Surface Tension: Recent Episodes
Grant Hale & Sharad Doshi
Dedicated to making you more curious about the world we live in. From uncovering creators shaping our world to interviewing academics about the nature of society and science, we break beyond the surface level and aim to better you for it.
surfacetensionpod.substack.com
Most things gets denser as they get colder. Why doesn’t ice?
Let us know what you think, and follow us on Substack and Instagram.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit surfacetensionpod.substack.com
Listen in to learn about investing fundamentals! This episode is a primer and an introduction to the concepts that you should know moving forward. Thanks to our guest Jacob Swiney for helping us navigate the complicated terrain!
Let us know what you think, and follow us on Substack and Instagram.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit surfacetensionpod.substack.com
This is a droplet aimed at helping you to answer something that many of us take for granted - how the internet works.
Let us know what you think, and if you have any other questions you'd like answered on Instagram.
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In this episode, we explore Absurdism and its advocate Albert Camus, challenging the notion of life's meaning and embracing the inherent absurdity.
We discuss how movies offer experiences beyond reality and analyze "Everything Everywhere All at Once" as an absurdist cinematic example.
Additionally, we encounter the myth of Sisyphus, reflecting the human struggle for purpose amidst futility.
Join us for a thought-provoking journey into the world of Absurdism and the profound implications of life's uncertainties.
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Listen in to hear the cofounders of Hatch discuss the AI-powered resume screening platform that they've been building.
We talked benefits of starting something in college, Hatch-specifics, our ability to change the world, advertising and generative AI.
Hatch is now opening its doors to all college RSOs. If your organization is inundated with applications, don't hesitate to explore their platform. Beyond functionality, the team behind Hatch are great people to know. So, why wait? Reach out today.
Follow Hatch here
And follow the founders here!
- Faraz Siddiqi
- Mahi Kolla
- Abhigya Wangoo
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This week's episode features Jeff Erickson, a renowned mathematician and computer scientist that regularly teaches @ UIUC. Listen in to hear about his unorthodox upbringing, lessons learned from having a low GPA in undergrad, different ways to think about algorithms, his teaching philosophy (which shines through in the materials he prepares), and his approach to discovering research topics. This episode will make you a more thoughtful problem solver and expand your horizons when thinking about grades.
Make sure to check out his website @ https://jeffe.cs.illinois.edu/.
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/surfacetensionpod/support
In this episode, we interview the director of the pound for pound most creative place on the University of Illinois' campus - the Siebel Center for Design (SCD). The director behind it's success is Rachel Switzky, whose deep past of design consulting, including 11 years at IDEO - the design consultancy that helped to create the original Apple mouse - has helped her to shape the SCD. Listen in to finally understand what design thinking is, how it can be applied to your life, and about the process that created the space that your favorite podcast is recorded in.
Find us @ https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/surfacetensionpod
Check out the SCD @ https://designcenter.illinois.edu/
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/surfacetensionpod/support
In this episode, Nigel Bosch, an educational AI researcher from the University of Illinois, dives into interactive artificial intelligence (AI) and its potential to enhance students' metacognitive skills. Metacognition, the process of understanding and regulating one's own thinking, is one of the most important aspects of learning and something that many student's struggle with. Bosch's research aims to leverage AI technologies to empower students to become more reflective, self-aware learners, ultimately leading to improved academic performance and lifelong learning capabilities.
Tune in to get a new perspective on learning and thinking and to hear about where the new frontier of education is headed!
Checkout Nigel's work at https://pnigel.com/
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/surfacetensionpod/support
This week’s episode welcomes Luke Clancy, a community builder and founder of Illini Blockchain, as we delve into the intriguing topic of passion or rather the lack thereof, among college students. We also explore our current reality and the unique juncture in which we find ourselves. Together, we'll examine the pulse of the present moment, uncovering its challenges, triumphs, and untapped opportunities. Luke also offers practical and thought-provoking strategies to elevate your personal growth, guiding you towards becoming the best version of yourself.
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In this weeks episode we interview Chandra Chekuri about algorithms, one of the most fundamental ideas that underpin our lives. And not just the ones that drive social media content but also the ones that solve all the meaningful problems around us. Tune in to hear about what it means to solve hard problems and work at one of the most influential research labs of all time.
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Tune in to hear our reflections on 4 years of college: what we did right, what we did wrong, and how we would do it again if we had the chance. Steve Jobs once said “you can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards," and we're taking that to heart with this episode. If you're curious about where were headed and the things that are currently important to us, this is the one for you.
(Shoutout Carrie Kelleher, our #1 fan)
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This week's episode breaks down the cutting edge technology that will power our farms in the future. From autonomous robots to ground sensors to localized 5G networks, the farm of the future is an exciting place.
https://digitalag.illinois.edu/
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In this episode, Bart Wielgos and Ian Brown discuss a variety of subjects pertaining to space travel and the Liquid Rocket Initiative (LRI) organization. They discuss the distinctions between liquid fuel and solid fuel rockets before explaining how the LRI was established with the initial purpose of cultivating gifted aerospace engineers. We discuss the concrete progress that the LRI made with initiatives like GRUNT, a straightforward rocket engine, a test stand, and the challenging Mark 117, before getting get into the future of space travel - including the potential for interplanetary travel and Mars colonization.
Follow what they're doing here -> https://www.liquidrocketinitiative-uiuc.org/
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In this episode we talk to Sam Schapiro, a passionate student founder and a former personality researcher at the University of Illinois, about personality, the Big 5 Framework, making better decisions, Steve Jobs, and a possible application to our current educational system.
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If you've ever wondered how you can better comprehend the people in your life or how to better construct a mental map for understanding yourself, this episode is for you.
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High Quality Big 5 Test - https://understandmyself.com/
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In this episode...
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In this episode, we speak with Professor Wade Fagen-Ulmschneider. For those that are unfamiliar, he has built some of the most used websites on U of I's campus and several data visualizations that have ended up in various governors presentations. He is an incredibly engaging and creative individual and someone that everyone can learn something from. Tune in to hear about his thought process on creating, his early interest in computers, and advice on how to create.
Continue to cultivate your curiosity at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/surfacetensionpod
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In this episode, we interview Ron Watkins, the Managing Director of SHIELD Illinois, to gain insights into his experience leading a vertically integrated COVID testing company. We discuss the genesis of SHIELD at UIUC, explore the company's future plans, and learn about Ron's latest mission to provide more equitable access to classes for public high schools.
Continue to cultivate your curiosity at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/surfacetensionpod
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In this episode, we explore the power of structured thinking, which involves breaking down complex problems into smaller, more manageable components, and then analyzing each component systematically. We draw a parallel between structured thinking and the case interview process, which consulting firms use to assess candidates' problem-solving abilities.
We provide practical examples of how structured thinking can be applied to your personal life. Whether you're facing a difficult decision or trying to learn new information, we offer tips and tools to help you break down the problem and analyze each component systematically.
Join us as we discuss the benefits of using structured thinking, share personal experiences of how we've applied it to our own lives, and provide practical advice to help you become a more effective problem-solver and decision-maker.
--> https://linktr.ee/surfacetension.pod <--
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In this episode, we interview Professor Gilbert Holder, a theoretical astrophysicist at UIUC. We dive into the realities of life as a physicist, what dark matter and dark energy are and why you should care. Tune in to expand your universe-view!
(1:30) - Realities of Being in Physics
(15:07) - Dark Matter
(27:26) - Dark Energy
Home -> https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/surfacetensionpod
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In this episode, we interview Professor Rich Excell, a seasoned financial veteran and knowledgable resource on macroeconomics, to break down the most recent Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) news in a way that everyone can understand. We begin by discussing something that most people taken for granted - how a bank works and use that foundation to break down the SVB news into what it means for people and small business owners alike.
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/surfacetensionpod
https://twitter.com/ExcellRichard
https://stayvigilant.substack.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/richexcellcfa/
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In this episode, we interview Madhav Aggarwal, a skilled debater, to discuss the purpose of arguing, how to argue effectively in everyday life, and how to see disagreements as opportunities for growth. Madhav shares insights from his background in debate and provides practical tips on how to improve your argumentation skills.
Timestamps
(0:49) - Madhav's background in debate
(3:07) - Applying the discipline of debate to everyday life
(4:44) - How to think about listening
(5:28) - Knowing when to give up ground to win the war
(8:30) - Understanding the logos vs. pathos framework to better understand your opponent's perspective
(11:36) - Finding common ground with a useful visualization
(17:00) - Arguing when you don't have all the evidence
(18:04) - What happens when you're wrong?
(19:00) - Quick recap of episode so far
(21:18) - Arguing from both perspectives
(23:47) - Confirmation bias during research
(25:43) - Closing thoughts
Join us for an insightful conversation on how to become a more effective arguer and turn disagreements into constructive discussions.
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This episode was recorded in two parts and documents an ongoing experiment, with the first half focusing on advice from Grant to Sharad on how to build reading into a habit, and the second half picking up a month later with what Sharad found most useful. To everyone that doesn't consistently read right now, it is oh so doable, check out the episode to learn how!
Part 1
(0:00) - Sharing our reading experiences
(7:37) - Unpacking the experiment
(8:30) - Why read?
(11:05) - What to read?
(15:00) - How to read?
Part 2
(23:33) - Sharad's month of reading
(24:55) - Takeaway 1 - Best place to read
(25:28) - Takeaway 2 - Best time to read
(27:31) - Takeaway 3 - Actionable books are easier to get into
(32:03) - What's the plan moving forward?
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Rohan Hirani (@rohanhirani_) from Recess and Grant Hale (@grant__hale) from Surface Tension share their experience starting a podcast and give a sneak peak into what goes on behind the scenes.
https://linktr.ee/surfacetension.pod
https://beacons.ai/recess
Join us in exploring how to travel with friends who have different cultural backgrounds and travel experiences. Our guests include a college-aged international student and another friend who has studied abroad in Vienna. We'll share practical tips on how to plan a trip that suits everyone's interests, and how to go about making the most of your trip once on the ground. Don't miss this episode!
Timestamps
(3:03) - DJing across borders to fund travels.
(6:41) - Tips on choosing the perfect travel destination.
(9:10) - Aryaman's epic solo trip to Vietnam and a hidden gem he discovered.
(12:30) - Solo travel vs. group travel.
(16:43) - Jaylen's four-day trip method for balancing structure and freedom.
(20:15) - Aryaman's perspective on leaving room for spontaneity while traveling.
(21:50) - How travel transforms our worldview: inspiring stories from our guests.
(25:50) - Bucket list destinations: our guests' dream trips.
(28:54) - Expert advice for first-time travelers.
https://linktr.ee/surfacetension.pod
Join us for an engaging conversation with Jesse Grubs, the independent record store owner of See You CD & Vinyl. Hear about his journey from early vinyl experiences to owning his own store. We talk about the challenges of running an independent business, the importance of customer experience, and the role of music in everyday life. We also dive into the dynamic between indie and big-box retailers and the potential of algorithms in music discovery. Don't miss this episode!
See You CD & Vinyl is located at 208 W Main Street, Urbana. Check it out at https://seeyoucdandvinyl.com/ and https://www.instagram.com/seeyoucdandvinyl/
Timestamps
(0:44) - Early introductions to vinyl
(3:38) - Journey as a college intern
(5:57) - Ties to Urbana's iconic Poly Vinyl Records
(9:38) - From working at other record stores to pursuing a dream of owning one
(11:40) - “Trying to work at a record store is what I want to do”
(14:50) - Ensuring customers have an exceptional experience
(17:14) - How music preferences shape the curation of records at the store
(26:51) - Indie vs. big box retailers, streaming vs. vinyl
(32:00) - The role of music in Jesse’s everyday life
(34:26) - Unleashing the power of Spotify's algorithm to discover new music
(35:40) - Balancing work and passion
(38:52) - Circling back to Spotify’s algorithm
(40:49) - The future of See You CD & Vinyl
(43:51) - Wrapping up an insightful conversation with an independent record store owner
- https://linktr.ee/surfacetension.pod
We had the opportunity to interview Josh and Sathwik, the UIUC-based duo behind Sylly - a new dating app that is changing the online dating scene. Instead of simply matching people based on their preferences and interests, Sylly focuses on actually facilitating real-life dates. The app is designed to encourage users to take their online connection offline, and turn virtual conversations into real-life interactions.
In our conversation, we learned about the major problems the current dating app’s have, Sylly’s inspiration, and their vision for the future of online dating. Listen in!
Timestamps
(1:05) Episode Overview
(2:15) Love in the digital age
(4:00) The rise of Tinder and swipe culture
(6:45) Statistics behind dating apps: are the matches leading to actual dates?
(9:00) The impact of paying customers on dating apps
(13:00) The of features that bring people closer to actual dates. Are we just playing a dating app slot machine?
(19:00) Enter Sylly
(23:30) Understanding Nash Equilibrium and how Sylly is creating a better algorithm to improve the online dating experience.
(25:15) The results of Sylly’s first swiping session
(26:30) The future experiments and improvements that Sylly has in store
(34:15) The monopolization of the dating app market, all the apps we know are owned by Match.com
(35:07) Discovering the origin story of Sylly and its 6-month marketing efforts
(39:00) The creative and unique approach Sylly is taking towards monetization
(44:15) Sylly's approach to user conduct.
(47:00) Examining other businesses disrupting the attention-economy
Thanks for listening!
https://linktr.ee/surfacetension.pod
https://sylly.app/
Join us in this week's episode as we share our own experiences navigating college. From choosing our majors to discovering our passions, we'll take you through the ups and downs of our college journey. We'll discuss the role that professors, clubs, and experiences outside the classroom played in shaping our experiences. And most importantly, we'll talk about how we found what we truly love and how you can use catalysts to do the same. Whether you're currently in college or just starting out, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to make the most of their college experience.
(:54) How to choose what to study
(3:30) The bubble effect
(7:00) Defining your success and mimetic desires
(10:54) Figuring out what you want to achieve
(12:52) Is what we choose to study important?
(16:18) How to balance finding and job and studying you want?
(20:00) Being deliberate with time early in college
(22:08) Catalysts and finding things you want to be good at
(30:50) Get creative, get stuff done, closing remarks
In this episode, we are joined by Jack and Nolan, the founders of Bad For Your Health, an in-house fashion label that draws inspiration from Japanese Americana. We discuss how they go about creating their unique clothing line, as well as how customer demand influences their design process. We also explore the challenges and rewards of running a small, independent fashion label and hear about some of their upcoming projects and inspirations.
Timestamps
(0:40) Introduction
(2:20) Brand origins
(4:45) Consumer perceptions
(8:40) Creative expression vs. running a business
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(11:25) Inspirations - Japanese Americana
(15:45) Shift from utility to fashion
(20:00) Inspirations - political ideas and ecology
(23:30) Collection planning process
(25:45) Delegating tasks / consistencies
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(29:30) Balancing / utilizing school
(31:10) Brand evolution
(35:00) The future for BFYH
(39:10) "Oh, is that Bad For Your Health?"
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(40:50) Reframing envy / wrapping up
Links
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https://linktr.ee/surfacetension.pod
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https://www.badforyourhealth.com/
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https://www.instagram.com/badforyourhealth_/
In this episode, Mike Yao joins us to discuss the effects of the social media business model on our lives and the world around us. We explore how the monetization of our data affects our privacy and how the algorithms that power social media platforms shape our online experiences. Mike also shares his insights on best practices for users, including how to leverage social media to your advantage while avoiding potential pitfalls.
Timestamps
(00:34) Introductions
(04:15) Better definitions of social media
(10:12) Underlying mechanisms and big tech decisions
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(15:05) Is social media bad for you?
(19:45) Short-term effects on behavior
(28:40) Algorithms
(31:15) Context collapse
(39:00) Features for a better platform
(42:33) How to think about new platforms in a realistic way
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(50:40) How to use social media wisely
(54:15) Why better attempts at social media have failed
(57:30) How to start a new platform
Links
- https://linktr.ee/surfacetension.pod
In this episode of Surface Tension, we discuss the purpose of routine, how to inject variety into your day and the daily practices of past intellectual giants.
In this episode of Surface Tension, we discuss the systems and ideas that our opinions are rooted in, and how those have led to default right-handedness, love for even numbers and trust in Rotten Tomatoes.
In this episode of Surface Tension, we discuss the integration of artificial intelligence into humanlike tasks, the nuances that power the slow movement, and what it looks like to integrate decelerated processes in our lives.
(0:47) - Artificial Intelligence (QuillBot, OpenAI Playground, knowledge workers)
(8:38) - Introducing the Slow Movement
(11:55) - Slow aging
(15:20) - Slow science
(21:15) - Thrifting
(22:05) - Vinyls
(25:10) - How to watch movies
(27:30) - Film photography
(35:08) Wrapping up
For the first episode of Surface Tension, we brought in Josh Jay James, a friend, and innovator in circular fashion, to talk about all things thrift and what it means to buy into a second-hand economy.
An introduction to what our (Grant and Sharad) podcast aims to explore, dissect, and discuss.