Hyperfixed
Hyperfixed
Alex Goldman & Radiotopia
Maybe it’s just a quiet annoyance you’ve grudgingly learned to put up with, or a life defining issue that makes it hard to move forward. Whatever it is, former Reply All co-host Alex Goldman — reporter, radio producer, and overconfident idiot — will get to the bottom of it (if there’s a bottom to be found. Results may vary). Follow Alex as he figures out not only the vast hidden mechanisms that create these problems, but works with you, the listener, to find a solution. Or at least enough of an explanation that you’re ok with the annoyance. He’s not perfect. Hyperfixed is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX, a network of independent and listener-supported podcasts. Discover audio with vision at radiotopia.fm. Submit your problems and sign up for bonus episodes and much more at hyperfixedpod.com
ReTell All
In 2022, Amber’s favorite podcast came to an abrupt and shocking end, and now, its archive of episodes has started disappearing from the internet. So she’s come to the Hyperfixed team to find out how to preserve what’s left, and answer a question that's been haunting her for years: is her favorite podcast host ok? LINKS:  ReTell Pharmacy Podcast We are doing a LIVE SHOW in Brooklyn in September, get your tickets here http://tickets.hyperfixedpod.com/ Please consider becoming a hyperfixed premium member. Your support keeps our show alive. https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join
Aug 13
30 min
The Master of Mazes vs The Big Green Monster
Three years ago, Becca was seeing double. Her hometown's hedge maze had an uncanny resemblance to a famous maze in England, but no one seemed to realize it except her. So Becca wants to know if the maze is, indeed, a copy. And if she's right, she wants credit where credit is due. LINKS: - Adrian Fisher's book: The Amazing Book of Mazes - Henry Eliot's book: Follow This Thread - Honey Pot Hill Orchards in Stow - Photo of the Longleat Hedge Maze - Photo of the Big Green Monster in Stow,  Massachusetts - Photo of the sign at the Big Green Monster at Honey Pot Hill We are doing a LIVE SHOW in Brooklyn in September, get your tickets here http://tickets.hyperfixedpod.com/ Please consider becoming a hyperfixed premium member. Your support keeps our show alive. https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join
Jul 30
30 min
Presenting: Panic World - The Disturbing World of Cute Cat AI with Panic World
This week we're cooking up a couple stories in the lab so while you wait, please check out Panic World, a fantastic podcast hosted by friend of the show Ryan Broderick. ----- Why are cats so popular on the internet? It started with cat memes like I Can Haz Cheezburger and Keyboard Cat, then we became enamored with cat celebrities like Lil Bub, Grumpy Cat, and Princess Monstertruck. And now, we’re witnessing the next evolution in cat internet content: “cute cat AI.” Our guest and host of American Hysteria, Chelsey Weber-Smith, calls it a “Kitty Horror Picture Show.” Chelsey joins Ryan and Grant to tell us about the explosion of really weird AI-generated cat videos depicting cat families that’s all over TikTok and YouTube right now — much like Elsagate once did in 2014. Then, Ryan takes us back even further, to cover an older cat-based moral panic: Bonsai Kittens. Together, we look at how though technology has changed, we’ve pretty much always wanted to show each other freaky stuff on the internet — whether real or fake. Our guest Chelsey Weber-Smith hosts American Hysteria, a show that explores the fantastical thinking and irrational fears of Americans. Check it out here or wherever you listen to podcasts.  LINKS Garbage Day Newsletter Panic World American Hysteria
Jul 16
1 hr 13 min
A Story About a Mouse That’s Actually About Everything
Earlier this year, David's mouse suddenly stopped working, which wouldn't be that weird, were it not for the fact that people across the world were reporting the same issue with the same mouse. What happened, and why? The Hyperfixed Team investigates. We are doing a LIVE SHOW in Brooklyn in September, get your tickets here http://tickets.hyperfixedpod.com/ Please consider becoming a hyperfixed premium member. Your support keeps our show alive. https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join LINKS:  The Lever (David's investigative news website) Consumer Reports
Jul 2
30 min
Samurai Gone Girl
Growing up, Alison was a voracious reader. But there was one book series in particular that she devoured. "Samurai Girl" by Carrie Asai. Recently, Alison wanted to learn more about the author whose books she loved nearly 20 years ago. But she couldn't find anything about Carrie Asai. No other writing credits. No bio. So it left Alison wondering, who was Carrie Asai? LINKS: Samurai Girl Bob Levy's Book Sara Shepard Get tickets for the Hyperfixed live show! If you like this episode and would like to hear more like it, as well as join our discord and get discounts on merch, you can support us by going to https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join.
Jun 18
31 min
PREMIUM UNLOCKED: The Fraud Hunter
An extended (bonus!) interview from our Fauxbituaries episode, now unlocked for you! Investigative journalist, Craig Silverman, helps us track down one of the authors of a fake obituary site. Get tickets for the Hyperfixed live show! If you like this episode and would like to hear more like it, as well as join our discord and get discounts on merch, you can support us by going to https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join.  LINKS:  Craig Silverman's website Indicator The Hyperfixed episode "Fauxbituaries"
Jun 4
39 min
Rooting Out Racists
This week, another installment of our Hyperfixer series. We chat with an anonymous hacker who took down a white supremacist dating site.  LINKS: Martha Root's Social Media Martha Root's Chaos Communication Congress Presentation Martha's Website, OK Stupid Get tickets for the Hyperfixed live show!
May 21
35 min
Pretzels to the People
The twisted logic behind one company's real estate strategy. https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join Check out Planet Money DISCLAIMER: This episode is not sponsored by Wetzel's Pretzels.
May 7
31 min
PRESENTING: Smart Girl, Dumb Questions
This week we're sharing a podcast we love, the show Smart Girl Dumb Questions. It's a curiosity party, and you're invited. On Smart Girl Dumb Questions, Nayeema Raza asks simple Qs to big thinkers (like Neil deGrasse Tyson, Diplo, or two 11 year olds), trying to make sense of life. LINKS: Smart Girl Dumb Questions podcast feed: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/smart-girl-dumb-questions/id1784967461 Smart Girl Dumb Questions on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok
Apr 23
1 hr 7 min
Fauxbituaries
When Markus's good friend died suddenly, he went online to get more information. What he found was several AI written obituaries on dodgy looking websites with a litany of factual inaccuracies. Who is making these, and why? And is there anything that can be done to stop them? To hear our conversation with Craig Silverman (and a bunch of other great bonus episodes, and join our discord, and get discounts on Hyperfixed merchandise, and support independent journalism) become a Hyperfixed Premium member. If we get 150 signups between now and the end of april, we will give away merch to 5 listeners. If we get more than 150, we'll give away more!  https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join LINKS:  Joe Supan on fake obituaries Craig Silverman's Newsletter, Indicator Joshua Braun on fake news and ad technology Check My Ads
Apr 9
40 min
Load more