The Sniffer

Listen to writer/broadcasters Nora Young and Cathi Bond as they freak over the future. They can't believe it. Neither will you.

Long time, no podcast! We are back! This time, Nora talks about this Nautilus article on using VR headsets to foster empathy, and the disturbing idea that empathy may be on the wane. Cathi has a more lighthearted story with Digit, a bipedal robot that would deliver packages to your door via autonomous vehicle, when those cars are not otherwise being used (via New Atlas). Check out the video! Nora mentioned a few related stories that ran on Spark in the past: Friction-free racism (relevant part is at the end of the interview) Paul Bloom on rational compassion

Listen to writer/broadcasters Nora Young and Cathi Bond as they freak over the future. They can't believe it. Neither will you.

On this podcast, Nora Young talks about technologies of home surveillance. As this article in The Outline discusses, are these home security features just making us more paranoid? And who gets to decide what constitutes "suspicious" activity? Cathi Bond looks at this review of the EEGSmart Udrone, which lets you control a drone's flight with your mind. It also contains features that enable facial and gesture recognition. As drones get 'smarter' and more popular, are we enabling a surveillance culture?

Listen to writer/broadcasters Nora Young and Cathi Bond as they freak over the future. They can't believe it. Neither will you.

On this podcast, Cathi Bond talks about Stitchfix, and their data-driven approach to retail. Based on your extensive profile, clothes are selected for you and delivered to your door. You have three days to return or buy whichever items you want. Would you opt for this? Super convenient, or would you miss the 'retail therapy'? Read more at Fast Company. Are you in a Mad Men mood? How about a visit to the TWA Hotel? A development company is opening a hotel built around Eero Saarinen's vintage hotel at JFK airport. It comes equipped with Florence Knoll furniture, and even rotary dial phones (via Quartz).

Listen to writer/broadcasters Nora Young and Cathi Bond as they freak over the future. They can't believe it. Neither will you.

On today's podcast, Nora Young talks about Ordine, from Italian design studio, Adriano (via Core77). It's a smart solution for people who don't need an oven, and don't want to dedicate full time real estate to a stove top. The Ordine burners hang on the wall when not in use. Simply put them on the counter when you're ready to go. They use induction heating, (they refer to it as an "induction hub") so you don't have to worry about blazing hot burners sitting out on your counter. See pics and other smart home designs here. So, you have your small urban space, how are you going to get around in our increasingly crowded cities? Romanian company, Carpii has the 4ciclet, a four-wheeled bike/Segway sort of thing designed for covering relatively small distances (via New Atlas). You 'pedal' the 4ciclet using a couple of treadles with your feet while standing, so it doesn't require the same effort as conventional cycling, suggesting its use for older people. See videos here.

Listen to writer/broadcasters Nora Young and Cathi Bond as they freak over the future. They can't believe it. Neither will you.

This time, Cathi Bond looks at ElliQ a companion robot for older folks who may need a little support. Would aging Baby Boomers who still want autonomy and something tech forward adopt this kind of thing in years to come? (Via IEEE Spectrum) Nora Young mentions this article in the British Library blog, documenting the strange history of Johann Struensee, who brought in freedom of the press to 18th century Denmark, only to be immediately publicly ridiculed in that newly free medium. Well worth a read, as the author describes Struensee's mockers as 'proto-internet trolls' (H/T Hacker News)