41 episodes

Named a best podcast of 2023 by Vulture, Time, The Economist, & Vogue.
No question too big, no question too small. On Search Engine, PJ Vogt answers the kinds of questions you might ask the internet when you can't sleep. If you find the world bewildering, but also sometimes enjoy being bewildered by it, we're here for you. Publishes Fridays.

Search Engine PJ Vogt, Audacy, Jigsaw

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.9 • 2.8K Ratings

Named a best podcast of 2023 by Vulture, Time, The Economist, & Vogue.
No question too big, no question too small. On Search Engine, PJ Vogt answers the kinds of questions you might ask the internet when you can't sleep. If you find the world bewildering, but also sometimes enjoy being bewildered by it, we're here for you. Publishes Fridays.

    How do we survive the media apocalypse?

    How do we survive the media apocalypse?

    Something strange, new, and unsettling is happening in media right now. Huge institutions, both newspapers and online outlets, are being severely transformed by layoffs.
    As a person just trying to find good information on the internet, what are you supposed to do? We’re joined this week again by Ezra Klein, who has an explanation for why this is happening, a prediction about where it’s going, and a prescription for what we all can do about it.
    If you'd like to support Search Engine, you can do so over at searchengine.show

    To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 1 hr 2 min
    Who's behind these scammy text messages we've all been getting?

    Who's behind these scammy text messages we've all been getting?

    "Hi David, I’m Vicky Ho. Don’t you remember me?"
    An investigative reporter travels halfway around the world to find out who is sending him random wrong number texts and why. After you hear this story, you'll never look at these messages the same way again.
    You can grab a copy of Zeke's book, Number Go Up, here.
    If you want to support Search Engine, and access our premium feed, head over to searchengine.show.

    To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 1 hr 11 min
    How do you make an addictive video game?

    How do you make an addictive video game?

    This episode will change how you look at games. We talk to Ben Brode, the designer behind Hearthstone and Marvel Snap, about how a creative person learns to make the things they love, and about the secret ideas hiding in games as simple as rock-papers-scissors.
    If you'd like to support the show, head to our newsletter.

    To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 53 min
    Where did all the roaches go?

    Where did all the roaches go?

    Cockroaches were a scourge that scuttled through the cracks and crevices of homes all throughout America. And then one day, large numbers of them mysteriously disappeared. A miracle for humankind? Sure. But for cockroaches: the world's grimmest true crime story.
    This story is a collaboration with our friends over at Radio Atlantic.
    If you want to support Search Engine, you can do that over at pjvogt.com.

    To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 42 min
    What are we gonna do about all these cats?

    What are we gonna do about all these cats?

    A question that has launched a battle between bird-loving ecologists and ardent, cat-defending activists. What should we do about an invasive species beloved by many Americans -- cats? We hear from people on both sides of the war, and from one person who sits exactly in the middle.
    Support the show!

    To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 53 min
    How do you survive fame?

    How do you survive fame?

    Actor Molly Ringwald joins us to talk about a time in her life when her job was to pretend to be a normal American teenager, a job which made it impossible to actually be a normal American teenager.
    How did she learn to survive? In an era when the internet has turned many more people into public figures, what can everybody else learn from her?
    Plus, Sruthi Pinnamaneni tries to learn more about a rare and enchanting song.

    To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 1 hr 12 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
2.8K Ratings

2.8K Ratings

Powellatata ,

Love this show, less Ezra klein monologuing pls

See title

ALK3000 ,

Scam text messages

One of the best podcast episodes I’ve listened to in years— should be nominated for a journalism award.

GG from Seattle ,

Unsubbed

Ezra Kline on the journalism episode made me unsub once he got to talking about how buying “cheap chicken” at the store is unethical. Tell that to all the impoverished people who can’t afford to get organic free range ethical meat. My god, what a horrendous snotty elitist take. If those are the kind of repeat guests then I’m out.

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