Superintelligent

• Astonishing Tales from the Flip Phone Fad

  In this episode of Superintelligent, Mike Elgan and Emily Forlini dive into the new trend of old tech. Younger people are ditching smartphones and embracing flip phones. They unpack stories of Gen Z and millennial “lone wolves” who gave up TikTok, dating apps and infinite scroll for deeper work, better sleep and real-world skills.Links“The Matrix” flip phoneTCL FLIP 4 5G flip phoneCAT S22 flip phoneThe Last Useful ManMental Health in the Scroll AgeTop 8 Best Distraction Free Phones in 2025StickerboxPalantir CEO Says Legalizing War Crimes Would Be Good for BusinessFollow UsWebsite: superintelligentpodcast.comEmail: [email protected] Elgan - About | Machine Society | Bluesky | Mastodon | NotesEmily Forlini -Website |PC Mag |Bluesky |X |TikTok This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.superintelligentpodcast.com

  --------  

  35:03

  --------

  35:03
• Should Jim break up with his AI girlfriend?

  Mike and Emily challenge their bias that all AI relationships are bad using a real world example—with a scandalous twist. With companion chatbots becoming more common, how do people resist delusion? What’s the end point for simulated relationships?LinksJoi.aiBlade Runner 2049’s JoiReady for the ‘torment nexus’?HerFollow UsWebsite: superintelligentpodcast.comEmail: [email protected] Elgan - About | Machine Society | Bluesky | Mastodon | NotesEmily Forlini - Website | PC Mag | Bluesky | X | TikTokChapters00:00 Exploring AI Companionship03:53 The Story of Jim: A Case Study08:24 The Impact of AI on Human Relationships14:48 The Dangers of Delusion in AI Interactions20:38 Exploring Human Connection and Loneliness23:02 The Reality of Digital Relationships25:09 The Impact of AI on Human Emotions27:09 The Future of Virtual Companionship30:34 The Dystopian Vision of Technology32:56 The Need for a Utopian Approach to TechnologyKeywordsAI companionship, emotional impact, loneliness, rural America, digital relationships, technology addiction, virtual reality, human connection, AI relationships, social isolation This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.superintelligentpodcast.com

  --------  

  37:38

  --------

  37:38
• Software Wants Us Twerking 996

  Your favorite podcast hosts clock in to tech’s 996 work culture. That means working 9 AM to 9 PM, six days a week, a concept that moved from China to Silicon Valley. Emily unpacks the particulars of the 996 phenomenon, revealing the burnout, competition, and absurd expectations at some of the world’s biggest tech companies. Mike shares his own ‘workaholic’ past. Plus, the Superintelligent hosts offer Superintelligent ideas about how low-tech can improve your work and life in a high-tech world.LinksWhy the ‘996’ schedule is capturing the interest of Silicon Valley leadershiphttps://www.npr.org/2025/10/26/nx-s1-5567995/why-the-996-schedule-is-capturing-the-interest-of-silicon-valley-leadershipInfluencers in the Wild (social media virality and sociology)https://www.instagram.com/influencersinthewildThe power of low-tech in a high-tech worldhttps://www.computerworld.com/article/4086115/the-power-of-low-tech-in-a-high-tech-world.htmlRosalía “Berghain”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htQBS2Ikz6cFollow UsWebsite: superintelligentpodcast.comEmail: [email protected] Elgan - About | Machine Society | Bluesky | Mastodon | NotesEmily Forlini - Website | PC Mag | Bluesky | X | TikTokChapters00:00 Introduction to 996 Work Culture00:52 The Impact of Workaholism in Tech03:19 Cultural Perspectives on Work Hours05:45 The Role of AI in Work Culture08:25 Personal Experiences with Workaholism09:27 The Future of Work and Burnout12:04 Conclusion and Reflections on Work Culture15:46 Cultural Perspectives on Work Ethic18:59 The High-Tech World and Its Implications22:33 The Importance of Traditional Skills25:58 AI and Human Dependency29:39 Embracing Language and Culture33:12 Pop Culture Reflections and Closing ThoughtsKeywords996 work culture, burnout, workaholism, AI impact, work-life balance, technology in work, cultural work ethic, low-tech solutions, intellectual growth, creativity This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.superintelligentpodcast.com

  --------  

  36:40

  --------

  36:40
• Robots Don’t Need A Face To Fold Laundry

  Hosts Mike Elgan and Emily Forlini take a hard look at humanoid hardware, those overpriced mechanical houseguests we’ve all seen in science fiction and self-driving cars that cant quite drive themselves. Mike shuts down the humanoid delusion, while Emily calls out the anthropomorphic marketing ruse tech titans pull to appease pro-natalist narcissist types. Also: The hosts get personal, sharing practical, analog tips for surviving in a hyper-digital world. LinksBreaking the Humanoid Robot Delusionhttps://www.computerworld.com/article/4082113/breaking-the-humanoid-robot-delusion.htmlNEO The Home Robothttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTYMWadOW7cAmazon CEO Blames ‘Culture’ for Mass Layoffs, Not AIhttps://www.pcmag.com/news/amazon-ceo-mass-layoffs-were-not-due-to-ai-but-cultureFed Chair Not Worried About an AI Bubble. Here’s Why It Differs From the ‘90shttps://www.pcmag.com/news/fed-chair-jerome-powell-ai-bubble-why-its-different-90s-dotcom-eraAfter Teen Suicide, Character.AI (http://character.ai/) to Bar Kids Under 18 From Unlimited Chatshttps://www.pcmag.com/news/after-teen-suicide-characterai-to-bar-kids-under-18-from-unlimited-chatsFollow UsMike Elgan - About (https://elgan.com/about) | Machine Society Newsletter (https://machinesociety.ai/)Emily Forlini - Website (https://emilyforlini.com/) | PC Mag Articles (https://www.pcmag.com/authors/emily-dreibelbis-forlini)Email: [email protected] Podcast (https://www.superintelligentpodcast.com/) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.superintelligentpodcast.com

  --------  

  1:02:28

  --------

  1:02:28
• This Is Not Your Mom’s Mafia

  The latest episode of the Superintelligent podcast, hosted by Mike Elgan and Emily Forlini, dives into the technology angle on the mafia using NBA players and coaches to run gambling scams, the absurdity of AI opinion polarization, and a comprehensive look at “currant” scone matters.LinksFBI Busts Mob, NBA Players for Gambling Scheme: Here’s the Tech They Usedhttps://www.pcmag.com/news/fbi-busts-mob-nba-players-for-gambling-scheme-heres-the-tech-they-used[I Ate] Scones, jam and clotted cream in the Cotswoldshttps://www.reddit.com/r/food/comments/1oe1lkw/i_ate_scone_jam_and_clotted_cream_in_the_cotswolds/Follow UsMike Elgan - About (https://elgan.com/about) | Machine Society Newsletter (https://machinesociety.ai/)Emily Forlini - Website (https://emilyforlini.com/) | PC Mag Articles (https://www.pcmag.com/authors/emily-dreibelbis-forlini)Email: [email protected] Podcast (https://www.superintelligentpodcast.com/)Chapters00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene00:54 The Gambling Scandal Unveiled05:01 Technology’s Role in Modern Crime07:13 The Cultural Impact of NBA Players09:19 The Evolution of Organized Crime14:43 AI’s Dual Nature: Benefits and Risks22:28 The Future of AI and Shopping Technology31:23 The Future of AI Beyond Chatbots32:18 Exploring Alternative AI Applications33:41 Ethics and AI in Media Creation35:49 The Dystopian Nature of AI Fabrication37:05 The Shallow Discourse of the Tech Industry37:28 Digital Detox: A City’s Initiative41:24 The Impact of Technology on Society41:47 Coping with Technology Overload47:44 Cultural Insights on Food and Language This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.superintelligentpodcast.com

  --------  

  54:02

  --------

  54:02

More Society & Culture podcasts

Trending Society & Culture podcasts

About Superintelligent