We try to make sense of the world, one question at a time. No question too big, no question too small.Hosted by PJ Vogt, edited by Sruthi Pinnamaneni. Named one of the best podcasts of all time by Time Magazine
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more
The makers of the medical drama The Pitt have been sued. The allegation: that the show is an unauthorized copy of ER. This week, investigative reporter Nicholas Kulish walks us through the ensuing drama, reads us the possibly damning private emails, and finally helps us decide where inspiration ends and theft begins. Is ‘The Pitt’ Really an ‘ER’ Spinoff? - Nicholas Kulish Sign up to be a premium subscriber at searchengine.show! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: h...
After Alex's wife, Whitney, tragically died, her obituary was hijacked online by anti-vaccine conspiracy theorists using the phrase "died suddenly" as a trigger. This episode explores Alex's fight against this disturbing phenomenon and delves into the origins and spread of the "Died Suddenly" movement, spearheaded by figures like Stu Peters. It examines how online platforms contribute to the amplification of misinformation and the profound impact on grieving families.
A member of an unusual Bay Area community decides to try to have a baby in an unusual way – by putting out a very large prize for anyone who can help her find a mate. How the internet shaped one person’s decision-thinking. Support Search Engine! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
PJ Vogt and Ryan Broderick dissect the unexpected rise of Dubai chocolate, a unique pistachio-filled treat that became a global viral sensation. Broderick explains how the chocolate's visual appeal, amplified by influencers and the "pornography theory" of internet content (gratification through raw stimulation), propelled its popularity. The discussion then shifts to TikTok's true nature as a social shopping platform, contrasting its business model with traditional social media and highlighting how Chinese hyper-consumerism, fueled by rapid digital adoption and manufacturing, creates frequent product-driven trends. The episode concludes by examining how these algorithmic trends impact Gen Z's perception of "coolness" in an attention economy.
Listener Louisa questions her sister's extreme anxiety about microplastics. The episode delves into the history of plastic, its ubiquitous presence, and the recent discovery of microplastics in human bodies. It presents two expert perspectives: one highlighting potential health risks based on animal studies and observed human health trends, and another suggesting current human exposure levels may not be as concerning. The discussion extends to managing parental anxiety, the future of plastic production, and the balance between individual actions and systemic solutions for environmental challenges.
Host PJ Vogt delves into the complex nature of faith, sharing his personal history of belief, doubt, and mystical experiences. He then engages in a profound discussion with Rabbi Zvika Krieger, who recounts his strict Orthodox upbringing, his ability to bridge religious and secular worlds, and his unconventional career path from journalism to Facebook's head of ethics. Zvika redefines God as "oneness" and offers practical spiritual tools like prayer and surrender, even for non-believers.
A question that has launched a battle between bird-loving ecologists and ardent, cat-defending activists. What should we do about an invasive species beloved by many Americans -- cats? We hear from people on both sides of the war, and from one person who sits exactly in the middle. Comment on the episode Support the show! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/a...
In part two of our story about ADHD medications, we approach the question from a different angle. We meet a doctor who spent two decades convinced that her brain does not work correctly, and who struggled to find someone who believed her. Comment on the episode Support the show! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
One of the millions of millennials given prescription stimulants to treat ADHD decides to quit. And afterwards wonders -- how did these drugs becomes so popular, so fast? This week, the story of amphetamine's birth, life, death, and rebirth in America. (Methylphenidates, too.) Have We Been Thinking About A.D.H.D. All Wrong? by Paul Tough Comment on the episode Support the show! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more ...
A journalist finds out that many of his vaunted mentors are seeing a psychic. The same psychic. He decides to pay her a visit. Check out the 10% Happier podcast See more of Dan's work at DanHarris.com Support Search Engine! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Queer Eye's Antoni Porowski sparked a rumor about the safety of airplane coffee due to infrequently cleaned water tanks. This episode traces the origin of this widely held fear back to a 2002 Wall Street Journal investigation that found alarming contamination. It explores subsequent EPA regulation and consults experts, including a microbiologist, to determine if the water is truly unsafe today, contrasting different perspectives on airline water quality and personal risk.
Host PJ Vogt and critic Amanda Hess discuss the psychological toll of waiting for crucial medical news, especially during pregnancy. Amanda shares her experience navigating genetic testing decisions and obsessive online information seeking after a potential disorder was detected via ultrasound. The episode explores the tension between seeking information for control and the anxiety it can cause, ultimately contrasting the uncertainty of probabilities and online searches with the reality of meeting her child.
A high school teacher has a question, but he wants his skeptical teenage students to answer it. Reporter Garrott Graham rides along as they investigate the motives of an international yogurt brand. Support the show Comment. on this episode Best of Search Engine To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Search Engine shares an episode of the podcast "What We Spend," which explores people's finances in detail. This episode focuses on Maxine, a 60-year-old long-haul truck driver, detailing her income, expenses, and the challenges of making ends meet in the trucking industry, including receiving zero-dollar paychecks and eventually losing her apartment.
This episode explores strategies for reducing phone addiction, featuring insights from tech journalist David Pierce. They discuss methods like physical separation, dumb phones, and new devices like the Brick and OneSec app, alongside the history of push notifications and Apple's role in shaping phone usage. The conversation also touches on whether Steve Jobs would have addressed the problem of tech addiction.
The Search Engine team investigates a peculiar iPhone anomaly where audio messages containing 'Dave and Buster's' fail to send. Through online forums, interviews, and expert analysis with Alex Stamos, they uncover the cause: an unescaped ampersand in the phrase confuses the AI-driven transcription, triggering a security protocol. Apple confirms the bug and promises a fix.
This episode explores the complexities of the U.S. national debt, starting with its historical origins in colonial America and tracing its evolution to the present day. It discusses how the debt became a global financial instrument and the potential risks associated with its current trajectory. The episode also examines the perspectives of experts on the implications of the debt and potential future economic scenarios.
This episode explores the complexities behind converting empty office spaces into apartments, delving into zoning laws, construction challenges, and community resistance. It examines historical zoning practices, the NIMBY vs. YIMBY debate, and potential solutions for addressing housing shortages. The discussion also touches on innovative adaptive reuse projects, like converting shopping malls into housing, and ends with a humorous internet story.
This episode explores the impact of social media on teenagers through the lens of a documentary series, "Social Studies," which recorded teenagers' phone usage for a year. It delves into themes like online identity, comparison culture, exposure to pornography, and the challenges of navigating an unregulated digital world. The conversation highlights the disconnect between adults' perceptions and teenagers' experiences, emphasizing the need for open conversations and potential solutions to mitigate the negative effects of social media.
Kelefa Sanneh investigates how the Spotify page of the American rock band Cake appeared to be taken over by Russian rappers, exploring theories of a hack, error, or intentional scam. The investigation uncovers the complexities of Spotify's content management system and the global reach of music, featuring an interview with the Russian rapper known as Cake. Ultimately, the issue was a mistake in Spotify's system, highlighting both the challenges and interconnectedness within the digital music landscape.
Alexi Horowitz-Ghazi and Nick Navis delve into the bizarre world of meme coins, exploring their origins, the technology enabling their proliferation, and the culture driving their popularity. The episode investigates Pump.Fun, a platform that democratized meme coin creation, and examines the motivations of investors, highlighting the risks and potential for exploitation in this speculative market. Ultimately, the episode questions whether meme coins are simply a form of gambling or a reflection of a deeper cultural shift.
Carl Zimmer discusses his book "Airborne" and the story of William and Mildred Wells, scientists who discovered airborne transmission of diseases in the 1930s but were largely ignored. The conversation explores how their research was forgotten, only to resurface during later outbreaks like SARS and COVID-19, highlighting the challenges of shifting scientific consensus and the human element in scientific progress. Zimmer also shares his personal strategies for monitoring air quality and mitigating risks from airborne diseases, and touches on the current concerns surrounding bird flu.
Engineer and YouTuber Destin Sandlin embarks on a challenging quest with a business partner to design, manufacture, and assemble a new barbecue scrubber entirely in America. They encounter surprising obstacles related to the loss of skilled trades like tooling and mold making, highlighting the deeper reasons behind the decline of American manufacturing. The project becomes a mission to prove that making things in the U.S. is still possible and valuable, despite higher costs and traditional business logic.
This episode explores the intersection of Elon Musk's influence, government efficiency, and potential conflicts of interest. It unravels the story behind a mysterious State Department plan to purchase armored Teslas, examining the motivations, transparency, and accountability within the Trump administration's 'Doge' initiative. The discussion dives into the complexities of navigating truth and public perception in the age of powerful figures and rapidly evolving news cycles.
PJ Vogt explores the question of whether anyone truly likes their job, interviewing Craig Finn of The Hold Steady about his journey from a corporate job to indie rock success. The episode delves into themes of ambition, happiness, and the surprising realities of pursuing one's passion, revealing how Finn found joy by releasing the pressure to succeed.
The Chicken Bone Squad helps Manny tackle his lifelong aversion to seafood to determine if picky eating can be cured. They consult with Dr. Nancy Zucker and try a series of increasingly fishy meals, from a fried fish sandwich to raw tuna, to see if he can overcome his disgust and broaden his palate. The experiment reveals surprising progress and offers insights into the psychology and social aspects of picky eating.
A teenager explains why he shouldn’t have to write homework essays anymore. Is there some way for adults to force teens to still do homework? Or to convince them they should want to? More Than Words - John Warner Center for Digital Thriving Support the show! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
We're supposed to be buried there forever, right? Right?? Answers this week from writer David Sloane, who grew up in a cemetery and spent his adult life studying them. The surprising history of the place we go where we die and an answer to what happens when it runs out of money. Is the Cemetery Dead? by David Charles Sloane Support the show at searchengine.show To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad cho...
One of the most routine and uncomfortable miracles many of us experience, flight. Airplanes have gotten increasingly more cramped and less comfortable. What’s it like flying as a fat person, all the invisible negotiations and strategizing. Audio Producer Ronald Young, Jr. reports on the experience, and why it’s been changing. Check out Weight For It ! ( We recommend you begin at the beginning, with episode one .) If you want to support Search Engine, you can sign up to be a premium subscriber ov...
What’s going on with Mark Zuckerberg? He recently conspicuously pivoted toward MAGA, meeting quietly with incoming Trump officials, and complaining about the Biden administration on Joe Rogan’s podcast. This week, we trace the story of the Meta CEO, and investigate what his new persona means for the 4 billion people who use his products. Support the show: searchengine.show To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about...
