What’s Your Problem?
Today, we’re sharing an episode of a show that explores the problems that new technology is creating and how we navigate living in the future. It’s called Kill Switch, and it’s hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, Dexter Thomas. The episode you’re about to hear is about the latest in wearable tech—stuff like smart glasses, pendants, watches and rings. After the implosion of Google Glass back in 2013, which faced backlash and ridicule, we’re now readily embracing wearables. What’s behind the new fervor of wearables today, and have we moved on from the privacy and surveillance questions that plagued Google Glass?
Dexter talks to Victoria Song, a senior reviewer at The Verge whose job it is to test out each new iteration of this technology, about the state of wearables today, why companies are obsessed with getting AI into them, and how they’ve already changed how we talk to each other, and ourselves, IRL. Find more episodes of Kill Switch wherever you get podcasts.
Got something you’re curious about? Hit them up killswitch@kaleidoscope.nyc, or @killswitchpod, or @dexdigi on IG or Bluesky.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is the Future of Fresh Water Under the Sea?
Michael Porter is the Chief Technology Officer of OceanWell. Michael’s problem is this: How can you desalinate water at the bottom of the ocean – and deliver it to land at a cost that’s competitive…
Could Home Batteries Save the Grid?
Justin Lopas is the COO and co-founder of Base Power, a battery and power company based in Texas. Justin’s problem is this: How can you deliver more energy to more people without having to build…
Building a Better Public Bathroom
Fletcher Wilson is the CEO and co-founder of Throne Labs. Fletcher’s problem is this: How can you create public toilets that people actually want to use? On today’s show, Fletcher explains how his company is…
Could Autonomous Diggers Unleash a Building Boom?
Boris Sofman is the co-founder and CEO of Bedrock Robotics. Boris’ problem is this: How do you teach machines not just to drive, but also to work: to grade roads, move heavy objects and dig…
Growing Meat from Cells
Justin Kolbeck is the co-founder and CEO of Wildtype, a company making seafood without killing fish. Their first product is cultivated salmon, which is made from real salmon cells that are grown in a stainless…
The Ordinary Stuff Behind Technological Breakthroughs
Ed Conway is an economics journalist and author of the book “Material World: The Six Raw Materials that Shape Modern Civilization.” On today’s show, Ed reveals how three of those often-overlooked materials—iron, copper, and sand—shaped…
Carbon Capture at Rock-Bottom Prices
Shashank Samala is the CEO and co-founder of Heirloom, a carbon capture start-up. His problem is this: Can you use crushed up rocks to permanently suck carbon out of the atmosphere? And can you do…
Ferrari Fandom, Supercharged by AI from Smart Talks with IBM
Today we’re sharing an episode from another Pushkin podcast, Smart Talks with IBM. Scuderia Ferrari and IBM are redefining fan engagement with AI-driven insights, and cutting-edge digital tools. Learn how IBM is helping Scuderia Ferrari…
Why Amazon Built a Spatula-Wielding Robot
Aaron Parness is a director of applied science at Amazon Robotics. His problem is this: How do you build a robot that can put stuff on shelves. Today on the show, Aaron explains why this…
Drilling Smarter Wells to Unleash Geothermal Energy
In many places on Earth, there’s steam just below the surface. We don’t know where those places are — but if we could figure it out, we could unlock a lot of clean energy. Carl…
