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

Social Insurance

This week we talk about Otto von Bismark, Medicare, and demographic lopsidedness. We also discuss Social Security, Biden, and globalization. Show notes / transcript: https://letsknowthings.com/episode351 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 21, 202321 min

Spy Balloons

This week we talk about Project Mogul, Chinese airships, and the Cold War. We also discuss UFOs, Roswell, and wolf warriors. Show notes / transcript: https://letsknowthings.com/episode350 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 14, 202322 min

Stock Buybacks

This week we talk about regulations, the Reagan administration, and market manipulation. We also discuss tech layoffs, market caps, and dividends. Show notes / transcript: https://letsknowthings.com/episode349 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 07, 202322 min

Anti-Obesity Medication

This week we talk about patent medicine, BMI, and semaglutide. We also discuss leptin, tirzepatide, and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Show notes / transcript: https://letsknowthings.com/episode348 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...

Jan 31, 202329 min

Non-Competes

This week we talk about gunmakers, blacksmiths, and Lina Khan. We also discuss the FTC, employer-employee relations, and competition law. Show notes / transcript: https://letsknowthings.com/episode347 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...

Jan 24, 202317 min

RISC-V

This week we talk about open standards, custom chips, and China. We also discuss Android, tier-one platforms, and the internet of things. Show notes / transcript: https://letsknowthings.com/episode346 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...

Jan 17, 202316 min

Naloxone

This week we talk about Narcan, Kloxxado, and Fentanyl. We also discuss overdoses, opioids, and OTC. Show notes / transcript: https://letsknowthings.com/episode345 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...

Jan 10, 202317 min

Password Vaults

This week we talk about signs and countersigns, passkeys, and the LastPass hack. We also discuss quantum computing, security experts, and arbitrary strings of characters. Show notes / transcript: https://letsknowthings.com/episode344 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...

Jan 03, 202320 min

Last Week of the Year Break

Folks! I'm taking a week-ish off at the tail-end of 2022, so there isn't a normal episode today (though LKT patrons and Understandary members will receive this month's bonus episode this Thursday as usual). We'll be back on the normal schedule next Tuesday (the first week of 2023)—thanks so much for listening, and a happy new year to you and yours from here in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA :) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episod...

Dec 27, 20222 min

ChatGPT

This week we talk about OpenAI, DALL-E 2, and voice assistants. We also discuss snake oil, AI, and GPT-4. Show notes / transcript: https://letsknowthings.com/episode343 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...

Dec 20, 202231 min

BYD

This week we talk about Tesla, EVs, and Chinese brands. We also discuss California, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the green economy. Show notes / transcript: https://letsknowthings.com/episode342 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...

Dec 13, 202226 min

Voice Assistants

This week we talk about Alexa, Matter, and the tech industry pullback. We also discuss Siri, ELIZA, and Echo devices. Show notes / transcript: https://letsknowthings.com/episode341 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...

Dec 06, 202224 min

Low-Carbon Concrete

This week we talk about steel, calcium carbonate, and the construction industry. We also discuss emissions, COP27, and incentives. Show notes / transcript: https://letsknowthings.com/episode340 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 29, 202225 min

Crypto Contagion

This week we talk about SBF, FTX, and Binance. We also discuss bank runs, FTT, and financial contagions. Show notes / transcript: https://letsknowthings.com/episode339 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 22, 202229 min

US Midterms 2022

This week we talk about Congress, the Red Ripple, and voter turnout. We also discuss polling, Trump, and DeSantis. Show notes / transcript: https://letsknowthings.com/episode338 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 15, 202228 min

US-Saudi Relations

This week we talk about MBS, Biden, and OPEC Plus. We also discuss the clean energy transition, fistbumps, and kowtowing. Show notes / transcript: https://letsknowthings.com/episode337 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 08, 202223 min

Alt-Tech

This week we talk about Ye, Parler, and Twitter. We also discuss Cloudflare, Truth Social, and antisemitism. Show notes / transcript: https://letsknowthings.com/episode336 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 01, 202227 min

Chip War

This week we talk about TSMC, the Three-Body Problem, and economic warfare. We also discuss fundamental research, technological know-how, and the 2022 Communist Party Congress. Show notes / transcript: https://letsknowthings.com/episode335 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 25, 202225 min

COVID Winter 2022

This week we talk about Yankee Candles, Long-COVID, and BA.1.1. We also discuss winter surges, monkeypox, and bivalent boosters. Show notes / transcript: https://letsknowthings.com/episode334 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 18, 202227 min

Housing Crises

This week we talk about Evergrande, Beanie Babies, and interest rates. We also discuss the Fed, Xi Jinping, and affordable housing. Show notes / transcript: https://letsknowthings.com/episode333 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 11, 202229 min

The Kia Challenge

This week we talk about moral panics, TikTok challenges, and immobilizers. We also discuss Hyundai, catalytic converters, and The Club. Show notes / transcript: https://letsknowthings.com/episode332 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 04, 202224 min

Russia's Invasion

This week we talk about Ukraine, Putin, and political expediency. We also discuss protests, conscription, and NATO. Show notes / transcript: https://letsknowthings.com/episode331 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 27, 202233 min

Frontier Mining

This week we talk about lithium, nodules, and helium-3. We also discuss the deep ocean, The Metals Company, and obscure regulatory bodies. Show notes / transcript: https://letsknowthings.com/episode330 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 20, 202222 min

Apple Ads

This week we talk about the iPhone, App Tracking Transparency, and privacy. We also discuss iOS, Android, and digital online advertising. Show notes / transcript: https://letsknowthings.com/episode329 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 13, 202222 min

Hydro Power

This week we talk about Sichuan, hydroelectricity, and failure cascades. We also discuss droughts, heat waves, and virtual power plants. Show notes / transcript: https://letsknowthings.com/episode328 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 06, 202223 min

DALL-E 2

This week we talk about OpenAI, AlphaFold, and centaurs. We also discuss GPT-3, CLIP, and Photoshop. Show notes / transcript: https://letsknowthings.com/episode327 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 30, 202225 min

Other Conflicts

This week we talk about Yemen, Syria, and Ethiopia. We also discuss the Mexican Drug War, Myanmar, and Ukraine. Show notes / transcript: https://letsknowthings.com/episode326 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 23, 202227 min

Franchises

This week we talk about Marvel, the Gray Man, and cinematic universes. We also discuss sequels, remakes, and spin-offs. Show notes / transcript: https://letsknowthings.com/episode325 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 16, 202224 min

China's Demographic Crisis

This week we talk about lying flat, letting it rot, and China's Gen Z. We also discuss replacement rate, the middle class, and baby bonuses. Show notes / transcript: https://letsknowthings.com/episode324 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 09, 202227 min

Fleet Electrification

This week we talk about LLVs, NGDVs, and electric school buses. We also discuss hydrogen, delivery vehicles, and Amazon. Show notes / transcript: https://letsknowthings.com/episode323 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 02, 202227 min
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