Episodes

  • The Space Race

    The Space Race
    Jun 17 2025
    From the billionaire space race and mining the moon to the scientific imperative to explore, Ollie and Duncan cover whether humanity's future lies in the stars or if we should be fixing problems closer to home first. Plus, a vital discussion on the statistical probability of aliens.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    34 mins
  • The Future

    The Future
    May 20 2025

    Duncan and Ollie are back to gaze into their crystal balls and talk all about the future. Are we headed for doom and gloom, or is it all sunshine and rainbows?

    They tackle the wild ride of tech and automation, wondering if robots will just end up talking to other robots. Plus, they dive into why it's so hard to predict what's coming next, especially when things move at warp speed.

    From flying cars (nightmare!) to the surprising resilience of human habits, they explore why some predictions totally miss the mark. Tune in for a debate on what's really in store for us all!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    33 mins
  • Social Media

    Social Media
    May 20 2025

    Duncan and Ollie are back on "The Short Fuse" to tackle social media. Is it here to stay, or are things about to get weird?

    They dive into LinkedIn's wild side, AI-generated posts, and those pesky "rage-bait" algorithms. Plus, they chat about bots taking over and whether our digital lives are heading for a total shake-up.

    Will social media fizzle out or just get more ludicrous?

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    33 mins
  • Reviews

    Reviews
    May 20 2025

    Ever wonder how much online reviews actually matter? Duncan Roberts and Ollie O'Donoghue jump into the deep end on Short Fuse to chat about how reviews are changing and what that means for us, especially with all the new AI knocking about.

    They get into the nitty-gritty of dodgy reviews, like those weird "packet of seeds" scams, and how a bad review could totally sink a business if AI starts taking them too literally. Get ready for a peek into a future where your fridge might review itself and AI could make all your buying decisions based on what other robots think.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    30 mins
  • Quick Fire

    Quick Fire
    Mar 8 2025
    Dive into the series two finale of 'The Short Fuse' with hosts Ollie O'Donoghue and Duncan Roberts as they tackle a rapid-fire round of diverse topics! This isn't your typical deep-dive—expect a dynamic, quick-witted exchange covering everything from the evolution of internet memes and the impact of influencers to the rise of virtual avatars and the future of subscription models. Ollie and Duncan share personal experiences and opinions, offering a fast-paced and insightful exploration of contemporary trends and technologies. Get ready for a lively discussion that touches on robot dogs in Waitrose, the challenges of unread emails, and much more in this action-packed season closer.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    37 mins
  • Open Source

    Open Source
    Feb 27 2025
    In this episode, Duncan and Ollie wrestle with the thorny issue of open source versus proprietary software, especially when it comes to AI. They explore why people contribute to open source projects (is it really just for "fun"?), the challenges of keeping those communities thriving, and the potential downsides of giving powerful AI models away for free. They also consider the allure of closed, proprietary systems and where true innovation really comes from.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    42 mins
  • Gaming

    Gaming
    Feb 12 2025
    Join Duncan Roberts and Ollie O'Donoghue on Short Fuse as they discuss the turbulent world of video games. In this episode, they debate the current state of the gaming industry, questioning the value of expensive, subscription-based "AAA" titles versus the charm of indie games and modding communities. Are big studios in trouble? Is the era of the console coming to an end? If you're a gamer, or just curious about the industry, tune in for a lively discussion!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    46 mins
  • Dating

    Dating
    Feb 5 2025
    Join Duncan and Ollie on Short Fuse, on this Valentine's Day special, as they dissect online dating. From AI boyfriends and girlfriends, catfishing and algorithms, all the way to demographic collapse. Is online dating helping or hindering us? Find out in this weeks episode.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    35 mins