Hyperfixed

This week, a story made in partnership with 99% Invisible and The BBC as part of their project A History of the United States in 100 Objects. 
When Jan Brandt joined the marketing team of fledgling internet company America Online in 1993, she had to figure out how to sell a service that most people in the US had no idea how to use -- the internet. We talk to her about how she managed to use a small, unbiquitous physical object to help steer their virtual service toward the biggest corporate merger in history. 
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LINKS:
99% invisible
A History of the United States in 100 objects

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This week, the Villa Vie Odyssey, a 3-year-long cruise that hosted everyone from retirees to would be social media influencers, dramatically ended its voyage by forcing all its passengers to disembark in Cambodia, scuttling what was advertised as an endless cruise due to rising gas prices. So we are unlocking some of our reporting on the ship from when it was still on the water.
Be sure to check out Joe Rhodes entire travelogue on his Substack, Unmoored. 
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Sanderson's podcast feed has been stolen. And so has his voice. And we're not being figurative over here! Whoever took it has cloned his voice with AI and is using it to make him say things he would never say in his real life. But is there anything he can do about it? We investgate.
Hyperfixed is a completely independent podcast. If you like what we do, please consider supporting the becoming a premium member. You will get bonus episodes, access to our discord, discounts on merch and live shows, and much much more. Join us at hyperfixedpod.com/join.

LINKS: 
The Lifefulness Podcast
Craig Silverman's Open Source Intelligence Newsletter Indicator
Scott Seligman's collected research on the theft of Sanderson's podcast

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This week, we answer a question we have gotten quite a few times since the show began: Why does every microwave have a "Popcorn" button, but nearly every popcorn manufacturer warns you not to use it? The answers are wilder than you ever imagined.
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LINKS:
Alec Watson's YouTube channel, Technology Connections
The Popcorn Board

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A segment from our recent live show in Brooklyn! We investigate one man's obsession with an incredibly charismatic performer. 

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LINKS: 
In Memoriam for "Minnie"

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