From the TL;DR in Tech archive, originally sent on Substack. Some links may have died since.

tl;dr in tech by Joe Karlsson - Best of 2021 Special Edition

Podcasts

Behind the Bastards dives in past the Cliffs Notes of the worst humans in history and exposes the bizarre realities of their lives.

How did 9/11 the day become 9/11 the idea? That question drives Pineapple Street Studios and award-winning host Dan Taberski.

Just listened to a really interesting Podcast. Unread is a four-episode nonfiction piece built on a personal tragedy wrapped in a mystery that comes with a hell of a hook. It’s about a guy who gets a suicide note from a friend. But the message also contained link to audio files containing conversations between him and a woman that sounds exactly like Britney. It’s about internet stan culture, suicide, and depression. I loved it!

Forever is a Long Time is a five episode series that weaves reflection and original music through Ian’s conversations with his wife and divorced family members - a look at love with people who have made mistakes.

Cathy, the iconic and much-maligned comic strip by Cathy Guisewite, chronicled the day-to-day tribulations of its titular working woman for 35 years, met with equal praise and derision. In this podcast, Jamie Loftus (Lolita Podcast, My Year in Mensa) weaves between reporting and fiction, putting a cruelly treated cartoon everywoman in context.

In August of 1619, a ship carrying more than 20 enslaved Africans arrived in the English colony of Virginia. America was not yet America, but this was the moment it began. No aspect of the country that would be formed here has been untouched by the 250 years of slavery that followed. On the 400th anniversary of this fateful moment, it is time to tell the story.

If you’ve heard of Bladen County, N.C., it’s probably because it was home to one of the few cases of election fraud in modern American history. Is there really rampant election fraud? Who exactly is making the accusations? And in small-town politics, where rumors and allegations abound, how can you be sure who is telling the truth?

In the 1980s the “male exotic dancers” of Chippendales were everywhere, selling the promise of women’s liberation for the price of a few dollars in a g-string. But behind the powerful mullets, oiled pecs, and non-stop parties lies a much darker story of greed, corruption and murder. Historian Natalia Petrzela exposes one of the great, sordid, unexamined stories in American culture.

How a military officer and a faked refugee identity were part of an alleged far-right plot to bring down the German government.

Films

Charismatic rancher Phil Burbank inspires fear and awe in those around him. When his brother brings home a new wife and her son, Phil torments them until he finds himself exposed to the possibility of love.

Feature adaptation of Frank Herbert’s science fiction novel about the son of a noble family entrusted with the protection of the most valuable asset and most vital element in the galaxy.

A quirky, dysfunctional family’s road trip is upended when they find themselves in the middle of the robot apocalypse and suddenly become humanity’s unlikeliest last hope.

Offered a plea deal by the FBI, William O’Neal infiltrates the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party to gather intelligence on Chairman Fred Hampton.

A truffle hunter who lives alone in the Oregonian wilderness must return to his past in Portland in search of his beloved foraging pig after she is kidnapped.

Television

The Roy family is known for controlling the biggest media and entertainment company in the world. However, their world changes when their father steps down from the company.

An isolated island community experiences miraculous events - and frightening omens - after the arrival of a charismatic, mysterious young priest.

Joe, beloved choir teacher, discusses topics of interest. First up, iron!

Joe Pera Talks with You: Created by Joe Pera. With Joe Pera, Jo Firestone, Gene Kelly, Jo Scott. Joe, beloved choir teacher, discusses topics of interest. First up, iron!

Inside: Directed by Bo Burnham. With Bo Burnham. A musical comedy special shot and performed by Bo Burnham, alone, over the course of a very unusual year.

Albums

Bo Burnham · Album · 2021 · 20 songs.

Listen to Valentine on Spotify. Snail Mail · Album · 2021 · 10 songs.

Listen to SOUR on Spotify. Olivia Rodrigo · Album · 2021 · 11 songs.

Listen to Welfare Jazz on Spotify. Viagra Boys · Album · 2021 · 13 songs.

Listen to HEY WHAT on Spotify. Low · Album · 2021 · 10 songs.