Let's Know Things - podcast cover

Let's Know Things

A calm, non-shouty, non-polemical, weekly news analysis podcast for folks of all stripes and leanings who want to know more about what's happening in the world around them. Hosted by analytic journalist Colin Wright since 2016.

letsknowthings.substack.com
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Episodes

Antiretroviral Therapies

This week we talk about HIV, AIDS, and ART. We also discuss HAART, the Berlin Patient, and potential future cures. Recommended Book: Allergic by Theresa MacPhail Show Notes * https://www.unaids.org/en/resources/fact-sheet * https://hivinfo.nih.gov/understanding-hiv/fact-sheets/hiv-treatment-basics * https://clinicalinfo.hiv.gov/en/glossary/antiretroviral-therapy-art * https://www.paho.org/en/topics/antiretroviral-therapy * https://journals.lww.com/jaids/fulltext/2010/01010/declines_in_mortality_...

Sep 19, 202322 min

China Standard Map

This week we talk about China’s standard map, the nine-dash line, and shoals. We also discuss WWIII, undersea minerals, and realities on the ground. Recommended Book: Outlive by Peter Attia Show Notes * https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202308/28/WS64ec91c2a31035260b81ea5b.html * https://www.uscc.gov/research/south-china-sea-arbitration-ruling-what-happened-and-whats-next * https://amti.csis.org/island-tracker/china/ * https://globalvoices.org/2023/09/05/the-chinese-2023-map-has-nothing-new-but-wh...

Sep 12, 202317 min

Gerontocracy

This week we talk about Jimmy Buffett, Boomers, and the Soviet Union. We also discuss Mitch McConnell, Joe Biden, and the 2024 US Presidential Election. Show Notes (Notes on show notes: for Wikipedia or other reference articles, please follow source links as they tend to tell you which bits of data are legit and which are less so—these are excellent starting points for info, but ideally not the end-points.) Some Relevant Links https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/01/health/mitch-mcconnell-health-seiz...

Sep 05, 202323 min

BRICS

This week we talk about BRIC, BRICs, and BRICS+. We also discuss the USD, sanctions, and alternative global financial systems. Show notes/transcript: letsknowthings.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe

Aug 29, 202315 min

Coup Belt

This week we talk about ECOWAS, Niger, and proxy conflicts. We also discuss military dictatorships, Wagner, and colonies. Show notes/transcript: letsknowthings.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe

Aug 22, 202321 min

Bidenomics

This week we talk about the Inflation Reduction Act, October Surprises, and Hunter Biden's laptop. We also discuss the 2024 US Presidential election, Trump's legal woes, and inflation. Show notes/transcript: letsknowthings.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe...

Aug 15, 202323 min

Room-Temperature Superconductors

This week we talk about LK-99, mercury, and resistance. We also discuss online citizen science, physics, and replication issues. Show notes/transcript: letsknowthings.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe...

Aug 08, 202318 min

Extreme Heat

This week we talk about Phoenix, Death Valley, and heat pumps. We also discuss the greenhouse effect, cascading systems, and energy-related power. Show notes/transcript: letsknowthings.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe...

Aug 01, 202320 min

Automated Journalism

This week we talk about Genesis, the Associated Press, and Glorbo. We also discuss Wikipedia, G/O Media, and ChatGPT. Show notes/transcript: letsknowthings.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe

Jul 25, 202322 min

Entertainment Strikes

This week we talk about the WGA, SAG-AFTRA, and AI. We also discuss streaming platforms, residuals, and entertainment industry economics. Show notes/transcript: letsknowthings.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe...

Jul 18, 202323 min

Social Graph

This week we talk about Threads, Meta, and the Fediverse. We also discuss Instagram, follower migrations, and the social media landscape. Show notes/transcript: letsknowthings.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe...

Jul 11, 202325 min

International Monetary Fund

This week we talk about the IMF, the Paris Club, and Pakistan. We also discuss the international monetary system, sovereign debt, and debt traps. Show notes/transcript: letsknowthings.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe...

Jul 04, 202327 min

Work From Home

This week we talk about mouse jigglers, bossware, and the WFH revolution. We also discuss blitzscaling, quiet quitting, and return-to-office demands. Show notes/transcript: letsknowthings.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe...

Jun 27, 202323 min

Reddit Blackout

This week we talk about AI, Reddit, and scraping. We also discuss John Oliver, protests, and LLMs. Show notes/transcript: letsknowthings.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe

Jun 20, 202320 min

Particulates

This week we talk about wildfires, PM 2.5 particles, and globalization. We also discuss PM 10 particles, the health impacts of bad air, and PFAS. Show notes/transcript: letsknowthings.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe...

Jun 13, 202321 min

Debt Ceiling Deal

This week we talk about the Fiscal Responsibility Act, Speaker McCarthy, and the US debt limit. We also discuss President Biden, economic crises, and MAGA Republicans. Show notes/transcript: letsknowthings.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe...

Jun 06, 202322 min

Tactical Nukes

This week we talk about the Tsar Bomba, the Davy Crockett, and hypersonic missiles. We also discuss Kyiv, mutually assured destruction, and Cold War thinking. Show notes/transcript: letsknowthings.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe...

May 30, 202319 min

New Offensive in Ukraine

This week we talk about Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the grand realignment, and tanks. We also discuss F-15s, spheres of influence, and Zelenskyy. Show notes/transcript: letsknowthings.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe...

May 23, 202319 min

AVOD and FAST

This week we talk about Tucker Carlson, Disney Plus, and free ad-supported TV. We also discuss ad-supported video-on-demand, the new streaming wars, and the pivot to video. Show notes/transcript: letsknowthings.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe...

May 16, 202325 min

Debt Crises

This week we talk about student debt, real estate, and local government financing vehicles. We also discuss credit cards, the Belt and Road Initiative, and frontier markets. Show notes/transcript: letsknowthings.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe...

May 09, 202321 min

El Niño

This week we talk about snow water equivalents, ENSO, and the Walker circulation. We also discuss climate bands, La Niña, and warming oceanic surface temperatures. Show notes/transcript: letsknowthings.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe...

May 02, 202320 min

CBAMs

This week we talk about carbon leakage, the EU, and the GDPR. We also discuss carbon border adjustment mechanisms, globalization, and the Inflation Reduction Act. Show notes/transcript: letsknowthings.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe...

Apr 25, 202319 min

The Discord Leaks

This week we talk about Discord, War Thunder, and intelligence leaks. We also discuss spy ops, infiltration, and Minecraft forums. Show notes/transcript: letsknowthings.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe...

Apr 18, 202323 min

Immigration and Automation

This week we talk about TikTok, Reels, and Shorts. We also discuss LLMs, ad revenue sharing deals, and automation. Show notes/transcript: letsknowthings.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe

Apr 11, 202321 min

Revenue Sharing

This week we talk about TikTok, Reels, and Shorts. We also discuss LLMs, ad revenue sharing deals, and automation. Show notes / transcript: https://letsknowthings.com/episode357 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe...

Apr 04, 202325 min

The Hydrogen Spectrum

This week we talk about hydrogen colors, use-cases, and sources. We also discuss the fossil fuel-based economy, batteries, and fuel cells. Show notes/transcript: letsknowthings.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe...

Mar 28, 202323 min

Bank Runs

This week we talk about Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank, and Silvergate Capital We also discuss interest rates, the FDIC, and too big to fail. Show notes / transcript: https://letsknowthings.com/episode355 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe...

Mar 21, 202323 min

Avian Flu

This week we talk about H5N1, poultry, and globalization. We also discuss COVID-19, influenza types, and inflation. Show notes / transcript: https://letsknowthings.com/episode254 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe...

Mar 14, 202323 min

Zero Interest-Rate Policy

This week we talk about 10x-ing, blitzscaling, and the Millennial Lifestyle Subsidy. We also discuss Uber, Bird, and savings accounts. Show notes / transcript: https://letsknowthings.com/episode353 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe...

Mar 07, 202321 min

Russian Invasion Anniversary

This week we talk about Putin, NATO, and the international order. We also discuss Kyiv, buffer countries, and invasion incentives. Show notes / transcript: https://letsknowthings.com/episode352 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe...

Feb 28, 202340 min
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