reviewed: The Secret History of the Future
Fascinating and easy to follow
Listening to podcasts has become my way to have my own moment and space while riding out the pandemic at home with my family. I’ve learned that discovering new podcasts is very hit-or-miss. This podcast is a delightful find—each episode has a fascinating topic that is well-researched and supported with interesting sources. The hosts have a clear delivery and (seemingly to me) their presentation is mostly scripted and well-edited, which means there’s not a bunch of filler or banter, and the podcast becomes about their topic and not their personalities. Listening to each podcast does provide an escape, as I really need to focus on the information to process it, which takes me away from current events.
Reviewed on Apple Podcastsreviewed: The Secret History of the Future
A++++++
Great all-around history podcast tying current events to past historical events. Even manages to avoid political tones so it’s something we all can enjoy. Well worth the listen!
Reviewed on Apple Podcastsreviewed: The Secret History of the Future
Connections, the podcast
There was TV show on PBS 40+ years ago called Connections with James Burke. It was fascinating! He traced ancient inventions to surprising modern developments. (You can tell time today because ships got lost at sea, etc.)This podcast is in the same vein but kind of in reverse where we look at a modern problem and discover that, centuries ago, the same problem existed. Often the solutions that fail today, failed back then. And, of course, some succeeded.
Reviewed on Apple Podcastsreviewed: The Secret History of the Future
Compelling Show
Enjoyed the Familiar Tune episode although they did Sousa a little dirty by ultimately suggesting he didn't mean anything he wrote in regards to amateur musicians or commonfolk losing inspiration to play music themselves. More importantly, they discounted his central argument which is that fewer people *per capita* would be playing music after the phonograph, and on that point Sousa was absolutely correct even by the podcasters' own account of how common musicianship was at the time. Overall the show is still very compelling and seems to fairly represent the different sides of the arguments around technology, and that fairness is very hard to find. Good job guys please keep it up
Reviewed on Apple Podcastsreviewed: The Secret History of the Future
New episodes?
-ditto. Love the show, but it's just stopped with no word. What gives?
Reviewed on Apple Podcastsreviewed: The Secret History of the Future
Why??
Hey why no new episodes anymore ?
Reviewed on Apple Podcastsreviewed: The Secret History of the Future
One of the best podcasts ever
Every episode you learn something new. This podcast is great for anyone with a curious mind. I’m a mechanical engineering student and I can’t get enough of this podcast. Thanks so much guys!
Reviewed on Apple Podcastsreviewed: The Secret History of the Future
Best podcast ever
I’m learning so much in such an interesting and unique way! Love this and recommend it for everyone!!
Reviewed on Apple Podcastsreviewed: The Secret History of the Future
A fresh, fascinating way to look at history
I am a historian. I spend my days surrounded by history, studying history, thinking and writing about history. I discovered this podcast recently after listening to dozens of podcasts focused on history, and I can honestly say this is the first time in many years that I have found someone with a truly new and innovative approach to history. I love it! Keep it coming!
Reviewed on Apple Podcastsreviewed: The Secret History of the Future
Fascinating and fun
This podcast has provided so much dinnertable fodder for me, and I love it! The diverse topics are great and always learn something new, relating it to others and generally spreading the fun knowledge. “Dots, Dashes and Dating Apps” was particularly enjoyable (and I met my spouse online, too). I feel like my long commutes are not “wasted” when I have Tom and Seth for company. Keep up the great storytelling!
Reviewed on Apple Podcastsreviewed: The Secret History of the Future
For thinkers!
What a fun show about how nothing is really that new but just a reincarnation of an old way of thinking or doing things. I’ve been a big Seth fan for years (look up his work for slate; he is a fantastic writer!) and I love how he and Tom play off of each other here. You can tell they are both interested in learning and their different backgrounds and interests allow for great commentary. I’ve recommended this show to many friends and talked about it often at parties. Lots of good ice breakers & facts that are fun to discuss with others. A big shout out to whoever does the sound editing. The music in the background is always really complementary to the story and soothing without being distracting. Not a lot of podcasts have refined this so bravo to the person/people doing this for Secret History of the Future 👏💐Excited for more!
Reviewed on Apple Podcastsreviewed: The Secret History of the Future
So informative
I ALWAYS learn something new! Love every episode
Reviewed on Apple Podcastsreviewed: The Secret History of the Future
Overpoliticized
They seem to have this strange compulsion to politicize everything. Their podcast goes into the past and relates it to current technology. Even if the connection is tenuous, it is still interesting. My issue is they keep inserting political statements into the podcast that is completely off subject, and usually just wrong. It tends to be revisionist history from advocacy groups that want to look at every event in history and reframe it as a conspiracy to repress every group you can name. I’m all for advocating for disadvantaged groups, but shoehorning it into every story and presenting it incorrectly serves no purpose. Latest example was a discussion of wireless radio (ham radio) and a comment was made out of the blue how it was encouraged for boys and young men only and girls were discouraged. It had absolutely nothing to do with the story, and it just wasn’t true. It shows how ignorant people can be about history. Everything is not some great conspiracy to repress women and minorities. Every event and person in history doesn’t need to be repainted as sexist, racist, repressive conspiracies. Its disrespectful and inaccurate. People who were interested in ham radios weren’t actively keeping women out of the hobby. They were pursuing what interested them. If you can’t find an expert that can relate the history without putting their politics on top of it, then find other experts. My biggest issue with this is the editorial decision to include it. Literally had zero relation to the story. It seems to be included just so some white males can say ‘see look, we care about these issues’. When it is said over and over in every single story no matter how out of context and ridiculous sounding it is, it just becomes disingenuous pandering.
Reviewed on Apple Podcastsreviewed: The Secret History of the Future
Great historical context for today’s technological challenges
History lovers should love this podcast. This podcast will also make you love history. “The Secret History” focuses on technology and science to provide insightful and fascinating historical context to things we might otherwise consider new and unique to our time. By doing so, we catch glimpses and hints into where the next set of solutions will come from. We also see how we are still closely connected to people across time and culture.
Reviewed on Apple Podcastsreviewed: The Secret History of the Future
Would be much better as an Economist podcast
The topics the hosts choose for The Secret HIstory of The Future are superb, and overall, the production is excellent. There's only one problem: this podcast would be far better if it were hosted by Tom Standage alone. At best, Seth Stevenson adds nothing; at worst, he is a know-nothing know-it-all. Standage does his own podcast for The Economist to which it's worthwhile listening and subscribing.
Reviewed on Apple Podcastsreviewed: The Secret History of the Future
Excellent, thought provoking series!
Great examples of how nothing is really so new…!!
Reviewed on Apple Podcastsreviewed: The Secret History of the Future
5 Stars
Awesome show, informative, insightful and fun
Reviewed on Apple Podcastsreviewed: The Secret History of the Future
Gives false information
In meat and potatoes, it was stated that the beef industry makes up for 6% of greenhouse gases. This is false information. The beef industry makes up for only 2% of greenhouse gases. The 6% number is most likely the entire agricultural impact on greenhouse gases (this includes both animal and crop agriculture).
Reviewed on Apple Podcastsreviewed: The Secret History of the Future
Great podcast
I love Seth and Tom. Fun and informative.
Reviewed on Apple Podcastsreviewed: The Secret History of the Future
Exactly what I was looking for
Thank you so much for producing this podcast! It’s easy to listen to, covers fascinating content and captures the imagination about what could happen in the future if we follow trends and patterns from the past. I found myself listening to three of them back to back without pausing - very entertaining! Very well done, thank you!
Reviewed on Apple Podcasts
Journey into the past and you'll discover the secret history of the future. From the world's first cyber-attack in 1834, to 19th-century virtual reality, The Economist's Tom Standage and Slate's Seth Stevenson examine the historical precedents that can transform our understanding of modern technology, predicting how it might evolve and highlighting pitfalls to avoid. Discovering how people reacted to past innovations can also teach us about ourselves.
Journey into the past and you'll discover the secret history of the future. From the world's first cyber-attack in 1834, to 19th-century virtual reality, The Economist's Tom Standage and Slate's Seth Stevenson examine the historical precedents that can transform our understanding of modern technology, predicting how it might evolve and highlighting pitfalls to avoid. Discovering how people reacted to past innovations can also teach us about ourselves.