559: All Fingers Are Digital

Apr 14, 2025

Scott McNulty, a father of twin boys and a friend of Jason Snell, returns to discuss the latest in tech and parenting. He shares insights on the resilience of babies and humorous takes on the challenges of fatherhood. The conversation dives into e-readers, revealing frustrations with current models and speculations on future innovations. McNulty also tackles Apple's internal dysfunction and the implications of AI advancements, offering a candid perspective on navigating tech while raising kids.

01:52:59

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Episode notes

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ANECDOTE

Resilient Kids

Jason Snell's daughter dislocated her elbow easily as a child.
They learned to pop it back in, highlighting children's resilience.

question_answer

ANECDOTE

Shaken Baby Syndrome

Scott McNulty initially questioned the need for "don't shake your baby" warnings.
He understood after becoming a parent, underscoring the challenges.

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ANECDOTE

Apple Store Chaos

Jason Snell helped his mother- and sister-in-law buy iPhones.
He reflects on a chaotic Apple Store experience and offers advice for smoother upgrades.

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E-Readers and Sci-Fi Series Recommendations

01:37 • 6min

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Exploring Unconventional Sci-Fi and Reflections on Podcast Production

07:41 • 3min

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The Parenthood Journey and Tech Troubles

10:42 • 19min

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Navigating Internal Confusion and AI Dysfunction

30:10 • 5min

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Navigating AI Evolution at Apple

35:35 • 25min

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The Future of Foldable Devices

01:00:06 • 9min

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E-Readers: Design, Experience, and Innovation

01:08:38 • 24min

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Kindle Frustrations and E-Reader Innovations

01:32:36 • 6min

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The Evolution of E-Readers vs. Tablets

01:38:52 • 10min

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Nostalgia and the Evolution of E-Reader Design

The Machineries of Empire

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

Connie Willis's 'Blackout' and 'All Clear' form a diptych set against the backdrop of World War II. The novels explore themes of time travel, alternate history, and the human condition during wartime. The narrative shifts between different characters and timelines, creating a complex and interwoven story. Willis's writing is known for its blend of historical detail and imaginative storytelling. The books are praised for their emotional depth and exploration of the impact of war on individuals and society.

#1692

• Mentioned in 25 episodes

Children of time

Henry Maxwell

Children of Time is a book by Henry Maxwell, published in 1967. Due to limited information, specific details about the book's content or themes are not available.

The Long Earth is a collaborative novel by Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter, exploring a scenario where humanity discovers a way to travel between parallel Earths. The story delves into the implications of this discovery on society, politics, and human evolution. It follows characters like Joshua, a natural stepper, and Lobsang, an AI, as they explore the vast possibilities of the multiverse.

#10938

• Mentioned in 5 episodes

Culture Care

Makoto Fujimura

#2472

• Mentioned in 18 episodes

This graphic novel collects the backstories of the main characters from The Expanse, including James Holden, Naomi Nagata, Alex Kamal, Amos Burton, and Josephus Miller. The stories, created by James S.A. Corey but written by Hallie Lambert and Georgia Lee, and illustrated by Huang Danlan, provide insight into what led each character to join the crew of the Canterbury. The collection follows the television series continuity and offers a compelling look at the characters' pasts, making it a must-read for fans of The Expanse.

#551

• Mentioned in 57 episodes

Game of Thrones

HBO

This book provides an in-depth look at the making of the first two seasons of HBO's Game of Thrones. It includes interviews with key creative forces behind the show, profiles of major characters, family trees, and detailed descriptions of pivotal scenes such as the storming of King's Landing. The book helps viewers understand the complex storylines and character relationships, making it a valuable resource for fans of the series.

#1732

• Mentioned in 25 episodes

Silo

Hugh Howey

The Silo series, comprising Wool, Shift, and Dust, is set in a post-apocalyptic world where humanity lives in underground silos. The series follows characters such as Holston and Juliette as they uncover the secrets and mysteries of their underground world. The books delve into the struggle between information and control, human curiosity, and the power dynamics within the silo society. The series reveals the origins of the silos, the true nature of the outside world, and the ultimate fate of the survivors as they strive to rebuild their world.

After nearly 500 episodes away, Scott McNulty returns to the podcast to discuss the resilience of babies, dysfunction at Apple, the future of the Vision Pro, and (of course) ebooks and e-readers.

This episode of Upgrade is sponsored by:

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Guest Starring:

Scott McNulty

Links and Show Notes:

Books

Jason:

M.R. Carey’s Pandominion duology (Infinity Gate/Echo of Worlds)
James S.A. Corey’s Expanse series (9 books, “Leviathan Wakes”)
Adrian Tchaikovsky’s Final Architecture series (3 books, “Shards of Earth”)
Adrian Tchaikovsky’s Children of Time series (3 books, “Children of Time”)
The Long Earth by Terry Pratchett and Steven Baxter (5 books, “The Long Earth”)
Merchant Princes series by Charles Stross (6+ books, “The Family Trade”)

Scott:

Jo Walton’s Small Change (Farthing, Ha’penny, Half a Crown)
Yoon Ha Lee’s The Machineries of Empire (Ninefox Gambit, Raven Stratagem, Revenant Gun)
The Culture novels by Ian Banks (not really a good fit, but sort of!)

559: All Fingers Are Digital

Resilient Kids

Shaken Baby Syndrome

Apple Store Chaos

This episode of Upgrade is sponsored by:

Guest Starring:

Links and Show Notes:

Books

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