EP38 - The Body of the Machine: How Robots Find Their Feet
We see robots move with a grace and precision that feels almost alive, from a mechanical arm assembling a smartphone to a four-legged machine navigating a rocky trail. We assume a super-intelligent brain is simply telling the body what to do. But how does a purely digital command—a set of ones and zeroes—actually cross the chasm into smooth, physical, real-world motion?
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35:25
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35:25
EP37 - The Digital Chisel: How Light Sculpts Microchips from Sand
We hold a supercomputer in our hands, a seamless piece of glass and metal. But how do we manufacture its brain—a microchip with billions of parts a thousand times thinner than a hair? This episode deconstructs the most precise manufacturing process in human history, revealing how we use stencils, acid, and a mind-bending trick with the physics of light to turn common sand into thinking matter.
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28:25
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28:25
EP36 - The Internet's Phonebook: Decoding the Invisible Magic of DNS
You type a name like google.com into your browser, and a world of information appears instantly. We treat it like magic, a simple act of summoning. But behind that simple name is a frantic, globe-spanning chase for a secret number, orchestrated by an invisible system we all use every second of every day. This is the story of the internet’s phonebook: the Domain Name System, or DNS.
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29:08
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29:08
EP35 - The Unseen River: Unpacking the Chemical Magic of the Battery
You plug in your phone every night, filling it with power for the next day. We think of a battery as a tiny tank for electricity, but the truth is far more elegant and strange. What if it isn't a container at all, but a paused chemical river, waiting for you to open the dam?
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24:29
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24:29
EP34 - The Conductor of Chaos: Unmasking the Operating System
We click, type, and swipe, watching dozens of apps run in perfect harmony on our screens. We assume the computer is just powerful enough to handle it all, but the truth is far more chaotic and clever. This episode opens the black box of the Operating System to reveal the invisible conductor turning digital anarchy into the seamless experience we take for granted.
First Principles is the podcast that deconstructs the complex, invisible systems shaping our modern world. Ever wonder how a social media algorithm works, how AI really thinks, or how GPS knows your exact location? Each episode, we break down one concept from its fundamental truths, giving you clarity without the technical jargon. If you're curious about the tech you use every day and want to finally understand it, this is your starting point.
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