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Close All Tabs

KQED
Social Media
Tiktok
Misinformation
Elon Musk
Disinformation
Artificial Intelligence
Silicon Valley
Spotify
Donald Trump
Waymo
Chatgpt
Charlie Kirk
Meme Culture
Family Vlogging
Hyperpop
Data Centers
Dating Apps
Luigi Mangione
Micro-Genres
Generative AI

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes91Founded20 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
TechnologySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Close All Tabs

Latest Episodes

People really seem to hate data centers. And the more people learn about the amount of resources these server-packed buildings need, the bigger the backlash grows. Perhaps that’s why the viral music video and beverage ad “We Want Your Pee” took off i... more

While the Close All Tabs team churns out our next few episodes, we bring you this must-listen from Life, Automated. Generative AI is able to conjure new images, stories, and songs at lightning speed. So what does this mean for humans artists, storyte... more

Host Morgan Sung and the Close All Tabs team pull up the stories they can’t stop thinking about. From a fake NFL player catfishing women on dating apps, to femme creators reclaiming tech, indie musicians fighting AI music slop, and a comedian dishing... more

Close All Tabs is on break this week, but we’re sharing a captivating episode about technology gone wrong from our friends at KQED’s Snap Judgment.

A 19 year old picks up his family’s car from the auto mechanic shop, but a few minutes into the drive... more

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Recent Guests

Sam Dutcher
18-year-old driver involved in runaway car incident
Self / Family
Episode: Close All Tabs Presents Snap Judgment: Runaway Car
Catherine Dutcher
Mother of the driver, radio to 911, concerned and engaged
Family
Episode: Close All Tabs Presents Snap Judgment: Runaway Car
Zach Groover
Minnesota State Trooper, deputy in pursuit
Minnesota State Patrol
Episode: Close All Tabs Presents Snap Judgment: Runaway Car
Gabriela Glueck
KQED reporter and producer who leads this episode
KQED
Episode: What Happened to the Quantified Self Movement?
Camilo Landau
Musician and AI music researcher; works at Pandora
Pandora
Episode: Going Down the AI Music Slop Chute with Camilo Landau | Dream Machines
Jungwon Byun
Co-founder of Elicit, AI startup focused on AI for scientists
Elicit
Episode: Could AI Transform How Science Gets Done? with Jungwon Byun | Dream Machines
Ej Dickson
Reporter for Wired who covered the Emily Hart saga
Wired
Episode: The Emily Hart Saga, Part 2: The AI Thirst Trap Grift
Erik Brynjolfsson
Economist known for research on AI and productivity
Stanford Digital Economy Lab / Stanford University
Episode: AI Will Create Enormous Wealth — But Who Benefits? with Erik Brynjolfsson | Dream Machines
Annalee Newitz
Non-fiction writer and author focused on civilization-scale thinking; associated with Dream Machines project
Annalee Newitz / Dream Machines
Episode: Language, Landscapes and Robot Minds with Annalee Newitz | Dream Machines

Host

Morgan Sung
Host of Close All Tabs; tech journalist covering internet culture, platforms, and the social impact of technology

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 314 ratings
  • Eye-opening stories, refreshingly well edited. Love this journalist's voice.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Steph_in_Wisconsin
    a month ago
  • A vital resource for staying relevant

    As a parent- this is an essential resource. Such a service! So grateful. Thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    manhattanbeachmo
    United States5 months ago
  • Love love love

    Every episode is fantastic - great in-depth engaging stories that are relevant to the state of the tech world

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ajhqt
    United States5 months ago
  • So helpful!

    Im a nature girl a bit overwhelmed and frustrated by the current digital world. This podcast is very engaging. My curiosity is being nourished here which is helpful for my wellbeing and navigation of what is unfolding.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Oak🌱seedlings🌈
    United States5 months ago
  • Great show

    Super current and always locked in

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mitchyblueeyes
    United States5 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the mix of humor and sharp commentary, and the ability to spark discussion among peers.
Listeners praise in-depth, timely storytelling and engagement with a wide range of perspectives.
A vital resource for staying relevant and understanding tech culture in real time.
Audience notes the show often delivers thoughtful, well-contextualized analyses that stay with them beyond the episode.
Shows are well-researched and accessible, making complex topics feel approachable.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#109
United States/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#21
Philippines/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#71
Netherlands/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#83
Norway/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#114
China/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#177
New Zealand/Technology

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Language, Landscapes and Robot Minds with Annalee Newitz | Dream Machines
Q: What does embodiment mean for AI, and should we think of language models as having bodies or stakes in physical form?
The discussion emphasizes that AI systems do have physical embodiments via data centers and hardware, and that recognizing this embodiment highlights concerns about labor, environment, and political economy; language itself is a landscape that shapes how these systems interact with humans and societies.
Language, Landscapes and Robot Minds with Annalee Newitz | Dream Machines
Q: Is the AI boom fundamentally a money machine or an organizational machine, and how does that distinction shape its impact on San Francisco?
Newitz explains that the AI surge mirrors past booms in San Francisco's history, driven by massive investment that blends finance with structural decisions about how products are built and deployed; she cautions that where money goes profoundly shapes public life, work, and culture, and argues for more humanities input to steer development toward human-centered outcomes.
Introducing: Dream Machines from KQED
Q: Can you tell me about that?
Alexis discusses their shared curiosity about AI, the divergent perspectives between being enthusiastic and wary, and how their longtime friendship informs a balanced approach to examining what these tools can do and what they might become.
Introducing: Dream Machines from KQED
Q: Okay. Well, tell me about how you guys met.
Robin explains that they met in San Francisco in the 2000s at a blogger meetup organized by Clay Shirky, becoming friends and collaborators who shared a fascination with technology and later began working together in a makeshift media lab.
The Secret Lives of Mormon Momfluencers
Q: What role did the church play in sponsoring these influencers?
The church reportedly financed and supported influencers, coordinating sponsorships and sometimes providing resources or brand deals, which helped certain creators reach large audiences while associating the content with Mormon values without explicit religious messaging.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Close All Tabs

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

This show analyzes how digital culture, AI, and online behavior shape real-world outcomes, often with a probing yet playful take on contemporary tech trends. Episodes frequently explore scams, AI-generated content, platform dynamics, and the cultural politics of online communities, pairing sharp reporting with candid banter. Noteworthy moments tend to come from deep dives into ethics, governance, and the social implications of new technologies, as well as memorable roundtable discussions that connect niche internet phenomena to broader societal questions. The format often blends real-world case studies, expert context, and narrative storytelling to help listeners understand how digital power dynamics affect work, culture, and everyday life.... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Close All Tabs?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Close All Tabs:

1. The Bay
2. Bay Curious
3. It's Been a Minute
4. Code Switch
5. Today, Explained

How many episodes of Close All Tabs are there?

Close All Tabs launched 20 years ago and published 91 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. Sam Dutcher
2. Catherine Dutcher
3. Zach Groover
4. Gabriela Glueck
5. Camilo Landau
6. Jungwon Byun
7. Ej Dickson
8. Erik Brynjolfsson

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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