So, Bob - podcast cover

So, Bob

Spoke Media
What is technology doing to you? Civilian podcast producer Alia Tavakolian has always felt like a dumb tech consumer. Veteran tech-journalist Bob Sullivan has spent his life showing people they're not dumb tech consumers - they're being hacked. Each week, Bob and Alia join forces to answer your questions and untangle your sanity from this dark, scary world wide web. So, Bob is a Spoke Media original.
Last refreshed:
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Download Metacast podcast app
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

Has Texting Made My Relationship Better?

Does texting actually have the ability to make us closer? Has the dating landscape changed now that we are introducing tech into the mix? Bob and Alia find out with the help of Love Letters host Meredith Goldstein and therapist Aida Manduley. Curious about today's episode? Check out more info at https://bobsullivan.net/topics/sobob/ So, Bob is a Spoke Media original. Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%

Oct 21, 201953 minSeason 2Ep. 3

Minisode: Is Alexa Listening To My Conversations?

Smart Homes: Good or Bad? Will we be able to settle the debate once and for all? A listener is concerned about whether or not Amazon Echo is actually listening to all of her private conversations. Thanks to Alison in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania for this week's question! Curious about today's topic? Check out more info at https://bobsullivan.net/topics/sobob/ So, Bob is a Spoke Media original. Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%

Oct 14, 201920 minSeason 2Ep. 2

What Can I Do to Unhack My Life? with Gretchen Rubin

How does tech affect our happiness? Can it help us achieve it? In a special interview episode, join Alia, Bob, and author Gretchen Rubin on a journey about happiness, the four tendencies, and how you can use tech to your advantage. Curious about today's topic? Check out more info at https://bobsullivan.net/topics/sobob/ So, Bob is a Spoke Media original. Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%

Oct 07, 201944 minSeason 2Ep. 1

So Bob...We're Back!

When we left off with Bob and Alia in season 1, they were wondering about the seemingly bleak state of technology. Is tech really all bad? Are there any answers to our burning questions? In Season 2, they set off to find some reasonable hope in the world of tech (even if it’s just a little). Join us for season 2 of So, Bob, where Alia and Bob find some of the brighter corners of technology, alongside the dim ones. Coming October 7. Also, stay tuned for a special miniseries sponsored by Intel on ...

Sep 23, 20192 min

Do I Have the Right to Be Forgotten?

What happens when our personal photos and videos are used without our consent? When are our photos no longer ours? Our guests this episode are Eva Galperin and Mary Pilon. So, Bob is a Spoke Media original. Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%

Jul 01, 201949 minSeason 1Ep. 9

Is Targeting Creepy?

At what point does targeting cross the line from useful to creepy? Isn’t it weird that ads nowadays seem to know you better than you know you? Our guest this episode is Jules Polonetsky. So, Bob is a Spoke Media original. Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%

Jun 24, 201952 minSeason 1Ep. 8

Minisode: Why Does Google Maps Need WiFi?

Why does Google Maps ask me to have my WiFi enabled to improve location accuracy? Thanks to Maggie in D.C. for today’s question. Go here and see a map of where you've been and when -- on Google. Feel weird about what Google knows about your location? Go to this page and manage your location history. Want to see all the WiFi networks near you? Visit WiGLE.netWe mentioned that Google has gotten in hot water in the past over the way Wi-Fi and the Street View part of its mapping product. Here's one ...

Jun 17, 201919 minSeason 1Ep. 7

Are We at the End of Attention?

Has technology ruined our ability to focus? Will we ever be able to get that back? Our guest this episode is journalist and author Annie Murphy Paul. So, Bob is a Spoke Media original. Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%

Jun 10, 201940 minSeason 1Ep. 6

Minisode: How Safe Are Password Managers?

Password managers are a great solution to remembering 100+ passwords, but are they actually safe? What makes a good password anyway? This week’s question comes from a listener on Twitter. Here are the new definitive NIST guidelines on passwords. Bruce Schneier explains this here. Ok, so just how secure are password managers? Pretty secure, but not perfect. So, Bob is a Spoke Media original. Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%

Jun 03, 201923 minSeason 1Ep. 5

Is Technology Fueling Overwork?

Is my ability to work from anywhere actually hindering me? How much does overwork affect my wellbeing? Our guest this episode is author Brigid Schulte. So, Bob is a Spoke Media original. Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%

May 27, 201942 minSeason 1Ep. 4

Minisode: What Does My Smart Meter Say?

Should I be boycotting smart meters? A listener asks an important question about a piece of tech that most of us didn’t know was tracking us. Thanks to Brian in Lansing for this week’s question. Last year, a federal court ruled that consumers retain their expectation of privacy around smart meter data. The Electronic Frontier Foundation's legal argument in the case can be found here. Info on what smart meters actually collect can be found here. So, Bob is a Spoke Media original. Texas Tax rate a...

May 20, 201923 minSeason 1Ep. 3

Who’s Been Recording Me While I Sleep?

What happens when an app records you in your sleep? And then tells you to pay to hear recordings? Is that like, legal?? Alia and Bob search for answers. Our guest this episode is privacy lawyer Sinzi Gutiu. So, Bob is a Spoke Media original. Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%

May 13, 201941 minSeason 1Ep. 2

Internet: Good or Bad?

Is the internet ruining our lives? But what about puppy pics and Twitter friends and immediate access to information?! For the very first episode of So, Bob, Alia and Bob tackle the world’s easiest question: is the internet good or bad? So, Bob is a Spoke Media original. Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%

May 06, 201933 minSeason 1Ep. 1

So, Bob…what is this show?

Coming May 6: Bob & Alia join forces to answer your questions and untangle your sanity from this dark, scary world wide web. So, Bob is a safe, welcome space for understanding what technology is doing to you. We’ll be dropping episodes weekly starting May 6. Subscribe now so you don’t miss a thing! Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%

Apr 15, 20193 min
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android