Disconnected

From digital banks to 24 hour grocery delivery, it’s clear that our everyday lives are being increasingly shaped by technology, but not every country is advancing equally…

Having lived in Singapore, Honk Kong and London, Felina Tan is perfectly placed to lead us in a comparison of global tech, whether we’ll see the West adopt a more one-app-fits-all system, the lack of growth in digital banking in the East, and check in on Elon Musk’s controversy-stirring Twitter moves.

This episode of Disconnected covers:

• Fallout from Elon Musk’s recent Twitter purchase
• Differences in technological advancements around the world
• The prevalence of digital banks like Monzo and Starling
• Whether the west will ever adopt a one-app-for-everything approach

Links and references at: https://disconnectedpodcast.com/

Jag Sharma:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jagsharma
https://www.instagram.com/jagsharma/

Jen Campbell:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-m-campbell/

Jason Kapadia:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonkapadia/
https://www.instagram.com/jasonkapadia/

Felina Tan:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/felinagabrielletan/

Matt Webster:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattwwebster/

We've come so far from the days of Pac-Man and Pong, but has gaming lost its way?

Video games bring us entertainment, escapism, challenge and social connection in equal measure, particularly as their scale and budget grows, but Jag Sharma and Jason Kapadia have some huge gripes with the industry.

On this games-focused episode of Disconnected, we dive into the rich history of retro games, opportunities in the space, the rampant mobile gaming industry, and what needs to be done to fix video gaming’s biggest bugbears.

This episode of Disconnected covers:

• What attracts people to the video game industry as consumers and businesses
• Why gaming is so absurdly expensive and aggressively monetised
• Mobile games leading the industry in practices both good and malicious
• The biggest selling consoles throughout the decades
• The future of gaming

Links and references at: https://disconnectedpodcast.com/

Jag Sharma:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jagsharma
https://www.instagram.com/jagsharma/

Jen Campbell:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-m-campbell/

Jason Kapadia:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonkapadia/
https://www.instagram.com/jasonkapadia/

Felina Tan:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/felinagabrielletan/

Matt Webster:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattwwebster/

Nothing is as it seems on the internet anymore - not even a simple cheese pizza.

‘Algospeak’ is a language growing in prevalence as a way to fight algorithmic censorship. The question that remains: can we keep up with it all?

We dive into the implications of algorithm-dodging on this week’s podcast, as well as a look at Tesla’s robotic answer to Asimo and Boston Dynamics, the revitalised talks between Elon Musk and Twitter, plus some extra-special news to round off the episode…

This episode of Disconnected covers:

• Growing use of ‘Algospeak’ to discuss topics online without censorship
• Tesla’s new Optimus robot, and how it builds on Asimo’s legacy
• Elon Musk’s return to the Twitter buyout deal

Links and references at: https://disconnectedpodcast.com/

Jag Sharma:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jagsharma
https://www.instagram.com/jagsharma/

Jen Campbell:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-m-campbell/

Jason Kapadia:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonkapadia/
https://www.instagram.com/jasonkapadia/

Felina Tan:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/felinagabrielletan/

Matt Webster:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattwwebster/

TikTok might understand your own identity before you do.

There’s a lot of incredibly smart algorithms and an immense truckload of data behind each one of us on the platform. Should this be cause for concern from a platform that’s replacing search engines and news sites?

We dive into the opportunities and concerns with the platform on Disconnected, as well as how the anti-vax conversation has been driven to using secret emoji codes, whether Netflix is sacrificing binge watching to keep the platform alive, and more.

This episode of Disconnected covers:

• TikTok’s scarily impressive algorithm
• Whether TikTok is set to replace search engines and news sources
• The hidden translations of seemingly-innocent emojis
• Netflix’s complex relationship with binge watching
• Incredible mental health activism work by the likes of @talktococo

Links and references at: https://disconnectedpodcast.com/

Jag Sharma:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jagsharma
https://www.instagram.com/jagsharma/

Jen Campbell:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-m-campbell/

Jason Kapadia:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonkapadia/
https://www.instagram.com/jasonkapadia/

Felina Tan:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/felinagabrielletan/

Matt Webster:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattwwebster/

No original idea remains original for long in the tech world…

The once novel idea of BeReal’s dual camera platform is being copied by Snap and Instagram, so with a new platform on the rise - Poparazzi - how long will it last before its imitators emerge?

As we dive into the latest news in social media technology on this week’s episode of Disconnected, find out more on the rise of social media subscription models, Twitter’s long-awaited edit button, Mark Zuckerberg’s dismay at our scrolling habits, and much more.

This episode of Disconnected covers:

• Twitter’s long-awaited, highly requested edit button
• The oversaturation of social media platform subscription services
• Snapchat’s Web3 struggles and BeReal clones
• Mark Zuckerberg’s take on the social media landscape he’s created
• A new, rising social media platform with a twist - Poparazzi

Links and references at: https://disconnectedpodcast.com/

Jag Sharma:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jagsharma
https://www.instagram.com/jagsharma/

Jen Campbell:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-m-campbell/

Jason Kapadia:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonkapadia/
https://www.instagram.com/jasonkapadia/

Felina Tan:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/felinagabrielletan/

Matt Webster:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattwwebster/

Tech has irreversibly changed the childhood experience, for better or for worse.

Where once the world’s answers were found in the Encyclopaedia Britannica on disks, they’re a tap away from us on the very phones that keep kids entertained, connected, and distracted.

We’re taking a look at how far technology has come for those heading back to schools and universities, the doors it unlocks for the next generation, and the societal pitfalls to which our kids are suddenly exposed…

This episode of Disconnected covers:

• The broader perspectives accessible at such a young age
• Combatting new forms of cyberbullying
• How tech could enable friendships that transcend geographical barriers
• Whether we’re truly equipped to teach our kids about the tech world
• Silicon Valley execs protecting their children from the very tech they create
• The sheer quantity of pop culture, and why many won’t bother to keep up

Links and references at: https://disconnectedpodcast.com/

Jag Sharma:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jagsharma
https://www.instagram.com/jagsharma/

Jen Campbell:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-m-campbell/

Jason Kapadia:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonkapadia/
https://www.instagram.com/jasonkapadia/

Felina Tan:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/felinagabrielletan/

Matt Webster:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattwwebster/

What happens when AI amplifies the most toxic traits of humanity?

The racist, anti-semetic and inflammatory views being spewed from Meta’s new chatbot hold a huge mirror to the sources on which it was trained, and poses a question over the role a chatbot should play.

We dive into this sensitive topic on Disconnected this week, along with the latest on possibly the world’s most valuable hard drive to find its way into landfill, DALL-E 2’s incredible AI artistry, and much more.

This episode of Disconnected covers:

• The hard drive lost to landfill worth millions in bitcoin
• Meta’s latest chatbot and its shocking opinions
• DALL-E 2’s incredible use of AI and its impact on artistry 
• How vital it is to consider the human input to AI systems
• Whether Snap’s new parental controls can really work
• The campaign to Make Instagram Instagram Again

Links and references at: https://disconnectedpodcast.com/

Jag Sharma:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jagsharma
https://www.instagram.com/jagsharma/

Jen Campbell:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-m-campbell/

Jason Kapadia:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonkapadia/
https://www.instagram.com/jasonkapadia/

Felina Tan:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/felinagabrielletan/

Matt Webster:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattwwebster/

Travel technology is bringing the world closer together, but are we ready for it?

While virtual influencers and autonomous taxis encourage us to embrace the world around us, we’re also hampered by the Instagram vs Reality disconnect and over-reliance on tech to solve our climate issues.

We’re tackling all things travel on Disconnected this week, hosted in Jag’s absence by Jen Campbell, joined by Ben Wiggins and Charis Marr.

This episode of Disconnected covers:

• Whether driverless cars are truly ready for global use
• Essential tech emerging in the travel sector
• The uptake of tracking technology in travel baggage
• Over-reliance on innovation to solve climate change
• Social media’s influence on travellers
• Virtual citizens and AI influencers

Links and references at: https://disconnectedpodcast.com/

Jag Sharma:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jagsharma
https://www.instagram.com/jagsharma/

Jen Campbell:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-m-campbell/

Jason Kapadia:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonkapadia/
https://www.instagram.com/jasonkapadia/

Felina Tan:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/felinagabrielletan/

Matt Webster:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattwwebster/

Gen Z are the first generation not to know a time pre-internet - that makes them the driving force behind our technological future.

They’re often bundled in with Millennials when disparaging criticism is launched at younger generations, but there’s huge differences between the Millennial ‘digital natives’ and the tech-dependent Gen Z. 

Discover what the next generation holds for us, from values-led living and a nose for sniffing out inauthenticity, to the effectiveness of influencer marketing and infamously short attention spans.

This episode of Disconnected covers:

• Who Gen Z are, and the values that distinguish them from Millennials
• How brands need to change their actions and messaging for future generations 
• Potential use cases and pitfalls of having ‘virtual children’
• Social platforms adding premium subscription options
• Influencer marketing with a generation that values authenticity

Links and references at: https://disconnectedpodcast.com/

Jag Sharma:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jagsharma
https://www.instagram.com/jagsharma/

Jen Campbell:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-m-campbell/

Jason Kapadia:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonkapadia/
https://www.instagram.com/jasonkapadia/

Felina Tan:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/felinagabrielletan/

Matt Webster:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattwwebster/

In the wake of the monumental news around Roe v Wade, can we be certain of our data security?

Many of us find digital spaces to be a haven of anonymity for any health concerns, WebMD knows more about us than our doctors in most cases - can we expect our personal data to be safe from prying eyes, particularly those of governments?

We’re joined by The Social Element’s Wendy Christie this week, as we chime in on the dehumanisation of gig workers, the ‘gig enterprise’, Brownies attempting to encourage more girls into STEM, and much more!

This episode of Disconnected covers:

• Roe v Wade, abortion rights state-by-state, and how that affects the privacy of search history and personal data
• The gradual dehumanisation of gig work, and growth of the gig economy
• How blockchain could play a role in ‘Gig Enterprises’
• Brownies, Guides, and their introduction of coding into the life skills they teach
• Routes into social media careers, and the ideal traits to enter the social space

Links and references at: https://disconnectedpodcast.com/

Jag Sharma:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jagsharma
https://www.instagram.com/jagsharma/

Jen Campbell:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-m-campbell/

Jason Kapadia:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonkapadia/
https://www.instagram.com/jasonkapadia/

Felina Tan:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/felinagabrielletan/

Matt Webster:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattwwebster/