Uncanny Valley | WIRED
WIRED
Welcome to Uncanny Valley—an insider look at the people, power, and influence of Silicon Valley—where each week, WIRED’s writers and editors bring you original reporting and analysis about some of the biggest stories in tech. On Tuesdays, WIRED’s Global Editorial Director Katie Drummond sits down with influential figures in culture, politics, business, science, and beyond for a discussion captured through the WIRED lens.On Thursdays, Lauren Goode and Michael Calore to break down a recent story or phenomena bubbling up in Silicon Valley and explain its influence on our daily lives. And on Fridays, Zoë Schiffer brings you everything you need to know this week in tech news.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Apr 11, 2024 • 31min
From WIRED Politics Lab: How Election Deniers Are Weaponizing Tech To Disrupt November
The podcast discusses how election deniers are using tech to disrupt elections, targeting officials and challenging voter rolls. It explores the impact of FOIA requests and AI disruptions on election processes. It also highlights the challenges faced by election workers and the influence of disinformation on voters, including amusing conspiracy theories.
6 snips
Apr 4, 2024 • 30min
Shopping for a New Social Feed
The podcast explores the trend of social media platforms turning into shopping destinations, focusing on TikTok Shop and the variety of products available. They discuss the evolution of seller fees, impact on consumer behavior, and the rise of zany products. Recommendations include a hangover cap and a German art documentary.
Mar 28, 2024 • 29min
DOJ Calls Out Apple in the Group Chat
Discover the DOJ's antitrust lawsuit against Apple focusing on iPhone security features. Dive into the green bubble-blue bubble encryption debate on iMessage. Get recommendations for a unique sea salt and a touching book, along with a vibrant music festival experience at Big Ears.
Mar 21, 2024 • 29min
A 3-Body Podcast
This podcast explores the intriguing themes of impending alien invasion, political instability, and over-dependence on virtual reality in the new sci-fi series based on the Three Body Problem book. The hosts discuss how the show mirrors real-world events, the historical accuracy of key scenes, and the integration of virtual worlds and technological intricacies in the narrative. They also touch on the enjoyment and pacing of the TV show adaptation, recommend the Silo series on Apple TV+, and share a nostalgic love story recommendation.
Mar 14, 2024 • 25min
The TikTok Ban
The podcast delves into the political turmoil surrounding TikTok, with discussions on data security concerns, national security threats, and the potential implications of a TikTok ban. The show features insights from a senior politics writer, recommendations for office work and wellness, and playful banter among hosts.
4 snips
Mar 7, 2024 • 37min
Google’s ‘Woke AI’ Problem
Discussing Google's 'Woke AI' problem and the controversies surrounding AI image generation with Gemini. Exploring Google's recent layoffs and discrimination accusations. Recommendations include food blog, journalism article, and spy author podcast episode. Dive into Razzie Award-winning films on Criterion Channel.
9 snips
Feb 29, 2024 • 34min
The Non-Techie's Guide to Nvidia
Discover the evolution of Nvidia from gaming graphics to AI dominance. Explore the trend of custom chips in AI computing and competition in the tech sector. Dive into ethical dilemmas in self-driving cars and innovative voice transcription apps. Get gardening tips and a recommendation for the book 'Say Nothing'.
Feb 22, 2024 • 32min
Tech Workers Are Stressed Out
The podcast dives into the surge of tech industry layoffs at major companies like Google and Amazon, discussing the impact of AI and challenging job interviews. Tips for connecting with disabled colleagues, watching a documentary, and listening to a new album are shared. The episode also explores the evolving tech job market and the intense interview landscape for engineers.
Feb 15, 2024 • 38min
The Weird World of an AI Clickbait King
Discover the shady market of domain squatting and AI-generated clickbait articles. Learn about the political implications of non-political individuals and the rise of AI-generated clickbait farms. Explore the effectiveness of Google in catching clickbait farms and the future impact of AI-generated articles on search engine rankings. Find out about concerns regarding quality control and the internet becoming a 'slime fest'. Plus, recommendations for 'The Tasks of Extinction' novella and the novel 'The Beasting' by Paul Murray.
5 snips
Feb 8, 2024 • 38min
Several People Are Talking
This podcast explores the history of Slack and its impact on workplace communication. It discusses the positive and negative effects of Slack's free-flowing interaction, as well as its role in the 24-7 work culture. The hosts also analyze the recent acquisition of Slack by Salesforce and speculate on its future. Furthermore, they delve into the potential of AI in Slack, its integration capabilities, and even introduce a chat GPT sticker bot for creating customized stickers.
