For Tech’s Sake

Is technology making us lonely? (with Dr Colman Noctor) 04.06.2026 45dk

Are we in danger of becoming a contactless society? That’s the concern of psychotherapist Dr Colman Noctor, who joined Elaine to explain why we need to push ourselves beyond the isolated safety of socialising through screens and flex our social muscles in order to really grow as people.*** Good things we recommend ***>> Colman’s TEDx talk >> Digital Intentionality Score  >> The Irish Hedgehog Survey >> Invasives.ie  >> IFI’s Ghost in the Machine screening *** More from us ***Kelly’s Substack: kellysrubbish.substack.com  FTS blog: for-techs-sake.ghost.io  FTS TikTok: fortechssakepod  FTS Instagram: fortechssakepod  FTS Bluesky: fortechssakepod.bsky.social  FTS UpScrolled: fortechssakepod   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Get your clips out (with Aoife Barry) 28.05.2026 42dk

This week, Kelly has lost her voice! So Elaine is joined by cultural commentator, previous guest, and co-host of Get Around to It, Aoife Barry, to discuss why our feeds are filled with short video clips, and how ‘clipping’ is used to simulate trends and fake virality. If you’re a fan of the band Geese, you may have already been subject to these manipulations.*** Good things we recommend ***>> Catch up with Aoife at AoifeBarry.com  >> Listen to Elaine and Jenny interview Aoife about her book Social Capital  >> Listen to the Chaotic Good interview on Billboard’s On the Record podcast  >> Check out the next Get Around to It table quiz on 8 July  >> Come see Elaine chat with Dr Abeba Birhane at IFI’s Ghost in the Machine screening >> Sign up for Out of the Archive and Into the Record, a Wiki Loves Pride event >> Check out the Open Accessibility Assessment Framework for Computer Peripherals and Consumer Electronics  >> Celebrate Reuse and Repair Week with Tog in Belfast *** More from us ***Kelly’s Substack: kellysrubbish.substack.com  FTS blog: for-techs-sake.ghost.io  FTS TikTok: fortechssakepod  FTS Instagram: fortechssakepod  FTS Bluesky: fortechssakepod.bsky.social  FTS UpScrolled: fortechssakepod   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do we like prediction markets? Yes/No 21.05.2026 37dk

Prediction markets like Polymarket and Kalshi are rocketing in popularity and raking it in as users bet on everything from the day’s weather to major political manoeuvres. In this episode, Kelly and Elaine discuss what’s sus about these platforms and how they are mired in manipulation.*** Good things we recommend ***>> Research from CCPC and MABS on financial literacy   >> An Post’s Letter to your Future Self >> Kelly’s favourite stamps, featuring Brian Friel and Eileen Gray  >> An Post’s digital stamps  >> GCN magazine stockists *** More from us ***Kelly’s Substack: kellysrubbish.substack.com  FTS blog: for-techs-sake.ghost.io  FTS TikTok: fortechssakepod  FTS Instagram: fortechssakepod  FTS Bluesky: fortechssakepod.bsky.social  FTS UpScrolled: fortechssakepod   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hitting the AI kill switch 14.05.2026 44dk

This week, Kelly and Elaine have a chat about how all the AI hype and hate is pushing people to switch off. It’s a frank conversation about opting out of AI, where for some people it’s a trade-off and for others a struggle to go fully AI-free, and why it’s not anti-progress to say no, but a healthy challenge to techno-determinism.*** Good things we recommend ***>> For a laugh: the AI vapes website  >> For reference: the booed AI graduation speech  >> For satirical purposes only: Sinceerly  >> For hitting the nail on the head: Tom Fishburne’s comic  >> For AI-free Google search: udm14.com>> For an AI-free browser: JustTheBrowser.com or Stevo’s GenAI Blocklist  >> For an intense look at data tracking in your browser: Since You Arrived Vol. IV – taken*** More from us ***Kelly’s Substack: kellysrubbish.substack.com  FTS blog: for-techs-sake.ghost.io  FTS TikTok: fortechssakepod  FTS Instagram: fortechssakepod  FTS Bluesky: fortechssakepod.bsky.social  FTS UpScrolled: fortechssakepod   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wikiphilia (with Amy O’Riordan) 07.05.2026 45dk

This week Kelly and Elaine are sharing their love for Wikipedia – its endless interesting links, dedication to niche topics, and, of course, the ‘Personal Life’ section. Amy O’Riordan, bhainisteoir pobail le Pobal Éireann Wikimedia (AKA the community manager of Wikimedia Community Ireland) joins us for this chat about the famous online encyclopaedia’s challenges with AI, vandalism, content gaps and reliable sources, as well as the sheer passion of the volunteers that keep this great collaboration going.*** Good things we recommend ***>> Wikipedia, of course  >> Wikimedia.ie for more on the Irish Wiki community >> Wiki Loves Earth photography competition  >> Depths of Wikipedia by Annie Rauwerda  >> No Mow May 🌼  >> Birdfeeding advice from Niall Hatch at BirdWatch Ireland 🐦 *** More from us ***Kelly’s Substack: kellysrubbish.substack.com  FTS blog: for-techs-sake.ghost.io  FTS TikTok: fortechssakepod  FTS Instagram: fortechssakepod  FTS Bluesky: fortechssakepod.bsky.social FTS UpScrolled: fortechssakepod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

AI Ready… or not! (with Laura Grehan) 30.04.2026 57dk

This episode features an appearance from Elaine’s mam, who helped her review the new AI Ready platform from the Irish government (AIReady.ie) – and it did not go down well! We were so disappointed with this fumbled effort at AI literacy, but luckily we had Laura Grehan to speak to about getting it right. Laura leads education, engagement and societal impact for the Adapt research centre, and her award-winning team has reached about 85,000 people with their #DiscussAI initiative and other programmes. *** Good things we recommend ***>> #DiscussAI’s AI literacy resources >> Age-Friendly AI, a national AI literacy initiative for older adults >> Our chat on AI literacy with Prof Aphra Kerr  >> The Verge report on switching unsupported Windows devices to Linux >> Lemoncello’s new album, Perfect Place  *** More from us ***Kelly’s Substack: kellysrubbish.substack.com  FTS blog: for-techs-sake.ghost.io  FTS TikTok: fortechssakepod  FTS Instagram: fortechssakepod  FTS Bluesky: fortechssakepod.bsky.social  FTS UpScrolled: fortechssakepod   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Instagram’s end to encryption 23.04.2026 47dk

Pretty soon your private messages on Instagram will no longer be end-to-end encrypted. But you may not have even known they could be encrypted to begin with, as Instagram kind of buried that feature. Kelly and Elaine discuss what this means for messaging apps more broadly, while also lifting the veil on how private these apps really are (as well as having a rant about all the things they don’t like about Instagram). *** Good things YOU recommend ***>> Amy recommends the film Desk Set >> Katie and Vanessa recommend the show WeCrashed  >> El recommends the documentary Ghost in the Machine >> Dean recommends the book Braver New World, by John Kampfner  *** More from us ***Kelly’s Substack: kellysrubbish.substack.com  FTS blog: for-techs-sake.ghost.io  FTS TikTok: fortechssakepod  FTS Instagram: fortechssakepod  FTS Bluesky: fortechssakepod.bsky.social  FTS UpScrolled: fortechssakepod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

AI for good? (LIVE! with Dr Abeba Birhane) 16.04.2026 55dk

To celebrate our 100th episode, we invited our listeners to watch us in action live, with the return of special guest Dr Abeba Birhane, founder of the pioneering AI Accountability Lab. We had fun with a game of Good Tech, Bad Tech (trademark pending) followed by a meaty discussion with Abeba about the morality of AI, the challenge of being a critic of AI, and how she met the Pope and Shaggy (no, really).We are so grateful to everyone who came out for this live recording, and also to The Digital Hub, and Dee and Oisin from the Beár Bia podcast for making it all possible.All proceeds from this event went to Medical Aid for Palestinians. Donate at MAP.org.uk.   *** Good things we recommend ***>> AI Accountability Lab  >> Biology as Ideology by Richard Lewontin>> Abeba’s reflections on the censorship of her keynote at the AI for Good Summit 2025  >> Kabakoo Academies, blending high-tech and indigenous knowledge in Mali >> Duck Duck Go, a Google alternative  *** More from us ***Kelly’s Substack: kellysrubbish.substack.com  FTS blog: for-techs-sake.ghost.io  FTS TikTok: fortechssakepod  FTS Instagram: fortechssakepod  FTS Bluesky: fortechssakepod.bsky.social   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The internet is coiled spaghetti (with Jane Ruffino) 09.04.2026 30dk

In this episode, Elaine tries to turn Kelly into a subsea cables stan with the help of Jane Ruffino, a PhD candidate who recently visited a ship in the midst of (literally) winding up TAT-8, the world’s first transatlantic fibre-optic cable. Jane enthusiastically shares what we can learn from the subsea cable industry’s ‘minimum necessary technology’ mindset, and why it’s important that the infrastructure and labour that keeps us connected is made visible.Find Jane on LinkedIn and at CharacterWorks.co.*** Good things we recommend ***>> Jane’s superb article in Wired >> Our podcast episode, The internet under the sea >> The Undersea Network, a book by Nicole Starosielski>> Atlantic-Cable.com  >> Derek Cassidy, communication archaeologist  >> Irish artist Fiona Marron  >> Ye Olde Hurdy-Gurdy Museum of Vintage Radio in Howth, Co. Dublin*** More from us ***Kelly’s Substack: kellysrubbish.substack.com  FTS blog: for-techs-sake.ghost.io  FTS TikTok: fortechssakepod  FTS Instagram: fortechssakepod  FTS Bluesky: fortechssakepod.bsky.social   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Access to AT (with Patrick Fitzgerald and Sarah Boland) 02.04.2026 44dk

This week, Kelly and Elaine are talking about AT, assistive technology, and how we can all have nicer digital experiences because of it. Our expert guides to AT in this episode are Patrick Fitzgerald, an AT user and DigiCoach for others, and Sarah Boland, an AT facilitator and mentor. We find out some fundamentals for designers and developers to make the web more accessible, as well as some tips for ourselves to be more inclusive with what we post online. Will you take on our anti-Lent alt text challenge? *** Good things we recommend ***>> St John of God Liffey Services  >> FreedomTech.ie  >> AccessDesign: An inclusive co-design toolkit  >> Osmo  >> For Tech’s Sake Live!  *** More from us ***Kelly’s Substack: kellysrubbish.substack.com  FTS blog: for-techs-sake.ghost.io  FTS TikTok: fortechssakepod FTS Instagram: fortechssakepod  FTS Bluesky: fortechssakepod.bsky.social   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pokémon Go to train an AI 26.03.2026 39dk

Pokémon Go collected 30 billion street-level image scans from its players, and now its creators are using that data to help train delivery robots. This prompted Kelly and Elaine to discuss the many ways human labour contributes to AI training, whether we are aware of it or not. *** Good things we recommend ***>> Humanitix ticketing  >> Gravity Climbing Centre  >> For Tech’s Sake Live!  >> Svenska Dagbladet’s investigation into Meta’s AI training  *** More from us ***Kelly’s Substack: kellysrubbish.substack.comFTS blog: for-techs-sake.ghost.io FTS TikTok: fortechssakepodFTS Instagram: fortechssakepodFTS Bluesky: fortechssakepod.bsky.social Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We need to talk about how we talk about AI (with Prof Aphra Kerr) 19.03.2026 46dk

Today’s episode is a lesson in AI literacy, busting some myths and revealing the strings behind the magic trick (with a smattering of Irish for Seachtain na Gaeilge). Kelly quizzes Elaine on how we can adapt our language to be clearer in communicating what AI is, and we also speak to Prof Aphra Kerr about the award-winning AlgoWatch project and its efforts to boost literacy among young people.*** Good things we recommend ***>> AlgoWatch.eu>> Elaine’s keynote at CESIcon 2026>> #DiscussAI>> Age-Friendly AI>> Switched On*** More from us ***Kelly’s Substack: kellysrubbish.substack.comFTS blog: for-techs-sake.ghost.io FTS TikTok: fortechssakepodFTS Instagram: fortechssakepodFTS Bluesky: fortechssakepod.bsky.social Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dubai influencers 12.03.2026 36dk

We’re back with an all-new season of For Tech’s Sake, just in time for a digital media literacy lesson on the Dubai influencer economy and how this shapes the content you see in your feed. We also have some news about our upcoming 100th episode – but you’ll have to listen to find out about that. *** Good things we recommend ***>> Check out Ned Leddy’s e-waste sculpture in St Patrick’s Park from March 14th to 16th.>> Spot a fish, ring a doorbell at visdeurbel.nl*** More from us ***Kelly’s Substack: kellysrubbish.substack.comFTS blog: for-techs-sake.ghost.io FTS TikTok: fortechssakepodFTS Instagram: fortechssakepodFTS Bluesky: fortechssakepod.bsky.social Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prophecy girls 04.12.2025 44dk

In this final episode of 2025, Elaine and Kelly wonder if being on the naughty list could be a way for tech billionaires to hoard coal resources, and also offer up some predictions for a new year in tech. We’re forecasting legal issues and major market shifts, the spread of age-gating and deregulation, and a reckoning to come for generative AI. We also have a gift guide for the tech lover in your life, and other recommendations that can help you connect with your community IRL.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Slop ’til you drop 27.11.2025 36dk

’Tis the season of shopping and scams, so arm yourself with knowledge from the For Tech’s Sake buyer’s guide to what you need to know about online shopping in the slop era. Come for the explanations of TikTok Shop, drop-shipping and scam tactics to watch out for, and stay for the references to ancient memes and Kelly’s tell-all review of a popular Game Boy emulator.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Say sorry, be nice, stand up for workers’ rights 20.11.2025 41dk

This week, Kelly and Elaine discuss why a delay in the release of Grand Theft Auto VI to late 2026 might be the least of Rockstar Games’ problems as protests have kicked off outside their offices following the firing of more than 30 employees. Could gamers now boycott a release they’ve been waiting more than 12 years for? Meanwhile, as yet another tech outage caused widespread ripples across the web, the EU is taking a look at the concentration of power in digital infrastructure. Also in this episode, we get hands-on with a pair of Meta Ray-Bans and speculate on Snapchat’s potential as a Reddit rival.Finally, we recommend you check out the research published on Authoritarian-Stack.info and follow Conor McCabe (@conormaccaba) on Instagram for updates on his radical political economy workshops. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ryanair’s app trap 13.11.2025 41dk

This episode may contain a rude word or two when Elaine and Kelly start going off on Ryanair’s decision to force app downloads under the guise of ‘paperless’ boarding (that’s not actually paperless). And rude words are apparently being shadow-banned on Bluesky, while Elon Musk is getting roasted by Joyce Carol Oates on X.We also make an attempt to rouse EU citizens into a fight for the sanctity of GDPR, muse on whether All’s Fair signals a microdrama trend for TV, and get through some listener feedback on ‘the good guy of tech’ plus a new recommendation to help you understand what data brokers can learn from your online behaviour.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The good guy of tech 06.11.2025 40dk

There’s been some Wikipedia drama this week as Jimmy Wales has been doing the rounds on a press tour promoting a book that bills him as ‘the good guy of tech’ – but Elaine and Kelly have a different man in mind for that moniker. Also in this episode, Ekaterina Uetova from the MOvD research project joins us to explain how a group chat might be more motivational than a gamified fitness app.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tech Treehouse of Horror 30.10.2025 1sa 5dk

In this very special Halloween episode, Elaine and Kelly are communing with the digital after life and sharing (barely) spooky stories about data from beyond the grave. It’s a bumper episode with a special appearance from researcher Danny Snow, who has been giving digital data a post-mortem examination and proposes how we could donate our data like we donate our organs.Visit DataDonorCard.org for more information and be sure to check out BetaFestival.ie for our ‘something good’ recommendation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tech will fail and you will die 23.10.2025 28dk

Well, our maxim has finally caught up with us. We’re always saying the only certainties in life are that tech will fail and you will die and – while Elaine and Kelly are both still very much alive and well – the tech did fail and we lost an entire episode recording. So now you just have Elaine monologuing about the widespread impact of the 15-hour Amazon Web Services outage this week, and the problem with building an internet that’s just three Big Tech kids in one trench coat. She also has an extra dig at Microsoft for its decision to end free security updates for Windows 10, and shares some rainy day activity suggestions from herself and Kelly.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.