Technology and Policy (TAP)
In this podcast, a political scientist and an electrical engineer / computer scientist explore the intersections of technology and policy, exploring the edge of both the social and physical sciences to discuss the major issues related to emerging technologies. Along the way, they share the perspectives of their fields and reach conclusions that can only be seen through both lenses. Please send us any questions you have at officialpubfo@gmail.com. Part of the PubFo podcast network.
Episodes
8 episodes
Brain-Machine Interfaces and Neuralink
In this episode, Alex and Ethan return after a short hiatus to dive into one of the most fascinating new avenues of technology innovation: the brain-machine, or brain-computer, interface. This is a technology with truly transformative implicati...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 1
•
54:50
The U.S.-China Brain Drain and the Future of AI Human Capital
In this episode, Alex and Ethan break from the standard format. This episode is focused on how the field of AI and software development is radically changing. In order to explore these changes, Ethan interviews Alex about what draws software en...
•
Episode 7
•
1:01:12
Application Permissions
In this episode, Alex and Ethan finally turn to the big issues of modern technology debate - data regulation. In particular, they focus on an often ignored subset of data collection: the permissions settings on your phone or tablet that many of...
•
Episode 6
•
57:09
Asteroid Mining
In this episode, Alex and Ethan return to where the podcast started - space. Here they deal with one of the most interesting, and potentially the most economically impactful, aspect of space travel. Asteroid mining is propelling a new gold rush...
•
Episode 5
•
1:04:00
Cryonics
In this episode, Alex and Ethan explore the incredible possibilities of cryonics - the process of vitrifying your body in order to be revived at a later date. They explore whether it is science fiction or science fact, and what it means for our...
•
Episode 4
•
59:07
Cryptocurrency
In this episode, Alex and Ethan deal with the complicated and fascinating world of cryptocurrency - exploring how they work on a basic level, and discussing the economic ramifications of Bitcoin’s meteoric rise. The idea for this e...
•
Episode 2
•
1:08:49
Algorithmic Injustice
This episode was recorded shortly after the beginning of the massive Black Lives Matter protest movement in the United States following the killing of George Floyd. In respect for the political moment, in this episode Alex and Ethan deal with t...
•
Episode 3
•
1:01:01
International Space Governance
In this episode, Alex and Ethan discuss the recent launch of a SpaceX crewed mission from US soil. In order to explain why this event is significant, Alex and Ethan retrace the history of the global governance order for space exploration, focus...
•
Episode 1
•
1:02:47