Positive Feedback Loop

Positive Feedback Loop•pflpodcast.com

Positive Feedback Loop! We discuss tech, history, and culture and we have fun disagreeing with each other. ;-) Co-hosts: Luis, Ray, and Steph. Find us on Twitter: twitter.com/thepflpodcast! "Lost episodes" (episodes we've removed): Ep.38 (Watercooler chat - mind-reading robots eat your money)

Last refreshed: August 17th, 2025 at 2:48 AM ⓘ

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Episodes

Ep. 13: And the Oscar Goes to… Award Shows!

The Oscars Everyone is talking about the envelope fiasco Luis thinks fireworks are boring Why do we watch award shows? Snapchat is a lot like TV Oscars as recommendation system Snapchat is the long tail YouTube has awards; does Snapchat have awards? Jerry Seinfeld hates awards Could we watch the Oscars on Snapchat? How would you judge Snapchat content if it is ever-flowing? Commercial: Awardrobes Does anyone watch the Oscars anymore? People’s choice vs. industry professionals’ choice How does so...

Mar 05, 2017•39 min

Ep. 12: Arrr! Modern-day Piracy (with guest Andrew Yellis)

Pirates: not just on boats The history of media piracy Digital rights management (DRM) Streaming vs. downloading Watching House of Cards in China Buying VCDs in Turkey Access to American content in Cuba FOMO What about the little guy? Freebooting Blockchain Making games hard in reaction to piracy Commercial break: Tire Track Tracker How is piracy a temptation for different age groups? Academic materials Younger generations have grown up with the Internet It’s a transparent world

Feb 26, 2017•40 min

Episode 11: Honey and Nature (with guest Brian Woerner)

Episode 11: Honey & Nature - feat. Brian Woerner Luis and Steph start things off with guest Brian Woerner, COO of Follow the Honey http://www.followthehoney.com/ Honey tasting! You should listen to Sweet as Tupelo Honey by Van Morrison Commercial: Follow the Honey Medieval heraldry Plants are amazing Food and water, and food that contains water Does processed food get a bad rap? Humans, adaptation, and the environment What is “nature”? What is our responsibility for caring for the earth?

Feb 19, 2017•34 min

Episode 10: Listeners' Choice - Football and Passion

Episode 10: Listeners’ Choice – Football and Passion This week’s topic: Listener’s Choice! Football. How archaeologists of the future might view football Chinese paper armor Mob football: pass the pig bladder, please American Idol vs. Bachelorette vs. American Football: which has more passionate fans? eSports need physical fitness too Spectatorship

Feb 12, 2017•46 min

Episode 9: Robots and Feelings

What is a robot? Affective computing and personal robots (Cynthia Breazeal) Automation Beyond humanoid existence vs. uncanny valley Feelings and emotional purposes (Robot & Frank, Her) [SPOILER ALERT for Her 10:15–11:15] What’s shklerm? Instinct vs. knowledge The Twitter bot that became racist The Chinese Room Can a robot be a good consultant? Akinator Commercial: Escape the Rum What’s the difference between a robot and a tool? A refrigerating animal, the “wild freezer mammoth” Can a robot m...

Feb 05, 2017•37 min

Episode 8: Holiday Special

Our end of the season holiday special! We’ve decided to call the season “Making it Beta” Christmas traditions around the world (e.g., Icelandic Yule Lads) Artificial intelligence Suborbital Santa Gift giving: experiences vs. items Commercial: Snow Box Happy holidays, everyone!

Dec 22, 2016•35 min

Episode 7: Privacy

In this special minisode we discuss privacy and how it relates to social media, photography, generations, repentance, and the future.

Dec 20, 2016•21 min

Episode 6: Fireworks

Episode 6: Fireworks Public speaking: body language and anxiety Our experiences with music Podcasting is like playing the organ Ray tells his life story, which involves more crimes than you might imagine Perspectives on three communities: Mormons, Catholics, and Cubans Commercial break: Ray’s Fireworks Barn Internet privacy

Dec 09, 2016•37 min

Episode 5: Time and Context

Time as context Why are so many fairytales and movies about architecture? Moral of the story: TV vs. Aesop’s fables vs. real life Multiverse Theory and identity

Nov 24, 2016•42 min

Episode 4: Drugs and Violence

Theme parks Luis’ parents love Indiana Jones We debate about legalizing marijuana Stoned Ape Theory Commercial break: Barry Berries Do you know your mother’s eye color? Luis’ experiences with laser eye surgery The violence in cartoons from our childhood Content addiction

Nov 24, 2016•34 min

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