Technology
We’re back discussing tech in the time of the Covid-19 Pandemic: space-based internet from headline-shy Elon Musk; ex-football player uses AI to predict Covid-19 outbreaks (alright, ‘soccer player’); the Instagram founders are back tracking Covid-19 spread and making better statisticians of us all; Travis Scott played a show to 12 million people. In a video game? Pietro had no idea at first what he was seeing in the night sky recently. It was Starlink’s satellite train - the latest batch of what will be thousands of satellites, part of Elon Musk’s plan to ‘rebuild the internet in space’. While we know now more than ever why internet access has to be a human right, what will the sky look like when it’s full of satellites? Footballers don’t usually found AI companies after retiring, but an ex-Real Madrid midfielder did. Now his company is pivoting to predict Covid-19 outbreaks in his native Spain. The Instagram founders are also tracking the spread of Covid-19 cases state-by-state in the U.S. And they’re doing a great job at something that’s pretty difficult: making data interesting to look at. Travis Scott played a show to 12 million people. Well, it was a Travis Scott avatar. And it was in a video game. But still, in the wake of social distancing, is this an unexpected future for entertainment? We’re grateful that we can carry on making podcasts during this pandemic. Creative Machines wishes to thank all the essential workers keeping society going. We hope you’re being taken care of and we appreciate you. Creative Machines is produced by David Angell at Giant Sound Toronto. We want guests! Email us at machinespodcast@gmail.com if you want to be on or know someone who should. Find us on Twitter and Instagram @machinespodcast.