Colin Wright

Let's Know Things

News EN ↓ 544 episodes

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

Be sure to visit the podcast's website and support the creator: letsknowthings.substack.com

Author

Colin Wright

Category

News

Podcast website

letsknowthings.substack.com

Latest episode

Nov 3, 2026

Where to listen?

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Episodes

Hardware Parasites 12.02.2019

This week we talk about parasitical fungi, the right to repair, and the Game Genie. We also discuss ROM cartridges, John Deere tractors, and Project Alias. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe

Eyeglasses 05.02.2019

This week we talk about the Nimrud lens, non-compound eyes, and EssilorLuxottica. We also discuss Big Lens, transparent medical pricing, and reading stones. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe

Cannabis 29.01.2019

This week we talk about exploitation films, the Cannabis plant, and the Shafer Commission. We also discuss the prison industrial complex, the International Opium Commission, and hashish. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe

The 10 Billion Diet 22.01.2019

This week we discuss flexitarianism, Banting, and the global diet industry. We also discuss population growth, Claude Bernard, and Godzilla-scale problems. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe

Global Positioning System 15.01.2019

This week we talk about Sputnik 1, satellite triangulation, and the Guugu Yimithirr. We also discuss the GLONASS, BeiDou, and Galileo constellations. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe

Cameras 08.01.2019

This week we talk about selfies, the Daguerrotype, and smartphone cameras. We also discuss film, Kodak, and the perception of captured reality. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe

Bandwidth Inequality 01.01.2019

This week we talk about internet access milestones, the rural digital disadvantage, and the benefits of broadband access. We also discuss bandwidth issues in the US, internet non-users, and the mobile internet in Africa. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe

China's Evolution 25.12.2018

This week we talk about the Cultural Revolution, the Great Leap Forward, and China's middle class. We also discuss GDP, the benefits and downsides of scale, and international tourism. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe

Creative Platforms 18.12.2018

This week we talk about busking, deplatforming, and the Tumblr porn ban. We also discuss megaphones, Patreon, and the friction between creating and funding. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe

Sex Recession 11.12.2018

This week we talk about asexuality, penile measurements, and the mesolimbic pathway. We also discuss dating apps, pornography, and biological reward systems. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe

Germline Modification 04.12.2018

This week we talk about insulin, genetic engineering, and rogue scientists. We also discuss CRISPR/Cas9, assisted reproductive technology, and gene editing ethics. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe

Facebook: It's Complicated 27.11.2018

This week we talk about Cambridge Analytica, Friday news dumps, and the Definers scandal. We also discuss data breaches, Soros, and Brexit. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe

Government Subsidies 20.11.2018

This week we talk about corporate welfare, Amazon's HQ2, and cronyism. We also discuss helipads, private space companies, and Wisconsin. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe

Motorized Scooters 13.11.2018

This week we talk about the Razor, scooter economics, and traversing microdistances. We also discuss Bird, the difference between docked and dock-less transportation, and the scooter-charging gig economy. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe

Cosplay 06.11.2018

This week we talk about fandom, conventions, and Mr. Skygack, from Mars. We also discuss subcultures, kawaii, and harassment. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe

New Climate Report 30.10.2018

This week we talk about hurricanes, 1.5˚ Celsius, and the IPCC 2018 special report on climate change. We also discuss what real climate action looks like, why it probably won’t happen, and things we believe about climate change that probably aren’t accurate. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack...

Hardware Hacking 23.10.2018

This week we talk about the Coventry Blitz Conspiracy, Supermicro, and Fancy Bear. We also discuss state-sponsored hacking, the CIA, and Pearl Harbor. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe

Consumer-Grade Medical Devices 16.10.2018

This week we talk about hypochondria, heart monitoring, and medical device classes. We also discuss postmarketing surveillance, electrocardiograms, and smartwatches. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe

Selling Privacy 09.10.2018

This week we talk about surveillance, iPhones, and profit margins. We also discuss vertical integration, Fan Bingbing, and the Chrome browser. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe

Stratigraphy 02.10.2018

This week we talk about the Meghalayan stage, the ICS, and the Law of Superposition. We also discuss Dr. Guy Middleton, lithostratigraphy, and academic geology shade. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe

Open Source 25.09.2018

This week we talk about Richard Stallman, Wikipedia, and GitHub. We also discuss Common Clause, Amazon Web Services, and Linux. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe

Debt Trap 18.09.2018

This week we talk about the Safavids, Djibouti, and debt-book diplomacy. We also discuss the Belt and Road Initiative, China's structural weaknesses, and the Silk Road. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe

Soybeans 11.09.2018

This week we talk about Morse & Piper, fake milk, and the Dust Bowl. We also discuss FDA standards, plant-based protein, and soybean politics. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe

Flying Cars 04.09.2018

This week we talk about the Ford Flivver, the Space Race, and ideas that came too soon. We also discuss civil rights, the Nucleon, and ideas that came too late. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe

Apology Tour 28.08.2018

This week we talk about Ambien, reputation management, and the Twinkie Defense. We also discuss GABA, drug enforcement schedules, and moral judgement. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe

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