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

COVID-19 Update

This week we talk about the COVID-19 pandemic, thus far, and what might happen next. We also discuss air circulation, face masks, and secondary consequences. 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

Nov 03, 202041 min

EV Skateboard Platforms

This week we talk about economies of scale, Foxconn, and the skateboardification of the electric vehicle world. We also discuss EV economics, vertical integration, and Tesla. 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

Oct 27, 202030 min

Workplace Politics

This week we talk about lobbying, Coinbase, and stakeholder capitalism. We also discuss the attempt to be apolitical, neutrality as non-neutrality, and venture capitalists. 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

Oct 20, 202027 min

Mass Pardons

This week we talk about United Nations conventions, cannabis legality, and pardons. We also discuss the US incarceration rate, the War on Drugs, and hemp. 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

Oct 13, 202025 min

Climate Pledges

This week we talk about UN climate talks, corporate responsibility, and carbon neutrality. We also discuss China, the Paris Agreement, and the 75th United Nations General Assembly. 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

Oct 06, 202034 min

The FinCEN Files

This week we talk about Al Capone, money laundering, and the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. We also discuss document leaks, tax evasion, and suspicious activity reports. 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

Sep 29, 202032 min

Normalizing Relations

This week we talk about Middle Eastern history, the Six-Day War, and relations between Israel and its neighbors. We also discuss Palestine, the Yom Kippur War, and the UAE. 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

Sep 22, 202032 min

Worldscraping

This week we talk about Microsoft Flight Simulator, Niantic, and digital twins. We also discuss augmented reality, data scraping, and price-tweaking bots. 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

Sep 15, 202029 min

Abe's Japan

This week we talk about Shinzō Abe, the Meiji Restoration, and the Lost Decade. We also discuss the Japanese Empire, Edo Society, and the Tokugawa Shogunate. 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

Sep 08, 202033 min

Chat Apps

This week we talk about SMS, Belarus, and Telegram. We also discuss VK, WhatsApp, and protest communication tools. 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

Sep 01, 202031 min

EU Renaissance

This week we talk about the etymology of Europe, economic recovery plans, and reserve currencies. We also discuss Hamilton, Macron, and Merkel. 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 25, 202025 min

Athleisure

This week we talk about sweatpants, Fashion Week, and Laver’s Law. We also discuss fast fashion, pandemics, and synthetic fibers. 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 18, 202029 min

The Twitter Bitcoin Scam

This week we talk about Fleming, Marconi, and the hacking of verified social media accounts. We also discuss Joybubbles, SIM-jacking, and the etymology of the word “hack.” 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 11, 202033 min

Mars 2020 Missions

This week we talk about Tianwen-1, Kepler’s Laws of Planetary Motion, and Perseverance. We also discuss the Space Race, orbital periods, and the Emirates Mars Mission. 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 04, 202037 min

Jio Platforms

This week we talk about super apps, Mukesh Ambani, and Reliance Jio. We also discuss Alibaba, mobile services, and the Indian tech industry. 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 28, 202033 min

Flash

This week we talk about GeoCities, Adobe Flash, and the Digital Dark Age. We also discuss PenPoint OS, Macromedia, and Kongregate. 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 21, 202037 min

Siberia

This week we talk about planetary equilibrium temperature, permafrost, and polar amplification. We also discuss trade winds, record Arctic temperatures, and the three Siberias. 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 14, 202032 min

Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam

This week we talk about the Nile River, Ethiopian politics, and dams. We also discuss the Nile Basic Initiative, the Nile Waters Agreement, and Chinese infrastructural investments. 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 07, 202028 min

Chiplomacy

This week we talk about TSMC, ARM, and Huawei. We also discuss Apple, 5 nanometer processes, and the coming chip wars. 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 30, 202031 min

Playing the Market

This week we talk about dividends, Hertz, and legal gambling. We also discuss bankruptcies, day trading, and questionable stock offerings. 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 23, 202039 min

Rogue Geoengineering

This week we talk about phytoplankton blooms, aerosol injection, and giant space mirrors. We also discuss enhanced weathering, regenerative agriculture, and large-scale reforestation. 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 16, 202046 min

Police Violence

This week we talk about less-lethal weapons, qualified immunity, and the Blue Wall. We also discuss police unions, the 1033 program, and the Kerner Commission. 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 09, 202057 min

Coordinated Inauthentic Behavior

This week we talk about COINTELPRO, Occupy Wall Street, and the Internet Research Agency. We also discuss botnets, social media warnings, and antitrust. 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 02, 202038 min

Vitamins

This week we talk about scurvy, Casimir Funk, and the War of Jenkins’ Ear. We also discuss vitamin D, the supplement industry, and dietary health. 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 26, 202034 min

Orbital Power

This week we talk about Vladimir Syromyatnikov, space mirrors, and the X-37B. We also discuss rectennas, space-based solar power, and the Znamya project. 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 19, 202029 min

Satellite Imagery

This week we talk about North Korea, Starlink, and Kremlinology. We also discuss the Kim Dynasty, the 2019 Abqaiq–Khurais attack, and oil shocks. 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 12, 202033 min

Coronadivorces

This week we talk about limerence, China’s divorce spike, and nuclear families. We also discuss coronarelationships, amatonormativity, and marriage. 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 05, 202033 min

Plastic-Eating Enzymes

This week we talk about PET, Celluloid, and biodegradability. We also discuss polyurethane, fungi, and shellac. 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 28, 202029 min

Pandemic Sports

This week we talk about the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, esports, and pankration. We also discuss Athens, league cancellations, and Evangelos Zappas. 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 21, 202034 min

Sunset Provisions

This week we talk about dictators, the Patriot Act, and Viktor Orbán. We also discuss the free press, Benjamin Netanyahu, and rule by decree. 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 14, 202030 min
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