Shows
Progression to AnalogSwipe: Being Online 24/7 with Ieva JakusaI came across Swipe: Being Online 24/7 at McNally Jackson in lower Manhattan a few months ago and was drawn by the unique nature of the book. Swipe presents questions about the smartphone that the users may not have asked themselves, with a unique collection of images, phrases, and stories. The book is divided into five sections: SURVIVAL, SENSE OF SELF, HABITS, RESOURCES, and EXISTENTIAL CRISIS. In this episode of Progression to Analog, I interview Amsterdam-based Ieva Jakusa, one of the authors of Swipe. Swipe was co-authored with Mieke Gerritzen, with Next Nature. We speak about the book...2025-06-0338 min
Mornings with Graeme GoodingsMornings with Graeme Goodings - 22 May 2025Jane Lomax-Smith, Lucas Rinaldo, Paul Maric, Matt Schultz, Morgan Begg, Tim Downie, Caitlin Walkington. Layme Stephens Faye James. Listen live on the FIVEAA Player. Follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. Subscribe on YouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.2025-05-222h 01
Ingenious ThinkersA Sociotechnical Future | Ingenious ThinkersJoining us on Say Hi to the Future: Ingenious Thinkers hosted by Ken Tencer today is Caitlin Begg, Founder of Authentic Social, an applied research lab at the intersection of sociology and technology. 2025-04-0929 minProgression to AnalogWhy can't we have difficult conversations?"I think we have a listening problem" -Stephanie from NYC (name changed)
I interview six people, explore expert opinions (and share my own) re: why it can be tough to have difficult conversations today. 2025-01-2915 minProgression to AnalogD̶o̶o̶m̶scrolling is good for you?Can scrolling be good for you? Yes, if you take out the doom. I explore different perspectives on scrolling, based on Harvard Medical School research, and a perspective from a UVA Professor on 'hope scrolling'.
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2025-01-2207 minProgression to AnalogWe live in a simulationFrom a Baudrillardian (versus Bostrum-esque) angle of simulation theory, I discuss why we live in a simulation, what that means in terms of everyday life, and how we can deal with it.
"THE SIMULACRUM IS NEVER WHAT HIDES THE TRUTH—IT IS TRUTH THAT HIDES THE FACT THAT THERE IS NONE. THE SIMULACRUM IS TRUE."
-Jean Baudrillard, Simulacra and Simulation (1981)2025-01-1509 minProgression to AnalogOne Year of Progression to AnalogA year ago today, I launched the trailer for Progression to Analog. Twelve months later, I'm reflecting on what a year it was—speaking about Progression to Analog at conferences and universities across the United States and Europe.
From Columbia University and keynoting AESC in New York; to re:publica and Tech Open Air in Berlin; to MOME and Brain Bar in Budapest; to World Summit AI in Amsterdam, I shared the core tenants of Progression to Analog and sociotechnical design with thousands live, as well as listeners across 39 countries. I can't wait for what's ahead! Tune in...2025-01-1113 minProgression to AnalogCould you attend a concert without documenting it?I explore how phones have shifted the modern concert experience, as well as attending a concert in 2024 without documenting it. I also explore artists' and music lovers' opinions on the matter.
Some of the references from the episode:
The unexpected social consequences of diverting attention to our phones (2022 Princeton Psychology, NYU, and Princeton Neuroscience Institute Study)
fallingforyou - Live from the O2. London. 16.12.16. (Matty Healy / the 1975)
Are You Really There? The Mediatized Experience of the 21st Century Concert-Goer (Erica Felice Melamed)
2025-01-0108 minProgression to AnalogCoincé dans l’écran—STUCK IN THE SCREENJust as hostages affected by Stockholm Syndrome may rationalize their captor’s actions, we often rationalize inappropriate or manipulative behaviors related to screens.
This is a phenomenon that I call “coincé dans l’écran”, or being “stuck in the screen”.
2024-12-2512 min
About PlaceS4, E10: Safe to failInnovation at work happens when we feel safe to fail, but how can we feel safer with our teammates in an era of distributed work? In this episode, sociological researcher Caitlin Begg and Harvard Business School professor Amy Edmonson deepen our understanding of psychological safety and discuss how spending more time together as teams can enable smarter risks and unlock innovation.
Guests:
authsocial.com
instagram.com/caityb/
hbs.edu
instagram.com/amycedmondson/
Host:
linkedin.com/in/ryaningr/
For...2024-12-1953 minProgression to AnalogBlockedI explore blocking from a sociological perspective.
References:
Block Party: How Blocking Someone Became a Dating Power Move
Psychopolitics by Byung-Chul Han
Simulacra and Simulation by Jean Baudrillard
Episodes every Wednesday, welcome to season two!2024-12-1908 minProgression to AnalogAI Readiness with Amsterdam-based Rob van der VeerIn this episode, Amsterdam-based Senior Principal at Software Improvement Group (SIG) Rob van der Veer and I discuss AI readiness.
Rob is an experienced technologist, advisor, successful entrepreneur, and keynote speaker. He is the author of AI standards including ISO/IEC 5338 and the EU AI Act security standard.
We discuss the importance of buy-in, learning, a sociotechnical approach to AI adoption, guardrails, the GAIL method, and more.
Rob is the author of SIG's recent AI readiness guide, which you can download here for free. SIG's AI readiness guide equips organizations with practical steps...2024-11-1427 minProgression to AnalogFreedom to Fail: Amy Edmondson and Caitlin Begg at re:publica - Berlin - May 2024In this episode of Progression to Analog, listen to Harvard Business School Novartis Professor of Leadership and Management Amy Edmondson & Authentic Social Founder and Sociological Researcher Caitlin Begg speak about who has the freedom to fail, failure as a privilege, technology's tendency to exacerbate these issues, and what to do about them. This video is from their joint talk together at re:publica in Berlin on 28 May 2024.
Edmondson and Begg will explore the paradox of failure in the context of technological advancements, highlighting how digital platforms and AI can both facilitate and hinder equitable opportunities for failure...2024-10-3018 minProgression to AnalogHi from Budapest! MOME & Brain BarIn this mini episode, I speak about the contents of my masterclass at MOME (an art an design university in Budapest) and session at Brain Bar (Europe's largest festival on the future).
Full-length season two episodes begin Wednesday 2 October!2024-09-2504 minProgression to AnalogSeason Two: Winter 2024In this season two trailer, I share milestones and insights from season one including:
Several keynotes, seminars, and talks across the U.S. and Europe, centered around Progression to Analog and related ideas
Upcoming speaking engagements, including World Summit AI and Brain Bar
The growth of Progression to Analog
I recap the first season of Progression to Analog and its three core themes:
Sociotechnical AI & Communication
Emotional Techscapes
Innovation Through Imagination & Failure
AND... I outline some of the upcoming topics for season two! 2024-07-1807 minProgression to AnalogSeason two launches 19 June!The last few weeks, Progression to Analog has been on hiatus while I worked in Amsterdam, Berlin, and Stockholm (speaking at re:publica, Tech Open Air, and working from my Amsterdam office). We return with an all-new season two next Wednesday, 19 June!2024-06-1300 minProgression to AnalogReflecting on Our Relationship with TechBook recommendations; out-of-print technology magazines across nine decades; the spectacular and the everyday; what's next? (in terms of our relationship with tech); general reflections after getting home from doing one of the keynotes at AESC's Global Conference at Cornell Tech. My talk was called "From AI to Analog: A Balanced Approach to the New Digital Landscape".2024-05-1610 minProgression to AnalogMy Educational Seminar at Columbia University, "Neurodiversity in the Workplace"On 26 April 2024, I delivered an educational seminar at Columbia University. This episode of Progression to Analog is an audio / video (slides) transcription of this talk on Neurodiversity in the Workplace!
By some estimations, neurodiverse people make up ~17-20% of the workforce. A myriad of studies and outlets such as Harvard Business Review highlight neurodiversity as a competitive advantage to be embraced in the future of work. For example, neurodivergent people tend to have higher chaos tolerance. In my seminar, (among other topics) I discussed how the unique abilities of neurodiverse individuals, such as hyperfocus, creativity, and exceptional...2024-05-0843 minProgression to AnalogHarvard Business School Professor Amy Edmondson & Caitlin Begg Speaking Together at re:publica 24 in Berlin, May 2024: "Freedom to Fail".On 28 May at re:publica in Berlin, Harvard Business School Professor Amy Edmondson and I (Caitlin Begg) will be speaking together in a joint talk called "Freedom to Fail".
Amy is 2x #1 Management Thinker in the World Per Thinkers50 and author of "Right Kind of Wrong," 2023 Financial Times and Schroder's Business Book of the Year.
In this short episode of Progression to Analog, we speak more about re:publica and our upcoming talk, which centers around who has the freedom to fail, failure as a privilege, technology's tendency to exacerbate these issues, and what to...2024-05-0303 minProgression to Analog'Pataphysics (The Science of Imaginary Solutions, Realm Beyond the Possible) with Sacramento-based Peter ClarkeInvented by French writer Alfred Jarry in early 20th century France, ‘pataphysics is often defined as the science of imaginary solutions, the realm beyond the possible (additional to metaphysics), or as a way to describe a universe supplementary to this one.
In this episode of Progression to Analog, Apocraphyl Pataphysics author Peter Clarke and I discuss the influence of pataphysics on art (Surrealism, Dadaism, etc.), creative outputs, perceptions of reality, futurism, and more. We also speak about portals, shadow worlds, syzygy, clinamen, pseudo-cyclical time, psychogeography (upcoming episode on this!), non-places, and urban mythology.
Some of the...2024-05-0236 minProgression to AnalogAnemoia: Nostalgia For A Time You've Never KnownI felt an inexplicable feeling a few weeks ago, and turned to GPT-4 to help explain it. I was feeling nostalgia for a time I've never known, a longing for an unexperienced past. GPT identified this as "anemoia".
In this episode, I explain anemoia, relate it to technology (as it pertains to childhood, college, etc.) and especially to NYU Professor Jonathan Haidt's book "The Anxious Generation", a paradigm-shifting book calling for a move away from a phone-based childhood and back toward a play-based childhood. A PROGRESSION TO ANALOG.
"The desire to play returns to destroy...2024-04-2417 minProgression to AnalogMind, Machine, and Singularity Hypotheses with Zurich-based Dr. Christian Hugo HoffmannIn this episode, I speak with Zurich-based entrepreneur, author, speaker, and scientist Dr. Christian Hugo Hoffmann. We first speak about Christian's entrepreneurial and professional endeavors, including House of Lab Science AG and TECHNOPARK® Zürich, and then (~18 min in) about his book "The Quest for a Universal Theory of Intelligence: The Mind, The Machine, and Singularity Hypotheses".
Dr. Christian Hugo Hoffmann's book proposes a universal theory of intelligence which is based on causal learning as the central theme of intelligence. The goal is not just to describe, but mainly to explain queries like why on...2024-04-1840 minProgression to AnalogA People's History of Tech with New York-based Sara M. WatsonRadical futurist, tech critic, independent industry analyst, and interdisciplinary researcher Sara M. Watson and I discuss "A People's History of Technology" in this episode, which she co-founded and curates (with Emily Best). Recently featured at SXSW and Sundance, A People’s History of Tech is a collective storytelling project. Popular histories of technology often focus on lone inventors or technical innovations. A People's History of Tech wants to capture the full spectrum of the lived experience of technology.
We also speak about Sara's prior research at Oxford Internet Institute re: data privacy and social impacts of technology. ...2024-04-1033 minProgression to AnalogA Sociotechnical Approach to AI, Sales, and CommunicationOne issue organizations are dealing with right now: how do we move AI from a buzzword to something that actually impacts our organization?
Along these lines, in this episode I discuss the importance of a sociotechnical (think: joint optimization of people + technology) approach in workplace AI adoption as well as in sales and communication strategy. 2024-04-0314 minProgression to AnalogPeople-Centric Sales with Dublin-based Global Sales Leader Gordon TobinGordon Tobin and I speak about insights regarding the social and technical sides of sales, how to avoid 'spam culture', Gordon’s life philosophies, Irish culture and the ‘nation of storytellers’, the Dublin tech ecosystem and European tech ecosystem more broadly, tips to approach sales in this over-saturated digital age, ways to stay present in everyday life, and more.
Gordon is a Dublin-based global sales leader, having successfully run and managed sales teams across NAMER, EMEA, and APAC. He was employee number ten at LinkedIn, and was there for over eight years. He was a founding member of the...2024-03-2742 minProgression to AnalogNo Phones in the Bedroom?I discuss why you should stop checking your phone when you wake up, benefits to ditching your smartphone in the bedroom, sleep inertia and sleep drunkenness, how I decreased my screen time by 65%, and more.
Some references from the episode:
MindBodySpace podcast episode: Two Simple Steps To Ditch Your Phone From Your Morning Routine So That You Can Focus and Be Happier
MindBodySpace podcast episode: How to Decrease Anxiety and Get Focused in a Hyper Texting Digital World with Caitlin Begg
Waking up is the hardest thing I do all day: Sleep inertia and sleep drunkenness (2018...2024-03-2016 minProgression to AnalogGuiding Human Decisions in the Age of AI with Oxford Professor Viktor Mayer-Schönberger - Co-Author of "Guardrails" with Urs GasserViktor Mayer-Schönberger and I discuss his new book Guardrails: Guiding Human Decisions in the Age of AI (co-written with Urs Gasser, who I also had the pleasure of meeting at his book talk at NYU). In Guardrails, the authors suggest that in the age of AI, a focus on data is mistaken, or at least dangerously incomplete. Because AI's real promise isn't better access to insights; it is improved decisions. The more we realize humans' cognitive flaws and experience the power of data-driven machine learning, the more we are tempted to delegate decision agency to the machine.
...2024-03-1343 minProgression to AnalogBefriending Failure with Harvard Business School Professor Amy Edmondson - Author of "Right Kind of Wrong", 2023 Financial Times and Schroders Business Book of the Year2x #1 management thinker in the world (per Thinkers50) and Harvard Business School Professor Amy Edmondson and I speak about her new book Right Kind of Wrong, centered around the science of failing well. We uncover the secrets behind intelligent failures, social media's impact on our views of success, and how we can befriend failure (specifically referencing entrepreneurship, athletics, parenthood, and more).
Amy Edmondson is the Novartis Professor of Leadership and Management at the Harvard Business School, a chair established to support the study of human interactions that lead to the creation of successful enterprises that contribute to t...2024-03-0638 minProgression to AnalogHuman-Centric Enterprise AI with Helsinki-based Dr. Anna LahtinenIn this episode, I discuss practical sociotechnical approaches to enterprise artificial intelligence adoption (especially for small and medium sized businesses) with Helsinki-based Dr. Anna Lahtinen.
Curiously, artificial intelligence could lead us toward a more human everyday—Anna outlines how we may approach this.
We also discuss:
Empowering SMEs with Artificial Intelligence - 173 page free guide written by Anna and her colleague Iris Humala
aistories.fi - AI stories of companies
AI in business free course from Anna and her team at Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences; target group is management and representatives of SMEs (sm...2024-02-2851 minProgression to AnalogThe Death of Anticipation, Precipitated by TechnologyIn this episode, I discuss my research on the immediacy-driven and self-referential nature of digital communication—which short-circuts attention spans, desire, and anticipation.
I also reference Max Fisher's "The Chaos Machine" and Schmargendorf, Germany; more specifically, German researchers who proved a link between Facebook use and violence.
Additionally, I speak about French sociologist Jean Baudrillard's "hypercommunication" (excess inbound or outbound communication, often precipitated by technology) and South Korean/German philosopher Byung-Chul Han's notion of "pornographic communication" (communication that reveals everything, eliminating mystery and depth) and what we can do to avoid both.
...2024-02-2110 minProgression to AnalogLove and Technology with London-based Journalist Ria WolstenholmeIn this "Progression to Analog" episode, we dive into the heart of love and technology with London-based journalist Ria Wolstenholme. We unwrap the digital dating dilemma, reminisce over analog allure, and share secrets from our digital detox diaries—focusing on how to balance our screen-saturated lives with the craving for genuine human touch. Join us for an intimate journey from swiping screens to sealing letters, all while navigating the tightrope of today's tech-tangled relationships. This episode is perfect for those who cherish depth, authenticity, and a touch of old-school romance in the digital age.
Ria Wolstenholme is a...2024-02-1357 minProgression to AnalogArtificial Intelligence and ConversationCombining my research from the Responsible Artificial Intelligence Forum (Munich, September 2023) with actionable insights and 'PROGRESSION TO ANALOG'.2024-02-0120 minProgression to AnalogFour Minute Background: Progression to AnalogI aim for you to emerge from 'Progression to Analog' not only with practical strategies for a more human-centered and technologically balanced personal and professional life, but also with a nuanced comprehension of the underlying structures shaping the broader aspects of technological modernity.
2024-01-2704 minProgression to AnalogProgression to Analog TrailerMy name is Caitlin Begg and I’m the founder of Authentic Social and sociological researcher. I wrote my 2016 Harvard sociology thesis on technology’s effect on relationships, and since 2022 I’ve been conducting independent research on technology’s effect on conversation, sociotechnical systems, and ethical AI - essentially, how technology shapes the way we speak to each other, form relationships, build organizations, and how we can take a more proactive approach to constructing everyday life amidst technological modernity. I’ve presented my research at conferences across the US and Europe, and my work is grounded in European sociology and philos...2024-01-1001 min
Connected Intelligence with Sonia SennikCaitlin Begg on HypercommunicationHow can we reimagine everyday conversation for more connective personal and professional dialogue?
Caitlin (Caity) Begg is the founder of Authentic Social and sociological researcher researching technology’s effect on conversation. She founded Authentic Social in 2016 after writing her undergraduate Harvard sociology honors thesis on how digital communication affects relationships and social interaction.
Caity presents her sociological research around the United States and Europe at a variety of academic and industry conferences. In parallel, she is conducting ongoing independent sociological research, with a focus on technology's effect on conversation and sociotechnical systems. Within these contexts, further areas of focus include: th...2023-12-221h 02
MindBodySpaceHow to Decrease Anxiety and Get Focused in a Hyper Texting Digital World with Caitlin BeggIn this episode of the MindBodySpace Podcast, Dr. Juna speaks with sociological researcher and Authentic Social founder Caitlin “Caity” Begg about the effects of digital communication and hyper-communication on human relationships and interactions. They discuss how the rise of texting, social media, and constant connectivity has impacted the way we converse, date, work, and even think. Caity provides insights from her research on improving communication and promoting more presence despite our tech-driven world.
Main Discussion Points:
How asynchronous communication (non real-time like texts) and hyper-communication (excess texts/notifications) causes anxiety and misinterpretations
The importance of establishing comm...2023-09-0149 min
Game of Thrones ReduxEpisode 5: The Land of Always WinterWritten and Produced by Call HuitsonVisit gots8r.com for more!CastNarrator…..Christopher KendrickDaenerys Targaryen…..Nikki SwiftJon Snow…..Fred Lavin-CrossleySansa Stark…..Hannah DormorJaime Lannister…..Ben AaronsCersei Lannister…..Jeni WilliamsEuron Greyjoy…..Peter AdamsJorah Mormont…..Fred Lavin-CrossleyVarys…..Fred Lavin-CrossleyDavos Seaworth…..Roger CliffordGrey Worm…..Michael SemlerBrienne of Tarth…..Nicole ZivolicBronn…..Nicky RebeloQyburn…..Peter Saracen The Hound…...2022-08-0757 min
Game of Thrones ReduxEpisode 2: BattlelinesEpisode 2: BattlelinesVisit gots8r.com for more, including transcripts of all ten episodes!Written and Produced by Call Huitson CastNarrator…..Christopher KendrickDaenerys Targaryen…..Nikki SwiftJon Snow…..Fred Lavin-CrossleySansa Stark…..Hannah DormorArya Stark…..Tess RobinsonBran Stark…..Juniper BerryTyrion Lannister…..Pazy IqbalJaime Lannister…..Ben AaronsTheon Greyjoy…..Matt BarrettYara Greyjoy…..Kate HargraveJorah Mormont…..Fred Lavin-CrossleyVarys…..Fed Lavin-Crossley2022-07-1652 min