Clark Boyd
Robots in post-quake Japan
In the course of seven years of tech reporting for The World, it’s fair to say that I’ve done my fair share of stories about robots, both for the radio show, and for my weekly podcast. It is also fair to say that many of those stories have come from Japan, a recognized world leader when it comes to robot research, design, and use. And that’s why it struck a chord with me when Tech Podcast listener James Middleton asked, essentially, “where are the robots?” [...]
Tech Podcast: Revisiting past nuclear accidents
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In this week’s Technology Podcast, look into past nuclear accidents at Chernobyl (pictured), Three Mile Island, and Tokaimura to understand the current events at Fukushima in Japan. We’ll try to give you some historical perspective on the breaking news. (Photo: Elena Filatova) Download MP3 (36:09)
Tech Podcast: A German and his cellphone…tracked
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Cell phones seem so innocent, and we use them so much. One German politician decided to find out just how much he uses his phone, and how much of that use was tracked by his cell phone company. You’ll be amazed at how much information was kept. Just listen in to this edition of The World’s Technology Podcast. Download MP3 (27:03)
Tech Podcast: Japan’s nuclear crisis
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This is one of the damaged reactors from the Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan. During the past week, the plant has been the focus of global attention, as plant operators try to avoid the release of radioactive material, caused by damage wrought by last week’s earthquake and subsequent tsunami. On this week’s Tech Podcast, you’ll hear a variety of viewpoints on the unfolding crisis. (Photo: BBC screengrab) Download MP3 (24:20)
Tech Podcast: Bradley Manning and WikiLeaks
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This week, the US Army charged Bradley Manning with 22 counts in connection with the alleged leaking of documents to WikiLeaks. The new charges include one that could carry the death penalty, although prosecutors say they will not ask for it. Find out more in this episode of The World’s Technology Podcast. (Photo: US Army) Download MP3 (19:33)
Being Wrong: A Conversation with Kathryn Schulz
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Author Kathryn Schulz likes to call herself “the world’s leading ‘wrongologist.’” Her book, Being Wrong, details the role that wrongness plays in our lives, and how different cultures and individuals deal with not getting it right. In this special edition of our technology podcast, you can hear Kathryn discuss her book. Download MP3 (19:33)
Tech Podcast: PechaKucha Day for Haiti Update
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In this week’s technology podcast, we give you an update on a story we brought you a year ago. It’s about a group of global architects, designers and other creative people who tried to raise awareness, and money, for the rebuilding of Haiti. Now, their efforts have paid off with the building of a new school. (Photo: PechaKucha) Download MP3 (31:03)
Tech Podcast: Social networks past, present and future
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Ah, a good old-fashioned wedding, organized entirely via Facebook and Twitter. In a special BBC series, we’ll take a look at “The Secret History of Social Networking.” We’ll find out how social networks got started, and where they might be headed. Download MP3 (27:04)
Tech Podcast: 3D printing for the masses?
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“Tea. Early Grey. Hot.” That’s what Captain Picard would ask for, and (usually) that’s what the Star Trek replicator gave him. Well, the Thing-o-Matic’s not quite that sophisticated, but it can print 3D objects. On this episode of The World’s Technology Podcast, we’ll find out if the 3D printing revolution has truly come to our desktops. Download MP3 (22:01)
Tech Podcast: Robotic limbs assist in Japan
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In this episode of our Technology Podcast, you’ll hear about some amazing new robotic technologies in Japan. Some are designed to help stroke victims walk again. Others are built to help the blind take walks. We’ll also tell you about mobile banking in Haiti, and Cuba’s own homegrown Wikipedia site. Download MP3 (29:54)
Tech Podcast: Leaks, leaks and more Wikileaks
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In this episode of our weekly Technology Podcast, you’ll get an in-depth look at the past, present and future of the whistle-blowing site Wikileaks. We’ve assembled a group of respected netizens to help us better understand what the Wikileaks phenomenon, and the backlash against it, means. Download MP3 (32:26)
Tech Podcast: SIPRnet and the WikiLeaks cables
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Australian Julian Assange is the founder of WikiLeaks. These days, he also happens to be on Interpol’s most wanted list. Earlier this week, WikiLeaks released more than 250,000 US State Department cables. In this edition of our weekly Technology Podcast, you’ll hear about the supposedly secure Intra-net system, called SIPRnet, that held those files, and about the one man who allegedly accessed them, and then gave them to WikiLeaks. (Photo: Espen Moe) Download this episode (25:48)
Tech Podcast: Decoding the Stuxnet worm
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The Stuxnet computer worm has made waves worldwide since it was discovered back in June. Global teams of computer forensics experts have been trying to determine more precisely what the worm’s targets were, and who might have created it. You’ll get an in-depth journey into that computer code in this week’s Technology Podcast. Download this episode (34:39)
Talking Travel: TSA scanners cause controversy
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The new full-body scanners being used by the TSA have certainly ruffled some feathers of late. Are they a vital part of keeping the skies safe, or are they the latest scene in what some have called “security theater?” We’ll get the skinny from two seasoned travelers on this episode of Talking Travel.(Photo: Ralf Roletschek)
Tech Podcast: New study on Tetris and trauma
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Can playing a visual video game like Tetris help ease the effects of trauma? Some researchers at the University of Oxford are trying to answer that question. You’ll hear from them in this week’s technology podcast.Download this episode (19:55)
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