Election deniers are mobilizing their supporters and rolling out new tech to disrupt the November election. These groups are already organizing on hyperlocal levels, and learning to monitor polling places, target election officials, and challenge voter rolls. And though their work was once fringe, its become mainstreamed in the Republican Party. Today on WIRED Politics Lab, we focus on what these groups are doing, and what this means for voters and the election workers already facing threats and...
Apr 11, 2024•14 min•Transcript available on Metacast We look back at the year in tech, science, business, and culture—through the medium of a quiz. Amit hosts the annual WIRED podcast quiz, with Morgan, Matt R, Grace, and Matt B vying for the prestigious title. Music by Filip Hnizdo Produced and edited by Matt Burgess Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Dec 22, 2022•29 min•Ep 589•Transcript available on Metacast Hello, WIRED podcast listeners. We’re on a short break from producing new episodes at the moment, with some big plans for next year. In the meantime, we need your help. Tell us: What are your burning questions about the future. The future of what? Anything. Big or small, strange or serious. We want to hear your questions. And they may even make it into a future episode of the show. Email us at the normal address: podcast@wired.co.uk Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices...
Nov 28, 2022•54 sec•Ep 589•Transcript available on Metacast Coming up today: Morgan finds out what happens when an AI company steals your face, and Matt Burgess explores the most vulnerable place on the internet This is going to be the last episode for a little while. We’re taking a short break to work on some exciting changes to the podcast for 2023, but we’ll be back with a new episode in a few weeks. We’ll see you then! The stories we talked about this week: Clearview Stole My Face and the EU Can’t Do Anything About It https://www.wired.com/story/clea...
Nov 11, 2022•32 min•Ep 588•Transcript available on Metacast Coming up today: the WIRED podcast team weighs in on Elon Musk’s dramatic Twitter takeover. The stories we talked about this week: Unverify Me, Daddy https://www.wired.com/story/twitter-elon-musk-verification/ Elon Musk Has Fired Twitter’s ‘Ethical AI’ Team https://www.wired.com/story/twitter-ethical-ai-team/ Twitter Had a Plan to Fix Social Media. Will Elon Musk Follow It? https://www.wired.com/story/twitter-had-a-plan-to-fix-social-media-bluesky-will-elon-musk-follow-it/ Learn about your ad ch...
Nov 04, 2022•40 min•Ep 587•Transcript available on Metacast Coming up today: the deadly viruses lurking in the permafrost, and what the Bruce Willis deepfake means for the future of Hollywood. The stories we talked about this week: The Bruce Willis Deepfake Is Everyone’s Problem https://www.wired.com/story/bruce-willis-deepfake-rights-law/ Thawing Permafrost Exposes Old Pathogens—and New Hosts https://www.wired.com/story/arctic-spillover-risk/ Music by Filip Hnizdo Produced and edited by Matt Burgess Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choic...
Oct 28, 2022•26 min•Ep 586•Transcript available on Metacast Coming up today: how gig economy laws caused strip club chaos, and we assess your risk of dying in a nuclear war. The stories we talked about this week: The Gig Law Causing Chaos in California Strip Clubs https://www.wired.co.uk/article/gig-economy-strip-clubs Music by Filip Hnizdo Produced and edited by Matt Burgess Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices...
Oct 21, 2022•49 min•Ep 585•Transcript available on Metacast We look at how social media platforms have responded to the death of Molly Russell and explain why Elon Musk is wrong about depopulation. How A British Teen's Death Changed Social Media https://www.wired.com/story/how-a-british-teens-death-changed-social-media/ Elon Musk Is Totally Wrong About Population Collapse https://www.wired.com/story/elon-musk-population-crisis/ Music by Filip Hnizdo Produced and edited by James Temperton Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices...
Oct 15, 2022•47 min•Ep 584•Transcript available on Metacast Coming up today: as Elon Musk and Twitter (maybe) close in on a deal, we delve deep into the glorious, curious world of bots. (This show was recorded before Elon Musk said he would, in fact, buy Twitter.) The stories we talk about this week... The Quest to Find Twitter’s Elusive Bot Team https://www.wired.com/story/the-quest-to-find-twitters-elusive-bot-team/ The Problem With Mental Health Bots https://www.wired.com/story/mental-health-chatbots/ Read all our bot coverage https://www.wired.com/ta...
Oct 07, 2022•36 min•Ep 583•Transcript available on Metacast Coming up today: the devastating impact of Iran’s internet shutdown and we find out what happened when a Danish city banned Google from its schools. The stories we talk about this week: A Danish City Built Google Into Its Schools—Then Banned It https://www.wired.com/story/denmark-google-schools-data/ Iran’s Internet Shutdown Hides a Deadly Crackdown https://www.wired.com/story/iran-protests-2022-internet-shutdown-whatsapp/ Music by Filip Hnizdo Produced and edited by Matt Burgess Learn about you...
Sep 30, 2022•40 min•Ep 582•Transcript available on Metacast Coming up today: we go on the hunt for the people who’ve never caught Covid and take a look at the wild logistics of replacing the Queen’s iconography on everything from bank notes to post vans. The stories we talk about this week: The Mystery of Why Some People Don’t Get Covid https://www.wired.com/story/the-mystery-of-why-some-people-dont-get-covid/ What Happens to Everything With Queen Elizabeth II’s Image? https://www.wired.com/story/updating-british-royal-iconography/ Music by Filip Hnizdo ...
Sep 23, 2022•45 min•Ep 581•Transcript available on Metacast Coming up today: we talk about the juicy business of plant-based meat and the equally juicy business of Russian censorship. The stories we talk about this week: Plant-Based Burgers Aren’t Denting People’s Beef Addiction Alternative proteins were meant to reduce the carbon footprint of our diets. But it doesn’t look like consumers are switching ... yet. https://www.wired.com/story/plant-based-meat-replacing-animal-meat/ This Clever Anti-Censorship Tool Lets Russians Read Blocked News Samizdat Onl...
Sep 16, 2022•41 min•Ep 580•Transcript available on Metacast Coming up today: Matt Reynolds on Russian gas supplies, and Grace on why the psychedelics bubble could be about to burst. Europe’s Plan to Wean Itself off Russian Gas Just Might Work https://www.wired.com/story/russian-gas-europe/ Is the Psychedelic Therapy Bubble About to Burst? https://www.wired.com/story/psychedelic-hype-bubble/ Music by Filip Hnizdo Produced and edited by Matt Burgess Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices...
Sep 02, 2022•44 min•Ep 579•Transcript available on Metacast Coming up today: the tech behind a high-school prank, and the hunt for Covid’s origins The stories we walked about this week: The Origins of Covid-19 Are More Complicated Than Once Thought https://www.wired.com/story/tracing-covid-pandemic-origins/ Inside the World’s Biggest Hacker Rickroll https://www.wired.com/story/biggest-hacker-rickroll-high-school-prank/ Music by Filip Hnizdo Produced and edited by Matt Burgess Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices...
Aug 26, 2022•31 min•Ep 578•Transcript available on Metacast Coming up today: how NFTs conquered football, and why captchas are getting more confusing The stories we walked about this week: NFTs Are Conquering Football https://www.wired.com/story/nfts-conquering-soccer/ Smiling Dogs? Horses Made of Clouds? Captcha Has Gone Too Far https://www.wired.com/story/smiling-dogs-horses-made-of-clouds-captcha-has-gone-too-far/ Music by Filip Hnizdo Produced and edited by Matt Burgess Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices...
Aug 19, 2022•37 min•Ep 577•Transcript available on Metacast Coming up today: Grace explores the monkeypox vaccine pipeline problems and Matt Burgess looks at Facebook's European data woes. The stories we walked about this week: The Chaotic Monkeypox Vaccine Pipeline Is Leaving Everyone Short https://www.wired.com/story/monkeypox-vaccine-supply-chain/ Will Europe Force a Facebook Blackout? https://www.wired.com/story/facebook-eu-us-data-transfers/ Music by Filip Hnizdo Produced and edited by Matt Burgess Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-ch...
Aug 12, 2022•33 min•Ep 576•Transcript available on Metacast Coming up today: Morgan explores a plan to tackle deadly heatwaves through afternoon naps, and Grace investigates the technology hoping to tap into your brain The stories we walked about this week: The Age of Brain-Computer Interfaces Is on the Horizon https://www.wired.com/story/synchron-brain-computer-interface/ How Siestas Might Help Europe Survive Deadly Heat Waves https://www.wired.com/story/how-siestas-might-help-europe-survive-deadly-heat-waves/ Music by Filip Hnizdo Produced and edited b...
Aug 05, 2022•31 min•Ep 575•Transcript available on Metacast Coming up today: Morgan explores the global trade in abortion pills, and Matt Burgess investigates the strange case of the severed internet cables The stories we walked about this week: Abortion Pill Demand Is Driving an Underground Network https://www.wired.com/story/the-wild-abortion-pill-supply-chain/ The Unsolved Mystery Attack on Internet Cables in Paris https://www.wired.com/story/france-paris-internet-cable-cuts-attack/ Music by Filip Hnizdo Produced and edited by Matt Burgess Learn about...
Jul 29, 2022•35 min•Ep 574•Transcript available on Metacast Coming up today: how China took control of the world’s lithium supply and we explain why your next car could be a threat to national security. Western automakers built their fortunes on the internal combustion engine. Now China has ambitions to define the electric vehicle age. The stories we talked about this week (and more!): China Built Your iPhone. Will It Build Your Next Car? https://www.wired.com/story/foxconn-apple-car-china/ The Rise and Precarious Reign of China’s Battery King https://ww...
Jul 22, 2022•37 min•Ep 573•Transcript available on Metacast After a brief pause last week, the WIRED podcast returns. Coming up today: Natasha on what it’s like working at Twitter amid Elon Musk chaos, and Matt Reynolds on a mad plan to grow plants without sunlight. The stories we talked about this week: As Elon Musk Walks, Twitter Workers Say No One’s in Charge https://www.wired.com/story/plants-growing-in-darkness/ Scientists Are Trying to Grow Crops in the Dark https://www.wired.com/story/plants-growing-in-darkness/ Music by Filip Hnizdo Produced and ...
Jul 16, 2022•46 min•Ep 572•Transcript available on Metacast Coming up today: how Covid tracking apps are pivoting for commercial profit and we talk about the future of genome sequencing. The stories we talked about this week: How Covid Tracking Apps Are Pivoting for Commercial Profit https://www.wired.com/story/covid-19-data-switch/ How Genome Sequencing Will Change Our Lives https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/112/1120653/genomics--wired-guides-/9781847943408.html Music by Filip Hnizdo Produced and edited by Matt Burgess Learn about your ad choices: dovetai...
Jul 01, 2022•48 min•Ep 571•Transcript available on Metacast Coming up today: we speak to the people picking up the slack after their colleagues quit and get stuck into a messy argument about microbe names. The stories we talked about this week: The Almighty Squabble Over Who Gets to Name Microbes https://www.wired.com/story/microbe-names-fight/ They Quit. Now You're Picking Up the Slack https://www.wired.co.uk/article/they-quit-now-youre-picking-up-the-slack Music by Filip Hnizdo Produced and edited by Matt Burgess Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.p...
Jun 24, 2022•43 min•Ep 570•Transcript available on Metacast Coming up today: how Russia is remaking Ukraine’s internet in its own image and the pros and cons of Canada’s bold new drug law. The stories we talked about this week: Canada Moves to Decriminalize Possession of ‘Hard’ Drugs https://www.wired.com/story/canada-moves-to-decriminalize-possession-of-hard-drugs/ Russia Is Taking Over Ukraine’s Internet https://www.wired.com/story/ukraine-russia-internet-takeover/ Music by Filip Hnizdo Produced and edited by Matt Burgess Learn about your ad choices: d...
Jun 18, 2022•46 min•Ep 569•Transcript available on Metacast Coming up today: Morgan explores the problems facing Google in Russia, and Grace tells us all about the Great Reinfection The stories we talked about this week: Welcome to the Great Reinfection https://www.wired.com/story/welcome-to-the-great-reinfection/ Google's Russian Empire Faces an Uncertain Future https://www.wired.com/story/google-russia-exit/ Music by Filip Hnizdo Produced and edited by Matt Burgess Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices...
Jun 10, 2022•39 min•Ep 568•Transcript available on Metacast Coming up today: Natasha reveals the latest trick to lure people back to the office and Amit unmasks the many problems with the lie detector. The stories we talked about this week: Employers Are Luring Workers Back to the Office—With Plants https://www.wired.co.uk/article/office-plants-hybrid-working Murder, Obsession and the Birth of the Lie Detector https://twitter.com/amitkatwala/status/1513498832344174598 Music by Filip Hnizdo Produced and edited by Matt Burgess Learn about your ad choices: ...
Jun 03, 2022•41 min•Ep 567•Transcript available on Metacast Coming up today: the fallout from the impending fall of Roe v Wade and we look back at four years of Europe’s landmark data privacy law. The stories we talked about this week: Patients May Not Receive Miscarriage Care in a Post-Roe America https://www.wired.com/story/miscarriage-care-roe-versus-wade/ The Ramifications of Roe v. Wade’s Fall Won’t Stop at Abortion Bans https://www.wired.com/story/ramifications-of-post-roe-world/ All of WIRED's coverage on a Post-Roe America https://www.wired.com/t...
May 27, 2022•45 min•Ep 566•Transcript available on Metacast Coming up today: a potential roadblock on the route to nuclear fusion and how the Kremlin infiltrated Russia’s biggest social media network. The stories we talked about this week: Nuclear Fusion Is Already Facing a Fuel Crisis https://www.wired.com/story/nuclear-fusion-is-already-facing-a-fuel-crisis/ Music by Filip Hnizdo Produced and edited by Matt Burgess Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices...
May 20, 2022•41 min•Ep 565•Transcript available on Metacast Coming up today: we explain why the crypto world may be crumbling and look at the flaws in the European Union’s new plan to crack down on child sexual abuse images. The stories we talked about this week: The EU Wants Big Tech to Scan Your Private Chats for Child Abuse https://www.wired.com/story/europe-csam-scanning-law-chat-encryption/ Music by Filip Hnizdo Produced and edited by Matt Burgess Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices...
May 13, 2022•42 min•Ep 564•Transcript available on Metacast Coming up today: how Shanghai is rewriting the rules of Chinese censorship and we explain why Americans need to eat less cows. The stories we talked about this week: You Don’t Have to Quit Meat to Save the Planet https://www.wired.com/story/beef-eating-deforestation/ Shanghai Is Rewriting Chinese Censorship Amid Lockdown https://www.wired.com/story/shanghai-lockdown-china-censorship/ Music by Filip Hnizdo Produced and edited by Matt Burgess Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choice...
May 06, 2022•54 min•Ep 563•Transcript available on Metacast Coming up today: we delve into the latest European Big Tech regulation thriller and find out why a spike in hepatitis cases in kids has scientists hunting for answers. The stories we talked about this week: Ukraine War Prompts Europe's New Emergency Rules for the Internet https://www.wired.com/story/europe-digital-services-act/ Europe Has Traded Away Its Online Porn Law https://www.wired.com/story/digital-services-act-deepfake-porn/ Hepatitis Cases in Kids Have Scientists Hunting for Answers htt...
Apr 29, 2022•37 min•Ep 562•Transcript available on Metacast 
