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Behavior : All Tech Considered Tracking how technology — from the simplest tools like pencils, to the most advanced artificial intelligence — is affecting and changing our individual habits, but also group behavior and society.
All Tech Considered

All Tech Considered

Tech, Culture and Connection

Behavior

Saturday

Yik Yak Tests Universities' Defense Of Free Speech

The Yik Yak app allows users to post anonymous messages, and to read anonymous messages posted in their current location. Ariel Zambelich/NPR hide caption

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Ariel Zambelich/NPR

Behavior

Yik Yak Tests Universities' Defense Of Free Speech

WABE

The social media app allows users to post anonymous comments visible to others in the same area. It's become a breeding ground for racial and violent threats, and some colleges may ban the app.

Yik Yak Tests Universities' Defense Of Free Speech

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Tuesday

I Asked A Computer To Be My Life Coach

IBM's Watson analyzes a Twitter account of an unnamed user, breaking down needs, values and five personality traits: openness, conscientiousness, extroversion, agreeableness, neuroticism (aka emotional range). IBM hide caption

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IBM

Behavior

I Asked A Computer To Be My Life Coach

Your online habits leave a constant digital trail. What does it say about the real you? I gave the world's most famous computer keys to my online life to see what it could tell me, about me.

I Asked A Computer To Be My Life Coach

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Thursday

Wednesday

A Click Too Far: Why Using Social Media Isn't That Great For Fundraising

There are a lot of ways to donate to a cause online. While using social media may help in promotion, it may not be the most effective way to get people to actually give. Tomacco/Getty Images hide caption

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Tomacco/Getty Images

Behavior

A Click Too Far: Why Using Social Media Isn't That Great For Fundraising

Empathy campaigns can spread like wildfire on Facebook and other social media. So how come data show that social networking sites direct very few clicks to charity donation pages?

Thursday

Even After Hanging Up, Hands-Free Isn't Risk-Free For Distracted Drivers

Monitored by researchers and cameras, a study participant drives while using hands-free technology. New AAA research found that these technologies are distracting even after they're used. Dan Campbell/American Automobile Association hide caption

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Dan Campbell/American Automobile Association

Behavior

Even After Hanging Up, Hands-Free Isn't Risk-Free For Distracted Drivers

Mental distractions can persist up to 27 seconds after using hands-free technologies, a new AAA study says. But the auto industry says voice-activated systems help drivers keep their eyes on the road.

Wednesday

What Do We Know About People Who Don't (And Never Did) Have Cable?

A cable box on top of a television in Philadelphia. One analyst finds that economics is the key driver behind the growing phenomenon of "cord-nevers," people who never subscribed to cable or satellite TV. Matt Rourke/AP hide caption

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Matt Rourke/AP

Behavior

What Do We Know About People Who Don't (And Never Did) Have Cable?

One analyst finds that economics is the key driver behind the growing phenomenon of so-called "cord-nevers," people who never subscribed to cable or satellite TV.

Monday

With Ad Blocking Use On The Rise, What Happens To Online Publishers?

The rise of ad blockers threatens the business model that drives much of the Internet economy. Danae Munoz/Ikon Images/Getty Images hide caption

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Danae Munoz/Ikon Images/Getty Images

Behavior

With Ad Blocking Use On The Rise, What Happens To Online Publishers?

A new Apple update could challenge the current online business model. Some say less ad revenue means more sites will charge for access to content. There's also a move to block the ad blockers.

With Ad Blocking Use On The Rise, What Happens To Online Publishers?

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Wednesday

Businesses Are Hanging Up On Voice Mail To Dial In Productivity

That little red "message" light may not be as ubiquitous in offices as it used to be. Photo illustration: Ariel Zambelich/NPR hide caption

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Photo illustration: Ariel Zambelich/NPR

Behavior

Businesses Are Hanging Up On Voice Mail To Dial In Productivity

It was a workplace necessity not long ago. Now voice mail is the latest mode of communication to be phased out by the digital age. Companies big and small are cutting it to save time and money.

Businesses Are Hanging Up On Voice Mail To Dial In Productivity

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Thursday

Blind Auditions Could Give Employers A Better Hiring Sense

In the face-to-face interview process, research shows that managers tend to hire applicants who are similar to them on paper. Bjorn Rune Lie/Getty Images/Ikon Images hide caption

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Bjorn Rune Lie/Getty Images/Ikon Images

Behavior

Blind Auditions Could Give Employers A Better Hiring Sense

KUT News

It works for singing competitions. What about landing a job? To beat hiring bias, some applicants could first complete an online challenge with companies that are in the dark about their background.

Blind Auditions Could Give Employers A Better Hiring Sense

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Monday

As Emojis Spread Beyond Texts, Many Remain [Confounded Face] [Interrobang]

Comedian Aziz Ansari became a pioneer of emoji language use in 2011, when he transcribed the hit Jay-Z and Kanye West song, "Ni**as In Paris." azizisbored.tumblr.com hide caption

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azizisbored.tumblr.com

Behavior

As Emojis Spread Beyond Texts, Many Remain [Confounded Face] [Interrobang]

There's a growing tendency to bring the tiny hieroglyphs off phones, but not everyone is fluent. New takes on emoji integration suggest misunderstanding may be remedied with universal translation.

As Emojis Spread Beyond Texts, Many Remain [Confounded Face] [Interrobang]

Listen · 7:38
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Monday

Is Cash-Free Really The Way To Be? Maybe Not For Millennials

More Americans are ditching traditional cash and plastic, opting instead for new mobile payment applications. But new research indicates cash isn't completely dead. Amy Sancetta/AP hide caption

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Amy Sancetta/AP

Behavior

Is Cash-Free Really The Way To Be? Maybe Not For Millennials

Financial advisers advocate using cash whenever possible. New technologies make it easier to do just the opposite. Still, a recent study shows more millennials are turning away from plastic.

Is Cash-Free Really The Way To Be? Maybe Not For Millennials

Listen · 7:02
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Monday

Bringing Internet To The Far Corners Of The Earth

Google is doing test flights of its balloons carrying Internet routers around the world. Last June, a balloon was released at the airport in Teresina, Brazil. Google hide caption

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Google

Behavior

Bringing Internet To The Far Corners Of The Earth

About 5 billion people are mostly or entirely disconnected from the Internet. So to capitalize on this opportunity, Google and Facebook have begun high-profile campaigns to connect the unconnected.

Bringing Internet To The Far Corners Of The Earth

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Tuesday

Wednesday

Recruiting Better Talent With Brain Games And Big Data

With the technology to conduct more nuanced tests, some companies say they can provide more useful detail about how people think in dynamic situations. Marcus Butt/Getty Images/Ikon Images hide caption

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Marcus Butt/Getty Images/Ikon Images

Behavior

Recruiting Better Talent With Brain Games And Big Data

Some companies are using surveys or brain games to assess what kind of workers candidates are. Employers say the tests can help reduce turnover and surface talent recruiters might otherwise overlook.

Recruiting Better Talent With Brain Games And Big Data

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Monday

Pick Up Your Smartphone Less Often. You Might Think Better.
Illustration by John Hersey/Courtesy of WNYC

Behavior

Pick Up Your Smartphone Less Often. You Might Think Better.

Our friends at the WNYC podcast New Tech City recently challenged you to put down the smartphone to see what sort of brilliance beckoned. We check in on the results.

Pick Up Your Smartphone Less Often. You Might Think Better.

Listen · 5:31
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