EPISODE · Mar 1, 2026 · 5 MIN
The Glass Giant: What if Silicon Never Happened?
from 3B’s World Podcast · host Unlimited production and Three B’s World
Every smartphone in our pockets contains billions of transistors, each smaller than a virus. But what if the semiconductor revolution never occurred? In this episode, Boni explores a world where modern computing is still powered by the vacuum tube. We calculate the staggering physical footprint of a "tube-based" iPhone, the impossible power requirements to run it, and the thermal reality of a computer the size of a city. Join us for a deep dive into the massive scale of the microscopic.
What this episode covers
Every smartphone in our pockets contains billions of transistors, each smaller than a virus. But what if the semiconductor revolution never occurred? In this episode, Boni explores a world where modern computing is still powered by the vacuum tube. We calculate the staggering physical footprint of a "tube-based" iPhone, the impossible power requirements to run it, and the thermal reality of a computer the size of a city. Join us for a deep dive into the massive scale of the microscopic.
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The Glass Giant: What if Silicon Never Happened?
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