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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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes83Founded20 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
TechnologySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Close All Tabs

Latest Episodes

Emily Hart, the bikini-wearing right-wing AI influencer, had captured the hearts, minds and more of MAGA men online. But her creator, Sam, had grown sick of the creepy messages and unsolicited explicit photos he’d received from Emily’s adoring fans. ... more

AI is advancing at a breakneck pace, but how quickly will that actually transform the economy? Dream Machines hosts Alexis Madrigal and Robin Sloan talk to Stanford economist Erik Brynjolfsson about what the data can tell us so far, why previous tech... more

Emily Hart was a pickup-driving, Trump-supporting blonde bombshell who frequently posted photos on Instagram along with captions about “deporting illegals.” Within a few weeks she gained thousands of followers. It was like she was engineered to go vi... more

San Francisco has been at the center of successive waves of technological and cultural change — from the literal Gold Rush days to the current gold rush-like AI boom. Dream Machines hosts Alexis Madrigal and Robin Sloan talk to author, longtime San ... more

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Recent Guests

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
Alexandra Saber
Twitch streamer known as Denims
Twitch creator, online commentator
Episode: Why The Ethan Klein Fair Use Lawsuits Are Way More Than Internet Beef
Kat Tenbarge
Independent journalist and Spitfire News writer
Spitfire News
Episode: Why The Ethan Klein Fair Use Lawsuits Are Way More Than Internet Beef
Alexis Madrigal
Co-host at KQED Forum; former technology journalist and editor
KQED Forum
Episode: Introducing: Dream Machines from KQED
Robin Sloan
Writer and author known for novels blending San Francisco culture with technology
Writer
Episode: Introducing: Dream Machines from KQED
Kylie Cheung
Staff reporter for Abortion Every Day; previously covered reproductive health care and women's rights
Abortion Every Day (formerly Jezebel and Salon)
Episode: The Pink Pill Pipeline and the Online War Against Birth Control
Patch O'Furr
Furry news site founder, runs Dogpatch Press
Dogpatch Press
Episode: How the Furry Fandom Says Goodbye (Reload)
Changa Husky
Furry community member and interviewee guiding VR explorations
Independent member of furry community
Episode: How the Furry Fandom Says Goodbye (Reload)
Ben Bradford
Creator and host of Are We Doomed
Are We Doomed (podcast)
Episode: Are We Doomed If The Internet Goes Dark?

Host

Morgan Sung
Host and tech journalist guiding discussions on internet culture, AI, and digital society.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 307 ratings
  • 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 States3 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 States4 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 States4 months ago
  • Great show

    Super current and always locked in

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mitchyblueeyes
    United States4 months ago
  • O M G

    In 23andme the guest on the episode is my auntie

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    lemontree415
    United States6 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise timely, well-researched coverage of current tech issues.
Fans appreciate the mix of expert voices and practical takeaways.
Listeners often recommend the show for staying informed on digital culture and policy.
Shows high-quality reporting and thoughtful discussions; some episodes noted for transformative insights.
Audiences value accessible explanations of complex topics and engaging storytelling.

Chart Rankings

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

Spotify
#39
United States/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#72
United States/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#121
Canada/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#154
United Kingdom/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#155
Australia/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#50
South Korea/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?

Close All Tabs examines how digital culture, technology, and online ecosystems shape everyday life, from AI and deepfakes to memes, online safety, and policy. Episodes blend reporting, expert interviews, and cultural analysis to reveal how platforms, data, and internet trends influence trust, privacy, and social norms. Notable throughlines include the ethics of AI-generated media, consumer rights in repair and digital privacy, and the human stories behind tech policy, with a knack for translating complex topics into engaging, topical conversations. A standout aspect is its willingness to pair technical nuance with accessible storytelling and a diverse slate of guests that ranges from researchers and journalists to creators and advocates, ma... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Close All Tabs?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Close All Tabs:

1. Bay Curious
2. The Bay
3. KQED's Forum
4. KQED's The California Report
5. On the Media

How many episodes of Close All Tabs are there?

Close All Tabs launched 20 years ago and published 83 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. Annalee Newitz
2. Alexandra Saber
3. Kat Tenbarge
4. Alexis Madrigal
5. Robin Sloan
6. Kylie Cheung
7. Patch O'Furr
8. Changa Husky

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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