Rephonic
Artwork for Close All Tabs

Close All Tabs

KQED
Disinformation
Misinformation
Family Vlogging
Elon Musk
Tiktok
JD Vance
X (formerly Twitter)
Child Influencers
Waymo
AI Therapy
Political Memes
Privacy Rights
Kami Barrett
Self-Driving Cars
Silicon Valley
Wayback Machine
Internet Archive
Donald Trump
KQED
Hillbilly Elegy

Ever wonder where the internet stops and IRL begins? Close All Tabs breaks down how digital culture shapes our world through thoughtful insights and irreverent humor. From internet trends to AI slop to the politics of memes, Close All Tabs covers it all. How will AI change our jobs and lives? Is the government watching what I post? Is there life beyond TikTok? Host Morgan Sung pulls from experts, ... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes52Founded19 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
TechnologySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Close All Tabs

Latest Episodes

When ChatGPT launched in 2022, it kicked off what some have called the “AI hype machine” — a frenzy of promotion and investment that has sent some tech companies’ valuations soaring to record heights. Meanwhile, computational linguist Emily M. Bender... more

What happens to dating when every misstep has the potential to go viral? That’s what happened in 2022, when social media posts warning about a few bad dates with a man named “West Elm Caleb” blew up on TikTok in 2022, and became a cautionary tale on ... more

“Clacky,” “Poppy,” and "Thocky" may sound like the latest cereal elves, but they’re actually terms to describe the sounds of typing on a mechanical keyboard. What started as a niche hobby blew up during the pandemic, with a huge influx of creators po... more

AI delusions, chatbot psychosis, AI-induced religious mania… The phenomenon goes by many names, but the common thread is the same: someone starts talking to an AI chatbot, the conversation turns spiritual, and then they seem to lose touch with realit... more

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Recent Guests

Tanya Chen
Internet and Tech reporter
Episode: The All-Seeing Eyes of Modern Dating
Magdalene Taylor
Sex and culture writer, senior editor at Playboy
Playboy
Episode: The All-Seeing Eyes of Modern Dating
Trine Gallegos
A mother, wife, and former journalist who has connected with her biological family through DNA testing.
Episode: 23andMe (andGeneticPrivacy)
Anya Prince
Professor at the University of Iowa College of Law, specializing in genetic privacy and discrimination.
University of Iowa
Episode: 23andMe (andGeneticPrivacy)
Adam Aleksic
Known online as etymology nerd, he studies the evolution of language and slang.
Episode: Is Algospeak Coming for Us?
Brewster Kahle
Founder of The Internet Archive
The Internet Archive
Episode: Bonus: A Big Win for the Internet Archive
Felidoro Cueva
One of the first Latino engineers in Silicon Valley, and father of producer Maya Cueva.
Episode: OGs of Tech: A Latino Engineer in Silicon Valley
Kieran Press-Reynolds
Writer at Pitchfork, focusing on technology and music intersections.
Pitchfork
Episode: The Spotify Effect, Pt 2: Micro-Genre Madness
Francesca Fenzi
Digital Community Producer at KQED
KQED
Episode: Do You Hear What I Hear? Audio Illusions and Misinformation

Host

Morgan Sung
Morgan Sung is a tech journalist whose work encompasses a range of absurdity and brilliance that is the internet. She engages with both experts and audience opinions, exploring how digital cultures intersect with real-world experiences.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 157 ratings
  • Great New NPR Pod

    Pleasantly surprised how forward thinking this podcast is. It’s a nice blend of online culture with the traditional and professional NPR voice.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    J.Robert
    United Statesa month ago
  • Ethics don’t exist

    Just listened to Shadow Scholars. It isn’t mentioned at all how cheating is wrong and how the people offering cheating services might also be wrong for their participation. It’s unethical to engage in cheating whether you sell or receive the cheated work. The providers live in other countries allowing them to not be criminally liable and we’re meant to leave feeling sympathetic for them that they cannot go to global north universities? If they’re so highly educated then they can create their own... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Emilyjoyphotos
    United States2 months ago
  • Insightful while mentally untaximg

    Learned a lot from this professionally done pod

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    batyrn
    United States2 months ago
  • Upon discovering this podcast, it immediately became my favorite. I eagerly look for new episodes. The setup for the show is very relatable because, yeah, I have a lot of tabs open at any given moment. Morgan is a good host and I wish that she delivered most of my podcast shows. Thank you so much for making such an informative and interesting podcast!!

    Podchaser
    5
    sonotcool
    3 months ago
  • Thought provoking

    This podcast is thought provoking and makes me think about issues that I didn’t realize was an issue. The recent episode on what if the internet archive goes dark really made me go hmm. I’ve learned so much in each episode about the power of technology as a force for good but it also opens the tab and examines the unintended consequences of technology.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LeeBird Dad
    United States7 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the thought-provoking nature of the content, frequently mentioning its ability to highlight underappreciated issues regarding digital culture.
The mix of humor and critical analysis seems to resonate well, making technology and politics feel accessible and engaging.
Many express a desire for more in-depth explorations of specific tech topics, which showcases their enthusiasm and engagement with the podcast's content.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#139
United States/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#98
Indonesia/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#102
Philippines/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#114
Mexico/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#218
Denmark/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#235
Saudi Arabia/Technology

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

AI Prophets and Spiritual Delusions
Q: What are AI delusions?
AI delusions refer to the belief that AI chatbots can provide profound insights or revelations, potentially leading to delusions of grandeur or paranoia in users. Experts use this term to describe a phenomenon where users lose touch with reality after engaging extensively with AI chatbots.
In Search of Thock: The Quest for the Perfect Keyboard
Q: Do you think people will go back to that kind of mentality of tinkering and of customizing?
I really hope so. I hope it's kind of cyclical where it's like people will go back to just like having a little bit less options and kind of enjoying the craft of it more.
In Search of Thock: The Quest for the Perfect Keyboard
Q: Was it always that way? Or is that relatively new?
It's kind of shifted a little bit more consumer-y, which is kind of a bummer because the tinkering was the funnest aspect of it.
In Search of Thock: The Quest for the Perfect Keyboard
Q: How did this hobby get so big in the first place?
The hobby gained popularity due to the rise of content creators on platforms like YouTube and Twitch, documenting their custom builds and engaging a wider audience.
Groypers, Doxxing and Charlie Kirk’s Death as a S***post
Q: What is the current conversation missing by not understanding the deeply online context of this entire case?
The conversation is too motivated from a right-wing perspective and fails to recognize that CNN no longer narrates American life effectively for many people.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Close All Tabs

What is Close All Tabs about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A captivating exploration of the intersection between digital culture and real life, this podcast tackles how online trends and technologies shape societal dynamics. With topics ranging from the influence of AI on daily life to the political implications of memes, it delves into the comedic and serious aspects of internet culture. The host combines expert opinions and historical context, making complex digital phenomena accessible and engaging. Listeners can expect thoughtful insights, irreverent humor, and a rich tapestry of discussions that address the ever-evolving relationship between the internet, the public, and culture.

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How many listeners does Close All Tabs get?

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Which podcasts are similar to Close All Tabs?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Close All Tabs:

1. Throughline
2. Today, Explained
3. Search Engine
4. Decoder Ring
5. Radiolab

How many episodes of Close All Tabs are there?

Close All Tabs launched 19 years ago and published 52 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Close All Tabs?

Recent guests on Close All Tabs include:

1. Tanya Chen
2. Magdalene Taylor
3. Trine Gallegos
4. Anya Prince
5. Adam Aleksic
6. Brewster Kahle
7. Felidoro Cueva
8. Kieran Press-Reynolds

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