Digest

This episode of the Waveform podcast is a collection of untold stories from the hosts, covering a wide range of topics. They discuss their experiences with sponsorships, including a Dyson campaign that backfired and a Tesla service van fire that ironically wasn't caused by the electric car battery. They also recount encounters with celebrities, like Formula One driver Nico Rosberg at CES, and share humorous anecdotes about their interactions with TSA agents and hotel receptionists. The episode provides a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes world of podcasting and the challenges of working in the tech industry.

Outlines

00:00:00

Technology, Ownership, and the Future of the Internet

This chapter explores the evolution of technology and a vision of a future where people own pieces of the internet, as presented in the book "Read Right Own" by Chris Dixon.

00:00:32

Disney's Evolution and the Future of Storytelling

This chapter discusses Disney's history as a motion picture studio and its evolution to become a global entertainment giant. It raises questions about whether Disney's growth has eroded its core identity and whether audiences still value its brand.

00:01:22

The Autofocus Channel Name Origin Story

This chapter tells the story of how the YouTube channel "Autofocus" got its name. The hosts discuss how the name came about during a car ride and how it helped differentiate their car content from their other tech-focused videos.

00:08:13

The Mystery of the MKBHD License Plate

This chapter recounts the hosts' long-running quest to find the owner of a Tesla with the license plate "MKBHD." They describe their attempts to contact the owner, including calling the Tesla Fremont Factory, but ultimately failing to uncover their identity.

00:19:01

The Dyson Sponsorship Debacle

This chapter details the hosts' experience with a Dyson sponsorship campaign that went awry. They discuss how Dyson staggered the release of sponsored videos across multiple creators, creating a "cascading wave" of content that felt inauthentic and ultimately backfired.

00:30:31

The FBI Investigation at the Studio

This chapter recounts the time the FBI showed up at the studio to investigate the Escobar phone, a company that was selling counterfeit Samsung phones with a Pablo Escobar theme. The hosts describe their interaction with the agents and the subsequent investigation.

00:47:46

CES 2019: The Nico Rosberg Encounter

This chapter tells the story of how the host, Marquez, became a \"villain\" for 24 hours after a brief encounter with Formula One driver Nico Rosberg at CES. The hosts discuss how the interaction was misinterpreted and how Marquez's lack of knowledge about Formula One at the time contributed to the misunderstanding.

00:57:57

The Pirate Radio Play Job Application

This chapter recounts the host, Ellis, unconventional job application for a podcast editor position. He describes how he submitted an hour-long pirate radio play he created with friends as his application, showcasing his audio editing skills and passion for storytelling.

01:04:40

The EV Road Trip Comparison Race and Other Untold Stories

This chapter details the hosts' experience with an EV road trip comparison race, where they tested the range and charging infrastructure of non-Tesla electric vehicles. They discuss how the trip highlighted the challenges of EV ownership and how Ford's attempts to control the narrative backfired. This chapter also includes a collection of short stories from the hosts, including an anecdote about Apple interfering with their podcast recording schedule during WWDC, a Tesla service van catching fire in the parking lot, and the hosts' late-night editing sessions for the Boosted Board episode.

01:24:42

TSA Stories and Internet Lady

The podcasters share their experiences with TSA, particularly when traveling with their camera equipment. They describe how they've had to deal with TSA agents who are overly cautious or curious about their gear, including one instance where an agent wanted to swab the sensor of a camera. They also recount a funny encounter with a hotel receptionist who didn't understand what they meant when they said they were \"saving the internet.\" The receptionist thought they were referring to TikTok, highlighting the disconnect between the internet's technical infrastructure and its everyday use.

Keywords

Q&A

• What is the main theme of the podcast episode?

  The episode is a collection of untold stories from the hosts of the Waveform podcast, covering various topics like their experiences with sponsorships, encounters with celebrities, and behind-the-scenes moments at their studio.

• How did the hosts get the name "Autofocus" for their YouTube channel?

  The name came about during a car ride when Marquez was brainstorming ideas for a new series. He combined the concepts of cameras, cars, and the auto-focus feature of cameras to create the name.

• What happened when the FBI showed up at the studio?

  The FBI was investigating the Escobar Phone, a company selling counterfeit Samsung phones with a Pablo Escobar theme. The hosts provided information and evidence to the agents, who took the phones as evidence.

• What was the lesson learned from the Dyson sponsorship campaign?

  The hosts learned that it's important to ask about other participants in a sponsorship campaign to avoid being associated with creators they don't want to be linked with. They also learned that staggering the release of sponsored videos can create a sense of inauthenticity.

• What is the most unconventional job application the hosts have ever received?

  Ellis submitted an hour-long pirate radio play he created with friends as his application for a podcast editor position. This showcased his audio editing skills and passion for storytelling.

• What was the ironic twist in the story about the Tesla service van fire?

  The fire was caused by the gas-powered compressor in the van, not the electric car battery, which is often the source of anxiety about electric car fires.

• What was the most unusual request a TSA agent made regarding the podcasters' camera equipment?

  The agent wanted to swab the sensor of a camera, which the podcasters found absurd and refused to allow.

• What was the funny misunderstanding the podcasters had with the hotel receptionist?

  The receptionist thought the podcasters were referring to TikTok when they said they were "saving the internet," highlighting the disconnect between the internet's technical infrastructure and its everyday use.

Show Notes