Slate Technology

Robin Dunbar, inventor of Dunbar's Number, discusses the fallacy of technology bringing peace, the challenges of laying the transatlantic cable, the controversy surrounding free basics in India, and the correlation between brain size and social group size.

VR pioneers Jaron Lanier and Nonny de la Pena, along with Tristram Hunt, director of the Victoria and Albert Museum, discuss the use of virtual reality to preserve and share artworks, the history of plaster cast technology, the global response to pressures and strains, and the power of virtual reality to evoke strong emotions and update the concept of virtual museums.

Dava Sobel, author of Longitude, discusses the impact of prize challenges on innovation, focusing on the British government's tech prize in the 18th century. It explores the problem of determining longitude at sea and highlights the challenges faced by John Harrison and Ryan Holt. The chapter also explores the benefits of participating in prize competitions and the experience of sailing with Hudson River Community Sailing.

Exploring the impact of introducing photography to a remote tribe in Papua New Guinea and the transformative effects it had on their self-conception. Discussing the influence of social media on photography habits and the authenticity of portrayals. Examining the impact of manipulated images and videos in politics, and the challenges of deep fake technology.

Bruce Schneier, security expert, discusses the increasing threat of cyber attacks, the historical significance of hacking, and the role of human vulnerabilities in cyber attacks. He explores the world's first cyber attack on the telegraph network and emphasizes the importance of understanding the intersection of humans and technology in improving security.

Guest Missy Cummings, head of the Duke Humans and Autonomy Lab, discusses the safety and implications of autonomous vehicles. Topics include the early days of the car industry, shifting blame onto pedestrians, the car industry's influence, the evolution of transportation systems, and contrasting visions of autonomous cars.

Google's Captain of Moonshots, Astro Teller, and author of The Rituals of Dinner, Margaret Visser, discuss the adoption of new technologies like Japanese toilets and Google Glass. They explore the history of forks and their challenges in being accepted. The chapter also explores the future of smart glasses and the impact of fashion on eating utensils.

CEO of Kernel, Brian Johnson, discusses the use of electricity to enhance our brain capabilities. Topics include historical use of electricity in medical treatments, the significance of electric fish, the effectiveness of electroconvulsive therapy, and the ethical implications of using electricity for cognitive enhancement.

Guests Jaron Lanier, futurist, and Luis von Ahn, founder of CAPTCHA and Duolingo discuss the deceptive practices in AI systems, exploitation of crowd-working jobs, the value of personal data as labor, and the intricate relationship between intelligence, trickery, and technology.

Examine the history of tech to uncover stories that help us illuminate the present and predict the future.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices