Ruined By The Internet? | Uncovering the human cost of our digital world

Ruined By The Internet? | Uncovering the human cost of our digital world

Is the internet really ruining everything, or are we just looking at it wrong? Ruined By The Internet? uses technology as a lens to investigate its effects on society, culture, and modern life. Not products. Not industry news. The human costs of the digital world we all inhabit - whether we wanted them or not. Through conversations with psychologists, musicians, political scientists, FBI investigators, anthropologists, economists, researchers, and experts from every field technology has touched, each episode takes a social or cultural focal point and examines it from every angle. How is social media changing us? Is AI reshaping human behaviour? And what are the real consequences of our very online lives? Ruined By The Internet? is created, hosted and produced by Gareth King. New investigations drop regularly - follow or subscribe wherever you listen. Visit us: https://www.ruinedbytheinternet.com/ Share your thoughts: https://www.ruinedbytheinternet.com/survey/ Support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/rbtishow/

Episodes

August 4, 2026 51 mins

The internet promised a new era of science – one of open collaboration, democratised access, and knowledge freed from institutional gatekeepers. But has it instead created an ecosystem where fraudulent papers and AI-generated junk research are often indistinguishable from the real thing?

Welcome to Ruined By The Internet?the show where we examine how technology is shaping modern lifewhether we want it to or n...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

We used to rely on biological cues to verify a stranger in need. But in a faceless digital world full of scams and deception, has our empathy become a liability - and left us in a state of permanent suspicion?

Welcome to Ruined By The Internet?the show where we examine how technology is shaping modern lifewhether we want it to or not.

Follow or subscribe to never miss the next investigation. https://www.ruinedbythei...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

The internet promised to be a vast global network of human thought and connection. But as the digital ecosystem is increasingly choked by synthetic content and non-human users, is the internet’s true premiumthe certainty of human thoughtbeing destroyed?

Welcome to Ruined By The Internet?the show where we examine how technology is shaping modern lifewhether we want it to or not.

Follow or subs...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

The internet gave us a way for conspiracy theories to find their audiences, connecting people and building communities around often-fringe ideas. But has it also supercharged them, turning once-fringe ideas into powerful forces of polarisation, division and radicalisation that reach far beyond the screen?

Welcome to Ruined By The Internet? - the show where we examine how technology is shaping modern life - whether we want it to or n...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

It promised to make us more productive, more employable, and more economically secure. But as AI begins replacing not just tasks but entire professional roles - including ones that took many years to reach - is technology making job security itself an obsolete concept?

Welcome to Ruined By The Internet? - the show where we examine how technology is shaping modern life - whether we want it to or not.

Follow or subscribe to never miss ...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

The internet promised to bring the world's stores directly to us. But in chasing convenience over everything, has it killed the high street, gutted retailers, and replaced the experience of shopping with a transaction?

Welcome to Ruined By The Internet? - the show where we examine how technology is shaping modern life - whether we want it to or not.

Follow or subscribe to never miss the next investigation. https://www.ruinedbytheinte...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

The internet promised us connection that never sleeps. But has it also been sabotaging our rest - leaving us locked in a nightly battle with a digital world that refuses to turn off?

Welcome to Ruined By The Internet? - the show where we examine how technology is shaping modern life - whether we want it to or not.

Follow or subscribe to never miss the next investigation. https://www.ruinedbytheinternet.com/

We're joined by Chelsea Rey...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

When it comes to empowering ourselves, we were told the internet would give us back control. But instead, has it simply delivered a more efficient way for us to become products, and successfully rebranded objectification as agency?

Welcome to Ruined By The Internet? - the show where we examine how technology is shaping modern life - whether we want it to or not.

Follow or subscribe to never miss the next investigation. https://www.ru...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

The internet was supposed to make the rental market more efficient and transparent. But has it instead turned the basic human need for shelter into a frantic, dehumanising battle with technology - where algorithms, platforms, and data have more power than the people looking for a home?

Welcome to Ruined By The Internet? - the show where we examine how technology is shaping modern life - whether we want it to or not.

Follow or subscri...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

The internet promised to make self-improvement accessible to everyone. But has it instead turned it into a spectator sport - replacing process with performance, and pushing us to consume playbooks rather than actually build habits?

Welcome to Ruined By The Internet? - the show where we examine how technology is shaping modern life - whether we want it to or not.

Follow or subscribe to never miss the next investigation. https://www.ru...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

The internet promised to revolutionise how we get around - delivering a modern, efficient, and affordable alternative to the old ways. But did the revolution simply replace one system with an unstable, exploitative gig economy, offering the illusion of flexibility with almost zero protections?

Welcome to Ruined By The Internet? - the show where we examine how technology is shaping modern life - whether we want it to or not.

Follow or...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

The internet promised to be an escape from centralised power - a user-controlled, peer-to-peer network that would democratise access and dismantle the gatekeepers. But thanks to the domination of Big Tech and Venture Capital, has that dream been systematically stolen and replaced by a new set of gatekeepers wearing different clothes?

Welcome to Ruined By The Internet? - the show where we examine how technology is shaping modern life...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

The internet brought connectivity unlike anything we'd ever experienced. But by making so much of our communication instant and effortless, has it actually eroded everything we need to truly connect with each other?

Welcome to Ruined By The Internet? - the show where we examine how technology is shaping modern life - whether we want it to or not.

Follow or subscribe to never miss the next investigation. https://www.ruinedbytheinterne...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

The internet has made ayahuasca more accessible than ever - bringing the promise of spiritual awakening and deep healing to people worldwide. But in doing so, has it commodified a sacred practice, fuelling a rise in unqualified facilitators and a dangerous disregard for the cultural traditions it came from?

Welcome to Ruined By The Internet? - the show where we examine how technology is shaping modern life - whether we want it to or...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

The internet promised a place where people from diverse backgrounds could find connection and understanding. But has it instead become a deeply polarised medium where echo chambers and ideological extremism make meaningful common ground harder to find than ever?

Welcome to Ruined By The Internet? - the show where we examine how technology is shaping modern life - whether we want it to or not.

Follow or subscribe to never miss the nex...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

The internet was supposed to empower brands to build relationships based on authenticity and shared values. But has it instead become a surveillance capitalism machine - exploiting and manipulating our attention until we stopped trusting brands, marketing, and the platforms behind them entirely?

Welcome to Ruined By The Internet? - the show where we examine how technology is shaping modern life - whether we want it to or not.

Follow ...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

By creating an environment of radically decentralised authority, has the internet shattered the slow, controlled process of reputation management - turning it into a fast, volatile, and potentially permanent crisis cycle where your worst moment follows you forever?

Welcome to Ruined By The Internet? - the show where we examine how technology is shaping modern life - whether we want it to or not.

Follow or subscribe to never miss the ...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

The internet promised a more informed society where anyone could share knowledge freely. But has it instead created a crisis of trust - where expertise is constantly challenged, and huge numbers of us struggle to discern fact from fiction?

Welcome to Ruined By The Internet? - the show where we examine how technology is shaping modern life - whether we want it to or not.

Follow or subscribe to never miss the next investigation. https:...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

The internet was supposed to be where the free exchange of knowledge and ideas happened. But has it instead become a place increasingly controlled by a handful of companies - where inconvenient ideas are suppressed, and the original promise of an open web has been quietly hijacked?

Welcome to Ruined By The Internet? - the show where we examine how technology is shaping modern life - whether we want it to or not.

Follow or subscribe t...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

The internet has given us unprecedented connection. But thanks to relentless data retention and the constant tracking of our every digital move, is it now virtually impossible to shed our old identity and start a new life undetected?

Welcome to Ruined By The Internet? - the show where we examine how technology is shaping modern life - whether we want it to or not.

Follow or subscribe to never miss the next investigation. https://www....

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

    Betrayal Weekly

    Betrayal Weekly is back for a new season. Every Thursday, Betrayal Weekly shares first-hand accounts of broken trust, shocking deceptions, and the trail of destruction they leave behind. Hosted by Andrea Gunning, this weekly ongoing series digs into real-life stories of betrayal and the aftermath. From stories of double lives to dark discoveries, these are cautionary tales and accounts of resilience against all odds. From the producers of the critically acclaimed Betrayal series, Betrayal Weekly drops new episodes every Thursday. If you would like to share your story, you can reach out to the Betrayal Team by emailing them at betrayalpod@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram at @betrayalpod and @glasspodcasts. Please join our Substack for additional exclusive content, curated book recommendations, and community discussions. Sign up FREE by clicking this link Beyond Betrayal Substack. Join our community dedicated to truth, resilience, and healing. Your voice matters! Be a part of our Betrayal journey on Substack.

    The Bobby Bones Show

    Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.

    Crime Junkie

    Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by Audiochuck Media Company.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2026 iHeartMedia, Inc.

  • Help
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • AdChoicesAd Choices