Best Speculative Machines Podcasts (2025)

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Brainstem Disco, 2191 by Angela Liu (audio) 13:59

22h ago13:59

13:59

This episode features "Brainstem Disco, 2191" written by Angela Liu. Published in the May 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/liu_05_25 Support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/clarkesworld?…

1
Episode 337: Review of Lux 59:16

2d ago59:16

59:16

What happens when a cartoon comes to life? What happens when your fans meet you?? Will things ever be the same again? The answer is SPOILERS! Don't make us laugh! The Discussing Network proudly presents Discussing Who Episode 337. This episode is streamed live on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitch, and presented in its original, unedited version. Hosted…

1
An Even Greater Cold to Come by Rich Larson (audio) 23:51

2d ago23:51

23:51

This episode features "An Even Greater Cold to Come" written by Rich Larson. Published in the April 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/larson_04_25 Support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/clarkesworld?…

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CTIBench: Evaluating LLMs in Cyber Threat Intelligence with Nidhi Rastogi - #729 56:18

3d ago56:18

56:18

Today, we're joined by Nidhi Rastogi, assistant professor at Rochester Institute of Technology to discuss Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI), focusing on her recent project CTIBench—a benchmark for evaluating LLMs on real-world CTI tasks. Nidhi explains the evolution of AI in cybersecurity, from rule-based systems to LLMs that accelerate analysis by p…

1
In My Country by Thomas Ha (audio) 39:18

3d ago39:18

39:18

This episode features "In My Country" written by Thomas Ha. Published in the April 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/ha_04_25 Support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/clarkesworld?By Clarkesworld Magazine

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Symbiotic by Carolyn Zhao (audio) 1:03:29

3d ago1:03:29

1:03:29

This episode features "Symbiotic" written by Carolyn Zhao. Published in the April 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/zhao_04_25 Support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/clarkesworld?…

1
Still Water by Zhang Ran (audio) 1:05:07

3d ago1:05:07

1:05:07

This episode features "Still Water" written by Zhang Ran and translated by Andy Dudak. Published in the April 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/zhang_04_25 Support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/clarkesworld?…

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662: Alternative Browsers, Discord vs Circle, and AI in the Browser 1:03:00

4d ago1:03:00

1:03:00

Show Description We're talking browsers and discussing alternative options like Vivaldi and Brave, the implications of Chrome's potential sale to OpenAI, the impact of AI on browser functionality, Discord vs Circle, and building with Hotwire. Listen on Website → Links Newfangled Browser Alternatives – Frontend Masters Blog Zen Browser Horse Browser…

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Christopher Nolan’s The Hypnotist: 4D Metaphors & the Multiverse of Inner Change with Hypnotherapist Adam Cox 1:17:23

9d ago1:17:23

1:17:23

INT. SUBCONSCIOUS MIND – NIGHT. A man stares into a spiral. A voice enters the room. The loop begins. What starts as a podcast quickly becomes a paradox: Are you listening… or are you being rewritten? In this psychological-thriller-meets-transformational-masterclass, Greg invites Adam Cox—Harley Street hypnotherapist and host of The Hypnotist podca…

1
Generative Benchmarking with Kelly Hong - #728 54:17

9d ago54:17

54:17

In this episode, Kelly Hong, a researcher at Chroma, joins us to discuss "Generative Benchmarking," a novel approach to evaluating retrieval systems, like RAG applications, using synthetic data. Kelly explains how traditional benchmarks like MTEB fail to represent real-world query patterns and how embedding models that perform well on public benchm…

1
Aegiopolis Testudo by Gordon Li (audio) 55:00

9d ago55:00

55:00

This episode features "Aegiopolis Testudo" written by Gordon Li. Published in the April 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/li_04_25 Support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/clarkesworld?…

1
The Seed by Sheri Singerling (audio) 37:16

10d ago37:16

37:16

This episode features "The Seed" written by Sheryl Singerling. Published in the April 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/singerling_04_25 Support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/clarkesworld?…

1
Episode 336: Review of The Robot Revolution 58:05

11d ago58:05

58:05

It's time for a new companion and a whole new adventure with the Doctor. When robots from Outer Space kidnap Nurse Belinda Chandra, the Doctor embarks on an epic intergalactic quest to get his new friend back home to Earth. The Discussing Network proudly presents Discussing Who Episode 336. This episode is streamed live on Facebook, YouTube, and Tw…

1
Episode 335: Rose 20th Anniversary and 2025 Series Speculation 57:53

11d ago57:53

57:53

Join us as we celebrate 20 years since Doctor Who returned to television, as well as speculate about the 2025 series. The Discussing Network proudly presents Discussing Who episode 335. This episode is streamed live on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitch, and presented in its original, unedited version. Hosted by Clarence Brown, Lee Shackleford, and Kyle…

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661: Working Vacations, Ripping Out JavaScript, and Non-US Cloud Service Options 58:56

12d ago58:56

58:56

Show Description What are the non-US cloud services options, falling off the blogging train and trying to get back on, working on vacation, Chris recaps the Alaskan Folk Festival experience, how often do you go back and clean out JavaScript, and the idea of gilding just one lily on a new project. Listen on Website → Links European Alternatives A la…

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Exploring the Biology of LLMs with Circuit Tracing with Emmanuel Ameisen - #727 1:34:06

18d ago1:34:06

1:34:06

In this episode, Emmanuel Ameisen, a research engineer at Anthropic, returns to discuss two recent papers: "Circuit Tracing: Revealing Language Model Computational Graphs" and "On the Biology of a Large Language Model." Emmanuel explains how his team developed mechanistic interpretability methods to understand the internal workings of Claude by rep…

1
660: Teaching CSS, Conferences, and Masonry Updates 58:48

19d ago58:48

58:48

Show Description Follow up on thoughts about teaching CSS from scratch, questions about conferences to attend as well as a way to kickstart a conference idea, some Balatro thoughts, and our thoughts on the recent Grid vs Masonry debate. Listen on Website → Links The Homebrewery - NaturalCrit SmashingConf in-person Conferences 2025 — Friendly, inclu…

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Teaching LLMs to Self-Reflect with Reinforcement Learning with Maohao Shen - #726 51:45

25d ago51:45

51:45

Today, we're joined by Maohao Shen, PhD student at MIT to discuss his paper, “Satori: Reinforcement Learning with Chain-of-Action-Thought Enhances LLM Reasoning via Autoregressive Search.” We dig into how Satori leverages reinforcement learning to improve language model reasoning—enabling model self-reflection, self-correction, and exploration of a…

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659: CSS Carousel Configurator Demos with Adam Argyle 1:10:29

26d ago1:10:29

1:10:29

Show Description Adam Argyle joins us to chat about new CSS features that are demo'd in a carousel configurator - a builder-like experience to help visualize the capabilities of a CSS only Carousel: buttons, markers, paging and inertness. Listen on Website → Guests Adam Argyle Guest's Main URL • Guest's Social CSS at Google. Links Chrome Canary Fea…

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The Man Who Built Britney Spears a Time Machine with Inventor Françoie Gagnon 1:40:45

30d ago1:40:45

1:40:45

Oops, I did it again - click - oops, I did it again - click - oops, did it again.... He built a time machine in his car. It caught fire. The government showed up. Then Britney Spears bought one. Yes, really. Welcome to the mind of Francoie Gagnon, Quebec’s very own chrononaut, consciousness tech inventor, and DIY engineer of mind-matter machines. I…

1
Through These Moments, Darkly by Samantha Murray (audio) 27:17

1M ago27:17

27:17

This episode features "Through These Moments, Darkly" written by Samantha Murray. Published in the April 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/murray_04_25 Support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/clarkesworld?…

1
Speculative Machines - Flatline 31:36

1M ago31:36

31:36

Speculative Machines - Flatline by Speculative MachinesBy Speculative Machines

1
Flatline 31:36

1M ago31:36

31:36

Speculative Machines - FlatlineBy Speculative Machines

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Waymo's Foundation Model for Autonomous Driving with Drago Anguelov - #725 1:09:07

1M ago1:09:07

1:09:07

Today, we're joined by Drago Anguelov, head of AI foundations at Waymo, for a deep dive into the role of foundation models in autonomous driving. Drago shares how Waymo is leveraging large-scale machine learning, including vision-language models and generative AI techniques to improve perception, planning, and simulation for its self-driving vehicl…

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658: Andy Bell on Working with Clients, Writing, and Building Courses for Web Builders 1:02:22

1M ago1:02:22

1:02:22

Show Description We're joined by Andy Bell, the founder of Set Studio. They discuss the evolution of web design, the importance of client relationships, and the innovative approaches taken at Set Studio and Piccalilli. The conversation covers the shift from traditional design methods to a more browser-centric approach, the challenges of client work…

1
Funerary Habits of Low Entropy Entities by Damián Neri (audio) 27:24

1M ago27:24

27:24

This episode features "Funerary Habits of Low Entropy Entities" written by Damián Neri. Published in the March 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/neri_03_25 Support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/clarkesworld?…

1
The Sound of the Star by Ren Zeyu (audio) 27:22

1M ago27:22

27:22

This episode features "The Sound of the Star" written by Ren Zeyu and translated by Jay Zhang. Published in the March 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/ren_03_25 Support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/clarkesworld?…

1
Hook and Line by Koji A. Dae (audio) 30:10

1M ago30:10

30:10

This episode features "Hook and Line" written by Koji A. Dae. Published in the March 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/dae_03_25 Support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/clarkesworld?…

1
Those Uncaring Waves by Yukimi Ogawa (audio) 1:56:24

1M ago1:56:24

1:56:24

This episode features "Those Uncaring Waves" written by Yukimi Ogawa. Published in the March 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/ogawa_03_25 Support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/clarkesworld?…

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Dynamic Token Merging for Efficient Byte-level Language Models with Julie Kallini - #724 50:32

1M ago50:32

50:32

Today, we're joined by Julie Kallini, PhD student at Stanford University to discuss her recent papers, “MrT5: Dynamic Token Merging for Efficient Byte-level Language Models” and “Mission: Impossible Language Models.” For the MrT5 paper, we explore the importance and failings of tokenization in large language models—including inefficient compression…

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657: David Darnes on Web Components and Design Systems 1:04:51

1M ago1:04:51

1:04:51

Show Description David Darnes joins us to talk about his work on the Nord design system, writing web components, working with embeds and web components, thoughts on building a progress bar or notification component, keeping design systems and design tools in sync, and tricks for components and variables. Listen on Website → Guests David Darnes Gues…

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Scaling Up Test-Time Compute with Latent Reasoning with Jonas Geiping - #723 58:38

2M ago58:38

58:38

Today, we're joined by Jonas Geiping, research group leader at Ellis Institute and the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems to discuss his recent paper, “Scaling up Test-Time Compute with Latent Reasoning: A Recurrent Depth Approach.” This paper proposes a novel language model architecture which uses recurrent depth to enable “thinking in l…

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656: Onboarding Woes, Coloring Links, and AI Slop Theories 55:21

2M ago55:21

55:21

Show Description Onboarding users is a lot more difficult than you might think it is, how should links be coloured or styled, keeping web software up to date, why does some AI slop get created in the first place, getting context for why things happened or decisions were made, and our first bullet point dev career story (Steve's version). Listen on …

1
Mindtrips by Tlotlo Tsamaase (audio) 54:43

2M ago54:43

54:43

This episode features "Mindtrips" written by Tlotlo Tsamaase. Published in the March 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/tsamaase_03_25 Support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/clarkesworld?…

1
Pollen by Anna Burdenko (audio) 40:11

2M ago40:11

40:11

This episode features "Pollen" written by Anna Burdenko and translated by Alex Shvartsman. Published in the March 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/burdenko_03_25 Support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/clarkesworld?…

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Imagine while Reasoning in Space: Multimodal Visualization-of-Thought with Chengzu Li - #722 42:11

2M ago42:11

42:11

Today, we're joined by Chengzu Li, PhD student at the University of Cambridge to discuss his recent paper, “Imagine while Reasoning in Space: Multimodal Visualization-of-Thought.” We explore the motivations behind MVoT, its connection to prior work like TopViewRS, and its relation to cognitive science principles such as dual coding theory. We dig i…

1
655: Conspiracy Theory Theories, View Transitions vs CSS Animations, and Autocomplete 45:50

2M ago45:50

45:50

Show Description It's a speed run meeting edition episode and we're talking conspiracy theories, getting hypnotized, disinformation on TikTok vs the news, view transitions vs CSS animations vs the web animation API, follow ups on font-weight and attire, and classic autocomplete vs AI autocomplete. Listen on Website → Links SubwayTakes (@subwaytakes…

1
UFOs & F.U. Ghosts with Paranormal Investigator Les Durrant 1:42:06

2M ago1:42:06

1:42:06

Have you seen the film The Substance yet? You know, the one with Demi Moore. Where she’s a fading Hollywood star who injects herself with a green fluid that promises it can magically make her transform into the best version of herself? Young, pretty, perky, skin without wrinkles. The promise of youth again. It’s good. But gross. But, like, Demi Moo…

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Inside s1: An o1-Style Reasoning Model That Cost Under $50 to Train with Niklas Muennighoff - #721 49:29

2M ago49:29

49:29

Today, we're joined by Niklas Muennighoff, a PhD student at Stanford University, to discuss his paper, “S1: Simple Test-Time Scaling.” We explore the motivations behind S1, as well as how it compares to OpenAI's O1 and DeepSeek's R1 models. We dig into the different approaches to test-time scaling, including parallel and sequential scaling, as well…

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654: UI + State, AI Missing Context But Adds Browsers, and Scalability on the Web 56:34

2M ago56:34

56:34

Show Description UI and state struggles, AI missing important sand context, should we look forward to AI browsers, how bad is the mobile web in 2025, what does scalability with websites actually mean, and is there a role for someone as a project manager with tech insight? Listen on Website → Links Dribbble - Discover the World’s Top Designers & Cre…

1
Silicon Black 30:00

2M ago30:00

30:00

Speculative Machines - Silicon BlackBy Speculative Machines

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From Enceladus, with Love by Ryan Cole (audio) 34:41

2M ago34:41

34:41

This episode features "From Enceladus, with Love" written by Ryan Cole. Published in the March 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/cole_03_25 Support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/clarkesworld?…

1
Celestial Migrations by Claire Jia-Wen (audio) 20:46

2M ago20:46

20:46

This episode features "Celestial Migrations" written by Claire Jia-Wen. Published in the February 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/jia-wen_02_25 Support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/clarkesworld?…

1
Numismatic Archetypes in the Year of Five Regents by Louis Inglis Hall (audio) 25:06

2M ago25:06

25:06

This episode features "Numismatic Archetypes in the Year of Five Regents" written by Louis Inglis Hall. Published in the February 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/hall_02_25 Support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/clarkesworld?…

1
The Hanging Tower of Babel by Wang Zhenzhen (audio) 41:21

2M ago41:21

41:21

This episode features "The Hanging Tower of Babel" written by Wang Zhenzhen and translated by Carmen Yiling Yan. Published in the February 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/wang_02_25 Support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/clark…

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Accelerating AI Training and Inference with AWS Trainium2 with Ron Diamant - #720 1:07:05

2M ago1:07:05

1:07:05

Today, we're joined by Ron Diamant, chief architect for Trainium at Amazon Web Services, to discuss hardware acceleration for generative AI and the design and role of the recently released Trainium2 chip. We explore the architectural differences between Trainium and GPUs, highlighting its systolic array-based compute design, and how it balances per…

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A Planet Full of Sorrows by M. L. Clark (audio) 1:22:39

2M ago1:22:39

1:22:39

This episode features "A Planet Full of Sorrows" written by M. L. Clark. Published in the February 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/clark_02_25 Support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/join/clarkesworld?…

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