Today we live inside data systems that contain, surveil, and judge us. In his new book, the Hank Show, author and journalist McKenzie Funk provides us with a totally unique origin story of our world: A guy named Hank Asher. We talk with McKenzie Funk about the former Florida conto painter, drug-running pilot, alleged CIA asset, and pioneering computer programmer known as the father of data fusion.
McKenzie Funk has written many stories about the dangers of computer systems that can get us wrong, but the story of Hank Asher has turned him on to a danger even more alarming. What chance do we have when the computers know everything about us?
Personally connecting the dots. All of them.
Theory of Everything plunges listeners into a whirl of art, journalism, fiction, interviews, and exploding pipe dreams. Host Benjamen Walker connects the dots in a world of information overload, featuring conversations with philosophers, friends, and the occasional too-good-to-be-real guest.
If you’re new to Theory Of Everything try starting with one of these series!
Series

False Alarm
Fake news and alternative facts have declared war on the real. How are we gonna keep our mix and fact and fiction going?

Instaserfs
In the sharing economy, no one can hear you work. In 2015, your host decided to partner with an official ToE instapoder who drove, shopped, delivered, and manserved.

NY After Rent
The play Rent closed in NY the same year AirBnB came: 2008. Your host confronts the commodification of every square inch of the city.