Edward Tenner
Independent writer and Distinguished Scholar in the Smithsonian's Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation. Visiting scholar at the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton and teaches the course Understanding Disasters at Princeton University.
Best podcasts with Edward Tenner
Ranked by the Snipd community
Mar 23, 2026 • 56min
Understanding Disasters to Enhance Workplace Safety with Edward Tenner
Edward Tenner, author and Princeton lecturer on technology, risk and unintended consequences. He walks through famous disasters to reveal hidden risks and how safety fixes can backfire. Multiple short stories explore expertise turning into blind spots, deferred 'gray rhino' risks, and why rehearsals and historical perspective matter.
Jul 10, 2025 • 57min
Edward Tenner, "Why the Hindenburg Had a Smoking Lounge: Essays in Unintended Consequences" (APS Press, 2025)
Edward Tenner, an independent writer and Distinguished Scholar at the Smithsonian, brings fascinating insights into technology and its unintended consequences. He discusses how lifeboats, introduced after the Titanic disaster, inadvertently led to another tragedy. Tenner explores the role of wild animals as investors and the historical significance of the tab as a visual metaphor. He also highlights Amish artisans' impact on technology and reflects on the effects of AI on creativity, urging a cautious approach to its integration in academia.
