Search Engine with PJ Vogt

Search Engine with PJ Vogt is a diverse podcast that delves into a wide range of topics, from the intricacies of cryptocurrency and its societal impacts to personal and universal questions about the internet, work, fame, and the digital economy. The podcast combines investigative journalism, personal narratives, and listener interactions to explore contemporary issues and curiosities.

Cryptocurrency Podcasting Internet and Social Media Music and Entertainment Health and Wellness Crime and Legal Issues Economics and Finance Technology and Innovation Societal Trends Personal Development

The hottest Substack posts of Search Engine with PJ Vogt

And their main takeaways

Am I the victim of an international sushi scam? (Plus some thoughts on podcasting)

2456 implied HN points • 09 Dec 23
  1. Investigation into potential fish fraud in NYC sushi industry involving escolar fish.
  2. Reflection on the challenges and uncertainty in the podcasting industry, especially with show cancellations.
  3. Discussion about the economics and strategies for survival in ad-supported podcasting, emphasizing the importance of small teams and diverse revenue streams.

How do you survive fame?

668 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
  1. Molly Ringwald discusses surviving fame as a teenager
  2. Importance of reevaluating past pop culture through a modern lens
  3. Understanding the diverse impact of art on different individuals

How do I use the internet now?

1926 implied HN points • 20 Oct 23
  1. The conversation addresses finding a balanced approach to using the internet
  2. It explores the evolution of internet usage over time and the challenges that come with it
  3. There is a call for sharing recommendations for positive online spaces and book suggestions

What're we gonna do about all these cats?

393 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
  1. The story explores the conflict between cat-loving activists and bird-loving ecologists, emphasizing the impact of cat attacks on wildlife.
  2. The newsletter includes insights from a wildlife rehabilitator in NYC, shedding light on the consequences of cat attacks on birds and other animals.
  3. There is mention of a live meet-up in Brooklyn for the 'Search Engine' project, creating an opportunity for fans to engage and discuss the show.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Why are there so many chicken bones on the street?

569 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
  1. A team of investigators is solving the mystery of chicken bones on American city streets.
  2. The investigation involves video surveillance, poultry history, and insights about highway apples.
  3. Paid subscribers can access more details and join a meet up in Brooklyn next Friday.

Why are there so many chicken bones on the street? (Part 2, the finale!)

412 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
  1. The investigation into chicken bones on sidewalks concludes with shocking findings and a vision for urban trash collection improvement.
  2. There is potential for a better trash collection system in cities with the idea of 'containerization'.
  3. Engaging in solving trivial yet solvable problems, like improving trash systems, can lead to significant impacts on daily life.

Why'd I take speed for twenty years? (part two!)

1061 implied HN points • 03 Nov 23
  1. The feedback on personal stories can be enlightening and bring people together.
  2. Having non-judgmental conversations about substances may be lacking in society.
  3. Understanding the complexities and nuances of topics like medication is important.

Who should be in charge of AI?

550 implied HN points • 01 Dec 23
  1. The story of a brief revolution at OpenAI raises questions about who should be in charge of AI.
  2. The world of AI is rapidly evolving, and the issue of AI governance is a significant one for the industry.
  3. There is ongoing curiosity and concern about the implications of AI advancement on society.

The Bull of Wall Street

648 implied HN points • 10 Nov 23
  1. The Bull of Wall Street sculpture in Manhattan attracts about 1,000 people daily for photos.
  2. The episode explores the history behind the bronze bull statue and a peculiar art crime from the 1980s.
  3. The newsletter also mentions Search Engine's presence on TikTok and shares some entertaining SnoopyToks.

Does anyone actually like their job?

1081 implied HN points • 01 Sep 23
  1. The author reflects on the question of whether people like their jobs or not, based on personal experiences and observations.
  2. The newsletter discusses listener feedback on the number of ads in the show and potential future changes to improve the listener experience.
  3. The author shares a playlist of favorite songs by Craig Finn, offering a peek into his music preferences.

What’s going on with Elon Musk?

1297 implied HN points • 21 Jul 23
  1. Three theories for Elon Musk's erratic behavior discussed in the podcast.
  2. Elon Musk's portrayal as a polarizing figure is being re-evaluated based on new information.
  3. The Search Engine podcast crew had a fun moment seeing their show on a Times Square billboard.

Wait, should I not be drinking airline coffee?

1395 implied HN points • 07 Jul 23
  1. Podcast investigating the safety of airline coffee
  2. Launching new podcast series as experimental projects
  3. Seeking audience support through subscriptions for funding and engagement

Why are we still buying diamonds?

825 implied HN points • 22 Sep 23
  1. Diamonds are not as rare as we think and can be made in a lab.
  2. The story discusses a century-long, international scheme related to diamonds.
  3. The newsletter provides further materials like books, articles, and videos related to the diamond trade.

Why are drug dealers putting fentanyl in everything? (Part 2)

963 implied HN points • 18 Aug 23
  1. The post discusses why drug dealers are putting fentanyl in various substances.
  2. An interview with a former dealer sheds light on the reasons behind this dangerous practice.
  3. Resources and information are shared to help raise awareness and prevent harm from fentanyl use.

Welcome to Search Engine

1690 implied HN points • 12 May 23
  1. The podcast 'Weekly' is now 'Search Engine'
  2. The show aims to answer unique and challenging questions
  3. Future episodes will cover a variety of interesting topics

The Fond Du Lac Apartment Mystery

628 implied HN points • 06 Oct 23
  1. The post discusses a mystery in Wisconsin about a government coupon for an apartment
  2. The podcast explores the idea of answering highly specific listener questions
  3. There is an announcement for a board meeting for paid subscribers next week

Where did the eight billion dollars go?

648 implied HN points • 29 Sep 23
  1. Sam Bankman-Fried is accused of stealing over eight billion dollars from customers of FTX, a crypto exchange he founded.
  2. Investigative reporter Zeke Faux helps explore the question of how someone could spend eight billion dollars.
  3. Different perspectives on complex stories like Sam Bankman-Fried's can provide a deeper understanding of the situation.

Why are drug dealers putting fentanyl in everything?

884 implied HN points • 11 Aug 23
  1. Drug dealers are putting fentanyl in various drugs, leading to numerous overdoses.
  2. The motive behind drug dealers using fentanyl is explored from a business perspective.
  3. Recommendations for further information on fentanyl and opioid crisis are provided.

Search Engine Meet Up!

196 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
  1. Search Engine Meet Up scheduled for January 26th in Brooklyn
  2. Meet up will include the Search Engine team and friends of the show
  3. Opportunity to subscribe for a 7-day free trial to access full post archives

I have a new story for you

1867 implied HN points • 22 Dec 22
  1. The final episode of the Crypto Island series is out
  2. Creating in-depth radio shows requires a lot of time and a team of professionals
  3. Transitioning to a new show called WEEKLY, focusing on diverse discussions and planning to include ads

What's it like to slowly go blind?

805 implied HN points • 28 Jul 23
  1. The episode discusses the experience of slowly going blind
  2. The guest has a disease called Retinitis Pigmentosa resulting in vision loss
  3. The episode explores surviving anxiety and understanding compassion

Search Engine Meetup Questionnaire

255 implied HN points • 05 Dec 23
  1. The post is about organizing a Search Engine Meetup event in NYC and beyond.
  2. There's a Google Form link for attendees to fill out to gauge headcount for the meetup.
  3. Readers can get 7 days of free access to the full post archives by subscribing to Search Engine with PJ Vogt.

A strange arrest in Cryptoland

2515 implied HN points • 21 Jul 22
  1. Three people were arrested for allegedly profiting off inside knowledge about upcoming coin listings on Coinbase.
  2. Insider trading cases in the cryptocurrency world are being highlighted by the federal government.
  3. News of potential financial wrongdoing in crypto can be first spotted by civilians on social media.

Welcome to Crypto Island

3125 implied HN points • 14 Mar 22
  1. The new podcast series, Crypto Island, explores the world of cryptocurrency.
  2. The host delves deep into crypto stories, promising engaging and entertaining content.
  3. The podcast is experimentally released independently and freely, with potential for subscription in the future.

I need your questions!

825 implied HN points • 08 Mar 23
  1. PJ Vogt is asking for questions from his audience for his podcast.
  2. He finds that questions reveal a lot about people's interests.
  3. Questions can vary from personal to broad topics.

Proof of Life

2397 implied HN points • 14 Jan 22
  1. Recommendations from friends can lead you to interesting new books or ideas.
  2. Elizabeth Gilbert's book 'Big Magic' explores creativity and battling self-doubt.
  3. Success can bring its own challenges, like writer's block, but it's a universal struggle.

Selling Drugs to Buy Crypto

1100 implied HN points • 26 May 22
  1. The article discusses the use of crypto in relation to illicit activities like selling drugs.
  2. The newsletter explores the collapse of Luna and the introduction of Luna 2.0 in the crypto market.
  3. NFTs are mentioned with a focus on the sale of a music NFT for charity and the complexity of consumer spending within the crypto world.

Horse Traders! The Global Elites! Serena Williams?

1159 implied HN points • 07 May 22
  1. PJ Vogt attended the world's largest Bitcoin conference in Miami aiming to explore the Bitcoin White Paper and other cryptocurrency white papers.
  2. The Bitcoin conference in Miami provided answers and helped clarify questions in a fever dream-like atmosphere.
  3. PJ Vogt's goal with his podcast is to document the complex world of cryptocurrency in a fair manner, present people authentically, and share moments of laughter.

The Kidnapping of Ape #8398

845 implied HN points • 28 Jun 22
  1. The post discusses a story about celebrities pitching NFTs to their fans, posing interesting questions and creating a heist-like narrative.
  2. There's a funny incident shared from Crypto Twitter involving an impersonator of Snoop Dogg at an NFT conference.
  3. An invitation is given for a Board of Directors' meeting where subscribers can ask questions about Crypto Island, crypto, journalism, or storytelling.

The Skeptic

1002 implied HN points • 05 Apr 22
  1. The fundamental questions about cryptocurrency are complicated and interesting to answer.
  2. There will be upcoming episodes covering topics like the environmental impact of crypto and crypto mining.
  3. The episode features a conversation with Cas Piancey, a full-time crypto skeptic with a surprising background.

Constitution DAO

963 implied HN points • 23 Mar 22
  1. The story is about a strange auction for a very expensive piece of paper.
  2. There's audio in the story that led to its creation, not related to Constitution DAO.
  3. The story connects to a series and includes links to additional material for further exploration.

The Lunatic behind this week's crypto crash

805 implied HN points • 13 May 22
  1. The article discusses a wild week in the world of cryptocurrency.
  2. A risky financial product caused chaos in the market.
  3. Different perspectives from a crypto believer and skeptic are shared.

Miguel

805 implied HN points • 25 Mar 22
  1. The post shares a new episode featuring an interview with Miguel Piedrafita.
  2. This episode delves into the reasons behind a 19-year-old from Spain wanting to buy the US Constitution.
  3. Listeners are encouraged to engage with the content by answering questions and sharing thoughts on various aspects of the podcast.

Crypto Island Board of Directors' Meeting TODAY

393 implied HN points • 01 Jul 22
  1. Crypto Island Board of Directors' Meeting is happening today at 1PM Eastern time.
  2. The meeting is exclusive to paid or gifted subscribers.
  3. Paid subscribers can access the meeting via a Zoom link provided in the post.