Fact Check: What Is Tbd? Unpacking the 1960S Origins and Modern Tech Resurgence
By Alexander Ross
Outside corporate spreadsheets, the abbreviation has become a cultural shorthand for the volatile intersection of technology, regulation, and human behavior. Slate embraced this ambiguity when launching *What Next: TBD*, a weekly technology podcast hosted by Lizzie O'Leary.
The program treats the abbreviation as an analytical thesis. Episodes confront industries where the immediate future is actively contested, examining automated surveillance, algorithmic labor, and speculative finance. In late 2022, the show examined celebrity-backed financial bubbles through critical reporting featuring actor Ben McKenzie, dissecting why retail investors bought into volatile crypto ecosystems. By framing these discussions under the "TBD" banner, the show highlights how emergent platforms operate without stable guardrails or foregone conclusions.
Alexander Ross has covered the video game industry for a decade, writing deep dives on game design, esports tournaments, VR developments, and gaming culture.
