Let's Know Things

By Colin Wright

What's Let's Know Things about?

A calm, non-shouty, non-polemical, weekly news analysis podcast for folks of all stripes and leanings who want to know more about what's happening in the world around them. Hosted by analytic journalist Colin Wright since 2016.

letsknowthings.substack.com

5.0

375375 ratings

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Let's Know Things episodes:

04.16.2024
Presidential Immunity
This week we talk about diplomatic immunity, Trump’s court cases, and the Supreme Court. We also discuss Nixon, Clinton, and the US Constitution. Recommended Book: My upcoming book, How To Turn 39 (https://books2read.com/htt39), which is available for pre-order today :)...
04.09.2024
XZ Utils Hack
This week we talk about Linux, backdoors, and the Open Source community. We also discuss CPU usage, state-backed hackers, and SSH. Recommended Book: The Underworld by Susan Casey Transcript In the world of computers, a "backdoor" is a means of...
04.02.2024
Cocoa Shortage
This week we talk about cacao, plantations, and bean-to-bar chocolate. We also discuss black pod disease, swollen shoot virus, and seed pod currency. Recommended Book: The City & The City by China Miéville Transcript The cocoa bean, also called "cacao," is...
03.26.2024
DRC Conflict
This week we talk about the Rwandan genocide, the First and Second Congo Wars, and M23. We also discuss civil wars, proxy conflicts, and resource curses. Recommended Book: Everyday Utopia by Kristen R. Ghodsee Transcript The Democratic Republic of the Congo,...
03.19.2024
Bigger Oil
This week we talk about mergers, acquisitions, and the Shale Oil Revolution. We also discuss liquid natural gas, energy diplomacy, and political hypocrisy. Recommended Book: Eversion by Alastair Reynolds Transcript For the sixth year in a row, the United States...
03.12.2024
Ukraine War Update (Early 2024)
This week we talk about foreign aid, brain drain, and long-term economic consequences. We also discuss the Rasputitsa, counteroffensives, and strategic rethinks. Recommended Book: The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi Transcript We've done this a few times before, but...
03.05.2024
LockBit
This week we talk about virtual reality, the Meta Quest, and the Apple Vision Pro. We also discuss augmented reality, Magic Leap, and the iPhone. Recommended Book: Daemon by Daniel Suarez Transcript Ransomware is a sub-type of malware, which is...
02.27.2024
Japan's Economy
This week we talk about the Meiji Revolution, shoguns, and the Lost Decade. We also discuss NVIDIA, economic bubbles, and the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Recommended Book: The Blue Machine by Helen Czerski Transcript What became known as the Meiji Restoration,...
02.20.2024
Spacial Computing
This week we talk about virtual reality, the Meta Quest, and the Apple Vision Pro. We also discuss augmented reality, Magic Leap, and the iPhone. Recommended Book: Extremely Online by Taylor Lorenz Transcript The term spacial computing seems to have...
02.13.2024
News Media Collapse
This week we talk about The Messenger, ads, and generative AI. We also discuss search engines, algorithms, and Semafor’s new curation tool. Recommended Book: The Coming Wave by Mustafa Suleyman Transcript There was a piece published on McSweeney's, a humorous,...
02.06.2024
Autoimmune Disease Therapies
This week we talk about CAR Ts, lupus, and antigen-presenting cells. We also discuss Hashimoto’s, potential cures, and allergies. Recommended Book: The Avoidable War by Kevin Rudd Transcript Chimeric antigen receptors, usually shorthanded as CARs, are a type of protein...
01.30.2024
AI Impersonation
This week we talk about robo-Biden, fake Swift images, and ElevenLabs. We also discuss copyright, AI George Carlin, and deepfakes. Recommended Book: Debt: The First 5,000 Years by David Graeber Transcript The hosts of a podcast called Dudesy are facing...
01.23.2024
Middle East Conflicts
This week we talk about Operation Iron Swords, October 7, and the International Court of Justice. We also discuss human rights abuses, the Red Sea, and Iran’s influence. Recommended Book: Empire Games by Charles Stross Transcript In the early morning...
01.16.2024
Ecuador State of Emergency
This week we talk about Bukele, Naboa, and the war on gangs. We also discuss emergency powers, authoritarianism, and the cocaine trade. Recommended Book: Firebreak by Nicole Kornher-Stace Transcript Nayib Bukele is the 43rd president of El Salvador, and he's...
01.09.2024
Subsidence
This week we talk about the raising of Chicago, Jakarta, and sea level rise. We also discuss groundwater, flooding, and insurance. Recommended Book: Once Upon a Tome by Oliver Darkshire Transcript In the mid-19th century, the city of Chicago, its...
01.02.2024
2024 Elections
This week we talk about Indonesia, South Africa, and geopolitical risks. We also discuss the South China Sea, the US Presidential election, and Potemkin democracy. Recommended Book: The Heat Will Kill You First by Jeff Goodell Transcript By many metrics,...
12.19.2023
Essequibo
Note: I’m taking next week off for the new year and to work on my next book—this month’s More Things bonus episodes has thus been moved to this upcoming Thursday, and you’ll see the next LKT episode on January 2!...
12.12.2023
Materials Science
This week we talk about stainless steel, DARPA, and GNoME. We also discuss ceramics, DeepMind, and self-driving labs. Recommended Book: Drunk On All Your Strange New Words by Eddie Robson Transcript In a recent episode, I talked a bit about...
12.05.2023
Panama's Copper
This week we talk about renewables, open-pit mines, and the Bronze Age. We also discuss the Cobre mine, First Quantum, and environmentalism. Recommended Book: The Possibility of Life by Jaime Green Transcript Depending on whose numbers you use, and where...
11.28.2023
Electric Lawn Care
This week we talk about weeds, lawn mowers, and California’s Air Resources Board. We also discuss ornamental lawns, leaf blowers, and two-stroke engines. Recommended Book: The Lessons of History by Will and Ariel Durant Transcript The concept of the modern...
11.21.2023
COP28
This week we talk about methane, the UAE, and organizational capture. We also discuss climate change, broken governmental promises, and Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber. Recommended Book: Raw Dog by Jamie Loftus Transcript The United Nations Climate Change Conferences, often...
11.14.2023
The US Deficit
This week we talk about Rubinomics, government spending, and US federal debt. We also discuss the Government-Household analogy, the House of Representatives, and the looming government shutdown. Recommended Book: Quantum Supremacy by Michio Kaku Transcript Early in November 2023, the...
11.07.2023
Regulating AI
This week we talk about regulatory capture, Open AI, and Biden’s executive order. We also discuss the UK’s AI safety summit, open source AI models, and flogging fear. Recommended Book: The Resisters by Gish Jen Transcript Regulatory capture refers...
10.31.2023
Argentine Election
This week we talk about Peronists, Milei, and Argentina’s inflation rate. We also discuss Justicialism, Bullrich, and military coups. Recommended Book: Future Starts Here by John Higgs Transcript Peronism, sometimes called Justicialism, after the Justicialist party, whose name is derived...
10.24.2023
SB 253
This week we talk about fuel efficiency, the California EPA, and Scope 3. We also discuss the EU’s emission reporting efforts, regulations, and business incentives. Recommended Book: Undue Hate by Daniel F. Stone Transcript The California Air Resources Board, or...
10.17.2023
Israel-Hamas War
This week we talk about the Gaza Strip, the Yom Kippur War, and Egypt. We also discuss 9/11, charged topics, and sneak-attacks. Recommended Book: Pinpoint by Greg Milner Transcript In 1972, the Egyptian military started building up its offense-capable forces,...
10.10.2023
Nvidia
This week we talk about AMD, graphics processing units, and AI. We also discuss crypto mining, video games, and parallel processing. Recommended Book: The Story of Art Without Men by Katy Hessel Transcript Founded in 1993 by an engineer who...
10.03.2023
Methane
This week we talk about natural gas, plumes, and satellites. We also discuss firedamp, AI detection, and emission numbers. Recommended Book: Excellent Advice for Living: Wisdom I Wish I'd Known Earlier by Kevin Kelly Transcript Methane, the name for a...
09.26.2023
Video Game Engines
This week we talk about Unity, Unreal, and Godot. We also discuss fee structures, user revolts, and indie game-makers. Recommended Book: How Big Things Get Done by Bent Flyvbjerg and Dan Gardner Show Notes * https://www.statista.com/outlook/dmo/digital-media/video-games/worldwide * https://www.billboard.com/pro/ifpi-global-report-2023-music-business-revenue-market-share/ * https://www.cnbc.com/2022/07/07/video-game-industry-not-recession-proof-sales-set-to-fall-in-2022.html...
09.19.2023
Antiretroviral Therapies
This week we talk about HIV, AIDS, and ART. We also discuss HAART, the Berlin Patient, and potential future cures. Recommended Book: Allergic by Theresa MacPhail Show Notes * https://www.unaids.org/en/resources/fact-sheet * https://hivinfo.nih.gov/understanding-hiv/fact-sheets/hiv-treatment-basics * https://clinicalinfo.hiv.gov/en/glossary/antiretroviral-therapy-art * https://www.paho.org/en/topics/antiretroviral-therapy * https://journals.lww.com/jaids/fulltext/2010/01010/declines_in_mortality_rates_and_changes_in_causes.13.aspx * https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13181-013-0325-8...
09.12.2023
China Standard Map
This week we talk about China’s standard map, the nine-dash line, and shoals. We also discuss WWIII, undersea minerals, and realities on the ground. Recommended Book: Outlive by Peter Attia Show Notes * https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202308/28/WS64ec91c2a31035260b81ea5b.html * https://www.uscc.gov/research/south-china-sea-arbitration-ruling-what-happened-and-whats-next * https://amti.csis.org/island-tracker/china/ * https://globalvoices.org/2023/09/05/the-chinese-2023-map-has-nothing-new-but-why-are-chinas-neighbours-mad-about-it/...
09.05.2023
Gerontocracy
This week we talk about Jimmy Buffett, Boomers, and the Soviet Union. We also discuss Mitch McConnell, Joe Biden, and the 2024 US Presidential Election. Show Notes (Notes on show notes: for Wikipedia or other reference articles, please follow source...
08.29.2023
BRICS
This week we talk about BRIC, BRICs, and BRICS+. We also discuss the USD, sanctions, and alternative global financial systems. Show notes/transcript: letsknowthings.com This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access...
08.22.2023
Coup Belt
This week we talk about ECOWAS, Niger, and proxy conflicts. We also discuss military dictatorships, Wagner, and colonies. Show notes/transcript: letsknowthings.com This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus...
08.15.2023
Bidenomics
This week we talk about the Inflation Reduction Act, October Surprises, and Hunter Biden's laptop. We also discuss the 2024 US Presidential election, Trump's legal woes, and inflation. Show notes/transcript: letsknowthings.com This is a public episode. If you’d like to...
08.08.2023
Room-Temperature Superconductors
This week we talk about LK-99, mercury, and resistance. We also discuss online citizen science, physics, and replication issues. Show notes/transcript: letsknowthings.com This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to...
08.01.2023
Extreme Heat
This week we talk about Phoenix, Death Valley, and heat pumps. We also discuss the greenhouse effect, cascading systems, and energy-related power. Show notes/transcript: letsknowthings.com This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or...
07.25.2023
Automated Journalism
This week we talk about Genesis, the Associated Press, and Glorbo. We also discuss Wikipedia, G/O Media, and ChatGPT. Show notes/transcript: letsknowthings.com This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to...
07.18.2023
Entertainment Strikes
This week we talk about the WGA, SAG-AFTRA, and AI. We also discuss streaming platforms, residuals, and entertainment industry economics. Show notes/transcript: letsknowthings.com This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access...
07.11.2023
Social Graph
This week we talk about Threads, Meta, and the Fediverse. We also discuss Instagram, follower migrations, and the social media landscape. Show notes/transcript: letsknowthings.com This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get...
07.04.2023
International Monetary Fund
This week we talk about the IMF, the Paris Club, and Pakistan. We also discuss the international monetary system, sovereign debt, and debt traps. Show notes/transcript: letsknowthings.com This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other...
06.27.2023
Work From Home
This week we talk about mouse jigglers, bossware, and the WFH revolution. We also discuss blitzscaling, quiet quitting, and return-to-office demands. Show notes/transcript: letsknowthings.com This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get...
06.20.2023
Reddit Blackout
This week we talk about AI, Reddit, and scraping. We also discuss John Oliver, protests, and LLMs. Show notes/transcript: letsknowthings.com This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes,...
06.13.2023
Particulates
This week we talk about wildfires, PM 2.5 particles, and globalization. We also discuss PM 10 particles, the health impacts of bad air, and PFAS. Show notes/transcript: letsknowthings.com This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with...
06.06.2023
Debt Ceiling Deal
This week we talk about the Fiscal Responsibility Act, Speaker McCarthy, and the US debt limit. We also discuss President Biden, economic crises, and MAGA Republicans. Show notes/transcript: letsknowthings.com This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this...
05.30.2023
Tactical Nukes
This week we talk about the Tsar Bomba, the Davy Crockett, and hypersonic missiles. We also discuss Kyiv, mutually assured destruction, and Cold War thinking. Show notes/transcript: letsknowthings.com This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with...
05.23.2023
New Offensive in Ukraine
This week we talk about Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the grand realignment, and tanks. We also discuss F-15s, spheres of influence, and Zelenskyy. Show notes/transcript: letsknowthings.com This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers...
05.16.2023
AVOD and FAST
This week we talk about Tucker Carlson, Disney Plus, and free ad-supported TV. We also discuss ad-supported video-on-demand, the new streaming wars, and the pivot to video. Show notes/transcript: letsknowthings.com This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss...
05.09.2023
Debt Crises
This week we talk about student debt, real estate, and local government financing vehicles. We also discuss credit cards, the Belt and Road Initiative, and frontier markets. Show notes/transcript: letsknowthings.com This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss...
05.02.2023
El Niño
This week we talk about snow water equivalents, ENSO, and the Walker circulation. We also discuss climate bands, La Niña, and warming oceanic surface temperatures. Show notes/transcript: letsknowthings.com This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with...

What's Let's Know Things about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Let's Know Things episodes:

Presidential Immunity

XZ Utils Hack

Cocoa Shortage

DRC Conflict

Bigger Oil

Ukraine War Update (Early 2024)

LockBit

Japan's Economy

Spacial Computing

News Media Collapse

Autoimmune Disease Therapies

AI Impersonation

Middle East Conflicts

Ecuador State of Emergency

Subsidence

2024 Elections

Essequibo

Materials Science

Panama's Copper

Electric Lawn Care

COP28

The US Deficit

Regulating AI

Argentine Election

SB 253

Israel-Hamas War

Nvidia

Methane

Video Game Engines

Antiretroviral Therapies

China Standard Map

Gerontocracy

BRICS

Coup Belt

Bidenomics

Room-Temperature Superconductors

Extreme Heat

Automated Journalism

Entertainment Strikes

Social Graph

International Monetary Fund

Work From Home

Reddit Blackout

Particulates

Debt Ceiling Deal

Tactical Nukes

New Offensive in Ukraine

AVOD and FAST

Debt Crises

El Niño