Future Forward

Robots. Are they coming to take your jobs?

Today, we have a show that has creatives cowering behind their keyboards. Has AI really arrived, and will it take our jobs?

Is Robot Garfield likely to replace Human Garfield - and how soon.

Today. Can tech stem the tide of misinformation as the elections approach? YouTube claims to have a plan. Then: Turkey’s Erdogan has a plan for people who publish ‘misinformation’ - put them in jail. The only problem is who defines misinformation. And, Biden takes on China. But it’s complicated. I’m Steven Rosenbaum, and this is Future Forward. Here with my podcasting partner in crime - Bob Garfield.

Today. Elon Musk unveils a robot, another step toward his IronMan efforts. Yet at the same time, Musks emails reveal a shocking billionaire bro culture. It’s kinda gross. Then, out of London, a UK Coroner lists Instagram algorithm as contributing cause of UK teen’s death - whose father accuses Instagram of Monetizing Misery. It’s hard to disagree. And, is TikTok’s charm offensive working in Washington? Maybe yes. That’s what’s in store for today's Future Forward. I’m Steven Rosenbaum, along with my partner in Podcast Crime Bob Garfield.

We start with the complicated nexus of the slow-moving judicial system, and the ‘flood the zone with crap’ former president. Together, we’ll declassify some stuff. Then, Google was the darling of the Danish public schools, until it wasn’t. And, the German efforts to control hate speech. It’s a hard line to draw, and a harder one to cross. I’m Steven Rosenbaum, and this is Future Forward, here with my podcast partner in crime, Bob Garfield. Hey Bob - have you switched to pumpkin spice latte yet?

Today. California passes sweeping child protection legislation aimed a the big tech platforms, but is that really the problem? Then - TikTok goes to congress and gets grilled. So - maybe the clock is Ticking on TikTok. And - two state governors create a made for TV show, and the TV camera’s happily obliged. But is shipping asylum seekers to democratic vacation spots even legal?

This is Future forward, I’m Steven Rosenbaum, here with my podcast partner in crime Bob Garfield.

A Personal Journey - Untold Until Now.

We’ve got lots of tech this week, and as you might expect, it overlaps with politics - as it increasingly does. Google and folks are going to protect us from misinformation during the coming midterms. Hour GOP folks - 30 of them are holding Zuckerberg accountable for Hunter Bidden. Ok, sure. And Twitter gets an edit button, if you’r willing to pay 60 dollars.

Niche internet micro-celebrities are taking over the internethttps://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/08/24/nimcel-influencers-tiktok-youtube/How micro-influencers and mummy bloggers with VERY small followings are earning up to $200,000 a year with sponsored postshttps://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-11148333/How-micro-influencers-earning-big-bucks.htmlINSIDE THE LUCRATIVE WORLD OF PET INFLUENCERShttps://www.mic.com/life/what-its-like-pet-influencer-moneyMeet the Lobbyist Next Doorhttps://www.wired.com/story/meet-the-lobbyist-next-door/

Today - a pod in two chapters.

Chapter 1. CNN is getting out of the media criticism business - after THIRTY years. How does the the termination of both Reliable Sources and Host Brian Stelter portend a less introspective time for media prognostication? Or was it just Brian? We’ll dig in.

Then Chapter 2 -

Adam Neumann’s staggering melt down at We Work doesn’t seem to have tarnish his brand in Silicon Valley. So, what’s the real story about his new startup FLOW. Is is the HBO Drama all you need to know about Nueman, or is there more to the story?

I’m Steven Rosenbaum, and his is Future Forward - and Bob Garfield is back to help pilot the Pod. He Bob, Welcome.

Today - A pod in two acts. Act 1, you’ve heard plenty about Mara Lago, the FBI search, and the unspooling drama about the security issues and nuclear secrets. But friend of the Pod Bob Garfield says there’s more to the story. And he sees the unspooling conspiracy theories being tweeted out by democrats as part of a troubling trend. Then, as a growing chorus of voices says that social media is addictive to teens, California was poised to write some ground breaking legislation. Now it’s dead, so what happened? Finally, Snap Chat puts in place some parental controls that seem promising. I’m Steven Rosenbaum, and this is Future Forward, let’s launch.