The ProBoh Show

In the first part of today’s show, we looked at Switzerland’s decision to spend $11 million moving away from Microsoft Outlook and Teams in an effort to reduce its dependence on foreign technology. Then we tackled one of science’s more important questions: how many times do you actually fart every day? Thanks to some unusual new technology, you can now find out. Today’s unpopular opinion was: pare...

In the first part of today’s show, we looked at two AI researchers who have walked away from Anthropic and Google over growing safety concerns, with one warning that “there are no adults in the room.” Then we turned to Washington, where fears of an AI catastrophe are growing faster than the political response to them. Today’s unpopular opinion was: inheritance should be abolished. In the second ha...

In the first part of today’s show, we looked at Australia’s plan to force social media platforms to let users opt out of algorithmic feeds, a move being described as a “global reckoning for big tech.” Then we headed to North Korea, where authorities are reportedly cracking down on teenagers using the K-pop-inspired “finger heart” gesture. Today’s unpopular opinion was: parents praise their childre...

In the first part of today’s show, we looked at Donald Trump sharing a post declaring “The Moon is ours” and claiming US ownership over Earth’s natural satellite. Then we turned to Spain’s renewable-energy boom and why the country may now need a battery revolution to make the most of all that solar and wind power. Today’s unpopular opinion was: loneliness is good for you. In the second half of the...

In the first part of today’s show, we looked at fascinating research suggesting that music can make completely different people imagine surprisingly similar stories. Then we explored the dark side of mindfulness, and why a practice associated with calm and wellbeing may not be beneficial for everyone. Today’s unpopular opinion was: fairness is more important than kindness. In the second half of th...

In the first part of today’s show, we looked at the mysterious outages that hit OpenAI and Anthropic, and the strange lack of explanation about what actually caused them. Then we discussed the provocative idea of the “Nerd Reich” and growing concerns about a strain of Silicon Valley thinking that appears increasingly hostile towards democracy. Today’s unpopular opinion was: understanding is more v...

In the first part of today’s show, we looked at the strange allure of fake shopping sites and why browsing imaginary products can be surprisingly appealing. Then we talked about Sony’s argument that “reasonable consumers” shouldn’t assume they actually own the digital games they buy from the PlayStation Store, and the wider debate over what it really means to “buy” something digital. Today’s unpop...

In the first part of today’s show, we looked at how Instagram is making it harder for AI-generated personas to pass themselves off as real people. Then we talked about new research suggesting El Niño is now stronger than at any point in the last 1,000 years. Today’s unpopular opinion was: the future of energy should be nuclear. In the second half of the show, we asked 100 humans: name a source of...

In the first part of today’s show, we looked at how the cost of personal computers declined steadily for around 40 years, until the AI boom came along, and why your next device could be considerably more expensive. Then we talked about South Korea’s ambitious plan to give its entire population free, unlimited access to AI. Today’s unpopular opinion was: gambling should be illegal. In the second ha...

In the first part of today’s show, we looked at Australia’s decision to ban fully AI-generated songs from its official music charts following a viral AI cover of Madonna. Then we talked about the controversy surrounding Google Maps after it was accused of bowing to Donald Trump by changing the name of Lake Ontario to “Lake America.” Today’s unpopular opinion was: humans are naturally pessimistic....

In the first part of today’s show, we looked at the return of Twitter... sort of. Virginia-based startup Bluebird has launched Twitter.now, a new social media platform built around the Twitter name and bird branding that Elon Musk’s X Corp left behind when Twitter became X. Today’s unpopular opinion was: nationalisation usually makes services worse. In the second half of the show, we asked 100 hum...

In the first part of today’s show, we remembered actor Tim Curry, who has died at the age of 80. Then we looked at Meta’s agreement to make major changes to Facebook and Instagram as it settles a US trial over allegations of teen social media addiction for up to $18 billion. Today’s unpopular opinion was: economic equality comes at the cost of personal freedom. In the second half of the show, we a...

In the first part of today’s show, we looked back at the life and career of Dolly Parton, the country music icon, actor and philanthropist, who has died aged 80 after fighting cancer. Today’s unpopular opinion was: billionaires create more opportunities than politicians. In the second half of the show, we asked 100 humans: name someone who has the power to improve your life. The ProBoh Show is a v...

In the first part of today’s show, we looked at the new EU-wide product repair rules that have come into force, designed to make it easier for consumers to repair products rather than replace them. Today’s unpopular opinion was: most poverty is solved by economic growth, not redistribution. In the second half of the show, we asked 100 humans: name something that helps people escape poverty. The Pr...

In the first part of today’s show, we asked whether time really feels like it’s speeding up, and why the years seem to pass faster as we get older. Then we looked at new figures estimating that more than 30,000 excess deaths occurred across heat wave-hit Europe during the summer. Today’s unpopular opinion was: universal basic income would make society less productive. In the second half of the sho...

In the first part of today’s show, we looked at Portugal becoming the latest European country to move towards banning or restricting face coverings in public spaces. Today’s unpopular opinion was: most people are not informed enough to vote responsibly. In the second half of the show, we asked 100 humans: name something people vote based on besides policy. The ProBoh Show is a variety show in Engl...

In the first part of today’s show, we looked at the scientists who turned to OnlyFans to fund their marmot research, only to receive an unexpected boost from the crypto world. Then we discussed explosive testimony from a former Meta insider, who claims Mark Zuckerberg misled the public about his concern for child safety. Today’s unpopular opinion was: celebrities are not obliged to be role models....

In the first part of today’s show, we looked at why the benefits of remote work may be worth much more than a paycheck. Then we talked about Comcast turning millions of Wi-Fi routers into motion detectors and what it means when the technology already sitting in our homes starts sensing our movements. Today’s unpopular opinion was: your partner should matter just as much to you as your children. In...

In the first part of today’s show, we looked at research using MRI scans that suggests dogs can tell different human facial expressions apart. Then we talked about Twitch using creators’ content to train Amazon AI models, and the controversy surrounding its difficult-to-find opt-out setting. Today’s unpopular opinion was: purpose is more important than happiness for psychological well-being. In th...

In the first part of today’s show, we looked at how McDonald’s managed to build a staggering 515-page dossier on one customer, and what it reveals about how much companies can learn about our habits. Then we discussed new research linking short-form video addiction to a decline in teenagers’ ability to cope with academic stress. Today’s unpopular opinion was: constant reassurance makes anxiety wor...

In the first part of today’s show, we looked at California’s attempt to ban AI therapists as growing numbers of people turn to chatbots for mental health support. Today’s unpopular opinion was: trauma explains behaviour but doesn’t excuse it. In the second half of the show, we asked 100 humans: name something people use as an excuse for bad behaviour. The ProBoh Show is a variety show in English,...

In the first part of today’s show, we looked at the so-called “manosphere” and the argument that it has become less of a movement and more of a multibillion-dollar grievance industry. Today’s unpopular opinion was: most people need stronger communities, not more therapy. In the second half of the show, we asked 100 humans: name the qualities of a good friend. The ProBoh Show is an English-language...

In the first part of today’s show, we looked at why billion-dollar robotics startups are strangely obsessed with one of the most mundane household chores: folding laundry. Today’s unpopular opinion was: we are too quick to label normal emotions as mental illness. In the second half of the show, we asked 100 humans: name a “negative” emotional state. The ProBoh Show is a variety show in English, ho...

In the first part of today’s show, we looked at Visa’s latest round of AI-related layoffs, including executives reportedly earning nearly $500,000 a year, and what the cuts might tell us about how automation is reshaping even highly paid jobs. Today’s unpopular opinion was: most people want to fit in more than stand out. In the second half of the show, we asked 100 humans: name something people do...

In the first part of today’s show, we looked at France’s decision to ban unsolicited telemarketing calls starting next week and whether other countries should follow suit. Then we discussed the extraordinary heat in the Arctic, where temperatures have reached 90°F (32°C), and what it says about our changing climate. Today’s unpopular opinion was: it's normal to judge people based on their appearan...