11 explainers
Technology Explainers and Trends
Technology explainers covering AI, security, passkeys, satellites, software, climate tech, and the infrastructure behind digital life.
These pieces look past product launches and ask what the technology changes in practice.
Tools for these guides
- Private Subscription Tracker — Track recurring payments and renewal dates, then export your list or calendar. Saved only on this device.
- Subscription Cost Calculator — Turn weekly, monthly, and annual subscriptions into one budget. Compare what you keep and cancel.
- Compound Interest Calculator — Explore how a starting balance and monthly savings could grow under your assumptions.
- Sunk Cost Decision Tool — Compare future costs and benefits when deciding whether to continue or switch.
- Electricity Cost Calculator — Compare appliance examples or custom usage in watts, kWh, and money. Include quantities plus daily or weekly operating time.
- Solar Payback Calculator — Compare self-use and export credits, maintenance, and upfront costs before evaluating a solar quote.
How to Audit Subscriptions and Calculate Annual Costs
Build a subscription list, compare monthly and annual billing, identify overlapping services, and estimate future savings before canceling.
Why Are Cat Videos Everywhere? Psychology of Cute Content
Why are cat videos everywhere? Learn how emotion, low-stakes humor, social sharing, and recommendation systems keep cat content in every feed.
How AI Agents Work: Useful Tasks, Limits, and Risks
What can AI agents actually do? A practical guide to the workflows they can handle, where they fail, and when humans should stay involved.
Are Passkeys Safer? How Passwordless Login Works
Are passkeys safer than passwords? Learn how passkeys work, why they resist phishing, and what to know before switching.
Why Is Space Important for Geopolitics? Satellites and Power
Why is space important for geopolitics? Learn how satellites support broadband, GPS, imaging, defense, finance, and strategic competition.
How Do Heat Pumps Work? Heating and Cooling Explained
How do heat pumps work? Learn how one system heats and cools a home by moving heat instead of creating it.
Why Does Every App Have AI? What AI Features Actually Do
Why are AI features appearing in every app? Learn which are genuinely useful, which are marketing, and what companies are trying to automate.
What Is Local-First Software? Benefits and Tradeoffs
What is local-first software? Learn how apps keep data on your device, sync when possible, and work without constant cloud dependence.
Why Use Plain Text for Notes? Benefits and Limitations
Why use plain text for notes? Learn why plain files are portable, searchable, durable, and often more useful than complex productivity apps.
Is RSS Still Available? How RSS Works in 2026
Is RSS still available? Learn how RSS works and why it remains a clean way to follow websites, newsletters, blogs, and independent publishers.
How Do Undersea Internet Cables Work?
How do undersea internet cables work? Learn how fiber-optic cables carry global data, how they are laid, and why they are strategic infrastructure.