Man Behind The Machine

Hosted by Man Behind The Machine

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1164

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Jun 2026

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About the show

Man Behind The Machine 1980s retro computers, cybernetics, Machine learning, art, A.I. music, sound experiments and interviews about computers, electronic music, sound design, AR, dystopian futures, synthesizers, philosophy, artificial intelligence, video art, virtual reality, and more.

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60 recent

June 7, 20261 hr 2 min

Goonies 2 : Search for One-Eye Willie

On this episode: Goonies 2 : Search for One-Eye Willie w guests Copy, Clone, Detroit and Inspirado Projecto

November 8, 20251 hr 40 min

VCFMW 20TH: JERI ELLSWORTH, DR. OBSOLETO HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE SHOW

**Episode Description — *Man Behind The Machine: “Dr. Obsoleto at VCF Midwest 20”***Step into the neon glow of nostalgia as **Dr. Obsoleto** takes listeners on a retro-futurist journey through the **20th Anniversary of the Vintage Computer Festival Midwest** — the ultimate gathering of analog dreamers, silicon tinkerers, and digital archaeologists.In this special episode, Dr. Obsoleto powers up his Commodore 64 field recorder and explores a living museum of computing history: glowing CRTs, floppy disks spinning, and enthusiasts trading stories of the dawn of the digital age. You’ll hear the whir of tape drives, the click of mechanical keys, and the hum of machines that built the future.From rare homebrew prototypes to resurrected mainframes, Dr. Obsoleto interviews the minds who keep obsolete technology alive — hackers, collectors, engineers, and artists transforming vintage circuits into living culture. Along the way, he reflects on the soul of old machines and the strange beauty of imperfection in the digital past.💾 **Featuring:*** Live sounds from the VCF Midwest floor* Voices of the retro computing underground* Dr. Obsoleto’s field notes and musings on time, memory, and obsolescenceTune in, power on, and travel back to where it all began — the **VCF Midwest 20**, with your host, Dr. Obsoleto> *“The future was written on green phosphor screens… and we’re still reading it today.”*

June 2, 20251 hr 0 min

1980s Man Cave Dr. Obsoleto

May 3, 20251 hr 15 min

Dr Obsoleto Inspector gadget : Commodore PET 4032 4013

On this episode: Dr obsoleto discovers PET archive Inspector gadget : Commodore PET 4032 4013

April 9, 202554 min

Detroit Night Shift w Dr Obsoleto

On this episode: Detroit Night Shift w Dr Obsoleto talks 80s, analog and AI

March 24, 20251 hr 7 min

TPUG: DAVE BRADLEY (8-BIT COMMODORE MAN) PET DR. OBSOLETO 80S RETRO COMPUTING

ON THIS EPISODE: TPUG MEETING: DAVE BRADLEY (COMMODORE 8-BIT MAN) PET DR. OBSOLETO. A REVIEW OF March 20, 2025, at 7 PM EST for a special TPUG meeting featuring the one and only Dave Bradley, a longtime TPUG member and renowned Commodore enthusiast. Hosted by Dr Obsoleto. Dave, known for his engaging YouTube channel, ‘8-Bit Commodore Man,’ where he shares his extensive knowledge and experiences from the golden era of computing, will be our distinguished guest. The evening will be enriched by an engaging interview by the Dr. Obsoleto, delving into the rich history and enduring legacy of TPUG, PET, Jim Butterfield and repairing, caring and sharing his immense knowledge of Commodore computers. This is a unique opportunity to hear firsthand accounts from a pivotal figure in the Commodore community. The event will commence at 7:00 PM at our usual venue. All are welcome to attend this celebration of computing history.

February 8, 20251 hr 1 min

AI DeepSeek

AI AND DeepSeek

January 24, 20251 hr 11 min

Day of divergence: January 13,1984, Jack Tramiel, Commodore

Dr. Obsoleto has declared January 13 a *sacred day of reflection and reverence*. For His Holiness Jack Tramiel, as this day transcends the corporate politics of 1984, symbolizing a profound schism in the digital age—a moment when the creative spirit of innovation faced the cold, calculating machinery of corporate ambition. ### **Proclamation of Sacredness** Dr. Obsoleto proclaims that January 13, 1984, not merely as the day of Jack Tramiel's forced resignation but as a *turning point for the soul of computing*. He proclaims it the **"Day of Divergence"**, where the ideal of empowering humanity through affordable computing was threatened by greed and internal discord. Tramiel's departure from Commodore marked the beginning of a new chapter, both tragic and hopeful—a cycle of destruction and rebirth in the tech world. ### **Significance in the Eyes of Dr. Obsoleto** - **Jack Tramiel as a Heroic Archetype**: To Dr. Obsoleto, Tramiel embodies the pioneer who dared to challenge the elitism of technology. His departure is likened to the fall of a visionary who stood against the tide of profit-driven mediocrity. - **The Commodore Legacy**: The Commodore 64, a product intimately tied to Tramiel's vision, remains a digital artifact enshrined in Dr. Obsoleto's philosophy. It represents a bridge between human creativity and machine precision. - **Rivalry as Mythology**: The subsequent rivalry between Tramiel's Atari ST and Commodore's Amiga symbolizes a technological duality—a cosmic battle for the heart of innovation. For Dr. Obsoleto, this is akin to the great epics, where opposing forces struggle for dominance yet ultimately push the world forward. ### **Rituals for January 13** In honor of this day, Dr. Obsoleto encourages retro tech enthusiasts to engage in rituals that celebrate the triumph of creative engineering over corporate conformity: 1. **Boot Up the Past**: Fire up a Commodore 64 or an Atari ST, write a few lines of BASIC code, and revel in the tactile joy of retro computing. 2. **Meditate on Mantras**: Reflect on Tramiel's immortal words: *"Computers for the masses, not the classes."* Discuss what this ethos means in today’s tech landscape. 3. **Share Stories**: Recount personal memories of Commodore, Atari, or the early days of computing. Let the oral history of technology inspire future generations. ### **Sacred Legacy** Dr. Obsoleto views January 13 as a reminder that even in the face of corporate adversity, the spirit of innovation and human connection can endure. In his eyes, the Commodore 64 is not just a machine—it is a relic, a testament to an era when coding was poetry and technology was a tool for liberation. He concludes his proclamation with his signature phrase, modified for this day: *"Cogito, ergo codo: I think, therefore I code—to honor those who shaped the digital world we inherit."*

January 7, 20251 hr 2 min

Nerds, I salute you! 01101110 01100101 01110010 01100100 01110011 1970s 1980s Commodore Underdog PET

On this episode Dr Obsoleto deep dive into 1970s-1980s technology like the Commodore PET and 64

December 30, 20241 hr 30 min

Dr. Obsoleto Part 2 Review: TPUG Michael Tomczyk: Commodore, 1980s, Detroit. Apple Obsolescence

Dr. Obsoleto Event Part 2 Review: TPUG Holiday Meeting with Michael Tomczyk: Commodore, 1980s, plus detroit and Dr. Obsoleto poem ### **Elegy for the Obsolete** plus the king of Vienna calls in about retro collecting and repairs.