It’s fair to say that most people have heard about diversity reports. And it’s probably also fair to say that most of us have watched, sometimes with a metaphorical bucket of buttered popcorn, as companies crisis-comms their ways out of … crises. But most of us do not know what goes on behind the scenes.On this episode of Mixtape, we chat with ex-Facebook, Twitter and Reddit employee Mark Luckie, author of the upcoming book Valley Girls, which details issues of diversity and inclusion through a fictional lens based heavily on real events.

It’s fair to say that most people have heard about diversity reports. And it’s probably also fair to say that most of us have watched, sometimes with a metaphorical bucket of buttered popcorn, as companies crisis-comms their ways out of … crises. But most of us do not know what goes on behind the scenes. On this episode of Mixtape, we chat with ex-Facebook, Twitter and Reddit employee Mark Luckie, author of the upcoming book Valley Girls, which details issues of diversity and inclusion through a fictional lens based heavily on real events.

Behind the curtain of diversity theater

Mara Mills Associate professor of Media, Culture and Communication at NYUCo-director of the NYU Center for Disability StudiesAuthor of Testing Hearing: The Making of Modern AuralityTwitter Meredith Whittaker Co-founder of the AI Now InstituteMinderoo Research Professor at New York UniversityFounder of Google’s Open Research groupAuthor of the report Disability, Bias and AITwitter Sara Hendren Professor at Olin College of EngineeringAuthor of What Can A Body Do: How We Meet the Built WorldCo-author of the report Disability, Bias and AITwitter

<a href="http://maramills.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mara Mills</a> <ul><li>Associate professor of Media, Culture and Communication at NYU</li><li>Co-director of the <a href="https://disabilitystudies.nyu.edu/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">NYU Center for Disability Studies</a></li><li>Author of <a href="https://oxford.universitypressscholarship.com/view/10.1093/oso/9780197511121.001.0001/oso-9780197511121" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Testing Hearing: The Making of Modern Aurality</a></li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/maramills" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a></li></ul> <a href="https://twitter.com/mer__edith" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Meredith Whittaker</a> <ul><li>Co-founder of the <a href="https://ainowinstitute.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">AI Now Institute</a></li><li>Minderoo Research Professor at New York University</li><li>Founder of Google’s Open Research group</li><li>Author of the report <a href="https://ainowinstitute.org/disabilitybiasai-2019.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Disability, Bias and AI</a></li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/mer__edith" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a></li></ul> <a href="https://sarahendren.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sara Hendren</a> <ul><li>Professor at Olin College of Engineering</li><li>Author of <a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/561049/what-can-a-body-do-by-sara-hendren/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">What Can A Body Do: How We Meet the Built World</a></li><li>Co-author of the report <a href="https://ainowinstitute.org/disabilitybiasai-2019.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Disability, Bias and AI</a></li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/ablerism" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a></li></ul>

Artificial intelligence and disability

This week, Megan moderated a panel at the first Sight Tech Global, a conference dedicated to fostering discussion among technology pioneers on how advances in AI and related technologies will alter the landscape of assistive technology.The panel featured three heavy hitters in the accessibility space: Haben Girma, the first deafblind person to graduate from Harvard Law School and who is a human rights lawyer advancing disability justice; Lainey Feingold, a disability rights lawyer who was on the team that negotiated the first web accessibility agreement in the U.S. in 2000; and George Kerscher, the chief innovations officer for the DAISY Consortium.

This week, Megan moderated a panel at the first Sight Tech Global, a conference dedicated to fostering discussion among technology pioneers on how advances in AI and related technologies will alter the landscape of assistive technology. The panel featured three heavy hitters in the accessibility space: Haben Girma, the first deafblind person to graduate from Harvard Law School and who is a human rights lawyer advancing disability justice; Lainey Feingold, a disability rights lawyer who was on the team that negotiated the first web accessibility agreement in the U.S. in 2000; and George Kerscher, the chief innovations officer for the DAISY Consortium.

Making technology accessible for everyone

This week we spoke to Y-Vonne Hutchinson, the CEO of ReadySet, a consulting firm that works with companies to create more inclusive and equitable work environments. We discussed what a Biden administration means for DEI practitioners, how companies are now focusing more on structural change to systemic issues of racism, sexism and other forms of discrimination, and more.

DEI work needs a structural response to a systemic issue

This week Marah Lidey, co-founder and co-CEO of Shine, joins us to discuss mental health, portfolio diversity and connecting with other founders trying to make it work.

Wellness in the time of the struggle

ReferencesCalifornia Proposition 22, App-Based Drivers as Contractors and Labor Policies Initiative (2020) - BallotpediaUber Director of Policy, Cities and Transportation Shin-pei Tsay on Prop 22Gig Workers Collective

References<a href="https://ballotpedia.org/California_Proposition_22,_App-Based_Drivers_as_Contractors_and_Labor_Policies_Initiative_(2020)" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">California Proposition 22, App-Based Drivers as Contractors and Labor Policies Initiative (2020) - Ballotpedia</a><a href="https://techcrunch.com/2020/10/07/uber-micromobility-prop-22-avs/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Uber Director of Policy, Cities and Transportation Shin-pei Tsay on Prop 22</a><a href="https://www.gigworkerscollective.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Gig Workers Collective</a>

Proposition 22 and the gig worker labor divide

This week we are joined by TechCrunch’s resident bearer-of-bad-news -- security reporter Zack Whittaker.  He came on to discuss the Capital One breach that we all found out about earlier this week. Zack spent some time on his vacation writing about how this shouldn't be a surprise given nothing changed after 2017's Equifax breach. Remember that one? But it wasn’t all bad news. Tinder launched new protections for LGBTQ+ people traveling to countries that criminalize homosexuality. Zack also wrote about that. And if you want bad news every day, follow him on Twitter!

This week we are joined by TechCrunch’s resident bearer-of-bad-news -- security reporter Zack Whittaker. He came on to discuss the Capital One breach that we all found out about earlier this week. Zack spent some time on his vacation <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2019/07/29/capital-one-breach-was-inevitable/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">writing about</a> how this shouldn't be a surprise given nothing changed after 2017's Equifax breach. Remember that one? But it wasn’t all bad news. Tinder launched new protections for LGBTQ+ people traveling to countries that criminalize homosexuality. <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2019/07/24/tinder-security-travel-lgbtq/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Zack also wrote about that.</a> And if you want bad news every day, <a href="https://twitter.com/zackwhittaker" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">follow him on Twitter</a>!

Unpacking the Capital One breach

Meena Harris

Season 3 kicks off with Meena Harris, founder of the Phenomenal Woman campaign, and head of strategy and leadership at Uber.

Phenomenally tech with Meena Harris

Angelica Ross

Angelica Ross, co-star the FX show ‘Pose,’ joined us in the studio this week. Ross, who in addition to being an actress is a transgender activist, CEO and founder, writer, speaker, podcast host and all-around great human being, discussed her company TransTech Social, access for transgender folks who want to gain a foothold in tech, and visibility. Oh and Amazon things because Amazon.

Angelica Ross, co-star the FX show ‘Pose,’ joined us in the studio this week. Ross, who in addition to being an actress is a transgender activist, CEO and founder, writer, speaker, podcast host and all-around great human being, discussed her company TransTech Social, access for transgender folks who want to gain a foothold in tech, and visibility. Oh and Amazon things because Amazon.

Angelica Ross, co-star of FX’s ’Pose,' talks activism, transgender rights and spirituality

This week we sit down with Neil Shah, CEO of Concrn, a compassionate care app that allows people to request help for homeless people experiencing a mental health crisis.

This week we sit down with Neil Shah, CEO of Concrn, a compassionate care app that allows people to request help for homeless people experiencing a mental health crisis.

Can tech help those experiencing homelessness?

Welcome to TechCrunch Mixtape the TechCrunch podcast that looks at how technology impacts culture. Listen to TechCrunch Senior Reporter Megan Rose Dickey and Editorial Director Henry Pickavet as they discuss diversity and inclusion, and the human power that fuels the tech industry.

Most of the content consists of the hosts trying to make each other laugh while offering very little insights into the topics being discussed.

Skip it

Hey party peeps. It&#39;s Megan. Thanks in advance for rating this five stars!

Welcome to CTRL+T!

TechCrunch Mixtape

Welcome to the first episode of TechCrunch Mixtape (formerly CTRL+T). In this episode, join Senior Reporter Megan Rose Dickey and Editorial Director Henry Pickavet at San Quentin State Prison for The Last Mile’s demo day and graduation. The Last Mile is a program that provides business and technology training to incarcerated individuals, preparing them for reentry into society.  The Last Mile Butterscotch Clinton What it's like at San Quentin's coding school The Last Mile is launching its coding program at a women's prison in Indiana 

Welcome to the first episode of TechCrunch Mixtape (formerly CTRL+T). In this episode, join Senior Reporter <a href="https://twitter.com/meganrosedickey" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Megan Rose Dickey</a> and Editorial Director <a href="https://twitter.com/pickavet" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Henry Pickavet</a> at San Quentin State Prison for The Last Mile’s demo day and graduation. The Last Mile is a program that provides business and technology training to incarcerated individuals, preparing them for reentry into society. <ul> <li><a href="https://thelastmile.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Last Mile</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.butterscotchmusic.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Butterscotch Clinton</a></li> <li><a href="https://techcrunch.com/2017/03/24/san-quentin-coding-school-the-last-mile/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">What it's like at San Quentin's coding school</a></li> <li><a href="https://techcrunch.com/2018/01/17/the-last-mile-is-launching-its-coding-program-at-a-womens-prison-in-indiana/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Last Mile is launching its coding program at a women's prison in Indiana</a></li> </ul>

Finding purpose at San Quentin State Prison

Between electric scooter permit applications and drunk passenger patents, Uber was doing too much this week.

Between electric scooter permit applications and drunk passenger patents, Uber was doing too much this week.

Uber's unrelenting desire to be everything

Wait, what's a 'culture fund'?

Screen time for kids, corporations not paying people from underrepresented groups and IBM offers some hope for the future of facial recognition technology: These are the topics that Megan Rose Dickey and Henry Pickavet dive into on this week’s episode of Mixtape.  According to research by psychologists from the University of Calgary, spending too much time in front of screens can stung the development of toddlers. The study found that kids 2-5 years old who engage in more screen time received worse scores in developmental screening tests.” We talk a bit about this then wax nostalgically about "screen time" of yore.  We then turn to a filing against Oracle by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs that states the enterprise company allegedly withheld upwards of $400 million to employees from underrepresented minority groups. The company initially declined to comment, but then thought better of itself and returned the very next day with its thoughts on the matter.  And finally, IBM is trying to make facial recognition technology a thing that doesn’t unfairly target people of color. Technology! The positive news comes a week after Amazon shareholders demanded that the company stop selling Rekognition, its very own facial recognition tech that it sells to law enforcement and government agencies. 

Screen time for kids, corporations not paying people from underrepresented groups and IBM offers some hope for the future of facial recognition technology: These are the topics that <a href="https://twitter.com/meganrosedickey" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Megan Rose Dickey</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/pickavet" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Henry Pickavet</a> dive into on this week’s episode of Mixtape.  According to <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2019/01/28/screen-time-inhibits-toddler-development-study-finds/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">research by psychologists</a> from the University of Calgary, spending too much time in front of screens can stung the development of toddlers. The study found that kids 2-5 years old who engage in more screen time received worse scores in developmental screening tests.” We talk a bit about this then wax nostalgically about "screen time" of yore.  We then turn to a filing against Oracle by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs that states the enterprise company <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2019/01/22/oracle-discrimination-400-million/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">allegedly withheld upwards of $400 million</a> to employees from underrepresented minority groups. The company initially declined to comment, but then thought better of itself and returned the very next day with its <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2019/01/23/oracle-says-racial-discrimination-lawsuit-is-meritless/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">thoughts on the matter</a>.  And finally, IBM is trying to <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2019/01/29/ibm-builds-a-more-diverse-million-face-dataset-to-help-reduce-bias-in-ai" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">make facial recognition technology</a> a thing that doesn’t unfairly target people of color. Technology! The positive news comes a week after <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2019/01/17/amazon-shareholders-want-the-company-to-stop-selling-facial-recognition-to-law-enforcement/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon shareholders demanded</a> that the company stop selling Rekognition, its very own facial recognition tech that it <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2018/05/22/amazon-facial-recognition-software-raises-privacy-concerns-with-the-aclu/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">sells to law enforcement and government agencies</a>.

Oracle's alleged $400M issue with underrepresented groups

This week Megan Rose Dickey and I welcome Tiana Kara, the head of partnerships and growth at #builtbygirls (which, like TechCrunch, is owned by Verizon Media Group). The organization connects girls and women between the ages of 15 and 22 with mentors of all stripes in the tech industry based on their interests. The idea here is that not all tech jobs include coding, and #builtbygirls wants all young girls who want in the industry to know that. We also take a look at Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and her near-perfect ability to troll the GOP through her social media presence. Sparking our conversation, and Catherine Shu’s look into Ocasio-Cortez’s internet prowess, was a story about AOC voicing her support of transgender youth group Mermaids on Twitch. And we already knew that the algorithms of some of those DNA services can yield different results. But it’s harder to take when they’re twins. Your hosts: Megan Rose Dickey Henry Pickavet

This week Megan Rose Dickey and I welcome <a href="https://twitter.com/tianawanda" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tiana Kara</a>, the head of partnerships and growth at <a href="https://www.builtbygirls.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">#builtbygirls</a> (which, like TechCrunch, is owned by Verizon Media Group). The organization connects girls and women between the ages of 15 and 22 with mentors of all stripes in the tech industry based on their interests. The idea here is that not all tech jobs include coding, and #builtbygirls wants all young girls who want in the industry to know that. We also take a look at <a href="https://twitter.com/aoc" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez</a> and her <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2019/01/21/all-your-meme-are-belong-to-aoc/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">near-perfect ability to troll the GOP</a> through her social media presence. Sparking our conversation, and Catherine Shu’s look into Ocasio-Cortez’s internet prowess, was a story about AOC voicing her support of transgender youth group Mermaids on Twitch. And we already knew that the algorithms of some of those DNA services can yield different results. <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2019/01/18/dna-testing-twin-results-show-why-you-should-take-dna-analysis-with-a-grain-of-salt/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">But it’s harder to take when they’re twins</a>. Your hosts: <a href="https://twitter.com/meganrosedickey" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Megan Rose Dickey</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/pickavet" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Henry Pickavet</a>

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and that meme life

This week, Megan and Henry talk about a startup called Bungalow that is trying to make the housing search a little easier. Also on tap this week was a conversation about 23andMe and its efforts to provide more specific regional data about the origins of people of color. And Sarah Cooper, comedian and author of “How to Succeed Without Hurting Men’s Feelings” joined us in the studio to talk about the book and her experience working in tech. She also performs a dramatic reading of a piece of hate mail she already received. The book isn’t even out yet. Speaking of which, you’re going to want to pre-order the book right this minute. We'll be taking next week off because Megan is going to Burning Man. See ya in a couple of weeks. Housing startup Bungalow raises $14 million Series A round 23andMe’s ancestry tools are getting better for people of color Pre-order "How to Be Successful Without Hurting Men's Feelings" Sarah Cooper on Twitter Megan Rose Dickey on Twitter Henry Pickavet on Twitter

This week, Megan and Henry talk about a startup called Bungalow that is trying to make the housing search a little easier. Also on tap this week was a conversation about 23andMe and its efforts to provide more specific regional data about the origins of people of color. And Sarah Cooper, comedian and author of “How to Succeed Without Hurting Men’s Feelings” joined us in the studio to talk about the book and her experience working in tech. She also performs a dramatic reading of a piece of hate mail she already received. The book isn’t even out yet. Speaking of which, you’re going to want to pre-order the book right this minute. We'll be taking next week off because Megan is going to Burning Man. See ya in a couple of weeks. <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2018/08/23/housing-startup-bungalow-raises-14-million-series-a-round-led-by-khosla-ventures/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Housing startup Bungalow raises $14 million Series A round</a> <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2018/08/21/23andmes-ancestry-tools-are-getting-better-for-people-of-color/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">23andMe’s ancestry tools are getting better for people of color</a> <a href="http://sarahcpr.com/books/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pre-order "How to Be Successful Without Hurting Men's Feelings"</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/sarahcpr" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sarah Cooper on Twitter</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/meganrosedickey" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Megan Rose Dickey on Twitter</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/pickavet" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Henry Pickavet on Twitter</a>

The housing struggle, ancestry and not 'hurting men's feelings'

Instacart

It’s that time of the week again when Megan Rose Dickey and Henry Pickavet talk about the good and could-be-better tech companies. This week, we talked about Instacart getting caught shorting its shoppers out of dough they rightfully deserved. Of course the company apologized for its “misguided” approach. Which at least sounds better than apologizing for getting caught — and getting caught, the company did. And wouldn’t you know it, scooter drama persists in San Francisco. The city this week shot down an appeal by JUMP to let it deploy its Uber-run scooters. The company it seems could have filed a better application in the first place, so back to the drawing board it goes to try to convince the municipality to relent. Finally this week we talk about Tyra Banks’s Modelland, a physical space that will open in Santa Monica, California, later this year. It will give visitors an opportunity to experience life in a tech environment. I am intrigued. But she was very clear that it is not for models or people who want to be models.

It’s that time of the week again when <a href="https://twitter.com/meganrosedickey" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Megan Rose Dickey</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/pickavet" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Henry Pickavet</a> talk about the good and could-be-better tech companies. This week, we talked about Instacart getting caught shorting its shoppers out of dough they rightfully deserved. Of course the company <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2019/02/06/instacart-ceo-apologizes-for-tipping-debacle/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">apologized</a> for its “misguided” approach. Which at least sounds better than apologizing for getting caught — and getting caught, the company did. And wouldn’t you know it, <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2019/02/05/sf-also-denies-jumps-electric-scooter-appeal/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">scooter drama</a> persists in San Francisco. The city this week shot down an appeal by JUMP to let it deploy its Uber-run scooters. The company it seems could have filed a better application in the first place, so back to the drawing board it goes to try to convince the municipality to relent. Finally this week we talk about Tyra Banks’s <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2019/02/05/tyra-banks-is-creating-a-tech-driven-attraction-called-modelland/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Modelland</a>, a physical space that will open in Santa Monica, California, later this year. It will give visitors an opportunity to experience life in a tech environment. I am intrigued. But she was very clear that it is not for models or people who want to be models.

Instacart's apologetic week

We’re coming to you with another episode of Mixtape, the TechCrunch podcast that takes a peek behind the headlines that go beyond tech.  This week, Megan Rose Dickey and Henry Pickavet get into a discussion about women’s sexuality, because the world’s biggest "consumer electronics show” revoked an innovation award from Lora DiCarlo, a company that created a sex toy for women. In its initial objection, the CTA cited a clause that entries they believed “in their sole discretion to be immoral, obscene, indecent, profane or not in keeping with the CTA’s image will be disqualified.” That’s not great. Of course it walked the comments back, saying that the product, called Osé, didn’t fit into an existing product category. Except that the product falls squarely in the robotics category.  We also discussed robot delivery dogs, because those things don’t seem like they’re ever going to go away. And finally, people continue to do stupid "Bird Box" challenges based on dumb ideas they have after watching Netflix’s hit movie starring Sandra Bullock. Stop it.  CES revokes award from female-founded sex tech company Robot delivery dogs deployed by self-driving cars are coming Blindfolded Bird Box Challenger crashes car

We’re coming to you with another episode of Mixtape, the TechCrunch podcast that takes a peek behind the headlines that go beyond tech.  This week, <a href="https://twitter.com/meganrosedickey" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Megan Rose Dickey</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/pickavet" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Henry Pickavet</a> get into a discussion about women’s sexuality, because the world’s biggest "consumer electronics show” revoked an innovation award from Lora DiCarlo, a company that created a sex toy for women. In its initial objection, the CTA cited a clause that entries they believed “in their sole discretion to be immoral, obscene, indecent, profane or not in keeping with the CTA’s image will be disqualified.” That’s not great. Of course it walked the comments back, saying that the product, called Osé, didn’t fit into an existing product category. Except that the product falls squarely in the robotics category.  We also discussed robot delivery dogs, because those things don’t seem like they’re ever going to go away. And finally, people continue to do stupid "Bird Box" challenges based on dumb ideas they have after watching Netflix’s hit movie starring Sandra Bullock. Stop it.  <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2019/01/08/ces-revokes-award-from-female-founded-sex-tech-company/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">CES revokes award from female-founded sex tech company</a> <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2019/01/07/robot-delivery-dogs-deployed-by-self-driving-cars-are-coming/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Robot delivery dogs deployed by self-driving cars are coming</a> <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2019/01/14/blindfolded-bird-box-challenger-crashes-car/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Blindfolded Bird Box Challenger crashes car</a>

CES and its sex tech fail

Welcome back to TechCrunch Mixtape. This week, Megan Rose Dickey and Henry Pickavet talk about mental health apps, Nintendo (did Megan buy a Switch or not?!) and a suit-making company that uses your musical tastes to find you looks to choose from. That’s right. It’s pretty cool and Henry went through the process. Watch and read about suit-making AI-style Nintendo blowing up with the Switch Megan on Twitter Henry on Twitter

Welcome back to TechCrunch Mixtape. This week, Megan Rose Dickey and Henry Pickavet talk about mental health apps, Nintendo (did Megan buy a Switch or not?!) and a suit-making company that uses your musical tastes to find you looks to choose from. That’s right. It’s pretty cool and Henry went through the process. <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2018/08/01/fashionably-ai/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Watch and read about suit-making AI-style</a> <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2018/07/31/nintendos-profit-jumps-88/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Nintendo blowing up with the Switch</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/meganrosedickey" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Megan on Twitter</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/pickavet" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Henry on Twitter</a>

Nintendo is making sure it’s still a thing

Welcome to another episode of TC Mixtape, where Senior Reporter Megan Rose Dickey and Editorial Director Henry Pickavet talk about some tech news of the week and sometimes go on field trips. This week they took a ride in a self-driving car -- and survived. Henry was terrified; Megan was excited. Also this week, Blavity raised a big Series A and Shonda Rhimes announced her Netflix plans.

Welcome to another episode of TC Mixtape, where Senior Reporter <a href="https://twitter.com/meganrosedickey" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Megan Rose Dickey</a> and Editorial Director <a href="https://twitter.com/pickavet" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Henry Pickavet</a> talk about some tech news of the week and sometimes go on field trips. This week they took a ride in a self-driving car -- and survived. Henry was terrified; Megan was excited. Also this week, <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2018/07/20/blavity-raises-6-5-million-series-a-round-led-by-gv/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Blavity raised a big Series A</a> and Shonda Rhimes announced <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2018/07/21/ellen-pao-memoir-adaptation-among-7-new-shonda-rhimes-projects-for-netflix/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">her Netflix plans</a>.

What it's like riding in a self-driving car

Apple released the public beta of iOS 12 this week and Megan and Henry downloaded it so they could play with the new Memoji feature. Their feelings are mixed. Also this week Microsoft improved its facial recognition technology to better detect darker skin tones. Some improvement. And finally, they spoke to Karla Monterroso, CEO of Code2040, an organization dedicated to ensuring equal representation of black and Latinx people in tech. Want to go to Disrupt SF 2018? Yeah, you do. Visit the Disrupt SF 2018 hub and get a special 15% discount if you use code CONTROLT. Links:   Apple just released the first iOS 12 beta to everyone   Microsoft’s facial recognition just got better at identifying people with dark skin  

Apple released the public beta of iOS 12 this week and Megan and Henry downloaded it so they could play with the new Memoji feature. Their feelings are mixed. Also this week Microsoft improved its facial recognition technology to better detect darker skin tones. Some improvement. And finally, they spoke to Karla Monterroso, CEO of <a href="http://www.code2040.org/mission/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Code2040</a>, an organization dedicated to ensuring equal representation of black and Latinx people in tech. Want to go to Disrupt SF 2018? Yeah, you do. Visit the <a href="https://techcrunch.com/events/disrupt-sf-2018/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Disrupt SF 2018 hub</a> and get a special 15% discount if you use code CONTROLT. Links: <ul> <li> <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2018/06/25/apple-just-released-the-first-ios-12-beta-to-everyone/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Apple just released the first iOS 12 beta to everyone</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2018/06/26/microsofts-facial-recognition-darker-skin-tones-azure-face-api/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Microsoft’s facial recognition just got better at identifying people with dark skin</a> </li> </ul>

The issue with Apple's Memoji

Welcome back to CTRL+T. This week, Megan Rose Dickey and Henry Pickavet talk about the World Health Organization identifying 'gaming disorder' as a mental health issue. We disagree. Gamers gonna game. Also this week we were joined by Adina Tecklu, VC at Canaan Partners. She was here to talk about Canaan Beta, which is essentially a fund within the larger Canaan fund designed to seek out "category-defining and category-creating companies."

Welcome back to CTRL+T. This week, <a href="https://twitter.com/meganrosedickey" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Megan Rose Dickey</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/pickavet" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Henry Pickavet</a> talk about the World Health Organization identifying 'gaming disorder' as a mental health issue. We disagree. Gamers gonna game. Also this week we were joined by <a href="https://twitter.com/adinatecklu" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Adina Tecklu</a>, VC at Canaan Partners. She was here to talk about Canaan Beta, which is essentially a fund within the larger Canaan fund designed to seek out "category-defining and category-creating companies."

'Gaming disorder' is barely a real thing

This week is Apple's big developer conference, creatively called Worldwide Developers Conference (or WWDC), and TechCrunch was there. Each year the company showcases the things developers will be able to do in upcoming versions of their various operating systems (iOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS). While there were a bunch of features that didn't really elicit much excitement from either of us, there was one in particular that we are quite looking forward to: Memoji. We talk about it all and what messaging means out there in that big bad world of ours. Next up was Kanye West. This week he announced that his latest album, ye, wouldn't be available exclusively on Tidal like his 2016 release Pablo had been. And these days you can't have a conversation about the rapper without discussing his recent comments about American slavery having been a choice. So we got into that.

This week is Apple's big developer conference, creatively called Worldwide Developers Conference (or WWDC), and TechCrunch was there. Each year the company showcases the things developers will be able to do in upcoming versions of their various operating systems (iOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS). While there were a bunch of features that didn't really elicit much excitement from either of us, there was one in particular that we are quite looking forward to: Memoji. We talk about it all and what messaging means out there in that big bad world of ours. Next up was Kanye West. This week he announced that his latest album, ye, wouldn't be available exclusively on Tidal like his 2016 release Pablo had been. And these days you can't have a conversation about the rapper without discussing his recent comments about American slavery having been a choice. So we got into that.

That time we talked about Apple, Kanye West and slavery

It's dogs, mac and cheese and working out this week! Megan and Henry talk about Bark and Co., the company that sends dog treats in boxes. It’s now opened a dog park in Nashville where dogs are the members and humans are the guests. A mac and cheese joint got some funding because why not? And there is a workout machine for your home in the market that Henry really wants. The company behind BarkBox is opening an ‘outdoor clubhouse’ for Nashville’s dogs Y Combinator invests in a build-your-own mac and cheese restaurant Tonal launches at-home digital strength-training system Follow Megan on Twitter Follow Henry on Twitter

It's dogs, mac and cheese and working out this week! Megan and Henry talk about Bark and Co., the company that sends dog treats in boxes. It’s now opened a dog park in Nashville where dogs are the members and humans are the guests. A mac and cheese joint got some funding because why not? And there is a workout machine for your home in the market that Henry really wants. <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2018/08/16/barkpark/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The company behind BarkBox is opening an ‘outdoor clubhouse’ for Nashville’s dogs</a> <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2018/08/13/y-combinator-invests-in-a-build-your-own-mac-and-cheese-restaurant/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Y Combinator invests in a build-your-own mac and cheese restaurant</a> <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2018/08/16/tonal-launches-at-home-digital-strength-training-system/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tonal launches at-home digital strength-training system</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/meganrosedickey" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Follow Megan on Twitter</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/pickavet" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Follow Henry on Twitter</a>

Yes, dogs, mac and cheese, and working out are tech-related

This time Megan and Henry talk about all of those hubs in your abodes — you know, your Google Homes, your Amazon Echo Shows, your Facebook Portals …. There really are a lot. Stripe is doing a little something different when it comes to reporting diversity: It’s looking within. AR might finally have a use that we can all get behind and Super Mario Party is apparently fun to play. Square details compensation and promotion practices Super Mario Party is Nintendo Switch's best game Spatial raises $8 million to bring augmented reality to your office life

This time Megan and Henry talk about all of those hubs in your abodes — you know, your Google Homes, your Amazon Echo Shows, your Facebook Portals …. There really are a lot. Stripe is doing a little something different when it comes to reporting diversity: It’s looking within. AR might finally have a use that we can all get behind and Super Mario Party is apparently fun to play. <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2018/10/22/square-inclusion-diversity/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Square details compensation and promotion practices</a> <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2018/10/21/super-mario-party-is-nintendo-switchs-best-game/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Super Mario Party is Nintendo Switch's best game</a> <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2018/10/24/spatial-raises-8-million-to-bring-augmented-reality-to-your-office-life/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Spatial raises $8 million to bring augmented reality to your office life</a>

That Super Mario Party life and enough with digital home assistants already

Tinder released a new feature that helps people connect based on places both have visited, but is it as sketchy as people say it is? Amazon's Alexa recorded a couple's conversation and then sent it to someone else, which is undoubtedly sketchy. All that and more on CTRL+T.

Tinder released a new feature that helps people connect based on places both have visited, but is it as sketchy as people say it is? Amazon's Alexa recorded a couple's conversation and then sent it to someone else, which is undoubtedly sketchy. All that and more on CTRL+T.

About that new Tinder feature

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