

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

Apr 15, 2022 • 17min
Elonnnnnnnnnnnnn!
Is Musk's bid to take Twitter private a genuine attempt to mold the social network in his image? Or is he just going to have some fun, make some money, and walk away?Guest: Felix Salmon, host of Slate Money and chief financial correspondent for AxiosHost: Lizzie O'Leary Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 10, 2022 • 19min
Uber Makes Nice With Cabs
The rideshare company's founder once called taxis “evil.” Now, Uber might need them to survive.Guest: Preetika RanaHost: Lizzie O'Leary Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 8, 2022 • 19min
Elon Trolls the SEC
With 9.1% ownership of Twitter—and a board seat—Elon Musk is the new master of Twitter's future. Why did the wealthiest man in the world just take over the world's most influential platform?Guest: Ranjan Roy, writer of the Margins newsletterHost: Lizzie O'Leary Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 3, 2022 • 18min
A Conversation With Europe's Top Tech Cop
For nearly a decade, Margrethe Vestager has led Europe's efforts to rein in big tech. One newspaper article described Vestager as putting the fear of God into Silicon Valley. How is she thinking about fairness in tech in 2022?Guest: Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for a Europe fit for the Digital Age Host: Lizzie O'Leary Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 1, 2022 • 19min
The White House's Favorite Tech Billionaire
Why did Ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt spend over a decade building relationships with the most powerful Democrats in America?Guest: Alex Thompson, reporter at Politico Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 27, 2022 • 18min
The Cost of Going Off-Grid
Going off-grid can seem appealing in lots of ways. But are there consequences if everyone unplugs from the system? Are there costs we haven’t considered?Guest: Ivan Penn, renewable energy correspondent for the New York TimesHost: Seth Stevenson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 25, 2022 • 19min
Why the Zelensky Deepfake Failed
The FBI warned that Russia would use deepfakes to support its invasion of Ukraine. Are they missing the real threat?Guest: Noah Giansiracusa, professor of math and data science at Bentley University.Host: Seth Stevenson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 20, 2022 • 16min
The Startup Delivering Adderall
In just two years, the mental-health startup Cerebral has grown to operate in 50 states, registered more than 200,000 patients, and reached a $4.8 billion valuation. Has it prioritized growth over patient care?Guest: Caleb MelbyHost: Lizzie O'Leary Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 18, 2022 • 19min
Hong Kong’s Covid Crisis
Hong Kong's zero-COVID policy got enviable results, but inadvertently set the stage for disaster. What will it take to change course?Guest: Dr. Karen Grépin, Associate Professor at the School of Public Health at the University of Hong KongHost: Lizzie O'Leary Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 13, 2022 • 18min
How Minnesota Spied On Protesters
When Minnesota's Operation Safety Net, a coordinated effort among nine Minnesota law enforcement agencies, was announced in February 2021, its mission was to ensure the trial of Derek Chauvin would proceed peacefully. It also promised to protect people's right to gather and demonstrate peacefully.Did Operation Safety Net keep its promise?Guest: Tate Ryan-Mosley, reporter for MIT Tech reviewHost: Lizzie O'Leary Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


