Tests From The Future

Hosted by Simon & Dirk

Technology Comedy Science

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Episodes

256

Latest episode

Sep 2026

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About the show

Direct from the 23rd century, this weekly podcast sees Simon & Dirk discussing new technologies, recent discoveries and everyday life… in the future!

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60 recent

September 27, 2026Episode 2853 min

285: Mr. Dobalina and the Low Fidelity Wave Burner

Well, we know where Simon is, but what's up with Dirk? You see, this week, neither of the hosts were actually there to record. Luckily, we can always count on Dirk's trusty Personal Assistant, Mr. Dobalina. He will bring you up to date, sneak in an opinion or two for the careful listener and, who would've thunk it, he'll read another poem too. To confirm this episode went back in time, please email michaellasagna5@gmail.com with the episode number 285 in the subject line. We may even respond to your message in a future episode. Chapters 00:00 - Preview 00:05 - Hello 00:30 - Introduction 01:35 - Updates 02:39 - Mr. Jones 03:03 - Goodbye Credits Mr. Dobalina: Daniel by Apple Poem: Mr. Jones by Counting Crows Episode Art: Technology Control Panel Buttons by Thomas Wolter Opening Theme: Mistadobalina by Del the Funky Homosapien Closing Theme: Mr. Jones by Counting Crows Almost Everything Else: Simon & Dirk

September 20, 2026Episode 2848 min

284: Home Alone

This episode experiences several problems. First of all, Simon is all the way across the universe. Second, Dirk isn't. Third, the fact that we have fast space travel apparently doesn't mean that we have fast intergalactic communication. Or any intergalactic communication for that matter. So, time for a monologue! To confirm this episode went back in time, please email michaellasagna5@gmail.com with the episode number 284 in the subject line. We may even respond to your message in a future episode. Chapters 00:00 - Preview 00:10 - Hello 00:35 - Introduction 01:06 - Home Alone 06:01 - Listener Email from Haakon 07:45 - Outroduction 08:28 - Goodbye Credits Episode Art: Nature Landscape Background by Simon Berger Theme Music: Over 100 Jaar by Klein Orkest Almost Everything Else: Simon & Dirk

September 13, 2026Episode 28321 min

283: Until Next Time

Simon's shuttle is leaving in a few minutes, but we manage to squeeze in one more episode beforehand, live from the shuttle station itself! From next week onwards, we'll be recording from two different locations - from two different galaxies even. So, did Simon bring everything he'll need? Did Dirk sneak in a surprise box? Is it Alpha Aliquid or Alpha Aquilid? And why do some shuttles pass by the station without stopping? Until next time! To confirm this episode went back in time, please email michaellasagna5@gmail.com with the episode number 283 in the subject line. We may even respond to your message in a future episode. Chapters 00:00 - Preview 00:07 - Hello 00:32 - Introduction 00:58 - Off to Tikibar 20:36 - Outroduction 21:12 - Goodbye Credits Episode Art: Formosa Boulevard Station by Allan Lau Theme Music: Over 100 Jaar by Klein Orkest Almost Everything Else: Simon & Dirk

September 6, 2026Episode 28230 min

282: Laundry Day

How is laundry done in the 23rd century? You'll find out in this episode! And how was laundry done in the 21st century? Dirk will find out in this episode! And how is laundry done on Planet Tikibar? Simon will find out in a next episode! Because he will move there very soon. Which explains why we're even talking about doing laundry. Lots of clothes to clean beforehand! To confirm this episode went back in time, please email michaellasagna5@gmail.com with the episode number 282 in the subject line. We may even respond to your message in a future episode. Chapters 00:00 - Preview 00:08 - Hello 00:32 - Introduction 04:40 - Laundry Day 30:02 - Outroduction 30:37 - Goodbye Credits Episode Art: Steam Roller Construction Machine by Roland 4D Pippes Theme Music: Over 100 Jaar by Klein Orkest Almost Everything Else: Simon & Dirk

August 30, 2026Episode 28132 min

281: Space Ambassador

We hoped that we could get back to our regular life and our regular topics, but the last couple of days have been anything but regular. Simon has accepted a position as ambassador on Tikibar and will actually leave for outer space again very soon. In this episode we answer questions like "What?", "Why?", "When?" and "Are the rumours true about Ambassador Von Froschhausen?". On top of that we also talk about the challenges of reintegrating into society after having been lost in space for five months. To confirm this episode went back in time, please email michaellasagna5@gmail.com with the episode number 281 in the subject line. We may even respond to your message in a future episode. Chapters 00:00 - Preview 00:14 - Hello 00:39 - Introduction 03:24 - Space Ambassador 23:41 - Listener Email from Henri 31:28 - Outroduction 31:45 - Goodbye Credits Episode Art: Ring Seal Stamp by svklimkin Theme Music: Over 100 Jaar by Klein Orkest Almost Everything Else: Simon & Dirk

August 23, 2026Episode 28026 min

280: ☆ Homecoming

It's hard to believe, but we're actually in orbit around Earth! We made it back! Almost at least, because we're still in quarantine at the moment. They're afraid we have slave hens? At least that gives us time to tidy up the ship, sort out our souvenirs, go clay pigeon shooting using the asteroids we can't take home, and of course speculate about what celebrations are being prepared for our triumphant homecoming! To confirm this episode went back in time, please email michaellasagna5@gmail.com with the episode number 280 in the subject line. We may even respond to your message in a future episode. Chapters 00:00 - Preview 00:23 - Hello 00:47 - Introduction 00:53 - Homecoming 23:29 - Listener Email from William McConnell 25:08 - Listener Email from XYZ 25:50 - Outroduction 26:09 - Goodbye Credits Episode Art: Space Walk Astronaut by NASA Imagery Diegetic Sounds: Spaceship Ambient SFX by John Opening Theme: Over 100 Jaar by Klein Orkest Closing Theme: Blister in the Sun by Violent Femmes Almost Everything Else: Simon & Dirk ★☆★☆★

August 16, 2026Episode 27924 min

279: ☆ The Tikibari

Dear diary, this week we met another alien race! They look strange, we call them the Tikibari, and as it turns out, they're the ones behind the black monoliths we've been collecting. And also as it turns out, those really weren't meant for collecting. Also, the Tikibari are interested in old technology and they helped us fix the ship too! It was a very exciting week. To confirm this episode went back in time, please email michaellasagna5@gmail.com with the episode number 279 in the subject line. We may even respond to your message in a future episode. Chapters 00:00 - Preview 00:16 - Hello 00:40 - Introduction 00:54 - The Tikibari 21:36 - Listener Email from V for Spaghetta 23:41 - Outroduction 24:16 - Goodbye Credits Episode Art: Aquarium Shrimp Coral by Leonhard Niederwimmer Diegetic Sounds: Spaceship Ambient SFX by John Theme Music: Over 100 Jaar by Klein Orkest Almost Everything Else: Simon & Dirk ★☆★☆☆

August 9, 2026Episode 27817 min

278: ☆ The Signal

The black monoliths we collected a few weeks ago started emitting a signal, and everyone's quite excited about it, even more so since we decoded the message! In this episode we discuss the possible implications, but we also talk about the planet we're currently orbiting, and about ukuleles obviously. To confirm this episode went back in time, please email michaellasagna5@gmail.com with the episode number 278 in the subject line. We may even respond to your message in a future episode. Chapters 00:00 - Preview 00:16 - Hello 00:41 - Introduction 03:17 - The Signal 14:57 - Listener Email from Ukele Yusuf 16:26 - Outroduction 17:04 - Goodbye Credits Episode Art: Tiki Hut Sunset Dusk by Michelle Maria Diegetic Sounds: Spaceship Ambient SFX by John Theme Music: Over 100 Jaar by Klein Orkest Almost Everything Else: Simon & Dirk ★☆☆★★

August 2, 2026Episode 27720 min

277: ☆ Space Tripping

There's something off with the air conditioning in the ship, so we've been confined to our cabin since yesterday. This also means that we currently have a different air mixture than usual. This has no side effects, with the exception that we decided to eat all the edible souvenirs we brought from all the planets we visited so far. Which in turn has no side effects, with the exception that the cabin seems brighter and the stars seem closer and the listener emails seem more profound. To confirm this episode went back in time, please email michaellasagna5@gmail.com with the episode number 277 in the subject line. We may even respond to your message in a future episode. Chapters 00:00 - Preview 00:11 - Hello 00:36 - Introduction 00:53 - Space Tripping 17:56 - Listener Email from Thomas van Gisteren 19:35 - Outroduction 20:00 - Goodbye Credits Episode Art: Pink Heat Striped Rag by Sanna Jågas Diegetic Sounds: Spaceship Ambient SFX by John Opening Theme: Over 100 Jaar by Klein Orkest Closing Theme: The Passenger by Iggy Pop Almost Everything Else: Simon & Dirk ★☆☆★☆

July 26, 2026Episode 27618 min

276: ☆ On the Treadmill

Have you ever recorded a podcast episode while walking on a treadmill? Well, Dirk just did and you get to listen to it! The good news is that Simon was standing just to the side, so at least one of the hosts isn't constantly out of breath. Why is Dirk on a treadmill? What's up with all of these black monoliths? Does the ship have a green house? And what does the Microsoft Zune have to do with anything? Listen in and find out! To confirm this episode went back in time, please email michaellasagna5@gmail.com with the episode number 276 in the subject line. We may even respond to your message in a future episode. Chapters 00:00 - Preview 00:21 - Hello 00:48 - Introduction 04:10 - Monoliths 16:08 - Listener Email from Sinas54 18:16 - Outroduction 18:36 - Goodbye Credits Episode Art: Moving Walkway Roller by Hans Diegetic Sounds: Spaceship Ambient SFX by John Theme Music: Over 100 Jaar by Klein Orkest Almost Everything Else: Simon & Dirk ★☆☆☆★