
Save or Scroll: ICE + Influencers, Data Hygiene on Grindr, and Labubu Desserts
Daysia Tolentino, founder of Yap Year and writer at Entertainment Weekly, joins Moises Mendez II from Out Magazine for a lively discussion. They dive into the intriguing case of influencers facing ICE calls and brainstorm the implications of Grindr's new age verification feature on user safety and privacy. The conversation shifts to a whimsical trend around Labubu matcha Dubai chocolate, exploring its consumer frenzy. Together, they dissect the complicated landscape of internet culture while pondering what content deserves our attention.

Jul 28, 2025 • 12min
Bonus: A Big Win for the Internet Archive
Brewster Kahle, founder and director of The Internet Archive, passionately discusses the organization’s recent achievement in becoming a federal depository library. He explores what this status means for public access to government documents amid ongoing legal challenges. Kahle emphasizes the significance of preserving information in the digital age and highlights the Archive's role in making vast amounts of knowledge accessible to everyone. He also addresses the ongoing criticism of the Archive and its practices, advocating for transparency in digital libraries.

Jul 23, 2025 • 32min
OGs of Tech: A Latino Engineer in Silicon Valley
In a field obsessed with the future, sometimes it’s worth looking back. OGs of Tech is a new occasional series from Close All Tabs that looks beyond the billionaires to spotlight the often-overlooked innovators who helped build the digital world we live in today.
One of these OGs is Felidoro Cueva, who grew up in a rural village in the Andes mountains of Peru, and immigrated to the US in 1964 — during the height of the Civil Rights Movement and the Vietnam War. He went on to become one of the first Latino engineers in Silicon Valley.
And he’s also our producer Maya Cueva’s dad. Maya takes us through Feli’s journey — from how counterculture experimentation influenced his fascination with technology to the discrimination he faced in a startup world where Latino representation was nearly nonexistent.
Guests:
Felidoro Cueva, a pioneering Latino engineer in Silicon Valley
Further reading:
Only The Moon/Solamente La Luna — directed by Maya Cueva and animated by Leah Nichols
Meshugganismo — Maya Cueva, Latino USA
Read the transcript here
Want to give us feedback on the series? Shoot us an email at CloseAllTabs@KQED.org
You can also follow us on Instagram
Credits:
This episode was reported and hosted by Morgan Sung. Our Producer is Maya Cueva. Chris Egusa is our Senior Editor. Jen Chien is KQED’s Director of Podcasts, and also helps edit the show. Sound design by Maya Cueva and Brendan Willard. Original music, including our theme song, by Chris Egusa. Additional music from APM. Mixing and mastering by Brendan Willard. Audience engagement support from Maha Sanad. Katie Sprenger is our Podcast Operations Manager. Ethan Toven-Lindsay is our Editor in Chief.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 16, 2025 • 35min
Teens Under the Influence (of Chatbots)
Young people are increasingly turning to AI “companion chatbots” to meet their emotional needs. But a new study shows that these chatbots, which are designed to mimic real social relationships, can carry serious risks. In this episode, Morgan and her sister put one chatbot's safety guardrails to the test — and get more than they bargained for. Then, KQED Silicon Valley senior editor Rachael Myrow explains why teens are especially vulnerable, what lawmakers are doing about it, and how parents can talk to their kids about AI.
Guests:
Rachael Myrow, senior editor, Silicon Valley News Desk at KQED
Further reading:
Kids Are Talking to AI Companion Chatbots. Stanford Researchers Say That’s a Bad Idea — Rachael Myrow, KQED
How to Talk With Your Kids About AI Companion Bots — Rachael Myrow, KQED
Social AI Companions — AI Risk Assessment Team, Commons Sense Media
Read the transcript here
Want to give us feedback on the series? Shoot us an email at CloseAllTabs@KQED.org
You can also follow us on Instagram
Credits:
This episode was reported and hosted by Morgan Sung. Our Producer is Maya Cueva. Chris Egusa is our Senior Editor. Jen Chien is KQED’s Director of Podcasts, and also helps edit the show. Sound design by Chris Egusa and Brendan Willard. Original music, including our theme song, by Chris Egusa. Additional music from APM. Mixing and mastering by Brendan Willard. Audience engagement support from Maha Sanad. Katie Sprenger is our Podcast Operations Manager. Ethan Toven-Lindsay is our Editor in Chief.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 2, 2025 • 35min
How the Furry Fandom Says Goodbye
Furries are often known for wearing full-body animal suits at conventions — but the characters they inhabit, called “fursonas,” are much more than costumes. They’re deeply personal expressions of identity and creativity. So when someone in the furry fandom dies, how does the community say goodbye? In this episode, Morgan explores a virtual memorial created by a furry named Changa Husky, where mourners gather in VR to remember those they’ve lost — and the fursonas they leave behind.
Editor's note: In this episode, we refer to some individuals only by their “fursona” names. We’ve chosen to use these names because members of the furry community are frequently subject to harassment, bullying, and doxxing, and many participants use online handles to maintain their safety and privacy.
Guests:
Changa Husky, furry Vtuber and video producer
Patch O’Furr, founder and writer, Dogpatch Press
Further reading:
Who runs the internet? Furries — Dylan Reeve, The Spinoff
Remembering Mark Merlino (1952-2024), a founder and soul of furry fandom — Patch O’Furr, Dogpatch Press
The Fandom: A Furry Documentary — Ash Coyote, YouTube
Read the transcript here
Want to give us feedback on the series? Shoot us an email at CloseAllTabs@KQED.org
You can also follow us on Instagram
Heads up — the Close All Tabs team is taking a break to touch grass, so we won’t have an episode next week. But we’ll be back with another deep dive, and many more tabs, in two weeks.
Credits:
This episode was reported and hosted by Morgan Sung. Our Producer is Maya Cueva. Chris Egusa is our Senior Editor. Jen Chien is KQED’s Director of Podcasts, and also helps edit the show. Sound design by Chris Egusa and Brendan Willard. Original music, including our theme song, by Chris Egusa. Additional music from APM. Mixing and mastering by Brendan Willard. Audience engagement support from Maha Sanad and Alana Walker. Katie Sprenger is our Podcast Operations Manager. Holly Kernan is our Chief Content Officer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices