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Clark Boyd

This tag is associated with 49 posts

Tech Podcast: Can an ethical warrior robot be built?

By Clark Boyd ⋅ February 19, 2010 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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This week, we tackle a thorny issue: the use of robots on the battlefield. Now, you already know that drones are flying over Afghanistan, and robots are disarming IEDs in Iraq. But what about sending robots into the field to do actual combat? What is they were armed? How could you program them to make life-and-death decisions? All interesting questions that we try to get a handle on in WTP 278. Also, the newspaper YOU make, and an update on Global Pecha Kucha Night for Haiti.

Tech Podcast 277: High-Tech Ski Treadmills, sOccket, and Pecha Kucha for Haiti

By Clark Boyd ⋅ February 12, 2010 ⋅ One comment ⋅ Transcript

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This is no ordinary soccer ball. It’s called sOccket, and it’s got some tech inside that allows it to store up energy while it’s being kicked around. After 15 minutes, the ball’s stored up enough juice to power an LED light, or even charge up something else. Too cool. In this week’s podcast, we’ll talk to one of the people behind the sOccket. We’ll also hear about a high-tech treadmill for training Swedish skiers, and we’ll “embed” with some folks looking to keep information flowing into and out of Iran. We end with a segment on listeners Mark Dytham and Astrid Klein in Tokyo. They are architects who are trying to crowdsource new design and building ideas for post-earthquake Haiti. Wow.

Talking Travel: Floods threaten to cut off Machu Picchu in Peru

By Clark Boyd ⋅ February 10, 2010 ⋅ 5 comments ⋅ Transcript

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In this episode of Talking Travel, we talk about the heavy rains and flooding that have threatened the lives and livelihoods of those living in the shadow of Machu Picchu in Peru. Lonely Planet’s Robert Reid and Tom Hall assess the short-term and long-term damage to Peru’s tourism industry, and offer listeners some alternate spots to take in South America’s ancient ruins. Hosted by The World’s Clark Boyd. Photo: Martin St-Amant – Wikipedia

Tech Podcast: Internet Addiction and Depression

By Clark Boyd ⋅ February 5, 2010 ⋅ One comment ⋅ Transcript

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We’ve got a great mix of stories on this week’s podcast. We take you inside a Crisis Camp for Haiti meeting in Montreal, to hear how concerned people thousands of miles away are helping the relief effort. Also, two great stories about design and technology: one concerns an ancient footbridge across the Nile, and the other the humble, but dangerous, British pint glass. And we end with some research into potential links between Internet addiction and depression.

Tech Podcast 275: Nope, no iPad

By Clark Boyd ⋅ February 2, 2010 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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No, this is not an exclusive screenshot from the new iPad. In fact, this episode has absolutely nothing in it about Apple’s shiny new gadget. This is, in fact, the first “screengrab” from John Logie Baird’s “televisor.” Find out all about it in this week’s episode. Also, we hear about Internet connectivity in Nigeria and Finland.

Technology solutions for Haiti

By The World ⋅ February 1, 2010 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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In the wake of the Haiti earthquake, ad hoc groups of techies are gathering in various cities across the globe to help develop technologies and platforms to assist in relief efforts. The World’s technology correspondent Clark Boyd attended one of those gatherings.

Tech Podcast 274: Mapping Haiti, Google and China

By Clark Boyd ⋅ January 25, 2010 ⋅ One comment ⋅ Transcript

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This week’s podcast features more news on different tech efforts to help relief workers in Haiti. We look at Open Street Map, and Project EPIC’s “Tweak the Tweet.” We also delve into Clinton’s speech on Internet freedom, and get two in-depth views of Google’s recent announcements about China. Also, let us not forget the power of radio in Haiti.

Online mapping helps Haiti relief efforts

By Clark Boyd ⋅ January 22, 2010 ⋅ One comment ⋅ Transcript

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When the earthquake struck Haiti last week, aid workers and geographers alike realized that there were no good maps of the country. A group of volunteers quickly sprang into action. Open Street Maps has been putting together a real-time view of what Haiti looks like on the ground. Aid organizations and rescue teams are actively using their maps to direct and coordinate relief efforts. The World’s Clark Boyd reports. Download MP3

Tech Podcast: Tech aids Haiti relief efforts

By Clark Boyd ⋅ January 15, 2010 ⋅ One comment ⋅ Transcript

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This week, we look at two major stories. The first is the relief effort in Haiti, which was hit by a devastating earthquake earlier this week. We examine the importance of getting telecommunications back up and running, both for aid groups and for locals. Also, we talk about how US aid groups are turning to text messaging to raise funds. Our other big story is Google’s announcement that it may pull out of China completely.

Talking Travel: New Airline Security Measures

By Clark Boyd ⋅ January 12, 2010 ⋅ One comment ⋅ Transcript

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Episode four of Talking Travel explores the confusion surrounding the new regulations for air travelers in the wake of the attempt to bring down Northwest Airlines Flight 253 on Christmas Day. We also explore the cities chosen by Lonely Planet readers as the world’s worst. Wolverhampton, England anyone? Tom Hall and Robert Reid also share stories from their holiday sojourns.

Talking Travel: Copenhagen and holiday travel

By Clark Boyd ⋅ December 18, 2009 ⋅ 5 comments ⋅ Transcript

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Pity the poor delegates to the Climate Conference in Copenhagen. They’re all stuck inside that conference hall. That’s too bad, because Copenhagen and Denmark have a lot to offer a tourist. In our Talking Travel podcast with Lonely Planet, we’ll tell you about some of those tourist spots. We’ll also discuss holiday travel, which sometimes, as you’ll hear, involves spiders in Burma. (Photo: Christer Frederiksson for Lonely Planet)

Tech Podcast 271: Drones, tech in crisis, and the Copenhagen Wheel

By Clark Boyd ⋅ December 18, 2009 ⋅ 4 comments ⋅ Transcript

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It’s a nice line-up for the last podcast of 2009. We’ve got an item on the MIT SENSEable City Lab’s Copenhagen Wheel project. Turn your ordinary bike into an e-bike. Cool. Also, we revisit drones, and we hear all about the pluses and minuses of technologies in times of crisis, political and otherwise. PHOTO: Max Tomasinelli

Tech Podcast 270: Drones in Afghanistan and Pakistan

By Clark Boyd ⋅ December 11, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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On this week’s podcast, we kick off with an extended version of an interview with Noah Shachtman of Wired.com. Noah’s just back from checking out the drones that are currently flying over Pakistan and Afghanistan, and he’s got a lot of interesting things to talk about. We’ll also take a trip into space to hear about a new NASA telescope, and about Sapporo’s “Space Barley” Beer.

Talking Travel 2: Cuba

By Clark Boyd ⋅ December 4, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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In our second news and travel podcast, The World and Lonely Planet take you to a country that’s only 90 miles from the United States, and yet is off limits to most Americans. That’s right, Cuba. You’ll hear about efforts to lift a decades-long ban on American travel to Cuba. And, you’ll hear what most US citizens are missing out on by not being able to explore the island. (Photo by Rachel Lewis for Lonely Planet)

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Talking Travel 1: Iran, France and the former East Berlin

By The World ⋅ December 1, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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ostel The World has teamed up with travel publisher Lonely Planet to bring you a new audio podcast. The idea is to find interesting intersections between news and travel. Clark Boyd from The World will bring the news, and Robert Reid and Tom Hall from Lonely Planet will bring the travel. In our first episode, we tackle American hikers in Iran, and nostalgia tourism in what was once East Berlin.

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