Technology
kill switch
Kaleidoscope
Were we sleeping when everything changed? Seems like the technologically driven future is already here. On kill switch, we explain the right NOW of our super charged technological lives. New host Dexter Thomas answers questions big and small - like who’s behind Shrimp Jesus, and could you get arrested by a computer? kill switch also brings the DIY back to tech - “How to Now” on everything from how to run your own LLM to tips to keep your data safe. Because the more “user-friendly” our devices get, the less we understand how they work, and the less control we have. We’re here to help you take back control. And if we can’t… Well, maybe we need to look for the kill switch.
Open in Clue Episodes to Learn English 71
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your onlyfans girlfriend might be a guy (or a robot)
Oct 15, 2025 29 min<p>If you’re chatting to a popular OnlyFans model: no, you’re not. That job was outsourced long ago. Teams of “chatters”, often in the Philippines, are paid to flirt, role-play, and get fans to spend as much money as possible. But now, AI bots are moving in, trained on those same human conversations to mimic intimacy at scale. Dexter talks with reporter Michael Beltran about how AI is moving in on the role of chatters, the global race to cut costs, and what the future of digital labor looks like when even emotional connection can be outsourced. </p> <p>Got something you’re curious about? Hit us up <a href="mailto:killswitch@kaleidoscope.nyc">killswitch@kaleidoscope.nyc</a>, or @killswitchpod, or @dexdigi on IG or Bluesky.</p> <p>Read + Watch: </p> <p>Michael’s article: <a href="https://restofworld.org/2025/onlyfans-ai-dm-bots/">https://restofworld.org/2025/onlyfans-ai-dm-bots/</a></p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
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will blind gamers ever play Zelda like I do? (part 2)
Oct 10, 2025 32 min<p>As a blind video gamer, the options for the kinds of games you can play are limited. Not only are accessibility features not a standard practice in game development, the tools available right now only go so far. Exploration – a fundamental part of the fun in gaming, especially in an open world game – is often not really possible for blind players in today’s games. Researchers at Columbia University are working to change that. Dexter talks to Brian Smith and Vishnu Nair, who are developing tools for blind and low vision gamers to be able to play exploration-based games that could one day even be applied to a game like Zelda Breath of the Wild.</p> <p>Got something you’re curious about? Hit us up <a href="mailto:killswitch@kaleidoscope.nyc">killswitch@kaleidoscope.nyc</a>, or @killswitchpod, or @dexdigi on IG or Bluesky.</p> <p>Read + Watch:</p> <p>CEAL at Columbia University: <a href="https://ceal.cs.columbia.edu/navstick/">https://ceal.cs.columbia.edu/navstick/</a></p> <p>Ross Minor profile in WIRED: <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/ross-minor-the-blind-leading-the-gamers/">https://www.wired.com/story/ross-minor-the-blind-leading-the-gamers/</a></p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
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playing video games while blind (part 1)
Oct 8, 2025 37 min<p>Ross Minor plays a lot of videogames. He is also completely blind. Despite losing his sight at 8 years old, he’s now working in the industry, making video games accessible for blind players like him. Dexter talks to Ross about his journey in video games, from figuring out how to play Pokémon through sound cues alone to experiencing the biggest game with real accessibility features, The Last of Us 2. If you’re a developer and want to incorporate blind accessibility in your game, hit up Ross at: https://rossminor.com/<strong><br></strong></p> <p>Got something you’re curious about? Hit us up <a href="mailto:killswitch@kaleidoscope.nyc">killswitch@kaleidoscope.nyc</a>, or @killswitchpod, or @dexdigi on IG or Bluesky.</p> <p>Read + Watch:</p> <p>Dexter’s profile of Ross on WIRED: <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/ross-minor-the-blind-leading-the-gamers/">https://www.wired.com/story/ross-minor-the-blind-leading-the-gamers/</a></p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
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television for the dopamine generation (but kids aren’t watching)
Oct 1, 2025 40 min<p>It’s like “TV on TikTok,” but kids aren’t watching these. Instead, middle-aged women are on the cutting edge here: Vertical dramas are like full-length movies, just distilled down into catchy 60-90 second episodes and watched on your phone. Dexter talks to Teig Sadhana, the star of “My Boss is my Secret Sperm Donor” and other classics, and Jen Cooper, superfan and industry consultant, about why this new format is taking off, who’s watching, and if this might be the future of television. </p> <p>Got something you’re curious about? Hit us up <a href="mailto:killswitch@kaleidoscope.nyc">killswitch@kaleidoscope.nyc</a>, or @killswitchpod, or @dexdigi on IG or Bluesky.</p> <p>Read + Watch: </p> <p>Jen’s website: <a href="https://www.verticaldramalove.com/">https://www.verticaldramalove.com/</a><br>Teig’s instagram, @sadhat8: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sadhat8/?hl=en">https://www.instagram.com/sadhat8/?hl=en</a><br>kill switch podcast on YouTube: <a href="https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8oh6zDRg1zgHkyOfikoeQS7cafAytstv&si=jsXSLEYgyrArLpGy">https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8oh6zDRg1zgHkyOfikoeQS7cafAytstv&si=jsXSLEYgyrArLpGy</a></p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
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AI beats to study to
Sep 24, 2025 36 min<p>Lo-Fi beats once stood as the chill soundtrack of the internet, a cozy genre rooted in human touch and imperfections. But in recent years, AI-generated mixes have flooded platforms like YouTube, pumping out endless streams of eerily similar tracks that mimic the vibe, without the soul. What happens when the scene gets overtaken by AI? Dexter talks to Kieran Press-Reynolds, a writer at Pitchfork, about how AI is reshaping the genre, what that means for artists, and whether there is still room for the human touch in the age of AI-generated beats. </p> <p>Got something you’re curious about? Hit us up <a href="mailto:killswitch@kaleidoscope.nyc">killswitch@kaleidoscope.nyc</a>, or @killswitchpod, or @dexdigi on IG or Bluesky.</p> <p>Read + Watch:</p> <p>Kieran’s article, “How AI Wreaked Havoc on the Lo-Fi Beat Scene”: https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/how-ai-wreaked-havoc-on-the-lo-fi-beat-scene/</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
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the glassholes are back
Sep 17, 2025 39 min<p>Wearable tech is having a moment – after the implosion of Google Glass back in 2013, which faced backlash and ridicule, we’re now readily embracing wearables from rings to AI pendants to new smart glasses in the form of Meta Ray-Bans. What’s behind the new fervor of wearables today, and have we moved on from the privacy and surveillance questions that plagued Google Glass? Dexter talks to Victoria Song, a senior reviewer at The Verge whose job it is to test out each new iteration of this technology, about the state of wearables today, why companies are obsessed with getting AI into them, and how they’ve already changed how we talk to each other, and ourselves, IRL.</p> <p>Got something you’re curious about? Hit us up <a href="mailto:killswitch@kaleidoscope.nyc">killswitch@kaleidoscope.nyc</a>, or @killswitchpod, or @dexdigi on IG or Bluesky.</p> <p>Read + Watch: </p> <p>Victoria’s smart glasses review on The Verge: <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/10/24340208/ces-2025-smart-glasses-rokid-halliday-xreal-vuzix-nuance-audio">https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/10/24340208/ces-2025-smart-glasses-rokid-halliday-xreal-vuzix-nuance-audio</a></p> <p>“How the low-vision community embraced AI smart glasses” from The Vergecast: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgu0a9QK75E">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgu0a9QK75E</a></p> <p>The Daily Show segment, “Glass Half Empty”: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClvI9fZaz6M">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClvI9fZaz6M</a></p> <p>“Why Do Scouters Explode?”: <a href="https://en.dragon-ball-official.com/news/01_1666.html">https://en.dragon-ball-official.com/news/01_1666.html</a></p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
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should you use a chatbot for therapy?
Sep 10, 2025 34 min<p>Every day there’s a new story about how people are using AI chatbots for therapy – even ChatGPT, which was never designed for that purpose. But, as bad or weird as it sounds, could these chatbots fill a need for people who can’t afford mental health care? Dexter talks to journalist Ella Chakarian, who’s tested a bunch of these AI “therapists,” as well as a real, human therapist, Dr. Stephen Schueller, from the University of California Irvine, about the promises, dangers, and future of AI in therapy. </p> <p>Got something you’re curious about? Hit us up <a href="mailto:killswitch@kaleidoscope.nyc">killswitch@kaleidoscope.nyc</a>, or @killswitchpod, or @dexdigi on IG or Bluesky.</p> <p>Read + Watch: </p> <p>Ella’s article, <em>Fake credentials, stolen licenses: Virtual therapists are lying like crazy to patients</em>: <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2025/05/11/ai-chatbots-fake-therapists/">https://sfstandard.com/2025/05/11/ai-chatbots-fake-therapists/</a></p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
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a software update bricked my car
Sep 3, 2025 33 min<p>The Fisker Ocean was supposed to be the "world's most sustainable vehicle." With a range of 400 miles, a strong emphasis on software and a price tag of $50,000, the car raised billions in funding and hoped to rival Tesla. But after a disastrous roll out, the company went bankrupt and glitchy software left customers with a 2.5 ton paperweight. Dexter talks to Aarian Marshall, a reporter for WIRED, about what exactly went wrong, why Fisker Ocean owners refuse to give up on the car, and what this all says about the future of car ownership. </p> <p>Got something you’re curious about? Hit us up <a href="mailto:killswitch@kaleidoscope.nyc">killswitch@kaleidoscope.nyc</a>, or @killswitchpod on IG, or @dexdigi on IG or Bluesky.</p> <p>Fisker Ocean owners, reach out to Aarian Marshall at <a href="mailto:aarian_marshall@wired.com">aarian_marshall@wired.com</a>. </p> <p>Read + Watch: </p> <p>Aarian’s article, <em>Fisker Went Bankrupt. What Do Its EV Owners Do Next?</em>: <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/fisker-went-bankrupt-what-do-its-ev-owners-do-next/">https://www.wired.com/story/fisker-went-bankrupt-what-do-its-ev-owners-do-next/</a></p> <p>Marques Brownlee’s Review, <em>This is the Worst Car I've Ever</em> <em>Reviewed</em>: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xWXRk3yaSw&ab_channel=AutoFocus">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xWXRk3yaSw&ab_channel=AutoFocus</a> </p> <p>George J Saliba, Fisker Senior Engineer’s Call to Marques’ Car Dealer: <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@georgejsaliba/video/7341936160941280555?lang=en">https://www.tiktok.com/@georgejsaliba/video/7341936160941280555?lang=en</a></p> <p>r/Fisker AMA Thread, Hello, I am a current Fisker Inc. employee. Ask Me Anything (AMA): <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Fisker/comments/1bnzrts/hello_i_am_a_current_fisker_inc_employee_ask_me/">https://www.reddit.com/r/Fisker/comments/1bnzrts/hello_i_am_a_current_fisker_inc_employee_ask_me/</a></p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
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vtubers and why "it’s not silly to be an anime girl on the internet"
Aug 13, 2025 45 min<p>VTubers, or Virtual Youtubers, are growing at a rapid rate in the United States. Just last month, 1200+ fans paid up to $180 each to attend Fantastic Reality, a live VTuber mini-festival in a packed theatre in Los Angeles. But what exactly is VTubing? Can you ever truly build a connection with someone you don’t actually see? Dexter talks to Kou Mariya, a 6,669-year-old blonde vampire anime girl and one of the headliners of Fantastic Reality. She explains what attracts people to VTubing and the practicalities of portraying a virtual character. Plus, as one of the producers of Fantastic Reality and a co-founder of Emerging Technology Company, Spencer Burnham joins the show to walk us through the music culture side of VTubing.</p> <p>Got something you’re curious about? Hit us up <a href="mailto:killswitch@kaleidoscope.nyc">killswitch@kaleidoscope.nyc</a>, or @killswitchpod, or @dexdigi on IG or Bluesky.</p> <p>Read + Watch: </p> <p>Dexter’s article in WIRED, <em>Anime Girl VTubers Are Selling Out Concerts, but Are They ‘Real’? Depends on Who You Ask</em>: <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/anime-girl-vtubers-are-selling-out-concerts-but-are-they-real-depends-on-who-you-ask/">https://www.wired.com/story/anime-girl-vtubers-are-selling-out-concerts-but-are-they-real-depends-on-who-you-ask/</a></p> <p>Fantastic Reality Website: <a href="https://www.fantasticreality.live/">https://www.fantasticreality.live/</a></p> <p>Kou Mariya’s YouTube Channel: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@Kou_Mariya/videos">https://www.youtube.com/@Kou_Mariya/videos</a></p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
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why are women still signing up for tea?
Aug 6, 2025 44 min<p>Tea called itself a women’s safety app. Then, 4chan found it. Selfies, IDs, even private messages were left exposed after two massive data breaches. Tens of thousands of women were affected, but hundreds of thousands still want to sign up. We break down what went wrong, and what it says about the tech we trust to keep us safe. </p> <p>Dexter talks to journalists and 404 Media co-founders Emanuel Maiberg and Sam Cole about what happened, and what this could mean for women (and men!) whose information was exposed. </p> <p>Read + Watch: </p> <p>Emanuel’s coverage on the Tea data breach: </p> <p><em>Women Dating Safety App 'Tea' Breached, Users' IDs Posted to 4chan</em>: <a href="https://www.404media.co/women-dating-safety-app-tea-breached-users-ids-posted-to-4chan/">https://www.404media.co/women-dating-safety-app-tea-breached-users-ids-posted-to-4chan/</a></p> <p><em>A Second Tea Breach Reveals Users’ DMs About Abortions and Cheating</em>: <a href="https://www.404media.co/a-second-tea-breach-reveals-users-dms-about-abortions-and-cheating/">https://www.404media.co/a-second-tea-breach-reveals-users-dms-about-abortions-and-cheating/</a></p> <p><em>Tea User Files Class Action After Women’s Safety App Exposes Data</em>: <a href="https://www.404media.co/tea-user-files-class-action-after-womens-safety-app-exposes-data/">https://www.404media.co/tea-user-files-class-action-after-womens-safety-app-exposes-data/</a></p> <p>Sam’s coverage on ‘Are We Dating the Same Guy?’ Facebook groups: </p> <p><em>Man Who Sued 'Are We Dating the Same Guy?' Groups Files Class Action Lawsuit</em>: <a href="https://www.404media.co/man-who-sued-are-we-dating-the-same-guy-groups-files-class-action-lawsuit/">https://www.404media.co/man-who-sued-are-we-dating-the-same-guy-groups-files-class-action-lawsuit/</a></p> <p>Got something you’re curious about? Hit us up <a href="mailto:killswitch@kaleidoscope.nyc">killswitch@kaleidoscope.nyc</a>, or @killswitchpod on IG, or @dexdigi on IG or Bluesky.</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
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tech review: tablets in prisons
Jul 30, 2025 36 min<p>This week we want to take a look at a little-known technology kept from public view: electronic tablets in prisons. Dexter talks to Gaby Caplan, a journalist and documentary filmmaker who has been researching how these tablets are used, the connection to the outside world that they promised, and why federal prisons have gone back on that promise.</p> <p>Read + Watch: </p> <p>Gaby’s piece on WIRED: <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/electronic-tablets-in-federal-prisons-chat-apps-disabled/">https://www.wired.com/story/electronic-tablets-in-federal-prisons-chat-apps-disabled/</a></p> <p>Got something you’re curious about? Hit us up <a href="mailto:killswitch@kaleidoscope.nyc">killswitch@kaleidoscope.nyc</a>, or @dexdigi on IG or Bluesky.</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
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how to: not get hacked
Jul 23, 2025 34 min<p>If you’ve been resistant to using a password manager, or if you want to step up your overall digital security, this episode is for you. Dexter talks to Josh Blackwelder, Deputy Chief Information Security Officer of SentinelOne, about the dangers of having weak passwords (even for accounts you don’t care about), why you definitely should use a password manager, and why you should switch your email account to login by something better than a password: the passkey. We’re here to evangelize the importance of digital security – and keep you from getting hacked. If there’s someone in your life who needs to hear this, share this episode with them.</p> <p>Useful links: </p> <p>Check to see if your data’s been leaked: <a href="https://haveibeenpwned.com/">https://haveibeenpwned.com/</a></p> <p>Check how strong your passwords are: <a href="https://bitwarden.com/password-strength/">https://bitwarden.com/password-strength/</a></p> <p>Set up Google passkey: <a href="https://g.co/passkeys">https://g.co/passkeys</a></p> <p>Got something you’re curious about? Hit us up <a href="mailto:killswitch@kaleidoscope.nyc">killswitch@kaleidoscope.nyc</a>, or @dexdigi on IG or Bluesky.</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
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the algorithm made me say it
Jul 16, 2025 33 min<p>We’re living in a world shaped by algorithms. They’re not just curating our feeds, they’re changing the way we speak. </p> <p>Dexter talks with Adam Aleksic, aka the Etymology Nerd, about his new book <em>Algospeak: How Social Media Is Transforming the Future of Language. </em>They unpack how algorithmic censorship on social media is reshaping the way we use language online, and how it’s bleeding into real life. </p> <p>Read + Watch: </p> <p>Make sure to check out Adam’s book, <em>Algospeak</em>: <a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/776856/algospeak-by-adam-aleksic/">https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/776856/algospeak-by-adam-aleksic/</a></p> <p>Where to find Adam online: <br><a href="https://www.etymologynerd.com/">https://www.etymologynerd.com/</a></p> <p><a href="https://etymology.substack.com/">https://etymology.substack.com/</a></p> <p>Or @etymologynerd on social media.</p> <p>Got something you’re curious about? Hit us up <a href="mailto:killswitch@kaleidoscope.nyc">killswitch@kaleidoscope.nyc</a>, or @dexdigi on IG or Bluesky.</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
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how to poison AI music scrapers
Jul 9, 2025 35 min<p>AI music generators are not only the product of scraped (read: stolen) music, they’re also threatening the livelihood of musicians. But there are people who are finding ways to fight back – by using a technique called poison pilling. This week, Dexter talks to two of them: Benn Jordan, a musician and YouTuber who developed a tool called Poisonify, and Jian Liu, the lead developer of HarmonyCloak and Music Shield. These programs add imperceptible noise to a music file rendering it indecipherable to an AI model – and we got to test out how these work with our own theme song.</p> <p>Read + Watch: </p> <p>Benn’s YouTube video – <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMYm2d9bmEA">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMYm2d9bmEA</a></p> <p>Jian Liu and Syed Irfan’s paper on HarmonyCloak – <a href="https://mosis.eecs.utk.edu/publications/meerza2024harmonycloak.pdf">https://mosis.eecs.utk.edu/publications/meerza2024harmonycloak.pdf</a></p> <p>Got something you’re curious about? Hit us up <a href="mailto:killswitch@kaleidoscope.nyc">killswitch@kaleidoscope.nyc</a>, or @killswitchpod on IG, or @dexdigi anywhere.</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
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how to: break up with netflix (and spotify, and…)
Jul 2, 2025 32 min<p>Once upon a time streaming delivered a utopian fantasy – anything you wanted to watch or listen to, at your fingertips. Now, we’re saddled with dozens of subscriptions and our digital library is at the whim of big tech companies. Even your Kindle books can be deleted without your consent. Is there another way? Dexter talks to Janus Rose, a journalist and artist, who has a solution to this problem: become a digital packrat. That means keeping all of your favorite digital media locally and setting up your own server. And if you want to try it for yourself, this episode will walk you through how.</p> <p>Resources:</p> <p>Janus’s article on 404 – <a href="https://www.404media.co/the-digital-packrat-manifesto/">The Digital Packrat Manifesto</a></p> <p>Download Plex: <a href="https://www.plex.tv/">https://www.plex.tv/</a></p> <p>Download Handbrake (use this to rip DVDs): <a href="https://handbrake.fr">https://handbrake.fr</a></p> <p>Download MakeMKV (not mentioned in the show, but see below): <a href="https://www.makemkv.com">https://www.makemkv.com</a></p> <p>### YouTube How-To Links ###</p> <p>"3 Ways to Start Your Own Plex Server" (15 minutes): <br><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKDSld-CrHU">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKDSld-CrHU</a></p> <p>"Plex Media Server for Mac" (4 minutes): <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNRcIOf0YYE">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNRcIOf0YYE</a></p> <p>"How to rip DVDs with MakeMKV and Use Handbrake for Hardware Transcoding" (15 minutes):</p> <p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_xdrscVB0Y">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_xdrscVB0Y</a></p> <p>Got something you’re curious about? Hit us up <a href="mailto:killswitch@kaleidoscope.nyc">killswitch@kaleidoscope.nyc</a>, or @killswitchpod on Instagram.</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
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boomers, doomers, and the new empire
Jun 25, 2025 41 min<p>Big Tech promised AI would solve our biggest problems. But behind the hype there is a more unsettling reality: labor exploitation, environmental harm, and the looming threat of mass automation.</p> <p>Dexter sits down with journalist Karen Hao to talk about her new book <em>Empire of AI: Dreams and Nightmares in Sam Altman's OpenAI. </em>They dig into how today’s AI companies are operating less like tech innovators and more like empires.</p> <p>Make sure to check out Karen’s book, <em>Empire of AI</em>: <a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/743569/empire-of-ai-by-karen-hao/">https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/743569/empire-of-ai-by-karen-hao/</a></p> <p>Got something you’re curious about? Hit us up <a href="mailto:killswitch@kaleidoscope.nyc">killswitch@kaleidoscope.nyc</a>, or @dexdigi on IG or Bluesky.</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
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why are predator drones flying over LA?
Jun 18, 2025 27 min<p>When ICE raids sparked massive protests across Los Angeles, something unusual appeared in the sky: Predator drones. Dexter talks to <a href="https://www.404media.co/author/joseph-cox/">Joseph Cox</a> over at <a href="https://www.404media.co/">404 Media</a> to understand how military-grade surveillance aircrafts ended up flying over U.S. citizens and what that means for the future of civil liberties.</p> <p>Read + Watch: </p> <p>Joseph’s articles on the Predator drones flying over the protests:</p> <p><em>DHS Flew Predator Drones Over LA Protests, Audio Shows</em>: <a href="https://www.404media.co/dhs-flew-predator-drones-over-la-protests-audio-shows/">https://www.404media.co/dhs-flew-predator-drones-over-la-protests-audio-shows/</a></p> <p><em>CBP Confirms It Is Flying Predator Drones Above Los Angeles To Support ICE</em>: <a href="https://www.404media.co/cbp-confirms-it-is-flying-predator-drones-above-los-angeles-to-support-ice/">https://www.404media.co/cbp-confirms-it-is-flying-predator-drones-above-los-angeles-to-support-ice/</a></p> <p>Also: <br><em>How to Protest Safely: What to Bring, What to Do, and What to Avoid</em>: <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-protest-safely-gear-tips/">https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-protest-safely-gear-tips/</a></p> <p><em>How to Protest Safely in the Age of Surveillance</em>: <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-protest-safely-surveillance-digital-privacy/">https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-protest-safely-surveillance-digital-privacy/</a></p> <p>Got something you’re curious about? Hit us up <a href="mailto:killswitch@kaleidoscope.nyc">killswitch@kaleidoscope.nyc</a>, or @dexdigi on IG or Bluesky.</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
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sideways thinking: why is Nintendo so weird?
Jun 11, 2025 37 min<p>The Nintendo Switch 2 is out – but why did Nintendo credit someone who died in 1997 in a press release for the console? Dexter talked to <a href="https://remapradio.com/author/patrick/">Patrick Klepek</a>, of the video game website <a href="https://remapradio.com/">Remap</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrIttXi0WgLXHI1poCk0D6g">Jeremy Parish</a>, an expert in video game history, to tell the story of Gunpei Yokoi and how his influence led us to the Switch 2.</p> <p>Read + Watch: </p> <ul> <li>Patrick's article on Switch 2 games he's excited to play with his kids – <a href="https://www.crossplay.news/p/best-games-for-kids-and-families-june-2025">https://www.crossplay.news/p/best-games-for-kids-and-families-june-2025</a></li> <li>Jeremy on Bad Dudes and Ronald Reagan – <a href="https://youtu.be/ZpZddGOKrIk">https://youtu.be/ZpZddGOKrIk</a></li> <li>Did You Know Gaming on Gunpei Yokoi – <a href="https://youtu.be/uLznLtgcqXI">https://youtu.be/uLznLtgcqXI</a></li> </ul> <p>Got something you’re curious about? Hit us up <a href="mailto:killswitch@kaleidoscope.nyc">killswitch@kaleidoscope.nyc</a>, or @dexdigi on IG or Bluesky.</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
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is using AI worse than driving a car?
Jun 4, 2025 32 min<p>Dexter doesn't have a car. But he uses AI… a lot. So, is his environmental impact worse than someone who drives a truck to work every day? </p> <p>This seemingly simple question led us to a bigger conversation about water, public health, and why we still don't know much about the true environmental cost of artificial intelligence. </p> <p>To help us understand all this, we talk to researchers <a href="https://shaoleiren.github.io/">Shaolei Ren</a> and <a href="https://digiconomist.net/about/">Alex de Vries</a>, who’ve been studying the toll AI takes on the planet.</p> <p>Got something you’re curious about? Hit us up <a href="mailto:killswitch@kaleidoscope.nyc">killswitch@kaleidoscope.nyc</a>, or @dexdigi on IG or Bluesky.</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
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how did Twitter’s AI get so obsessed with white genocide?
May 28, 2025 36 min<p>For about 24 hours, Grok, Twitter’s AI chatbot, went berserk. You could ask it about puppies, sports, or movies, and it would reply with a bizarre diatribe about white genocide in South Africa. If you’ve already heard of this, you’ve probably seen people dunking on Elon Musk, and, well, that’s understandable. But Max Read, today’s guest, explains why this brief peek into a weird conspiracy theory might have actually been a good thing.</p> <p>Got something you’re curious about? Hit us up <a href="mailto:killswitch@kaleidoscope.nyc">killswitch@kaleidoscope.nyc</a>, or @dexdigi on IG or Bluesky.</p> <p>Read: <a href="https://maxread.substack.com/p/regarding-white-genocide">Max’s Substack article</a> on the whole thing.</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
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can AI create ‘ethical’ true crime?
May 21, 2025 34 min<p>Almost two million people watched a horrific story of a murder in Colorado: the “grisly” death of a real estate agent who had a secret affair with his stepson. The problem is, there was no crime. Dexter talks to Henry Larson, the reporter who tracked down the guy behind the video, about where the story came from and what it means for the “True Crime” genre. He also asks True Crime podcasters, Lauren Bright Pacheco and Bob Motta, about how this trend is a threat to more than just their livelihoods.</p> <p>Got something you’re curious about? Hit us up <a href="mailto:killswitch@kaleidoscope.nyc">killswitch@kaleidoscope.nyc</a>, or @dexdigi on IG or Bluesky.</p> <p>Read: Henry’s article, <em>A ‘True Crime’ Documentary Series Has Millions of Views. The Murders Are All AI-Generated</em>: <a href="https://www.404media.co/a-true-crime-documentary-series-has-millions-of-views-the-murders-are-all-ai-generated/">https://www.404media.co/a-true-crime-documentary-series-has-millions-of-views-the-murders-are-all-ai-generated/</a></p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
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why is the US gov using a ‘cartoonishly hackable’ messaging app?
May 14, 2025 37 min<p>About 48 hours after the US National Security Advisor was spotted using a weird cloned version of Signal, someone said they’d hacked it. It took them all of 15 minutes. We now know that TeleMessage is ‘cartoonishly hackable,’ but we still don’t know why top White House officials were using it. And what about the investigation to find out if this Israel-based app is bad on accident, or on purpose? I called up my friends Evan McMorris-Santoro of NOTUS and Joseph Cox of 404 Media to get some more context on how bad this might actually be.</p> <p>Here’s the links promised in the episode:</p> <p><a href="https://www.notus.org/newsletters">Evan’s daily newsletter in NOTUS</a><br><a href="https://www.404media.co/the-signal-clone-the-trump-admin-uses-was-hacked/">Joseph’s article in 404 on the Telemessage hack</a><br>And here’s Micha Lee’s <a href="https://micahflee.com/despite-misleading-marketing-israeli-company-telemessage-used-by-trump-officials-can-access-plaintext-chat-logs/">technical breakdown</a> of Telemessage’s security problems</p> <p>Our guests:<br>Evan McMorris-Santoro: <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/evanmcs.bsky.social">@evanmcs.bsky.social</a><br>Joseph Cox: <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/josephcox.bsky.social">@josephcox.bsky.social</a></p> <p>Got something you’re curious about? Hit up @dexdigi on IG or Bluesky. See you on the next one.</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
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how to make money from fake AI videos
May 7, 2025 45 min<p>Have you seen Shrimp Jesus? What about the Hollywood sign burning? It probably feels random, but it’s not. There are real people behind AI Slop, and there’s real money to be made. Dexter talks to Jason Koebler from 404 Media who’s been tracking AI slop since its beginnings, and they compare notes to try to figure out where the money is coming from.</p> <p>Got something you’re curious about? Hit us up <a href="mailto:killswitch@kaleidoscope.nyc">killswitch@kaleidoscope.nyc</a>, or @dexdigi on IG or Bluesky.</p> <p>Read + watch: </p> <p>Jason’s article, <a href="https://www.404media.co/email/1cdf7620-2e2f-4450-9cd9-e041f4f0c27f/">Facebook's Shrimp Jesus, Explained</a></p> <p>Dexter’s article, <a href="https://www.404media.co/inside-the-economy-of-ai-spammers-getting-rich-by-exploiting-disasters-and-misery/">Inside the Economy of AI Spammers Getting Rich By Exploiting Disasters and Misery</a></p> <p>Dexter’s video: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyK-r6947fo">people made money doing this. (so did Instagram)</a></p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
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the biggest hack that never happened: the xz utils story
Apr 30, 2025 41 min<p>While you were going about your life, we all narrowly avoided a complete disaster. This is the story of how one lone Microsoft engineer saved all of us. Dexter talks to Alex Stamos, Chief Information Security Officer at SentinelOne, about how it all went down and why this story still terrifies him today.</p> <p>Got something you’re curious about? Hit us up <a href="mailto:killswitch@kaleidoscope.nyc">killswitch@kaleidoscope.nyc</a>, or @dexdigi on IG or Bluesky.</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
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could you be arrested by a computer?
Apr 23, 2025 39 min<p>Welcome to our first episode of <em>kill switch</em>, where we’re diving right into the deep end – investigating how police departments are implementing AI technology. Can AI facial recognition be a magical solution to the unreliability of witness identification? Or is it just making things worse? Dexter talks to Douglas MacMillan, a reporter from the <em>Washington Post</em>, who has been tracking the spread of the technology, and where it seems to (repeatedly) break down.</p> <p>Got something you’re curious about? Hit us up <a href="mailto:killswitch@kaleidoscope.nyc">killswitch@kaleidoscope.nyc</a>, or @dexdigi on IG or Bluesky.</p> <p><strong>Read</strong>: Doug’s article, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/interactive/2025/police-artificial-intelligence-facial-recognition/?itid=ap_douglasmacmillan_1">Arrested by AI</a></p> <p><strong>Listen</strong>: <em>Post Reports</em> podcast episode, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/podcasts/post-reports/arrested-by-ai/">Arrested by AI</a></p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
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Introducing: kill switch
Apr 16, 2025 2 min<p><em>Sleepwalkers</em> is now <em>Kill Switch</em>, where we explain the right now of living in the future. Everything from making money on saving fake baby animals to how you could get arrested by a police algorithm. Every Wednesday we talk to people to help us understand how our tech-focused society works …or doesn't work.</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
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Sleepwalkers Is Back
Apr 9, 2025 7 min<p>Were we sleeping when everything changed? Not if you listened to the first season of this podcast, because a whole lot of what we explored is now reality. Seems like the technologically driven future is already here. So we've decided to bring the show back -- with a new host, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/dexdigi/?hl=en">Dexter Thomas Jr </a>and a new perspective. </p> <p>On <em>Kill Switch</em>, we explain the right NOW of our super charged technological lives. Examining the ways we shape and are shaped by our ever-changing technology.</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
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Modern Alchemy
Aug 27, 2021 22 min<p>We explore the hidden role of cobalt in the A.I. revolution. The element is a key ingredient of lithium-ion batteries, which power everything from cell phones to laptops to electric vehicles. But the way cobalt is mined is troubling. New Yorker journalist Nicolas Niarchos takes us to the Democratic Republic of Congo, which accounts for more than 70% of the world's cobalt supply. There, he exposes child labor in the supply chain and reveals a new frontier of competition with China. </p><p> </p> Learn more about your ad-choices at <a href="https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com">https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com</a><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
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Sleepwalkers at CES
Jan 24, 2020 24 min<p>In this special bonus episode, Oz and Karah share their trip to the Consumer Electronics Show. They present excerpts from a conversation with Matt Monahan of The Washington Post about how to best harness the power of AI, while avoiding common pitfalls. Matt is head of product for Arc Publishing, which began life as The Post's internal publishing suite, and is now licensed by hundreds of partner sites. Oz and Karah also discuss their highlights from the CES floor, including a device to track dogs' emotions. </p><p> </p> Learn more about your ad-choices at <a href="https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com">https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com</a><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
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AI & Us
Jan 14, 2020 27 min<p>In this special episode, Oz and Karah examine our evolving relationship with the technology we create. Karah meets Jason Cohen, CEO of Analytical Flavor Systems, to see if his team can hack her taste preferences, and use AI to create a new flavor of beverage that she will love. Oz and Karah also look ahead to Season 2, previewing stories they are excited to report, including algorithms that promise to optimize end-of-life conversations. And they share highlights from conversations with guests from Season 1 who shaped their thinking about AI: Yuval Noah Harari, Siddhartha Mukherjee, and Regina Barzilay of MIT. </p><p> </p> Learn more about your ad-choices at <a href="https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com">https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com</a><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
