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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

Sunday

An Artist Sees Data So Powerful It Can Help Us Pick Better Friends
Jenn Liv for NPR

Behavior

An Artist Sees Data So Powerful It Can Help Us Pick Better Friends

It can feel intrusive to have so much data collected about us, but Laurie Frick is optimistic about how big data will evolve. She says it could help us evaluate how we respond to other people.

An Artist Sees Data So Powerful It Can Help Us Pick Better Friends

Listen · 7:30
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Saturday

Sometimes We Feel More Comfortable Talking To A Robot
Jenn Liv for NPR

Behavior

Sometimes We Feel More Comfortable Talking To A Robot

Artist Alexander Reben wants to know whether a robot could fulfill our deep need for companionship. He created a robot named BlabDroid that asks people to share their raw emotions and deep secrets.

Sometimes We Feel More Comfortable Talking To A Robot

Listen · 7:34
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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

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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
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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

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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
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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

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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
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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
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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

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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

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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
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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
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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
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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
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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

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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
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