Description
From the massive rollout of Australia’s social media ban to Iran’s total internet blackout and the commercial launch of Boston Dynamics' Atlas, 2026 is exposing a darker, more controlled reality for global technology. In this episode of The TrickCast , Alex Siletsky & Amir Abdelazim go beyond the headlines to reveal how governments and tech giants are reclaiming control over the digital landscape. We discuss why being "offline" is now a geopolitical weapon and how the next decade of robotics is shifting from entertainment to industrial dominance. This episode connects three industry-shaking stories: The Age of the Great Ban — Australia has officially deactivated over 4.7 million social media accounts for users under 16. We analyze the global ripple effect as Europe and the UK consider following suit -and the uncomfortable question: is this about safety, or state-level control over the next generation’s ideology? Digital Darkness in Iran - A total communications blackout has left 92 million people without a voice amid historic protests. We explore the technical "kill switches" used by dictatorships and the urgent global debate on whether internet access should finally be declared a fundamental human right. Atlas Goes Commercial — After decades of "dancing" prototypes, Boston Dynamics’ all-electric Atlas has entered production. With its first fleets shipping to major manufacturing partners, we break down the roadmap for robots to enter nursing homes and medical roles by 2028. TOP STORIES The Social Media Ban: 4.7M Accounts Gone We analyze Australia’s world-first under-16 law. Is the "Dopamine Slot Machine" finally being regulated, or are we witnessing the end of digital freedom for the youth? Internet Blackouts as Weapons The case study of Iran and the "savage" tech used to suppress global communication. We discuss why a kill switch is the ultimate tool for a "New World Order." The Father of Robotics: Atlas is Here A deep dive into Marc Raibert’s "build it, break it, fix it" philosophy at Boston Dynamics and how Atlas is moving from the lab to your household. Key Themes: Australia’s Under-16 Social Media Ban & Digital ID The Psychology of Algorithmic Addiction Internet Kill Switches & National Security The UN Debate: Internet as a Human Right Boston Dynamics’ Commercial Roadmap (2026–2039) Leadership Lessons: Marc Raibert’s Engineering Culture 🎧 TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Intro: The 2026 New World Order in Tech 02:28 – The EU vs. US: Why Europe is "bumping" its own innovation 09:35 – Australia’s Social Media Ban: 4.7M accounts deactivated 13:16 – The Dopamine Slot Machine: How algorithms were designed for addiction 15:52 – Under-16 Age Verification: Facial scanning and ID requirements 34:13 – Iran’s 2026 Internet Shutdown: Cutting off 92 million people 42:41 – Starlink & Global Mesh Networks: Can we ever truly bypass a kill switch? 49:35 – Is Internet Access a Human Right? The 2026 UN Debate 51:04 – Boston Dynamics Atlas: The move from hydraulics to all-electric production 54:06 – Robot Roadmap: From factory floors to nursing jobs by 2028 59:13 – The Robot "Kill Switch": Establishing the 3 Laws of Robotics 01:01:15 – Build it, Break it, Fix it: The Marc Raibert Legacy 🎙️ About The TrickCast: For founders, engineers, and strategists, The TrickCast dissects the hidden power plays and physical shifts in technology. From the cloud to your car, your glasses, and eventually, your brain - we cover the rivalries shaping the future. 👉 Subscribe for more on Tech Strategy, AI Rivalries & Business Innovation. #TheTrickCast #SocialMediaBan #IranBlackout #BostonDynamics #AtlasRobot #2026Tech #DigitalRights #Robotics #CyberSecurity #FutureOfTech #AIStrategy #TechPodcast