PODCAST · technology
Unsafe By Design
by M.R. Kennedy
Unsafe by Design is a documentary-style podcast examining the real-world consequences of technology failures that harmed or killed people — not because systems broke, but because they worked exactly as designed.Each episode investigates a major technological disaster, from medical devices and aviation software to AI-driven decision systems, focusing on the engineering choices, organizational pressures, and human assumptions that turned innovation into catastrophe. We break down complex technical failures in clear, accessible language while centering the human cost behind every incident.From the Therac-25 radiation overdoses to the Boeing 737 MAX MCAS failures, Unsafe by Design asks the uncomfortable questions:Who is responsible when code kills?Where does accountability end — and where should it begin?This podcast is for engineers, technologists, policymakers, and anyone who trusts the systems that increasingly shape — and
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The Hidden Flaw of Therac-25
The Fatal Flaw of Therac-25In the early 1980s, a state-of-the-art radiation therapy machine began injuring and killing cancer patients — without alarms, without mechanical safeguards, and without anyone believing the machine could be wrong.In this pilot episode of Unsafe by Design, we examine the Therac-25 radiation overdoses, one of the most important and chilling case studies in the history of software safety. What was marketed as a technological leap forward quietly removed critical hardware interlocks and replaced them with software — software that contained hidden race conditions, inadequate error handling, and assumptions that proved fatal.Through expert analysis and historical investigation, this episode explores how design decisions, reused code, and organizational denial combined to create a system that worked exactly as intended — while causing catastrophic harm.Therac-25 didn’t malfunction.It did what it was designed to do.This episode lays the foundation for Unsafe by Design: a series about technology failures rooted not in accidents, but in choices — and the human cost of trusting complex systems without adequate safeguards.
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Unsafe by Design is a documentary-style podcast examining the real-world consequences of technology failures that harmed or killed people — not because systems broke, but because they worked exactly as designed.Each episode investigates a major technological disaster, from medical devices and aviation software to AI-driven decision systems, focusing on the engineering choices, organizational pressures, and human assumptions that turned innovation into catastrophe. We break down complex technical failures in clear, accessible language while centering the human cost behind every incident.From the Therac-25 radiation overdoses to the Boeing 737 MAX MCAS failures, Unsafe by Design asks the uncomfortable questions:Who is responsible when code kills?Where does accountability end — and where should it begin?This podcast is for engineers, technologists, policymakers, and anyone who trusts the systems that increasingly shape — and
HOSTED BY
M.R. Kennedy
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Unsafe By Design have?
Unsafe By Design currently has 1 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Unsafe By Design about?
Unsafe by Design is a documentary-style podcast examining the real-world consequences of technology failures that harmed or killed people — not because systems broke, but because they worked exactly as designed.Each episode investigates a major technological disaster, from medical devices and...
How often does Unsafe By Design release new episodes?
Unsafe By Design has 1 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Unsafe By Design?
You can listen to Unsafe By Design on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Unsafe By Design?
Unsafe By Design is created and hosted by M.R. Kennedy.
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