TechStuff

We've changed the way we get information, and that has changed our perceptions of the world. How have echo chambers formed through tech and what can you do to make sure you're not just getting the information that confirms your perspective? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do QR codes store information? What’s the difference between a QR code and a barcode? Why did it take so long for QR codes to take off? Join Chris and Jonathan as they break down QR codes in this podcast. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happened at the nuclear power plants at Three Mile Island, Chernobyl and Fukushima? What did we learn from those disasters? And how bad were they? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cold fusion would transform our world in ways we can't even imagine. Is it really possible? Jonathan explores the science to find the answer. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nuclear power can generate a lot of electricity, but fission brings with it some drawbacks. What if we used fusion? We look at the difference between the two processes and learn about attempts to harness the power of the stars. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How does a fission-based nuclear reactor work? What are some of the proposed modifications of this technology that could potentially make it a more attractive way to generate electricity? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sonar uses sound to gauge the distance between objects. Although most people associate sonar with submarines, humans use sonar for a lot more than underwater navigation. In this episode, Jonathan and Chris take a look at the mechanics behind sonar. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just a few short years after it burst on the scene with an incredibly successful Kickstarter campaign, the Pebble company fell apart. What happened and what did we learn? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Where did the Pebble Smartwatch come from? We look at the story behind one of the most successful Kickstarter campaigns. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How much of your personal information gets collected on the Web? Can you protect your information from prying eyes? And should you? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do web analytics companies gather data? How much could these companies know about you? How hard is it to identify a person based off their browsing history? Get paranoid in this episode requested by listener Raff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What was the Emergency Broadcast System? What did it have to do with the Cold War? How is the Emergency Alert System different from the old EBS? Listen in as Chris and Jonathan explain the origin of the EBS and the EAS. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When CBS bought Fender guitars, the new bosses had some big changes in mind. How did that turn out and how is the Fender of today different from the company that helped spawn new genres of music? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What's the story behind Fender Musical Instruments? From the iconic Stratocaster to today's company, we take a look at this iconic name in American musical history. Request by listener Greg. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listener Kenn wanted to know about the process of designing assitive and accessible technologies. Technology has the potential to assist people with disabilities. But designing such tech requires a lot of consideration. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What are the different components in a high-tech sound system and what does each one do? TechStuff gives a rundown on audio equipment. Request by Karl-Ludwig. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is the success rate for sending missions to Mars? What made the Curiosity rover mission so special? What would it take to get people to and from Mars safely? Join Jonathan and Chris as they take a closer look at the latest Mars mission. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The once mighty franchise has dwindled down to a single location. What led to the downfall of Blockbuster? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

TechStuff listener Paul wanted to know the story behind the company Blockbuster. How did this franchise emerge to threaten mom and pop video rental stores? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We continue our look at forensic technology. What sort of cutting edge tech do investigators use? And how close is it to Hollywood's version? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We've seen the Hollywood version of forensic scientists, but what sort of tech do real forensics experts rely upon when conducting an investigation? From fingerprints to digital surveillance, we take a look at the tools of the trade. A request by listener Hakeem. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What do sound files do? Why are there so many different kinds of sound files? What's the difference between uncompressed, lossless and lossy formats? Listen in as Jonathan and Chris explain the differences between all those sound files. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Space Shuttle program in the United States was a story filled with triumph and tragedy. We take a closer look at the technology of the space shuttle, as requested by listener Lim. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recently, I covered a lot of early spacecraft. But how did we get those darn things into space in the first place? In this episode, I trace the history of rocketry and look at some of the launch vehicles that slipped the bonds of Earth. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We conclude our look at the Apollo space program and climb aboard a Soyuz spacecraft, which are still used to this day. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.