The internet is dominated by five companies: Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google, and Microsoft. And it’s not just online—these giant tech companies are behind a lot of the smart devices collecting information about us every day, from Amazon Echo to robot vacuums to even “smart” toothbrushes that many consumers are bringing into their homes. Today on […]
Split Show: Soviet TV History and Health Impacts of Nuclear Weapons
For today’s two-part episode, we take a look at Soviet media history and nuclear health effects. Our first guest is Christine Evans, professor of history at UW–Milwaukee, who sketches the history of television in the former Soviet Union and the role of media in contemporary Russian politics and culture. Next, we speak to Robert (Bob) […]
Next on the Climate Change Hit List: The Internet.
Twenty five years ago, burying communications lines under road rights of way seemed like a great way to keep those increasingly crucial utilities protected from the elements. But as the climate has changed and sea levels continue to rise, many of those seemingly impregnable tunnels may soon fill up with seawater. That’s a huge potential […]
Turning the tables on Tone Madison’s editor
This week on the Tone Madison podcast, we’re doing something a little bit different. Last year, I interviewed Alejandra Perez and Mike Pellino of a Madison band called Miyha. At the time, Alejandra suggested that to me that she should interview me. I don’t like attracting attention to myself, because the whole Tone Madison thing is […]
A Tone Madison audio extra: The great Szechuan sauce fiasco
We wanted to share a fun new feature that we’re experimenting with on the Tone Madison podcast feed. For the next few weeks we’ll be adding in some audio versions of recently published articles. It’s something we’ve dabbled with in the past—but we’re looking to make this a regular part of the site now, instead of an […]
Making the Internet Material
When asked about her work, Ingrid Burrington says she “writes, makes maps, and tells jokes about places, politics, and the weird feelings people have about both.” Less modestly, she’s also a research fellow at Data and Society and writes for The Atlantic magazine, penning “Beneath the Cloud,” a series about the physical world that makes up the internet.
Brian Standing spoke with Ingrid about the material impacts and labor of a seemingly immaterial network.
