Tests From The Future

Hosted by Simon & Dirk

Technology Comedy Science

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Episodes

249

Latest episode

Aug 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

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.Chapters00:00 - Preview00:16 - Hello00:40 - Introduction00:54 - The Tikibari21:36 - Listener Email from V for Spaghetta23:41 - Outroduction24:16 - GoodbyeCreditsEpisode Art: Aquarium Shrimp Coral by Leonhard NiederwimmerDiegetic Sounds: Spaceship Ambient SFX by JohnTheme Music: Over 100 Jaar by Klein OrkestAlmost 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.Chapters00:00 - Preview00:16 - Hello00:41 - Introduction03:17 - The Signal14:57 - Listener Email from Ukele Yusuf16:26 - Outroduction17:04 - GoodbyeCreditsEpisode Art: Tiki Hut Sunset Dusk by Michelle MariaDiegetic Sounds: Spaceship Ambient SFX by JohnTheme Music: Over 100 Jaar by Klein OrkestAlmost 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.Chapters00:00 - Preview00:11 - Hello00:36 - Introduction00:53 - Space Tripping17:56 - Listener Email from Thomas van Gisteren19:35 - Outroduction20:00 - GoodbyeCreditsEpisode Art: Pink Heat Striped Rag by Sanna JågasDiegetic Sounds: Spaceship Ambient SFX by JohnOpening Theme: Over 100 Jaar by Klein OrkestClosing Theme: The Passenger by Iggy PopAlmost 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.Chapters00:00 - Preview00:21 - Hello00:48 - Introduction04:10 - Monoliths16:08 - Listener Email from Sinas5418:16 - Outroduction18:36 - GoodbyeCreditsEpisode Art: Moving Walkway Roller by HansDiegetic Sounds: Spaceship Ambient SFX by JohnTheme Music: Over 100 Jaar by Klein OrkestAlmost Everything Else: Simon & Dirk★☆☆☆★

July 19, 2026Episode 27517 min

275: ☆ Left Behind

To everybody's surprise, we actually stumbled upon an Earth-like planet on our erratic journey through the universe. Trees, oceans, continents, weather - all the good stuff. Just no animals. A group of passengers decided that they preferred to stay there as opposed to spending the rest of the foreseeable future in a spaceship. That being a pretty big deal, we decided to make it today's topic. Also, we broke our cabin, so we're recording from the shuttle bay / arboretum.To confirm this episode went back in time, please email michaellasagna5@gmail.com with the episode number 275 in the subject line. We may even respond to your message in a future episode.Chapters00:00 - Preview00:17 - Hello00:41 - Introduction03:03 - Left Behind13:48 - Listener Email from Roland17:09 - Outroduction17:42 - GoodbyeCreditsEpisode Art: Big Passion Fruit Flower Blossom by Maya A PDiegetic Sounds: Spaceship Ambient SFX by JohnTheme Music: Over 100 Jaar by Klein OrkestAlmost Everything Else: Simon & Dirk★☆☆☆☆

July 12, 2026Episode 27425 min

274: ☆ The New Reality

A recent survey among the passengers has shown that less than 50% believe we'll ever get back to Earth. If this ship is going to be our new home, it's time to make it a little more homey! How do 23rd century people make things homey, you ask? Well, tune in and find out! Disclaimer: this episode may contain traces of garden gnomes.To confirm this episode went back in time, please email michaellasagna5@gmail.com with the episode number 274 in the subject line. We may even respond to your message in a future episode.Chapters00:00 - Preview00:10 - Hello00:35 - Introduction04:35 - The New Reality22:41 - Listener Email from Qarlos24:37 - Outroduction25:03 - GoodbyeCreditsEpisode Art: Board Game Competition by Rudy and Peter SkitteriansDiegetic Sounds: Spaceship Ambient SFX by JohnTheme Music: Over 100 Jaar by Klein OrkestAlmost Everything Else: Simon & Dirk☆★★★★

July 5, 2026Episode 27328 min

273: ☆ Space Pets

Remember when we booked facilities for a pet? Well, we haven't actually used them, but other passengers have. Some brought pets, some still have them, and some guests suddenly have pets that they didn't have before. Expect to hear more about cats, dogs, blobs and flies in this episode. And obviously about chocolate.To confirm this episode went back in time, please email michaellasagna5@gmail.com with the episode number 273 in the subject line. We may even respond to your message in a future episode.Chapters00:00 - Preview00:09 - Hello00:33 - Introduction05:39 - Space Pets25:25 - Listener Email from Doctorandus P27:52 - Outroduction28:18 - GoodbyeCreditsEpisode Art: Sugar Glider Animal Cute by Nikolett EmmertDiegetic Sounds: Spaceship Ambient SFX by JohnTheme Music: Over 100 Jaar by Klein OrkestAlmost Everything Else: Simon & Dirk☆★★★☆

June 28, 2026Episode 27221 min

272: ☆ Binary Stars

Okay, so maybe a star system with two stars isn't so special, but these ones pulsate! How about them apples? While we're still trying to make our way home, we take this chance encounter as an opportunity to do some proper space research. And between all the Ooga Chakas and Walla Walla Bing Bangs, we do actually manage to decode something live on the show!To confirm this episode went back in time, please email michaellasagna5@gmail.com with the episode number 272 in the subject line. We may even respond to your message in a future episode.Chapters00:00 - Preview00:08 - Hello00:33 - Introduction01:56 - Binary Stars18:24 - Listener Email from Othello21:13 - Outroduction21:36 - GoodbyeCreditsEpisode Art: Exoplanet Exomoon Ocean by AlexandrDiegetic Sounds: Spaceship Ambient SFX by JohnTheme Music: Over 100 Jaar by Klein OrkestAlmost Everything Else: Simon & Dirk☆★★☆★

June 21, 2026Episode 27121 min

271: ☆ Floating About

The crew of Grandaddy is working on a new propulsion method, which needs all the energy and all the bananas they can find. Which means we're currently traveling even slower than usual and have our gravity rationed. But even though we haven't been anywhere interesting recently, we can still talk about all the exciting things that happen on board the ship. Hairy feet, anyone?To confirm this episode went back in time, please email michaellasagna5@gmail.com with the episode number 271 in the subject line. We may even respond to your message in a future episode.Chapters00:00 - Preview00:13 - Hello00:37 - Introduction02:11 - Floating About18:57 - Listener Email from Nanonana20:19 - Outroduction20:43 - GoodbyeCreditsEpisode Art: Banana Fruit Healthy by HansDiegetic Sounds: Spaceship Ambient SFX by JohnOpening Theme: Over 100 Jaar by Klein OrkestClosing Theme: Bad Guy by Falling in ReverseAlmost Everything Else: Simon & Dirk☆★★☆☆

June 14, 2026Episode 27017 min

270: ☆ The Amaze

Imagine a planet made of gold, with seas of quicksilver and its entire surface covered in one big maze. Sounds crazy? Not in space it isn't! Well okay, it ís a little crazy, but still real. And we spent the day trying to solve the maze. Or at least parts of it. On top of that, we have a bit of gossip to start off today's episode!To confirm this episode went back in time, please email michaellasagna5@gmail.com with the episode number 270 in the subject line. We may even respond to your message in a future episode.Chapters00:00 - Preview00:11 - Hello00:35 - Introduction04:28 - The Amaze14:57 - Listener Email from MusicalMandy17:02 - Outroduction17:17 - GoodbyeCreditsEpisode Art: Labyrinth Puzzle Maze by Piro 4DDiegetic Sounds: Spaceship Ambient SFX by JohnTheme Music: Over 100 Jaar by Klein OrkestAlmost Everything Else: Simon & Dirk☆★☆★★