In a world of 280-character sound bites, talk radio misinformation, cable television shouting, and political violence, podcasts have become the go-to place for civilized conversation.
The explosion of podcasts no doubt reflects their unique ability to convey information in an intimate and uncluttered fashion.
From the many podcasts WhoWhatWhy published in 2021, we have selected 10 for our annual “Best of” list, which we believe represents a kind of overview audio diary — capturing what we lived through, felt, and thought during the past 12 months.
Last week we included the first five; here are the final five of our curated list of podcasts that we think reflect the momentous year we’ve experienced. Of course, you can always find YOUR favorites by going directly to our podcast page.
Software Could End the World
It would take only one flaw. In billions of lines of code, one flaw — and the banking system, power grid, Pentagon, air traffic control system, hospitals, and the world’s logistics can all be taken down. And the effort may already be underway. A conversation with New York Times cybersecurity correspondent Nicole Perlroth.
From Juneteenth to July 4th: The Ongoing Quest for Freedom
Why is Juneteenth having its national moment now? A conversation with Pulitzer Prize- and National Book Award-winning historian Annette Gordon-Reed.
When the Metaverse and Evolution Collide
Is the “metaverse” or any totally digital world good for us? Can our mental capacities evolve fast enough to exist in the digital world without anxiety and anger? A talk with sometimes controversial evolutionary biologists Bret Weinstein and Heather Heying.
A Constitution of Knowledge
Why can we no longer talk in good faith about a shared reality? Why do we suddenly have to define what we mean by “truth”? These are a few of the questions we discuss with journalist, author, and Brookings Institution fellow Jonathan Rauch.
America Is No Longer a Serious Nation
We have become a nation of narcissistic adolescents. We want what we want when we want it, and if we don’t get it, we stomp our feet at the ballot box. This according to author, journalist, and professor at the Naval War College Tom Nichols.
