Accessibility links
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

Thursday

Eager To Burst His Own Bubble, A Techie Made Apps To Randomize His Life

For two years, Hawkins let his app guide him around the globe, including a stop in Gortina, Slovenia. Courtesy of Max Hawkins hide caption

toggle caption
Courtesy of Max Hawkins

Social Web

Eager To Burst His Own Bubble, A Techie Made Apps To Randomize His Life

Suddenly aware of repetitive feedback loops in his life, Max Hawkins created apps that decided where he should go, what strangers' parties he should attend, even how he should spend Christmas.

Eager To Burst His Own Bubble, A Techie Made Apps To Randomize His Life

Listen · 6:59
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/531796329/532022889" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Thursday

Thursday

Scientists Hunt Hard Evidence On How Cop Cameras Affect Behavior

A Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police officer wears a camera during a news conference in 2014. Win McNamee/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Win McNamee/Getty Images

Behavior

Scientists Hunt Hard Evidence On How Cop Cameras Affect Behavior

Police departments in about 95 percent of cities nationally have put wearable cameras on officers, or soon plan to. But do these body cameras make neighborhoods safer? Scientists want to find out.

Scientists Hunt Hard Evidence On How Cop Cameras Affect Behavior

Listen · 5:06
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/525081998/525918357" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Friday

Will Using Artificial Intelligence To Make Loans Trade One Kind Of Bias For Another?

Digital lenders are pulling in all kinds of data, like purchases, SAT scores and public records. TCmake_photo/iStockphoto hide caption

toggle caption
TCmake_photo/iStockphoto

Behavior

Will Using Artificial Intelligence To Make Loans Trade One Kind Of Bias For Another?

WSHU

The next loan you get may depend less on your credit score and more on what a program thinks of your habits. Digital lenders say the process will be more fair, but others worry about unintended bias.

Will Using Artificial Intelligence To Make Loans Trade One Kind Of Bias For Another?

Listen · 3:44
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/521946210/522151952" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Monday

'Irresistible' By Design: It's No Accident You Can't Stop Looking At The Screen
filo/Getty Images

Behavior

'Irresistible' By Design: It's No Accident You Can't Stop Looking At The Screen

Fresh Air

Technology is designed to be addictive, offering gratification that's similar to that of drug abuse or gambling. Author Adam Alter says a new frontier could soon provide another escape from reality.

'Irresistible' By Design: It's No Accident You Can't Stop Looking At The Screen

Listen · 30:20
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/519977607/520004800" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Friday

'It Has To Have A Soul': How Chatbots Get Their Personalities

These days, talking to a bot is commonplace. Think Siri, or your chatty banking app. But you wouldn't talk to your toaster like you talk to a friend — unless your toaster had a great sense of humor. RYGERSZEM/Getty Images/iStockphoto hide caption

toggle caption
RYGERSZEM/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Behavior

'It Has To Have A Soul': How Chatbots Get Their Personalities

These days, talking to a bot is commonplace: think Siri, or your chatty banking app. But you wouldn't talk to your toaster like you talk to a friend — unless your toaster had a great sense of humor.

Wednesday

Monday

'Never Trust Magic': Tips From An IT Guy

Michael Czaplinski has been unveiling the magic of computers for more than a quarter century. Raquel Zaldivar/NPR hide caption

toggle caption
Raquel Zaldivar/NPR

Behavior

'Never Trust Magic': Tips From An IT Guy

Sometimes, fixing the computer problem is much less challenging than fixing the user.

'Never Trust Magic': Tips From An IT Guy

Listen · 3:47
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/505284669/505311226" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Wednesday

Saturday

At This English Bar, An Old-School Solution To Rude Cellphones
Liam Norris/Getty Images/Cultura Exclusive

Behavior

At This English Bar, An Old-School Solution To Rude Cellphones

A new bar in Sussex has lined its walls with foil to block phone signals. The owner, inspired by the Faraday cage, hopes people will talk to each other rather than stare at their smartphones.

At This English Bar, An Old-School Solution To Rude Cellphones

Listen · 3:28
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/488864179/488969954" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Thursday

Managing Your News Intake In The Age Of Endless Phone Notifications
Oliver Byunggyu Woo/Getty Images/EyeEm Premium

Behavior

Managing Your News Intake In The Age Of Endless Phone Notifications

This summer, it has felt like the terrible news just won't stop. A digital journalism expert at Columbia University offers advice for dealing with the barrage of news updates flowing to our screens.

Managing Your News Intake In The Age Of Endless Phone Notifications

Listen · 5:38
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/486933602/486933603" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Tuesday

Behavior

Can Big Data Help Head Off Police Misconduct?

An officer who has been under stress after responding to cases of domestic abuse or suicide may be at higher risk of a negative interaction with the public, a data scientist says.

Can Big Data Help Head Off Police Misconduct?

Listen · 7:39
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/486499835/486507617" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Tuesday

Lock Screen: At These Music Shows, Phones Go In A Pouch And Don't Come Out

Concertgoers use their cellphones during a Fifth Harmony concert March 23, 2015, in New York. The company Yondr created a locking pouch to hold phones during performances, creating a "phone-free zone." Theo Wargo/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Theo Wargo/Getty Images

Gadgets & Apps

Lock Screen: At These Music Shows, Phones Go In A Pouch And Don't Come Out

The Lumineers are among many artists frustrated by people on their mobile devices during performances. Their singer explains why they're asking fans to lock up their phones with a new technology.

Lock Screen: At These Music Shows, Phones Go In A Pouch And Don't Come Out

Listen · 2:16
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/483110284/484756647" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Saturday

Thursday

Clash Of The Screens: Should Movie Theaters Allow Texting? AMC Says Maybe

Should texting be allowed at some movie screenings? Brand New Images/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Brand New Images/Getty Images

Behavior

Clash Of The Screens: Should Movie Theaters Allow Texting? AMC Says Maybe

The CEO of AMC Entertainment says he is considering allowing texting during some movie showings at AMC Theaters. A good thing? Our pop culture blogger and movie critic weigh in.

Clash Of The Screens: Should Movie Theaters Allow Texting? AMC Says Maybe

Listen · 3:23
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/474226195/474265731" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript