609: Who Wants to Live Forever?: What it Means to Age in the 21st Century
May 04, 2024
Is the fountain of youth finally in our grasp? From fictitious movies to ancient mythologies, the desire for immortality has permeated almost every facet of human society. Today, an increasingly powerful anti-aging industry has instilled the idea that growing old is undesirable. But does living longer really mean living better? Join us as we dive into the sociological and ethical implications of treating aging as a disease to be cured.
Produced: Emily Hart, Sayuri Pfeiffer, Julian Park, Gargi Rao
Child and family influencers are some of the hottest channels on YouTube. But what are the risks of living your childhood on camera? We argue, child influencing is child labor, and with this comes a myriad of unethical conditions and potential childhood trauma. Tune in to explore the mechanisms that drive this industry, and how platforms benefit from this damaging cycle.
Written, Edited, and Produced by: Adele Williams, Anona Joshi, Diego Valdez
Art by Angelina Rappa
Special thank you to Brooke Aaron Duffy, Associate Professor, Department of Communication, Cornell University for speaking with us. Additional thank you to the Investigative Biology Department at Cornell University for our recording equipment.
Muppalla, S. K., Vuppalapati, S., Reddy Pulliahgaru, A., & Sreenivasulu, H. (2023). Effects of Excessive Screen Time on Child Development: An Updated Review and Strategies for Management. Cureus, 15(6), e40608. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.40608
Riggio, Amanda G. “The Small-er Screen: YouTube Vlogging and the Unequipped Child Entertainment Labor Laws.” Seattle University Law Review, vol. 44, no. 2, Winter 2021, pp. 493-530. HeinOnline, https://heinonline.org/HOL/P?h=hein.journals/sealr44&i=497.
“Darren Curtis – It’s In The Fog” is under a Creative Commons license (CC BY 3.0). Darrencurtismusic. Music promoted by BreakingCopyright: https://bit.ly/b-in-the-fog
607: Environmental Issues faced by the Shinnecock Nation
May 04, 2024
This podcast discusses the many environmental issues the Shinnecock Nation on Long Island currently faces and how they may worsen as climate change becomes more severe. It covers topics ranging from ocean acidification and shoreline erosion to cultural practices that have suffered as a result of global warming to local governments’ efforts toward mitigating these damages.
Produced by: Rewa Phansalkar, Grace DePaull
Names and titles of all interviewees: Shavonne Smith (Environmental Director of Shinnecock Nation), Wiley Gifford (Cornell Environment and Sustainability major, class of 2024), Joey Armstrong (Cornell Chemical Engineering major, class of 2025), Kadijat Alakiu (Cornell Environmental Engineering major, class of 2024)
Citations for any sources cited in the episode: INDIGENOUS RESPONSES TO CLIMATE CHANGE: CONTRASTING U.S FEDERAL ADAPTATION EFFORTS WITH TRIBAL APPROACHES IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST – a thesis by Rewa Phansalkar
606: Health or Hype? The Supplement Industry’s Deficiencies
May 04, 2024
Join us as we dive into the unregulated world of the vitamin and dietary supplement industry. With over 85,000 supplement products on the market and minimal FDA oversight, learn about the hidden dangers lurking in your daily pills and powders. We talk to Harvard researcher Dr. Pieter Cohen to uncover the shocking truth about supplement contamination, mislabeling, and overdosing risks that companies don’t want you to know. Discover if your supplements are a path to better health or simply overhyped, and what you can do to stay informed and safe.
Written and Produced by Isabella Ciocca, Rma Polce, Matthew Kiewski, and Angelina Rappa
Cohen, P. A., & Maller, G. (2013). Assessment of DMAA (1,3-dimethylamylamine) in supplements. JAMA Internal Medicine, 173(10), 919-922. PubMed.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2015). Consumption of dietary supplements containing DMAA among servicemembers—Fort Bliss, Texas, 2010. National Center for Health Statistics. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr183.pdf.
Cohen, P. A., & Maller, G. (2013). Assessment of DMAA (1,3-dimethylamylamine) in supplements. JAMA Internal Medicine, 173(10), 919-922. PubMed.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2015). Consumption of dietary supplements containing DMAA among servicemembers—Fort Bliss, Texas, 2010. National Center for Health Statistics. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr183.pdf.
The portrayal of women in media is strikingly one-dimensional, often reduced to either objects of desire or figures to be fetishized. This phenomenon extends across diverse platforms—from your go-to fashion magazines to the grittiest video games, where women frequently find themselves cast as subservient and hypersexualized entities. In this episode, we dive into the pervasive nature of this hypersexualization and its roots in larger patriarchal systems. Through a discussion on various media forms, we unravel the profound impact of these portrayals on consumers. The result? A dire outlook on the world, shaped by the affliction imposed by these depictions.
The aim of this episode, therefore, is to provoke a deeper understanding of systemic inequalities ingrained in media and to empower consumers to reshape their perspectives. By doing so, we can collectively strive for a more inclusive and equitable media landscape.
Produced and written by Adele Williams, Thoranna Bender, Eve Iulo
Edited by Adele Williams
Art by Anjelina Gonzalez
Citations:
[1] PBS NewsHour. (2013, December 21). The sexualization of young girls: What we lose and gain. Retrieved from https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/social_issues-july-dec13-sexualization_12-21
[2] UNICEF USA. (2021, January 11). Not an object: The sexualization and exploitation of women and girls. Retrieved from https://www.unicefusa.org/stories/not-object-sexualization-and-exploitation-women-and-girls-0
[3] Blagburn, B. (n.d.). A Feminist Approach to Reclaiming Sex, Sexuality, and Sensuality. Saint Mary’s College (Notre Dame IN). Retrieved from https://human.libretexts.org/Courses/Saint_Mary’s_College_(Notre_Dame_IN)/Literature/Chimamanda_Adichie%3A_A_Research_Guide/04%3A_Critical_Analyses/4.01%3A__A_Feminist_Approach_to_Reclaiming_Sex_Sexuality_and_Sensuality_By_Brittany_Blagburn
[4] SSAIC. (2022, April 13). Emily Ratajkowski on Taking Back Her Body. Retrieved from https://ssaic.ca/emily-ratajkowski-on-taking-back-her-body/
[5] Hirsch, J. S., & Larson, K. (2020, February 1). ‘Angels’ in Hell: The Culture of Misogyny Inside Victoria’s Secret. The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/01/business/victorias-secret-razek-harassment.html
[6] Masters of Media. (2020, September 28). “You Can See Me Naked After the Paywall”: How OnlyFans Transforms the Online Sex Industry. Retrieved from http://mastersofmedia.hum.uva.nl/blog/2020/09/28/you-can-see-me-naked-after-the-paywall-how-onlyfans-transforms-the-online-sex-industry/
[7] SpringerLink. (2020, January 2). Back That Sexism Up: An Analysis of the Representation of Women’s Bodies in Music Videos. Retrieved from https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-29855-5_5
[8] ScholarsArchive. (2017, May 17). Women in Refrigerators: The Objectification of Women in Comics. BYU ScholarsArchive. Retrieved from https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/awe/vol2/iss2/9/
[9] Tulane University Journal. (2022). The World’s Oldest Profession Gets a Makeover: Sex Work, OnlyFans, and Celebrity Participation. Retrieved from https://journals.tulane.edu/ncs/article/view/3661
[10] Cardoso, & Scarcelli. (2021). The bodies of the (digitised) body. Retrieved from https://recil.ensinolusofona.pt/bitstream/10437/12305/1/CARDOSO%2c%20SCARCELLI%20-%20%20%20The%20bodies%20of%20the%20%28digitised%29%20body_PUBLISHED.pdf
[11] Kite, L. (2011). From Objectification to Self-Subjectification: Victoria’s Secret as a Do-It-Yourself Guide. Retrieved from https://www.morethanabody.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Kite-Lexie-NCA-Paper-Victorias-Secret.pdf
[12] ScienceDirect. (2023). Comparing and self-objectifying: The effect of sexualized imagery posted by Instagram Influencers on women’s body image. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1740144523000980?via%3Dihub
[13] Emerald Insight. (2023, January 17).Sociomaterial influence on social media: exploring sexualised practices of influencers on Instagram. Retrieved from https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/ITP-03-2022-0215/full/html
[14] Wiley Online Library. (2019, February 19). Sexualized labour in digital culture: Instagram influencers, porn chic and the monetization of attention. Retrieved from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/gwao.12354
One of the first concepts we learn as children is the colors of the rainbow. Color is all around us, affecting the way we feel, think, and behave. But how do we actually see color? How can our perception of light influence our emotions? During our conversation, we’ll explore the science behind visual processing, how color has been effectively used throughout art history, and the ways we witness color in the world around us today.
Produced and Edited by Cate Westbrook, Cameron Pien, & Jack Lee
603: Antibiotic Resistance: A Double-Edged Sword
Dec 07, 2023
Nobody likes being sick. Modern medicine and the discovery of antibiotics has turned lethal illnesses into three day colds. We’ve grown accustomed to this prescription lifestyle, but what if one day our antibiotics no longer work? Overuse of antibiotics has uncovered a dangerous problem: antibiotic resistance. In this episode, we dive deep to uncover why resistance develops, its health and ethical impacts, innovative solutions being pursued, and actions society must take before entering an era where antibiotics no longer work.
Special Guests: Tobias Doerr & Vincent Fischetti
Produced by Isabella Ciocca, Rma Polce, & Matthew Kiewski
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Antibiotic Resistance Threats in the United States, 2019 (2019 AR Threats Report). (2019, December). http://dx.doi.org/10.15620/cdc:82532
Sonnenburg, E. D., & Sonnenburg, J. L. (2014). Starving our microbial self: the deleterious consequences of a diet deficient in microbiota-accessible carbohydrates. Cell metabolism, 20(5), 779–786. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmet.2014.07.003
Ríos-Covián, D., Ruas-Madiedo, P., Margolles, A., Gueimonde, M., de Los Reyes-Gavilán, C. G., & Salazar, N. (2016). Intestinal Short Chain Fatty Acids and their Link with Diet and Human Health. Frontiers in microbiology, 7, 185. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2016.00185
Danyi Li, Chunhui Gao, Faming Zhang, Ruifu Yang, Canhui Lan, Yonghui Ma, Jun Wang, Seven facts and five initiatives for gut microbiome research, Protein & Cell, Volume 11, Issue 6, June 2020, Pages 391–400, https://doi.org/10.1007/s13238-020-00697-8
Euzebiusz Jamrozik, George S Heriot, Ethics and antibiotic resistance, British Medical Bulletin, Volume 141, Issue 1, March 2022, Pages 4–14, https://doi.org/10.1093/bmb/ldab030
1.Cirz, R. The world needs new antibiotics. The problem is, no one can make them profitably. The Wall Street Journal (2023).
604: The Marvelously Muddled World of Remembering
Dec 07, 2023
Chances are, we’ve all forgotten about an assignment or to take out the recycling. What happens when our memory becomes shaky when we depend on it most, like if we serve as a witness in a legal courtroom? Our memory miraculously enables us to do everything–from walking, to learning, to reminiscing. But the human brain is naturally just as imperfect and unreliable, even without aging or disease. In this episode, we delve into the basics of how memories form, distinct types of memory, common memory mishaps, and zoom out to their importance in eyewitness testimony and our criminal justice system.
Produced by Anona Joshi, Gargi Rao, and Sasha Smalls
605: Unlocking Minds: The Hidden Dimension of Personality
Dec 07, 2023
In the intricate labyrinths of the human mind lies a realm as vast and varied as the stars in the night sky. Imagine a key that could unlock the secrets of why we are the way we are — our quirks, fears, passions, and dreams. Welcome to the realm of personality psychology, where science meets the soul. In this episode of State of the Pod, we will unravel the mysteries and venture into the heart of what makes us uniquely human. Join us as we delve into the fascinating world of personality types!
Produced and edited by Amanda Ng, Amanda Chen, & Diego Valdez
513: Solar Energy: New York’s Power Move
May 09, 2023
One problem. Many solutions. Three experts. In this episode, we cover the greatest environmental threat of our time: climate change. We examine New York’s quest to decarbonize, and the rapidly growing field of agrivoltaics.
Produced and edited by Ananda Kalukin and Adam Vinson
Art by Savannah Flores
Music from Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio and Wave Saver @ Epidemic Sound
Special thanks to the Milstein Program and the Investigative Biology lab at Cornell University for our recording equipment and software.
512: From Wild to Mild: The Fascinating Tale of Domestication Syndrome
May 03, 2023
To begin, we’ll explore the concept of domestication and how Russian experiments with foxes have grown our understanding and interest in the factors behind domestication. Covering the research that has been done on domestication syndrome in humans, we’ll touch upon how it may have played a role in the evolution of our species. Diving into the science of neural crest cells, we explore how changes to these cells’ migration can lead to the physical and behavioral traits associated with domestication. Throughout the episode, we’ll refer to experts in the field of domestication and neural crest cell development, as well as individuals who have studied the phenomenon of domestication in depth. Join me for a thought-provoking discussion on the science of domestication syndrome and the ways in which it has shaped us and our world.
Produced and edited by Sasha Smalls
Art by Savannah Flores
Music from Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio and Wave Saver @ Epidemic Sound
Special thanks to the Milstein Program and the Investigative Biology lab at Cornell University for our recording equipment and software.
511: Time to Unwind: Decoding CRISPR and Genome Editing
May 03, 2023
Join our hosts as they dive deep into the history, development, application, shortcomings, and potential of the groundbreaking gene-editing technology, CRISPR. You’ll want to tune in as they explore how CRISPR is already changing the world around us, how it may one day transform the very fabric of our existence, including you, all the way down to your DNA. By the end of this episode you’ll be a gene-ius.
Produced and edited by Rma Polce, Alex Veldran, Marissa Brown-Johnson, and Ethan Tong
Art by Savannah Flores
Music from Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio and Wave Saver @ Epidemic Sound
Special thanks to the Milstein Program and the Investigative Biology lab at Cornell University for our recording equipment and software.
510: Xenotransplantation Through The Ages
May 03, 2023
Xenotransplantation, the process of using animal organs for human treatment, is outlandish even today. But when and where did such an idea find its origins, and what does it mean for the future of medicine? Take a listen as we jump from patron saints of medicine, to Icarus’s wings, to pig heart transplants.
Produced and edited by Alice Lidman and Nimisha Gautam
Art by Savannah Flores
Music from Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio
Special thanks to the Milstein Program and the Investigative Biology lab at Cornell University for our recording equipment and software.
509: Art-ificial Intelligence: Blurring the Lines Between Creativity and Code
May 03, 2023
Artificial intelligence has allowed people to become artists at the click of a button. We’re on the cusp of a digital art renaissance in the form of AI Art, a “rebirth” of art as we know it. Can AI replace human creativity? Does AI deserve credit for the art it makes? In this episode, we explore the world of AI-generated art and what it means for the future of the art world. We delve into the legal and ethical implications of using AI to make art, and explore the possibilities and limitations of overlaid and generative AI art. Join us for a fascinating conversation that will challenge your perceptions of what it means to create art.
Produced and edited by Isabella Ciocca, Zahra Khadir, Kelly Ryoo, and Libby Elman
Art by Savannah Flores
Music from Wave Saver @ Epidemic Sound
Special thanks to the Milstein Program and the Investigative Biology lab at Cornell University for our recording equipment and software.
Misinformation about Autism Spectrum Disorder is rampant. The rise of social media has enabled this misinformation to spread to a wide audience. Join State of the Pod in interviewing Autism expert and research at Weill Cornell Medicine Dr. Kim So Hyun. Dr. Kim talks about her research and ways to uplift education about Autism. Whether you are interested in learning about how to combat misinformation about Autism or are curious about the fundamental biochemistry behind the disorder, this episode is for you!
Produced and edited by Amanda Ng, Cate Westbrook, and Branden Sattler
Art by Savannah Flores
Music from Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio and Wave Saver @ Epidemic Sound
Special thanks to the Milstein Program and the Investigative Biology lab at Cornell University for our recording equipment and software.
When you hear the word NFT, what comes to mind? Drawing a blank, or utterly confused? Tune in to learn what the heck an NFT is, why people are buying them, and how the technology behind it is fueling this new market.
Produced by: Adele Williams & Isabella Ciocca
Edited by: Adele Williams
Contributors: Kristen Moon, Hamida Mazmuder
Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio
Special thanks to Mr. Emin Gun Sirer, the Milstein Program & the Investigative Biology Department at Cornell University.
Everyone seems to have some experience with Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), whether that’s through regular yoga practice, daily meditations, or even just deep breathing exercises. It’s become a standard part of western culture, with heavy presences in social media and among certain demographics. But what exactly is this medicine, and what is the extent of its use? How is the western commodification of CAM harmful and problematic? And what are the implications of the expansion of CAM usage to more researched biomedical practices? Listen to our episode to learn all about these topics and gain a better understanding of the enormous breadth of areas that holistic medicine, or CAM, can be applied to.
Produced by Amanda Ng, Charlotte Aspinwall, and Micah Sher.
Have you ever wondered what happens when you sleep and how dreams come to be? Join us as we explore the science behind sleep, an activity that consumes ⅓ of the average person’s life. Learn about global habits that impact sleep, explore different theories about dreams, and (sleep!) walk away with a better understanding of the concept of sleep hygiene as we talk with Dr. Daniel Barone of the Weill Cornell Medicine Center for Sleep Medicine. It would be a nightmare to miss this episode.
By Evelyn Goldwasser, Gargi Rao, Carlin Reyen, and Isabel Walter
Editor: Isabel Walter
Art By: Savannah Flores
Citations:
Conte, Francesca, et al. “The Effects of Sleep Quality on Dream and Waking Emotions.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 7 Jan. 2021, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7827529/.
Health, Skorton Center at Cornell. “Sleep and Academic Performance.” Vimeo, 1 Dec. 2022, https://vimeo.com/429631754.
MacMillan, Amanda. “Why Rem Sleep and Dreams Are Important for Health.” Time, 27 Oct. 2017, https://time.com/4970767/rem-sleep-dreams-health/.
Patel, Aakash. “Physiology, Sleep Stages.” National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 7 Sept. 2022, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526132/.
“Stages of Sleep: Rem and Non-REM Sleep Cycles.” WebMD, https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/guide/sleep-101.
Andre, Chloe J., et al. “The Effects of Bed Sharing on Sleep: From Partners to Pets.” Sleep Health, vol. 7, no. 3, 2021, pp. 314–323., https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleh.2020.11.011.
Bell, Katherine. “Kids and Nightmares with Dr. Isaac Taitz.” KSQD Community Radio, 11 Jan. 2021, https://ksqd.org/kids-and-nightmares-with-dr-isaac-taitz/.
Braff, Danielle. “Meet Me at 3 A.m. for a Cup of Coffee.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 12 Feb. 2022, https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/12/style/segmented-sleep.html.
Deshpande, Abhijit, et al. “A Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo Controlled Study to Evaluate the Effects of Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera) Extract on Sleep Quality in Healthy Adults.” Sleep Medicine, vol. 72, 2020, pp. 28–36., https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2020.03.012.
Duan, Virginia. “11 Tips to Sleep Soundly from around the World.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 28 Feb. 2022, https://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-sleep/sleep-hacks-from-around-the-world#multicultural.
Ekirch, A. Roger. “Segmented Sleep in Preindustrial Societies.” Sleep, vol. 39, no. 3, 2016, pp. 715–716., https://doi.org/10.5665/sleep.5558.
Hussain, Joy N., et al. “A Hot Topic for Health: Results of the Global Sauna Survey.” Complementary Therapies in Medicine, vol. 44, 2019, pp. 223–234., https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2019.03.012.
Kluger, Jeffrey. “Scientists Are Learning to Read-and Change-Your Nightmares.” Time, Time, 6 Aug. 2020, https://time.com/5874444/science-of-nightmares/.
Krahn, Lois E., et al. “Are Pets in the Bedroom a Problem?” Mayo Clinic Proceedings, vol. 90, no. 12, 2015, pp. 1663–1665., https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mayocp.2015.08.012.
Ohayon, Maurice M. “Nocturnal Awakenings and Difficulty Resuming Sleep: Their Burden in the European General Population.” Journal of Psychosomatic Research, vol. 69, no. 6, 2010, pp. 565–571., https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychores.2010.03.010.
Taitz, Isaac. “Learning Lucid Dreaming and Its Effect on Depression in Undergraduates.” ECommons | Open Scholarship at Cornell, Cornell University Library, 1 May 2011, https://ecommons.cornell.edu/handle/1813/23118.
“TV Static 01.” TV Static Sound Effects, SoundJay, https://www.soundjay.com/tv-static-sound-effect.html.
“Twelve Simple Tips to Improve Your Sleep.” Healthy Sleep, Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School, 18 Dec. 2007, https://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/healthy/getting/overcoming/tips.
Zhao H, Li D, Li X. Relationship between Dreaming and Memory Reconsolidation. Brain Science Advances. 2018;4(2):118-130. doi:10.26599/BSA.2018.9050005
Psychedelics: once viewed as emblematic of the countercultural revolution, these drugs may now be crucial to fighting rising mental illness rates. Take a trip with us to learn about both the controversy, and promise, of the growing field of psychedelics research.
Produced/Edited by Mike Solazzo, Ananda Kalukin, and Campbell Key.
In recent years, an app called TikTok, intended for sharing 15-second dance videos, has diversified considerably. This episode delves into the new development on TikTok that is involved with mental health and self-diagnosis. Videos like “Put a finger down ADHD edition” present viewers with example symptoms of mental health conditions, and the number of symptoms the viewer relates to dictates the likelihood that the viewer has that mental illness. While this may prove a useful diagnostic tool, it has also led to surges of physical and verbal tics in teenage children, which is a symptom of Tourette, after popular influencers started posting videos showcasing their tics to raise awareness. Luckily the symptoms in the teens subsided after taking a break from the app, but it still begs the question: Does TikTok do more harm than help when it comes to mental health? Find out on this episode!
502: Mean Media, Mean World, Mean People
Dec 02, 2022
Media conglomerates play a crucial role in shaping how we view, interpret, and navigate the world we live in. So, what happens when these depictions are violent or negative? We bring you an episode on Mean World Syndrome, which describes a cognitive bias in which the media leads people to perceive the world as more dangerous than it is in reality. Further, we take a look at the intersection of this bias and the largely inaccurate depiction of minorities in media which influences how we treat one another.
Brought to you by your hosts Irisa Dong (writer), Rma Polce (producer), and Sasha Smalls (executive producer and editor).
Art By: Savannah Flores
Music from Wave Saver, FLYIN, From Now On @ Epidemic Sound, and Creative Commons
Special thanks to Banseok Heo, the Milstein Program, and the Investigative Biology lab at Cornell for our recording equipment and software!
Has someone ever whispered in your ear, and it sent chills down your back? Did you like it? This sensation is known as ASMR, the snazzy new phenomenon that has swept over contemporary media platforms. In this episode, State of the Pod explores the breadth and depth of this emerging field as well as its intersections with society, the global economy, science, and the history of the internet as we know it today.
The healthcare industry has evolved immensely over the years, and much of that change has been driven by technology and future technological innovations are going to keep transforming healthcare.
Specifically, wearable fitness technology has weaved itself into society so much so that FitBits and smartwatches are seen as mainstream now; and the future of wearable devices shows no sign of slowing down. However, there are concerns with the data these devices collect and what companies do with this data.
Produced by Shiveen Kumar, Isabel O’Connell, and Yubin Cho.
Executive Produced by Tina Yu and Adele Williams.
Special thanks to the Milstein Program and the Investigative Biology Lab at Cornell for supporting our podcast!
This episode features Jeffrey Li and Chad Rubin discussing the concept of working from home. In this podcast, Jeffrey and Chad hear thoughts from professor Dave Roberts at Cornell University and discuss the implications and effects of working from home.
Produced by Jeffrey Li and Chad Rubin.
Executive Produced by Adele Williams.
Special thanks to the Milstein Program and the Investigative Biology Lab at Cornell for supporting our podcast!
In today’s food market, we are offered more options than ever. However, not all foods are created equal. When faced with the choice of a bag of potato chips or carrots, which one would you choose? And is the choice really yours? Marketing, varying prices, our household eating habits, and more all inform the snacks and foods we consume. In this episode, we explore why food policy, advertising, and production processes have made eating right so difficult and how systemic inequalities have led to nutritional inequality.
Produced by Catherine Paik and Alec Purcell.
Written by Priscilla Liu.
Edited by Catherine Paik and Adele Williams.
Executive Produced by Adele Williams.
Special thanks to the Milstein Program and the Investigative Biology Lab at Cornell for supporting our podcast!
Have you ever heard someone talk about this secret potion to love, called a “pheromone perfume”? Such a crazy claim is bound to illicit doubt and confusion, so we created our episode to help answer any questions you may have. Do human pheromones exist? Can they be bottled and then used to seek love and attraction? Listen to our episode to find out.
Produced & Edited by Isa Ciocca, Alice Lidman, and Mahalia Donaldson.
Executive Produced by Adele Williams.
Special thanks to the Milstein Program and the Investigative Biology Lab at Cornell for supporting our podcast!
Have you ever walked into a room, and experienced this unsettling feeling that you’ve been in it before? Is this proof of reincarnation, or even a parallel universe? In this episode, State of the Pod explores this collective sensation that is known as deja vu—specifically what causes it, the parts of the brain that are affected, as well as the various beliefs and theories associated with it.
Produced & Edited by David Kim, Sadeen Musa, Gargi Rao
Executive Produced by Adele Williams
Music: Doing Just Fine – Lakey Inspired, Tenfold – Kevin Lavitt, City of Angels – Lakey Inspired
Special thanks to the Milstein Program and the Investigative Biology Lab at Cornell for supporting our podcast!
403: MBTI vs Astrology: Is the Fault in Our Stars or Ourselves?
Jan 08, 2022
What’s your sign? What about your MBTI type? In this episode, we explore astrology and the trending personality test, the Myers-Brigg Type Indicator (MBTI). Our discussion considers what about these two makes them so appealing to so many people as well as the history of them. We then have a conversation sharing our own opinions, debating the validity and legitimacy of each.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has come a long way in terms of communication, being able to converse with us on a daily basis through Alexa, Siri, and even Cortana. But is AI capable of understanding human emotion? Can they break down the intricacies of comedy and make us laugh? In this episode, State of the Pod producers explore how AI process language and humor, addressing differences between AI learning and human learning.
Hosts: Kelly Ryoo, Jeffrey Li, Michael Sun
Lead Producer: Michael Sun
Head Writer: Kelly Ryoo
Special thanks to Mark Sarvary and the Investigative Biology Labs at Cornell for supporting our podcast!
Graphic elements from: “The Secret Life of Pets 2, Kevin Hart” by Eva Rinaldi Celebrity Photographer is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
The aftermarket resale of limited-edition streetwear and sneakers has become a booming industry worldwide. In this episode, we will dive into the history of the hype, how these resellers operate, and the challenges within the industry. Through interviews, we will explore sneakers reselling websites, the increasing use of bots, and the constant battle of the resale market.
Guests: Cornell University student Duncan Cady and alumnus David Gelikman.
Hosts: Hamida Mazumder, Kristen Moon, Adele Williams.
Diving into the lived experiences of speakers with accents, we explore how they navigate their personal and professional life as linguistic outsiders, how and why they code switch between accents and languages, and what language means to them.
Guests:
Laura Staum Casasanto, Lecturer, Cornell University, Department of Psychology.
Jason Liu, Niccoló Bargellini, Fath’Ma Shibani, Jessie Whittaker-Mayall, students at Cornell University.
Dan Burdgof, graduate student, Cornell University, Linguistics.
Professor Chiara Formichi, Associate Professor of Asian Studies at Cornell University.
The way we speak has always been a powerful marker of identity. Listening to someone’s accent, we often jump to conclusions about who they are. How much of our cognitive and emotional responses to different accents and dialects can be explained by science, and what else might shape our behaviour?
Guests:
Laura Staum Casasanto, Lecturer, Cornell University, Department of Psychology.
Jason Liu, Niccoló Bargellini, Fath’Ma Shibani, Jessie Whittaker-Mayall, students at Cornell University.
Dan Burdgof, graduate student, Cornell University, Linguistics.
Professor Chiara Formichi, Associate Professor of Asian Studies at Cornell University.
Hosts: Adele Williams, Lynn Hong, and Macy Smith.
Lead Producer: Yunyun Wang.
Head Writer: Lynn Hong.
Music Credits:
Original music composed by Jacob Revelo, Stardust by Kjartan Abel, and additional synthetic remixes from freesound.com
302: An Insight into the COVID-19 Eye
Jun 29, 2021
We all know the many nefarious detriments that COVID-19 has caused those afflicted with the disease, but do we know the startling effects it has on our eyes behind the scenes? This episode delves into the causes and consequences of heightened eyestrain during the pandemic. With interviewee Dr. Laura Dake Roche, State of the Pod producers address the problems with increased screen usage, the differences in eye health between generations, and the recommended remedies for eyestrain.
Hosts: Matthew Chen, Michael Sun, Dain Yi, Jen Yi, & Tina Yu
Lead Producer: Jen Yi
Thank you to Milstein Program for Humanities & Tech for supporting our team and podcast production!
In this episode, we examine the infamous case of the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL). We discuss the storyline of the DAPL controversy, the backlash and protests that spread like wildfire, and what it all means in the context of environmental justice. Finally, we discuss how to become better allies to the movement and help combat social injustice. Special thank you to the Milstein Program in Technology & Humanity for supporting our team and podcast!
How much do you value a picture? What if it was a picture of you? Is it a snapshot in time capturing a fond memory, or rather a photo used for identification purposes? In this episode of State of the Pod, we examine 21st century technologies used by law enforcement agencies and delve into how major technological innovations have disrupted the meaning of privacy and privacy law.
Special thanks to our guests Ithaca Police Chief Dennis Nayor, who walks us through current technologies adopted by his department, which does not use the facial recognition system discussed in this episode. We also would like to thank Ishaan Jhaveri of Columbia University Tow Center of Digital Journalism for revisiting his honors thesis with us as we try to make sense of privacy in the new digital age.
Detailed citations can be found at www.stateofthepod.com
Do you ever wish there were more natural and accessible forms of medicine that will save you the grief and expense of dealing with pharmacies?
This episode, featuring an interview with professor Dr. Giulia Friso, looks into how humans use plants, particularly for medicinal purposes. We explore the history and breadth of ethnobotany, the current research being done, and what we can expect for the future.
All around us, jobs are being outsourced to metal muscles and silicon brains. From Gutenberg’s printing press, to assembly lines, to deep-learning algorithms, what can history teach us about the automated future? This episode is an exploration of where we’ve come from, and where we might be headed in an automated, computerized world.
Special thanks to Krithik Ranjan, Keenan Ashbrook, and Yunyun Wang.
104: Numbers That Lie: A Conversation with Vivian Kiniga
May 24, 2019
Produced by Yunyun Wang
Google has a racism problem. And nearly three years after an incident where software engineer Jacky Alciné reported that Google Photos’ image recognition algorithms were misclassifying black people as “gorillas”, Google has since blocked the gorilla identifier altogether rather than risking another incidence of mis-categorization. However, there may be more than meets the eye, because a recent research study conducted by Joy Buolamwini of MIT Media labs identified several companies with facial recognition softwares that consistently return less accurate results for female faces compared to males, and even lower accuracy for faces of women of color. In this episode of State of the Pod, I sit down with Vivian Kiniga, to dig deeper into the pattern of engrained bias in computing and algorithms and what can be done about it.
Vivian is a UX designer currently pursuing an MS at Cornell University. Read more about Vivian’s Medium post where she analyzes the Google Photos facial identification error case and raise important questions relating to data, classification and the politics of algorithms.
Co-produced by Yunyun Wang, Michael Sun and Evan Kravitz
Ever wonder how an e-cigarette company founded on a mission to provide a “healthy alternative” for heavy smokers found their primary audience in a young demographic of former non-smokers? In this first episode of Cornell University’s brand new student-driven podcast, we take a deep dive into the origin story of a Silicon-Valley start-up turned multi-billion tech company.
Special thanks to Professor Robert Oswald, of the Molecular Medicine Department at Cornell University, who walks us through the biochemical effects of nicotine salts in vape pens versus that of traditional cigarettes. We next feature Jack Waxman, founder of Juulers Against Juul, to discuss his advocacy efforts and the on-going debate at the legislative level on whether a flavor ban will curb rocketing Juuling rates at middle and high schools across America.
More detailed episode notes and citations can be found at www.stateofthepod.com
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