TechStuff

When it comes to long-term data storage on computers, there are two main camps. In this episode, we learn how hard disk drives are different from solid state drives.

What's the history of E3? What purpose does it serve? And can anyone attend?

What's the origin of tattooing? Who invented the tattoo gun? How do piercings work?

Being left-handed in a world primarily shaped by and for right-handed people can be a challenge, particularly with technology. In this episode, we look at how a right-handed bias can create frustrations for left handers, and how bias in tech can take on more sinister aspects. That was a pun.

Since the 1970s, Panasonic has moved further from the control of the Matsushita family. But the process hasn't always gone smoothly. From recessions and political events to a dependence on plasma televisions, we learn about the obstacles the company has had to deal with recently.

Who invented BitTorrent? How do BitTorrent transfers work? What exactly is a torrent file?

Panasonic, or rather Matsushita, went through a tumultuous period of ups and downs, including allegations of some shady business practices. From high prices in Japan to undercutting American competitors in the US, we look at how the practices of Panasonic shaped not only the company but the electronics industry as a whole.

The Japanese electronics company Panasonic is more than a century old. In this episode, we learn of its founding in 1918, how the company survived World War II, and how its founder positioned his company to enter the global marketplace in the 1950s.

What are storm chasers? What kind of equipment do storm chasers use? What useful information have storm chasers gathered?

The next Mars rover scheduled for launch is the Perseverance, which NASA hopes will be able to uncover signs that life once existed on Mars. It also will carry a helicopter-like drone. We learn about the rover, its instruments and why flying on Mars is tricky.

Are robots and automated systems going to replace human workers? And if so, what then? The fear about automation has a long history and it's not an irrational fear.

What is plasma and how do we use it? Why are plasma weapons so popular in science fiction? Are plasma weapons realistic?

It started off as an incredible project that promised to bring science fiction into science fact. But years later, the company Magic Leap struggles to stay afloat. What happened?

How well does the film treat science and technology in Independence Day? What are the big goofs committed in the movie? How realistic is the plan to defeat the aliens?

How do the theories of special relativity and general relativity apply to satellites? Why is the speed of light constant, but time and distance are not? We get all Einstein up in here!

How do satellite communications work? What's the difference between megahertz and megabits? We learn about the tech of communication satellites.