Close All Tabs

By KQEDSociety & Culture Technology

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Typical duration
37 min
per episode

Based on Podcast App listening data

Close All Tabs episodes

January 14, 2025 Influencer Endorsements Gone Wild
This episode was originally published November 2, 2024.

In this final episode of the Close All Tabs miniseries, host Morgan Sung examines the increasing power of social media influencers in politics. Joined by WIRED senior tech and politics writer Makena Kelly, Morgan dives into the growing tensions between influencers and traditional journalists and explores how “shadow money” is quietly flowing to influencers for political endorsements, keeping the public in the dark about who’s funding content.
Read the transcript of this episode here.

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37 min
January 14, 2025 Stan Wars, The Fandom Menace
This episode was originally published October 26, 2024.

In this episode of Close All Tabs, host Morgan Sung examines the rise of “stan culture” in politics, where passionate supporters rally around political figures with the same fervor typically reserved for pop stars. Morgan is joined by tech and culture reporter Kat Tenbarge to unpack the evolution of cults of personality in digital spaces, what makes some candidates more “stan-worthy” than others, and how all of this has troubling implications for public discourse.
Read the transcript here.

Want to give us feedback on the series? Shoot us an email at [email protected]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
34 min
January 14, 2025 Couch F***** Memes vs The Truth
This episode was originally published October 19, 2024.

In this episode of Close All Tabs, host Morgan Sung dives into the world of viral political memes with TechCrunch senior writer Amanda Silberling, unraveling the origins of the infamous JD Vance “couch rumor.” What began as a seemingly frivolous post on X about the Republican VP nominee spiraled into a meme with real-world consequences, shifting the tone of the race. Morgan is also joined by Imran Ahmed, CEO of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, to explore the fragile line between satire and disinformation in modern politics.
Read the transcript here.

Want to give us feedback on the series? Shoot us an email at [email protected]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
37 min
January 14, 2025 From the Dean Scream to Brat Memes
This episode was originally published October 12, 2024.

Welcome to Close All Tabs, a special KQED podcast series exploring the intersection of internet culture and politics. In this first episode, host Morgan Sung takes us through the evolution of online campaigning—from the early days of dial-up modems to today’s Twitch streams. We’ll revisit iconic moments like “the Dean scream” and “Pokemon Go to the polls,” examine how memes became a legitimate political force, and discuss why Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are turning to podcasters and streamers to reach voters.
Read the transcript here.

Want to give us feedback on the series? Shoot us an email at [email protected]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
40 min
April 29, 2021 If You’re Offered the Johnson & Johnson Vaccine, Take It, Experts Say. Here’s Why
The risk of a blood clot developing after a J&J vaccine is tiny, but it's also scary and confusing. We break down ways to evaluate vaccine options.
4 min
April 01, 2021 ‘Worst. Editorial. Guidance. Ever.’ KQED Science Reporters Reflect on the Pandemic’s Early Days
Struggles, decisions and startling moments that shaped KQED's science coverage in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic.
8 min
March 15, 2021 Kelp, Sea Otters and Urchins. Who’s Eating Who in Monterey Bay
California's underwater kelp forests are suffering massive declines. But a new study shows that sea otters are helping to preserve kelp off the Central Coast.
5 min
February 05, 2021 California Has a Rule to Protect Workers Against Pandemics. Here’s How It’s (Not) Working
California has a rule aimed at preparing hundreds of thousands of workers from airborne disease. Why didn't it protect more people?
7 min
December 18, 2020 Only 2,000 Monarch Butterflies Remain in California. But They Still Don’t Have Protection
Federal wildlife officials say that monarch butterflies qualify to be protected as an endangered species but won't be receiving that protection for now.
2 min
December 01, 2020 Analysis: Trump Administration Incompetence Helped Save Environmental Regulations
Donald Trump had one of the most antienvironmental agendas in U.S. history, says Rolling Stone's Hannah Murphy. However, his administration 'was really quite bad' at carrying out its plans. KQED talks to Murphy about this and what Joe Biden can do to put the environment front and center.
5 min

About Close All Tabs

From the publisher's feed

Ever wonder where the internet stops and IRL begins? Close All Tabs breaks down how digital culture shapes our world through thoughtful insights and irreverent humor. From internet trends to AI slop to the politics of memes, Close All Tabs covers it all.