The Podcast Report 2023-24

Join us in the Season 3 Finale episode, where we reminisce about our favourite moments from the podcast! From the hilarious creation of the jingle episode (an all-round friends and family collaboration) to deep dives into the impact of AI on graphics and the fashion industry, this episode is packed with lots of laughs and a wee bit of insights. We also tackle the tricky business of AI "bullshitting" and how machines love to please, even if it means getting things wrong. PS - Liars care about the truth (to hide it), bullshitters just want to impress or persuade, truth be damned! Welcome to GenAI. Plus, a little humble bragging about the awards we have won and a sneak peek into plans for shaking things up in the next season. We can’t wait to be back in Season 4. Until then… Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From absurd web beginnings to some misplaced national pride, tech folklore never disappoints. A mouthful of a name that could make even the most patient typist weep, "Jerry and David's Guide to the World Wide Web," could have single-handedly crashed Netscape Navigator. Meanwhile, the digital world's party crasher, Error 404's origin story - linked to CERN's room 404 - proves even glitches have intriguing backstories. Closer to home, Nilesh's trip to Mumbai's Panjrapur water plant uncovered a juicy tidbit about BMC's potential entrepreneurial foray in the water business. And Sheetal's pilgrimage to Toronto's Bata Shoe Museum shattered our collective illusion - turns out, our favourite "Indian" shoe brand has been international all along, leaving millions of Indians feeling somewhat... misled. We remain your #funtech companion through traffic jams, morning jogs and side-listens during boring Zoom meetings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join us as we unpack the irony of the word for the fear of long words. Surprise Surprise - it is a really long word - we will just call it "hippo-fear". Explore the most significant tech flops of 2024 (spoiler: not even AI could save them), and delve into the hazards of space burping — because in zero gravity, what goes down doesn't necessarily stay down. Expect a rollercoaster of laughs, lessons, and just the right amount of absurdity as we uncover why some things are better left un-burped, un-coded, and definitely unpronounced! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The first Indian podcasts were like arranged marriages - everyone was a bit awkward, and no one knew what to expect, but hey, at least the family was supportive! As podcasts gained traction, they soon had podcasts for every niche. We've got celebrity podcasts where Bollywood stars share their deep thoughts, like how difficult it is to find the right shade of beige for their 15th luxury car. Tech-savvy grandpas are starting "back in my day" podcasts, reminiscing about when "viral" was something you didn't want to be. And let's not forget the rise of regional language podcasts. Why stick to Hindi or English when you can confuse Alexa with 20+ languages? As we look to the future, the possibilities are endless. The future of the Indian podcasting scene is like a good biryani—it took a while to prepare, it's got a mix of everything, and it leaves you wanting more. Catch our episode that talks all about it on your favourite podcasting platforms and our YouTube channel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Before our ancestors could argue about who left the cave door open, they were already cracking up. Laughter came way before language — it's prehistoric Wi-Fi, connecting us without a single word. And it’s not just us! Apes giggle during playtime, rats squeak with joy when tickled, and dolphins? Well, they’ve got their own aquatic stand-up routines going on. Turns out, laughter really is the original universal language — even before we had words to mess it up! 🦧🐀🐬 Onto the life of a tennis ball 🎾 in a Grand Slam after it has survived the thundering serves of the pros. These balls are typically used for just 7 to 9 games before they're swapped out—because, you know, even tennis balls need a “break at some point” 🤣. So, what happens to them after they’ve done their bit for the tournament? Souvenirs? Donated to clubs? In the paws of a very happy dog? Who knows. And finally, your acidic stomach, which is your body's very own self-defence ninja. It is a Germ Slayer against harmful bacteria and pathogens that might hitch a ride on your food. It is a Toxic Avenger (think of that questionable sushi), that breaks down and eliminates the toxins; a detox squad on call 24/7. And we have our own view on what else it might be useful for. Aways!!! And that is a broad summary of what you will find once you click the play button. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever wondered how monkeys keep their pearly whites so white? Turns out that our primate pals prefer the all-natural, eco-friendly bird feather floss! They’re quite the dental hygiene trendsetters. Next time you see a monkey with a feather, you know they’re just prepping for that smiley close-up! Switching to the world of beavers, who knew dental trends could be so... orange? Beavers sport orange teeth not because of a pumpkin spice latte obsession but thanks to iron-rich enamel. This gives them their distinctive smile and makes their teeth tough enough to chow down on trees and build dams. The virtues of white teeth are overrated 😎. And then there are parrots, the social butterflies of the bird world, who've taken to Zoom like ducks to water. They love a good virtual gossip session, squawking and squabbling over who gets the most screen time. But separate them from their video pals, and the FOMO hits hard. Withdrawal symptoms include sulking on their perches and mimicking dial-up internet sounds in protest. Zoom or bust, as the modern parrot says! Now you know what is in store for you in this episode. So enlighten yourself with a laugh. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We find ourselves on the final step of our "PAIN" journey - non-repudiation (NR). As we navigate our increasingly digital lives, let's embrace the covenant of non-repudiation with open arms and cautious clicks. It is a world where "I didn't send that embarrassing email" just won't cut it anymore. In the digital realm, non-repudiation is like an online notary public of every action we take. It's the technological equivalent of your mom saying, "I know it was you who ate the last cookie" – but with mathematical certainty. It ensures you can run but can't hide from your online actions. It's making honesty the best policy, not by choice, but by cryptographic necessity. NR turns every digital promise into an ironclad contract. Think of it as the binding magic of a genie’s wish—be careful what you click for; you’ll get it, and it will stick. In the landscape of non-repudiation, the 'oops' button is perpetually out of order. It is not all doom and gloom. Non-repudiation is the superhero that swoops in, cape fluttering, ensuring every digital action is as traceable as Sherlock Holmes following a trail of breadcrumbs—no vanishing into the ether allowed! Summary - NR ensures that every action has a consequence in our vast online universe, and every digital move is accounted for. It’s not just about keeping you honest; it’s also about keeping everyone else honest. In this ever-connected world, it’s the guardian of digital integrity, ensuring that what goes online stays verifiable online. Listen on for NR insights. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So, here is what we found out about COWS. Cows are social animals. They form strong bonds and prefer staying close to their friends in the pasture, often grazing, resting, and grooming each other. Research shows that heart rates increase and stress hormone levels rise in cows that are separated from their bonded friends. BTW - a stressed cow produces less milk than a happy one. Onto airbags and their uses. Where do you think they could be used (other than cars)? Soft landings for gymnasts, perhaps? Miniature ones attached to your breakables? Or just a part of your jeans as an everyday consumer fall-protection device. Think about it 🤔. And finally, elections and indelible ink. Is it a good business? How big? If it is so indelible, can we use it for other purposes? Clinical trials? Marking prisoners? Equipment identification? Wow! It is almost as powerful as blockchain😎. Listen on for other life-saving trivia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever wondered how organizations keep their data squeaky clean and under lock and key? 🧹🔐 In our latest episode, we dive into the nitty-gritty of data integrity and authentication. First up, we spill the beans on how companies ensure their data doesn't go rogue. We're talking input validation (because garbage in, garbage out), deduplication (no duplicates allowed!), data backups (better safe than sorry), access control (who's got the keys?), and audit tracking (keeping an eye on everything). Then, we break down the holy trinity of authentication:🔑 What you know (passwords, but please, no "123456")📱 What you have (hello, hardware tokens and software tokens)👁️ Who you are (biometrics, because nobody else has your face) And finally, we pivot to India to unravel the mysteries of cybercrime, focusing on the top hotspots for online financial fraud. Did you know that 10 districts account for 80% of cybercrime in India? Tune in for a blend of tech talk, practical tips, and some cyber sleuthing! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Listen up, you Illuminati, Opus Dei, Freemasons, and Skull & Bones Society; there's a new secret society in town. The Order of 37 was founded by eccentric mathematicians tired of mainstream numbers getting all the glory. Pi, Fibonacci, Mersenne and the Catalan numbers were such show-offs. But 37? It was the unsung hero of the number world.  Members, known as "Threesevenians, believed that one of their own discovered that 37 was not just a number but a portal to another dimension – a dimension where pi ends and where the square root of two is a nice, neat whole number. To access this, one must write the number 37 precisely 37 times while standing on one leg and humming the theme from "We Are the Champions". If this is thought-provoking, you are at the right place. Listen on. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices