Sailing into the Unknown with Joe Rhodes

A Better Mousetrap

Jul 2, 202630 minSummary

In this episode of Hyperfixed, host Alex Goldman explores the unsettling reality of the modern Internet of Things through the lens of a malfunctioning computer mouse. The story begins when journalist David Sarota finds his high-end, corded Logitech mouse inexplicably stops working. Despite the hardware being physically intact, custom configurations failed, causing significant disruption to his workflow. It was soon revealed that a simple administrative oversight—an expired TLS certificate at the company’s headquarters—had rendered thousands of devices unresponsive, sparking a global frustration among users. The episode delves into the profound implications of this incident, moving beyond the technical glitch to address the concept of digital ownership. If a physical object requires constant communication with a central server to function, the user loses ultimate control over their property. Goldman speaks with Stacy Higginbotham from Consumer Reports to discuss the hidden costs of connectivity and the recurring issue of companies deprecating support for devices. The discussion highlights an urgent need for legislative transparency, ensuring that manufacturers disclose support lifecycles and maintain functionality for users, regardless of a company's cloud-based status or corporate stability.

A Story About a Mouse That’s Actually About Everything

Jul 2, 202630 minSummary

In this episode of Hyperfixed, host Alex Goldman explores the unsettling reality of modern ownership through a seemingly minor inconvenience. The discussion begins with journalist David Sirota, who recounts how his high-end, corded computer mouse suddenly ceased functioning. After hours of troubleshooting, he discovered that a backend error at Logitech—an expired security certificate—had rendered his device and thousands of others unusable overnight. The episode moves beyond a simple technical glitch to examine the broader implications of the Internet of Things. While it is revealed that the mouse only required an internet connection to support custom button mapping, the incident highlights a troubling trend where physical products are tethered to corporate servers. Stacy Higginbotham from Consumer Reports joins the show to explain how connected devices create ongoing financial and maintenance obligations for manufacturers, often leading to products being "bricked" when support ends or companies fold. The conversation raises profound questions about whether consumers truly own their belongings in an era where functionality is controlled by remote, invisible systems, and why greater legislative transparency is necessary to protect users from sudden, unexpected obsolescence.

Samurai Gone Girl

Jun 18, 202631 minSummary

In this episode of Hyperfixed, host Alex Goldman investigates a mystery that began when a listener, Allison, tried to track down the author of her favorite childhood book series, Samurai Girl. Written under the name Carrie Asai, the six-book series vanished from public consciousness, leaving behind no interviews, social media presence, or bibliographies. As Alex digs into the publishing world, he discovers that Carrie Asai was never a real person, but rather a pseudonym created by a book packaging company. The episode pulls back the curtain on the literary assembly line of book packaging, where committees and ghostwriters churn out series based on marketing mandates. Through interviews with former television executive Bob Levy and bestselling author Sara Shepard—who reveals that Samurai Girl was actually her first professional writing gig—the show explores the complex reality of these ghostwritten projects. The conversation challenges the listener's perspective on authorship, moving from the disappointment of uncovering a commercialized process to a nuanced look at how these anonymous beginnings helped launch the careers of successful writers today.

PREMIUM UNLOCKED: The Fraud Hunter

Jun 4, 202639 minSummary

In this episode of Hyperfixed, host Alex explores the dark, complex world of digital deception alongside journalist Craig Silverman, co-founder of the publication Indicator. The discussion serves as a follow-up to previous reporting on fake obituaries that frequently populate the internet shortly after someone passes away. Silverman, an expert in open-source intelligence and digital manipulation, explains how these sites function as part of a larger, murky ecosystem of programmatic advertising and digital fraud. The conversation delves into the mechanics of how digital ad auctions work, highlighting the vulnerabilities that allow scammers to siphon money from legitimate advertising networks. Silverman details how perpetrators use fake obituaries and AI-generated content to capture traffic, then exploit that audience through aggressive, malicious redirects to gambling sites or fraudulent downloads. The episode illuminates the "highly adversarial environment" of the internet, where innovation by scammers constantly outpaces oversight. By sharing a specific case study of a fraudster tracked down in Nigeria, Silverman illustrates how low-barrier digital tools empower individuals globally to target wealthy audiences, turning deceptive content into a profitable, albeit unethical, business model.

Rooting Out Racists

May 21, 202635 minSummary

In this episode of Hyperfixed, host Alex Goldman explores the extraordinary story of an anonymous hacker known as Martha Root, who took on the task of exposing a network of white supremacist websites. Operating under the guise of a Pink Power Ranger to maintain her anonymity, Martha describes how she used curiosity and technical ingenuity to infiltrate the hate group platform White Date. The discussion details how Martha created convincing, AI-driven chatbot personas to interact with the site’s members. By baiting these users into wasting time and gathering data, she eventually discovered a glaring security vulnerability that allowed her to download the personal email addresses of thousands of users, including public officials and members of extremist political parties. The episode highlights the collaborative effort between Martha and investigative journalists to verify and report on these findings, leading to widespread international consequences for those exposed. Furthermore, the episode chronicles Martha’s daring real-world investigation to unmask the site's elusive administrator, Liv Haida, ultimately revealing her true identity and exposing the extent of her involvement in various white nationalist digital platforms.

Pretzels to the People

May 7, 202631 minSummary

In this episode of Hyperfixed, host Alex Goldman investigates a local mystery: why are there three Wetzel’s Pretzels locations crammed into the Atlantic Avenue-Barclays Center transit hub in Brooklyn? What began as a listener’s observation about the comical over-saturation of a single brand in one small space evolves into a fascinating exploration of retail strategy and the economics of impulse purchases. Joined by Alexei Horowitz-Gazi from Planet Money, the team discovers that this phenomenon is not unique to Brooklyn; high-traffic areas across the country often feature multiple locations of the same franchise. Through conversations with Wetzel’s corporate leadership and a seasoned franchisee, the hosts uncover a calculated business model. Unlike destination brands, pretzel shops thrive by placing products directly in the path of consumers, relying on olfactory cues and high-traffic locations to trigger impulsive sales. Furthermore, the cluster in the Atlantic Terminal reveals a logistical innovation: by using one main kitchen to supply smaller, low-labor satellite kiosks, the franchisee optimizes efficiency and manages risk. The episode ultimately demystifies the "pretzels to the people" strategy, reframing what appears to be corporate excess as a deliberate, data-driven approach to retail survival.

PRESENTING: Smart Girl, Dumb Questions

Apr 23, 20261h 7mSummary

In this episode of Hyperfixed, host Alex Goldman hands over the microphone to Naeema Raza, host of the podcast Smart Girl, Dumb Questions. Raza shares her philosophy behind the show, emphasizing that in an era dominated by polarized opinions and know-it-alls, the most valuable trait one can possess is simple curiosity. She explains how she uses her platform to ask the "dumb" questions that people often feel uncomfortable raising, ranging from the complexities of artificial intelligence to the nuances of human behavior. The episode features an insightful conversation with Dr. Justin Garcia, the head of the Kinsey Institute, who explores the biological and evolutionary roots of human relationships. The discussion moves through the history of courtship, the evolution of marriage, and the influence of modern technology on romantic connections. Dr. Garcia challenges common assumptions about dating apps and singlehood, arguing that while our social environments have shifted, the fundamental human desire for pair-bonding remains deeply embedded in our biology. Through an engaging and lighthearted dialogue, the hosts explore what it truly means to be a social, intimate animal in a rapidly changing world.

Fauxbituaries

Apr 9, 202640 minSummary

In this episode of Hyperfixed, the host explores the disturbing rise of fake, AI-generated obituaries. The investigation begins with Marcus, a listener whose friend passed away unexpectedly. While grieving, Marcus discovered numerous websites publishing erroneous, hallucinated, and deeply impersonal obituaries for his friend within days of the death. These sites, filled with pop-up ads and inaccuracies, appeared to be scraping social media to capitalize on search trends. The episode reveals that these obituaries are part of a broader, automated clickbait scheme. Experts explain that these sites exploit the opaque nature of the digital advertising ecosystem. Because online ad auctions occur in milliseconds through a complex chain of middlemen, advertisers often have no idea their brands are appearing on scam sites, misinformation hubs, or pages exploiting human grief. Drawing on organizational theory, the discussion likens the current ad-tech landscape to a system defined by tight coupling and interactive complexity, making it prone to inevitable failures. While some argue the system is beyond repair, the episode concludes by examining whether genuine reform is possible to curb the monetization of digital exploitation and protect the dignity of those being mourned online.

Amityvilleville

Apr 2, 20261h 17mSummary

En este episodio de Hyperfixed, los presentadores Alex Goldman y Caroline Thompson se sumergen en el curioso fenómeno cinematográfico de la franquicia Amityville. Tras explicar cómo el nombre de la famosa casa quedó libre de derechos de autor, lo que permitió la creación de decenas de películas de dudosa calidad, los anfitriones comparten su ambicioso plan: ver y comentar cada una de las 92 películas que conforman esta inusual saga. El foco principal de la conversación es Amityville 3D. A pesar de la frustración por no poder verla en su formato original, analizan con humor la estética de la película, desde la famosa casa con sus "ojos" hasta los intentos deliberados de aprovechar la tecnología 3D mediante efectos que, vistos hoy, resultan cómicos. Más allá de lo técnico, discuten la trama, que sigue a dos periodistas escépticos que intentan desenmascarar un fraude paranormal, solo para terminar viviendo en la casa embrujada. El episodio equilibra el análisis de la narrativa —incluyendo el sorprendente elenco que incluye a una joven Meg Ryan— con anécdotas personales sobre experiencias propias con sesiones espiritistas, aportando un tono ligero y entretenido a esta peculiar revisión del cine de terror.

PREMIUM UNLOCKED: The Passion of the Fruit

Mar 26, 202637 minSummary

In this episode of Hyperfixed, host Alex Goldman explores the peculiar absence of passion fruit from the American culinary landscape. The investigation begins with an appeal from Lee, an Australian expat living in Texas, who expresses his frustration at being unable to find this staple fruit in local grocery stores. Driven by curiosity, Alex attempts to track down the fruit himself, finding it both elusive and unexpectedly expensive. The episode delves into the agricultural and economic barriers that prevent passion fruit from becoming a mainstream commodity in the United States. Through conversations with agricultural experts, Alex learns that the industry suffers from a lack of coordination, limited growing regions, and significant labor-intensive challenges, such as the inability to mechanize the harvesting process. Because the market remains undeveloped and lacks a centralized growers' association to promote it, awareness among the American public stays low. The narrative highlights how the fruit is trapped in a cycle of low demand and high prices, contrasting it with other successful produce marketing campaigns. Ultimately, the episode serves as an engaging look at how niche cultural staples struggle to break into global markets.