Technology · Economics · Politics · Business

The week's biggest stories in tech, politics, economics and business.

Two friends wander through the week's biggest news in technology, politics, economics and business, from Silicon Valley to New Delhi to Ottawa, and try to work out what actually matters. New episodes every week.

Latest episode

Episode 30Oct 10, 202647:12

Canada Taxes The Rich + Big Tech AI Secret + India Food Safety Hero

Three stories, one big conversation! From election-season tax plans to Big Tech’s hidden AI bills and a food inspector turned celebrity, we break down the facts and the debates.

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Music video

The Curiosity Engine

The Wasted Wanderers theme, as an animated adventure. JD hits record, the mixer sparks, and his compass drags the two of us through every story we've covered: rogue robots, a bull-versus-bear brawl, flying gold bars, floating parliaments and one very expensive toothbrush. Two minutes, no words, press play.

The wanderers

Abhi

Abhi

Co-host · Vancouver, BC

Abhi covers politics and policy, from Ottawa to Washington to New Delhi, and keeps a running tally of what Canada's Liberals got wrong this week. Expect the occasional rant.

JD

JD

Co-host · Bay Area, CA

JD is the resident geek. He covers tech and economics, reads the earnings call so you don't have to, and brings a libertarian streak to every argument about markets and regulation.

All episodes 29

  1. 30

    Canada Taxes The Rich + Big Tech AI Secret + India Food Safety Hero

    Oct 10, 202647:12
    YT
    Show notes
    Three stories, one big conversation! From election-season tax plans to Big Tech’s hidden AI bills and a food inspector turned celebrity, we break down the facts and the debates. • 💰 B.C. health care tax: NDP Leader David Eby proposes higher top-bracket rates, including 24.5% on income over $1M, to raise about $1B. Conservatives and Greens object. • 🤖 AI’s hidden spending: A WSJ analysis finds nine tech giants hold roughly $3T in off-balance-sheet commitments. Optimists see strong demand; skeptics see risk. • 🍽️ India’s food safety star: Inspector Tukaram Mundhe’s raids have raised hygiene awareness, though some question his tactics. 👍 Like, subscribe, and share with someone who loves staying informed! Which story surprised you most? Tell us in the comments 👇 0:00 Introduction 0:50 New Millionaire tax in Canada 20:30 Sponser useadvert.com 23:00 Secret spending by big tech on AI 36:40 India’s Food Safety Hero 46:00 Conclusion #news #bcpolitics #aispending #bigtech #foodsafety #worldnews #currentevents
  2. 29

    Hero Pilot Saves AirDubai + Truth About Doomscrolling + Boring Decor Everywhere

    Oct 3, 202640:51
    YT
    Show notes
    From high-altitude survival to everyday culture shifts, we are breaking down today’s most gripping stories! ✈️📱🛋️ • A Miraculous Escape at Mach 0.96: Discover the sheer heroism of Captain Smit Machchhar, who fought off a violent cockpit attack to save 170+ passengers-and how the rugged airframe of the Boeing 737 MAX held together under Mach 0.96 speeds and extreme 3G loads far beyond its limits. • The Doomscrolling Dilemma: How endless short-form videos on TikTok and Instagram are rewiring adolescent brains, eroding our sense of the future, and sparking tech crackdowns. • RIP Midcentury Modern: Why millennials’ favorite furniture aesthetic went from sleek and timeless to overdone and "cringey." Sponser link: https://cutprism.com/wastedwanderers get 45% off some plans and create your own youtube shorts! 0:00 Introduction 1:11 Hero Pilot Saves Flight 12:05 Sponser Cutprism.com 15:30 Truth About Doomscrolling 28:10 Boring Decor Furniture 39:47 Conclusion 👉 Hit that Subscribe button and turn on notifications so you never miss an update! Let us know in the comments: Which story surprised you more-the cockpit survival against all odds, or the sudden backlash against midcentury decor?
  3. 28

    Apple announces Duo + AI goes Rogue + $5K “dividends” + Natural Diamond Mines out of fashion

    Sep 12, 202646:43
    YT
    Show notes
    From luxury shakeups to runaway AI and high-stakes politics, today’s biggest headlines are moving fast! 🌍 Here is what you need to know right now: 💎 Diamond Mines Shutting Down: Lab-grown stones crash prices, forcing De Beers to pause production at South Africa's Venetia mine. 🤖 Anthropic Researcher Resigns: Rising alarm inside leading labs as an insider quits over fears of out-of-control, self-improving AI. 📱 Meta’s $18B Youth Settlement: Big Tech faces its reckoning with strict app screen-time limits for minors. 💵 The "Trump Dividend" Pitch: A proposed $5,000 direct payout to adult citizens tied to congressional control. Which of these four stories will have the biggest long-term impact on everyday life? Drop your thoughts below! 💬 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and ring the bell for more timely breakdowns! 🔔 0:00 Introduction 1:11 Apple iPhone Duo Event 8:04 DeBeers diamond mines are closing 17:10 Anthropic researchers quit 32:29 Meta $18B Youth Settlement 40:25 Trump Dividend announcement 45:45 Conclusion #businessnews #technews #aisafety #diamonds #economy #socialmedia #breakingnews
  4. 27

    A $500 AI Toothbrush, Secret Gold Flights & Wild Science Prizes! 🪥💰

    Sep 5, 202633:19
    YT
    Show notes
    From wild tech to high-stakes finance and bizarre science, today's headlines are packed with surprises! 🌍✨ Here is what’s cooking down right now: 🪥 $499 AI Toothbrush: Dyson introduces a camera-powered brush aiming to replace traditional flossing. 🏦 Netherlands Shifts Gold: The Dutch central bank moves $11B in bullion from NYC to London over rising unrest. 🏆 2026 Ig Nobel Prizes: Celebrating weird science, from splash-free urinals to mosquito-nozzle 3D printers. Would you ever pay $500 for an AI toothbrush to do your flossing? Drop your thoughts below! 👇 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for (almost) weekly updates! 0:00 Introduction 2:20 Dyson $500 AI Toothbrush 9:57 Dutch Gold bar moves 19:24 2026 Ig Nobel Prize winners 31:40 Conclusion #dyson #technews #geopolitics #gold #ignobel #science #innovation
  5. 26

    US Canada Trade Talks Collapse as Tech Markets Shake and France Bans Cold Calls

    Aug 23, 202643:42
    YT
    Show notes
    Major economic shifts, market volatility, and landmark consumer protections are making global headlines this week! 🇨🇦/🇺🇸 Canada - US Trade War: Negotiations collapse as Canada walks away from US demands, sparking 50% tariffs and dollar-for-dollar retaliation. 🇰🇷 Korea's Tech Rollercoaster: Semiconductor shares tumble amid AI ROI concerns, but massive buyback plans from Samsung quickly spark a fresh bull market rally. 🇫🇷 France Bans Cold Calls: Unsolicited telemarketing is officially outlawed starting August 11, with violators facing steep fines of up to €375,000. Which of these stories do you think will have the longest-lasting global impact? Share your take in the comments below! 👇 Be sure to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the notification bell so you never miss an update! 🔔 0:00 Introduction 1:00 Canada - US Trade War 17:50 South Korea Kospi Rollercoaster 31:30 France Bans Cold Calls 42:16 Conclusion #tradewar #tariffs #stockmarket #semiconductors #technology #consumerrights #globalnews

About the show

Four directions. One compass.

Two friends wander through the week's biggest news in technology, politics, economics and business, from Silicon Valley to New Delhi to Ottawa, and try to work out what actually matters. New episodes every week.

Every episode, we point the compass at the stories that moved markets, shifted policy or changed what the next decade of technology looks like, and argue about which ones actually matter.

N

Technology

AI, chips, platforms and the companies building them.

E

Economics

Markets, trade, rates and the numbers behind the headlines.

S

Politics

Policy and power in Canada, India, the US and beyond.

W

Business

Deals, IPOs, layoffs and the strategy calls that shape industries.

The Wasted Wanderers Podcast artwork

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