The first of two special episodes loosely based around the craft of writing, Episode 28 of First Impressions features a wide-ranging, relaxed but insightful conversation with Brooklyn-based author Douglas Berman recorded in July. We reflect on what’s changed in the world and in our writing lives since we last spoke for the podcast back in December 2021. 

We also talk about the reading that’s inspired our work, writing techniques (from the epistolary to the horizontal) and while I share excerpts from my new autobiographical short story Countdown (at 07:10 and 21:02) and recently published poem, Anti-algorithm Technique (47:55), Doug reads extracts from the three novels he has been working on, with locations ranging from San Francisco to the Midwest and beyond (at 32:22, 34:51 and 38:16).

Fresh in the mind was my trip to Canada in March 2024. The show opens with a song recorded there with my brother (feat. former guest Mike Teague on guitar) and a trip to an Edmonton rock pub is included in one of my story snippets. Ukraine is also in our thoughts and features in the work and in our chat. A mid-point meander into music past and present is accompanied by some beats and effects (27:06).

The Wordarium Journal is available here, containing the work of 48 local poets: https://litfest.org/product/the-wordarium-journal/ 

Escape2Make, ‘a charity dedicated to helping 11–18-year-olds in the Lancaster & Morecambe area’ who provided the artwork for the journal: https://escape2make.org 

Andrey Kurkov’s ‘Grey Bees’: https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/andrey-kurkov/grey-bees/9780857059369/ 

Andrey Kurkov’s ‘Diary of an Invasion’: https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/andrey-kurkov-2/diary-of-an-invasion/9781800699090/  

Natalia Ginzberg’s ‘Family Lexicon’: https://dauntbookspublishing.co.uk/book/family-lexicon/ 

Timothy Snyder’s ‘Our Malady’: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/669175/our-malady-by-timothy-snyder/

First Impressions - Episode 28 - Lasting Impressions (feat. Douglas Berman)

Learn how Google's basic algorithms work by listening to this excellent podcast.

How Google's main algorithms works

How can we resist exploitation when our boss has been replaced by a computer? That's the premise of Cyberboss, a new book by Craig Gent, North of England editor for Novara Media, explaining how "algorithmic management" is being tested on Amazon packers, Deliveroo drivers and supermarket shoppers. 

He talks to NM's head of audio Chal Ravens about the strange forms of resistance that emerge when even your boss has no idea how the system actually works. Cyberboss: The Rise of Algorithmic Management and the New Struggle for Control at Work is available now through <a href="https://www.versobooks.com/en-gb/products/2958-cyberboss">Verso Books</a>.

Help us build people-powered media: https://novara.media/support

Novara Media

Novara FM: Our New Cyberboss Overlords w/ Craig Gent

In this podcast, Roland Meertens and Anthony Alford discuss their favorite algorithms, starting with the etymology of the word "algorithm." They explore the Fibonacci sequence and the many algorithms for computing it. Roland introduces the concept of probabilistic counting, focusing on the HyperLogLog algorithm, which can be used to estimate the count of unique items. Meertens also shares his own personal algorithm for estimating how many people he talks to at conferences.

Read a transcript of this interview: https://bit.ly/3XKJZ3V

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Transcript

Generally AI - Season 2 - Episode 2: Fantastic Algorithms and Where to Find Them

Host, Dr Dipti Itchhaporia (Hoag Heart and Vascular Institute, Newport Beach, CA, US) is joined by PI, Dr Derek Chew (Monash Heart and Victorian Heart Institute, AU) to discuss the findings from the RAPIDxAI trial, which aims to improve the assessment of suspected cardiac chest pain in emergency departments (ED) using a machine-learning algorithm that will interpret high-sensitivity troponin test results, assisting the diagnosis of myocardial infarction (MI) and other myocardial injuries. Conducted across 12 hospitals with 9600 patients, RAPIDxAI compares AI-supported decision-making to standard of care.

Investigators found that the availability of AI-based decision making tools guiding diagnostic and prognostic evaluation of high-sensitivity troponin T did not impact clinical care to improve cardiovascular outcomes. There was no increased risk using the algorithms observed in the trial, demonstrating the safety of the algorithm. Dr Itchhaporia and Dr Chew discuss the trust levels of cardiologists in implementing AI algorithms into clinical practice, and cost-effective methods of validating AI, as well as the lessons learnt from the trial.

If you have any questions or suggestions for topics to cover on the Radcliffe Podcast, please email managingeditor@ecrjournal.com.

Implementing AI Algorithms in Emergency Departments: RAPIDxAI with Dr Derek Chew

Danny Crichton joins Brian Anderson to discuss how AI and algorithms can be applied to streamline government services.

AI for Government

The Data Science Design

**Milestone 300! We dedicate this, the 300th weekly episode, to our loyal listeners, and we wish to recognize the valiant work of our underpaid podcast crew – correction: our unpaid podcast crew – who have put in thousands of hours editing audio, correcting transcripts, writing show notes, creating artwork, and posting promos on social media. To have the next 300 episodes delivered to your inbox as soon as they’re released, subscribe at realprogressives.substack.com 

Project Censored has been a valuable resource for Macro N Cheese. This week, sociologist Andy Lee Roth talks with Steve about information gatekeeping by big tech through their use of AI algorithms to stifle diverse voices.  The discussion highlights historical and current instances of media censorship and looks at the monopolization of news distribution by corporate giants like Google, Facebook, and Twitter.  

In an economic system that is fully privatized, trustworthy journalism is another casualty. News, which should be treated as a public good, is anything but.  

Andy Lee Roth is associate director of Project Censored, a nonprofit that promotes independent journalism and critical media literacy education. He is the coauthor of The Media and Me (2022), the Project’s guide to critical media literacy for young people, and “Beyond Fact-Checking” (2024), a teaching guide about news frames and their power to shape our understanding of the world. Roth holds a PhD in sociology from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a BA in sociology and anthropology from Haverford College. His research and writing have been published in a variety of outlets, including Index on Censorship, In These Times, YES! Magazine, The Progressive, Truthout, Media Culture & Society, and the International Journal of Press/Politics. During 2024-2025 his current work on Algorithmic Literacy for Journalists is supported by a fellowship from the Reynolds Journalism Institute. 

projectcensored.org 

@ProjectCensored on Twitter 

Algorithmic Warfare with Andy Lee Roth

Peter Norvig´s impact on AI, from pioneering research to his influential work in advancing machine learning and artificial intelligence. #AI

Peter Norvig

Peter Norvig & Artificial Intelligence

Uncover the machine learning strategies used by industry giants to boost profits and outsmart the competition. This audio reveals real-world examples and actionable insights to transform your business. Don't miss out on the ML revolution!


Discover the hidden world of machine learning! In this podcast, we explore the 7 mind-blowing algorithms shaping your world, from personalized recommendations to fraud detection. Join us as we uncover:
● The $117 Billion Secret: Learn how machine learning is revolutionizing businesses and creating massive opportunities.
● Real-World Examples: See how companies like Netflix, Google, and Amazon use machine learning to enhance your experiences.
● Actionable Insights: Gain a practical understanding of how machine learning works and how you can leverage its power.
● Expert Perspectives: Hear from industry leaders and AI pioneers like Andrew Ng and Fei-Fei Li.

Get ready to be amazed as we demystify machine learning and reveal its impact on your everyday life. Subscribe now and join the ML revolution!

💰 Machine Learning: The $117 Billion Secret to Business Success

The Radcliffe Cardiology Podcast brings you the latest advancements, research and best practices in the field of cardiology. Each episode features expert insights and engaging discussions with leading healthcare professionals, covering a breadth of topics in cardiovascular science. 

Our podcast aims to build on the best science, with key takeaways from the top cardiology conferences and recent publications from our journals.

The AI VIPs page is a tribute to those pioneers—from the early architects like Alan Turing and John McCarthy, who laid the groundwork for AI, to the modern-day innovators who continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible.

Software engineers, architects and team leads have found inspiration to drive change and innovation in their team by listening to the weekly InfoQ Podcast. They have received essential information that helped them validate their software development map. We have achieved that by interviewing some of the top CTOs, engineers and technology directors from companies like Uber, Netflix and more. Over 1,200,000 downloads in the last 3 years.

I'm a writer and editor based in Lancaster. Check out my podcasts Pet Projects (in which I interview creative types about their pets - and their projects), First Impressions (a surreal slice of literary cheesecake), and Monkey Scribbling (two older blokes reflect on their youth in the '90s through the letters they exchanged at the time). 

Pet Projects is a collaboration with Ana Rebolledo and Monkey Scribbling with Richard Pye. 

The family band I formed with my brother, Decaying Leather, in 1989 continues to write and record. Our music can also be found on SoundCloud and elsewhere.

Macroeconomics has never been so ... delish!  Macro and Cheese explores the progressive movement through the lens of Modern Monetary Theory, with hot and irreverent political takes, spotlights in activism, and the razor sharp musings of Real Progressives Founder and host Steve Grumbine.  The cheese will flow as experts come in for a full, four course deep dive into the hot queso. 

Comfort Food for Thought!

New tracks tagged #algorithms