On the Fringe

Dave and Gavin
  • 5.0 (4)
  • News Commentary
  • Updated Weekly

The media glosses over AI usage and geopolitics. We dive into how both go hand-in-hand, speak with up-and-coming major players, and shed light on groundbreaking events in our wheelhouses: Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. onthefringepodcast.substack.com Reach out to us with any questions, comments, or if you'd like to be a guest at onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com

  1. 1d ago ·  Bonus

    A sad tale about backpackers getting caught up in local problems in Southeast Asia

    On November 13th 2024, a tragedy occurred in Vang Vieng, Laos. Six tourists from four countries lost their lives from unknowingly drinking methanol at a popular backpackers’ hostel. Fast forward a year and a half, and charges have been laid against the owner of the distillery…over a $1,000 and just about a month in the big house. Needless to say, many of the grieving families, are less than happy about this. Meanwhile, the Laotian government has been relatively non-plussed. We talk about why this is exactly and the context surrounding this sad incident. Would the Laotian government have taken a different action had the tourists been from different countries? Shoot us an email and let us know: onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com Looking for more background info? We covered this WAAAAAY back in 2024 focusing on travel safety in Southeast Asia. Thanks for listening and all the best from both of us, Dave + Gav

    A sad tale about backpackers getting caught up in local problems in Southeast Asia

  2. 5d ago

    Voter equality is underrated: The state of open primaries in the United States (Feat. Chad Peace)

    (00:00:00) Voter equality is underrated: The state of open primaries in the United States (Feat. Chad Peace) (00:00:46) Podcast Intro (00:01:40) An overview on Proposition 14: California's Game-changing primary election measure (00:04:37) The impact of Proposition 14 on California's political and election landscape (00:08:23) A comparision and analysis of primaries in California vs. Texas (00:12:19) National election trends and voter participation (00:16:02) Ranked choice voting in open primaries (00:19:00) An underlying problem in all primaries: Low voter turnout (00:23:01) The disenfranchisement and frustration of the American voter (00:28:35) The future: primaries and voter reforms This week, Dave and Gavin, sit down with Chad Peace, the founder and President of IVC Media, and attorney for the IVP (Independent Voter Project). Chad is a prominent lawyer and activist who was a key part of the effort to pass Proposition 14, a voter initiative that implemented an open primary system in California. During the chat, Chad gives a look at the state of voting reform on the state level across the United States and how it is both a non-partisan and bi-partisan issue. Taking a look at the state of open primaries and ranked choice voting might not be everyone’s idea of a good time, but it is an interesting insight in to a story that is generally covered in a simple and usually misleading way. To learn more about Chad’s work and IVC Media, go to: https://independentvoterproject.org/ To learn more about Independent Voter News, go to ivn.us Independent Voter News was ranked as having a “Center” rating on AllSides and as being “Least biased, having high credibility, and providing factual information,” according to Media Bias / Fact Check.

    Voter equality is underrated: The state of open primaries in the United States (Feat. Chad Peace)

  3. Jul 14 ·  Bonus

    Is "insider trading" the secret ingredient to digital success on the music charts?

    How does “Earrings,” a 2024 indie sleeper by Malcom Todd that nobody had ever heard of make it to No. 1 on the Spotify charts in 2026? Whatever the case, Spotify had to issue a mea culpa after Kalshi pointed out that bots programmed by some bad actors who were looking to make a quick buck—not Malcom Todd—were probably to blame.  Again, on this episode we return to the subject of insider trading, manipulation, and straight-up wire fraud and the almost limitless horizon of opportunities, some legitimate, some less so, offered by prediction markets. This is just another act on the Dark Side of Prediction Markets. And, there will likely be more to come, not only in terms of more episodes on this topic, but also of how everyday life is increasingly manipulated for profit. If you enjoyed the episode or want to throw some rocks, click below. We always appreciate the love from our growing On the Fringe community. If you're like to shoot us a message, reach out at onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com  All the best from both of us, Dave + Gav

    Is "insider trading" the secret ingredient to digital success on the music charts?

  4. Jul 13 ·  Bonus

    What Gavin and Spongebob have in common (Bonus Episode)

    Before we recorded our planned episode yesterday, we spontaneously jumped into talking about driving, Korea, and North Korea. And now, I know why Gavin has never suggested renting a car.  You’ll also hear a tidbit about why a Korean Driver’s license is powerful, arguably more so than the Dear Leader himself.

    What Gavin and Spongebob have in common (Bonus Episode)

  5. Jul 9

    Will Congress' solution to protect American kids from AI slop work?

    (00:00:00) Intro and why we are covering this (00:00:52) Overview of two of the key pieces of legislation moving through Congress (00:03:13) Commonalities between and implications of the bills (00:07:08) Regulatory framework and enforcement (a major weakness) (00:09:13) A key solution the bill lacks--digital literacy and edcuation (00:10:20) Future considerations if the KIDS Act and the Safe Kids Act become law This week on the pod, Dave and Gav get into it about the SAFE Kids Act and other pieces of legislation regarding AI chatbots, social media, and child safety which put the burden on companies and big tech. As legislators around the world play catch-up with the social, economic, and legal implications of AI, we talk about how Constitutional rights may find themselves more in the crossfire—or in the crosshairs.  This episode is part of our rolling coverage of developments involving AI and education. We’ve covered whether a college degree is worth it and what the front lines of preparing for an AI future look like. It’s likely not where you’d think! If you enjoyed the episode, shoot us a message, restack, and pass us some love and feedback. Please take a second to give us a quick star rating. We sincerely appreciate all the growing support our On the Fringe community provides.  All the best from both of us, Dave and Gav

    Will Congress' solution to protect American kids from AI slop work?

  6. Jul 5

    We came. We trained the locals. We got the hell out: The U.S. military's recent mission to Nigeria

    Five months after the quiet announcement that American troops were being deployed in Nigeria to combat the local IS franchise, an even quieter announcement that the 200-ish deployment has already come to an end. The strategic aims apparently having been met, the US’s engagement, which began with a barrage of Tomahawks on Christmas Day last year, has been wrapped up. Meanwhile, the Nigerian government has taken pains to highlight how information sharing between the two countries continues despite a physical withdrawal. Does the withdrawal mean mission accomplished for the U.S.? For the Nigerians? Let us know what you think! Here's our episode on why West Africa is falling to jihadists. All the best from both of us, Dave and Gavin The AFRICOM Seal is from wikimedia and can be found here The Nigerian Flag is from wikimedia and can be found here

    We came. We trained the locals. We got the hell out: The U.S. military's recent mission to Nigeria

  7. Jul 3 ·  Bonus

    A big thank you from Dave and Gavin as we come up on 2 years

    Hello, On the Fringe Community! Here’s a quick thank you message as we wrap up season.  We appreciate and enjoy your continued support—and we have more on the way! All the best from both of us, Dave + Gav

    A big thank you from Dave and Gavin as we come up on 2 years

  8. Jul 3 ·  Bonus

    A mistaken identity...It's all in the name On the Fringe

    Two people with uncommon names find out for the first time what it’s like having a common name + being confused for someone else. In the last couple of years, there have been several other On the Fringe podcasts that have come out. For the first time in both our lives (Dave + Gavin), we are being confused for someone else—and to be honest, it’s kind of weird and funny for both of us.  Since we set up On the Fringe 2 years ago, we’ve done this as a hobby and a labor of love. It’s fun for Gavin + I, and we are talking about taking the podcast more seriously going forward—i.e. having a clearer upload schedule, producing more exclusive content for subscribers and loyal listeners, and monetizing the show. When we do decide to monetize the show, we will keep you all informed :) And if you have any ideas that could help us to build our show going forward, they’re ALWAYS welcome. Shoot us a message or an email at onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com All the best from both of us On the Fringe! Dave and Gav

    A mistaken identity...It's all in the name On the Fringe
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About

The media glosses over AI usage and geopolitics. We dive into how both go hand-in-hand, speak with up-and-coming major players, and shed light on groundbreaking events in our wheelhouses: Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. onthefringepodcast.substack.com Reach out to us with any questions, comments, or if you'd like to be a guest at onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com

Information

  • Creator
    Dave and Gavin
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    161
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright On The Fringe
  • Show Website
    On the Fringe