

What Next: TBD | Tech, power, and the future
Slate Podcasts
Every Friday and Sunday, Slate’s popular daily news podcast What Next brings you TBD, a clear-eyed look into the future. From fake news to fake meat, algorithms to augmented reality, Lizzie O’Leary is your guide to the tech industry and the world it’s creating for us to live in. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 2, 2022 • 54min
The Philosopher With Silicon Valley's Ear
Longtermism, the idea that positively influencing the future is a key moral priority of our time, is hot in Silicon Valley. But does it miss the bigger picture?Guests: William MacAskill, Robert WrightHost: Lizzie O'LearyThanks Avast.com! Learn more about Avast One at Avast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 30, 2022 • 23min
When Climate Change Makes You Sell Your House
With disaster relief funds from Hurricane Harvey, Houston's Harris County instituted a mandatory buyout program for residents in flood-prone areas. But some residents didn't want to leave.Guest: Amal Ahmed, Dolores MendozaHost: Mary C. Curtis Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 25, 2022 • 23min
Can Nuclear Power Be Green?
Nuclear technology has become more important than ever, thanks to a global energy crisis and climate change. But it also has a complicated history.Guest: Joshua KeatingHost: Lizzie O'Leary Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 23, 2022 • 28min
The Fight Over Online Speech Headed to the Supreme Court
Conservative lawmakers in Florida and Texas are taking aim at content moderation on social media, with implications that go far beyond just the platforms.Guest: Mark Joseph SternHost: Lizzie O'Leary Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 18, 2022 • 27min
The Hidden Abuse Behind Those Spam Texts You're Getting
Victims of a new and high tech kind of human trafficking are forced to scam people all around the world.Guest: Cezary PodkulHost: Lizzie O'LearyHuman Trafficking’s Newest Abuse: Forcing Victims Into Cyberscamming Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 16, 2022 • 22min
How Big Internet Keeps Small Communities Disconnected
A small parish in Louisiana tried to get affordable, fast internet. An incumbent ISP stopped them.Guest: Issie Lapowsky, Wanda ManningHost: Lizzie O'Leary Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 11, 2022 • 31min
The Chaos That Made YouTube a Juggernaut
An inside look at the rise of YouTube into a social media behemoth.Guests: Mark Bergen and Claire StapletonHost: Lizzie O'Leary Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 9, 2022 • 25min
Can A.I. Make Great Art?
Technology is transforming the creative economy and ideas about what "art" even is.Guest: Drew HarwellHost: Lizzie O'Leary Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 4, 2022 • 16min
The Summer Vaccine of the Future
LYMErix, the first vaccine against Lyme, was pulled from the market amid poor sales and pressure from the public. Now, over 20 years later, a new vaccine is in late-stage trials.Guest: Cassandra WillyardHost: Lizzie O'Leary Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 2, 2022 • 24min
A.I. Made to Fight Child Porn Ensnared an Innocent Dad
A father took a photo of his son for their doctor. He wound up being investigated by the police.Guest: Kashmir HillHost: Lizzie O'Leary Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


