Betting has infiltrated nearly every part of our culture.

Attending a sporting event? You’re surrounded by ads for DraftKings and FanDuel. Watching the Oscars? You can bet on that too. There’s even a market for betting on the upcoming midterm elections. No matter where you look, betting is everywhere.

Sam is joined by tech journalist Max Read to unpack how gambling became omnipresent, how prediction markets are already influencing the entertainment we consume, and what we stand to lose as a culture in a world that rewards algorithmic slop.

Max’s latest piece in the New York Times Magazine is titled “How Everything Became Gambling.” He’s also hosting the ‘Hard Fork’ podcast.

Check out more reporting in his ‘Read Max’ newsletter.

The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.

Recently, Sam watched 'The Social Reckoning,' the long awaited sequel to 2010’s 'The Social Network.'

It’s part of a long roster of tech villain films and documentaries coming out this fall that Sam finds annoying. The movies are long, the characters are underbaked, and by the end of the film he’s often left wondering … what did audiences get out of it?

'Vulture' critic Angelica Jade Bastién joins Sam to unpack Hollywood’s obsession with big tech, how these films signal the industry’s return to whiteness, and what viewers should be asking themselves as they head to the theaters.

The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.

Everyone is way past their ‘15 minutes of fame.’

In today's episode, Sam is joined by culture journalists Lindsey Weber and Bobby Finger, hosts of the ’Who? Weekly’ podcast to break down modern stardom.

From influencers, to actors, to pop stars — becoming famous has never been easier. But becoming a household name is nearly impossible. Together they unpack how the demise of monoculture has entirely changed the celebrity landscape, why pop stars can’t rely on chart success for mainstream fame, and how every celebrity is selling something … whether it’s a brand or themselves.

Bobby and Lindsay also have a new book! It’s called ‘I Want To Be Famous: When Everybody And Nobody Is A Celebrity.’

PLUS! The Sam Sanders Show has been nominated for three Signal Awards! Vote for us below by October 15 to help us bring home the win.

• Best Pop Culture Show

• Best Video Podcast Episode

• Best Pop Culture Episode with comedian Chris Fleming