Adam, what's going on? Hey, how's it going? I'm doing good, how are you doing?
Doing pretty good, I'm doing pretty good. That's awesome. So you're a new face to a lot of the LTT viewers.
What do you do here? I'm a writer for working on LTT.
Specifically, I don't have a niche just yet. Like, you know, like, Plouffe is the display guy now
and the keyboard guy. Anthony does GPUs and stuff like that.
I've been kind of dipping my toes in a lot of different things. Like, I've done videos about app.
Like, I worked, helped with some videos on the Mac pros.
I did a video about Apple computer gaming on Apple computers. I've done videos about Chromebooks.
I guess my biggest interests are just kind of like, I like weird stuff.
I like the whole like, why does this exist or very niche stuff,
which can be a problem. If it's too niche, it can be hard to get views
unless it's like a really outrageous looking thing. So I guess what types of videos get you the most excited outside of that?
I'm always really excited to do stuff that's new.
I think it's cool. It's like, it's great when there's like a new technology that's like,
or when people are like, this is taking a technology. So like, look at like IPS and how that technology has grown and matured.
And now we see like IPS displays that are running at like ridiculous refresh rates.
But I think it's way more exciting to be looking at like tech that's like stuff like mini LED or micro LED
where it's like really on the cutting edge and it's like barely even a practical thing.
I love kind of like future tech. And I also love like tech that's designed for like really one specific person in mind
and that goal of trying to make this one person really happy.
So stuff like the X screen where it was like that,
the screen that you could attach to the back of your Xbox. I thought that was amazing.
But like, it only made sense for like the like 12 people.
People were like, oh yeah, people in the Navy would really like that. And I'm like, yeah, this is for the people in the Navy.
I don't know how many people are in the Navy, but like it's not nearly as big of a market segment as you know,
Apple's targeting, but yeah. On that same note, what thing in tech are you most excited about in the future?
In the future, what am I most excited about? I think, OK, for me, I come from a background with neuroscience.
And so the BCI tech, so brain computer interfaces,
has always been really exciting for me. I think that it's not only is it a very exciting avenue
for accessibility research, like making sure that people have ways
that they can, you know, communicate with the outside world, like solving
problems like people with locked in syndrome, which is where you are fully
conscious, but you have no control of your body even to the point where sometimes
you can't even like blink. Right. Like so you have zero ability to communicate things like
so brain computer interfaces can allow you to actually like communicate
with the outside world.
Yeah, like I find that super exciting. And I also think that like in the grand scheme of things, the prospect
of like transhumanism, which is the idea of eventually we're going to become
something more than just human through cybernetic augmentations,
which is like so fricking far in the future.
I doubt it'll even happen in our lifetimes. But I think that's like that's kind of the coolest thing is the idea.
It's also like the scariest thing. It's very much a black mirror kind of episode where it's like, you know,
you could be connected to the internet through your brain. And then the other idea is that, oh, God, you could be connected
through the internet through your brain. So that's what really excites me is stuff like
neurological advancements and stuff like that. Right. Always fascinating. So question for you, if you had the chance to put a chip in your brain
that could act as a computer and connect your brain to the internet, would you do it?
I don't know if I would do it if it was connected to the broader internet. Like, I don't think I would do it, at least in this lifetime.
The issue, I guess, is ideas of security.
I mean, you could argue that, like, you know, Google already has such a,
like Google and other big data companies have such a grasp on,
like, our actual thoughts already that, like, why even care?
But that's kind of defeatist. And I think that people should be working to ensure that they have
privacy and control over their data, because
despite the fact that your data isn't you, it expressly comes from you
and is a representation of the patterns of behaviors and the actions
that you do, which basically make up who you are. And it's weird to be able to just give that kind of level of identity over
to other companies to, like, you know, companies who could be nefarious or otherwise.
I would be down to try putting a chip in my brain if it was a minimally invasive
surgery with a very high level of success.
I don't think I would connect to the broader internet, but it would be cool if it was, like, you know, could connect to devices,
could do stuff like typing out thoughts or creating imagery.
Currently, there's not really a way to do that.
And that research is very far off. Like, most communication technology for neurotech
is, like, still based on, like, really old technologies,
like the P300 type, which uses a specific, like, brainwave
that comes when your attention, when you focus on something and you're looking for something,
and then you see it, right? So if you're going, like, oh, I need, like, I need a thumbtack or something,
and you're looking across your desk, and you see the thumbtack, when you see the thumbtack, your brain goes, like, oh, snap.
And there's a specific, like, pattern of activity that happens when you,
when your attention is, when you've found something. And that's what the P300 takes advantage of,
but basically showing you, like, a big matrix of letters,
and then flashing them, and then eventually when it flashes the one you want, your brain goes, oh, snap.
And then it'll type that letter. It takes a really long time. Right.
It's very, very slow. The brain's still very much a black box of, like, we just don't, like,
we know stuff goes in, we know signals are sent around, we don't know how it all comes out.
That's a really interesting perspective. I mean, it's clear that you definitely have a different background
than just purely tech. So I just want to ask you, what got you interested in joining LMG?
I mean, you have this big neuroscience background.
Like, how did that kind of pivot into what you're doing now? I mean, I've always been, like, a longtime fan of Linus Tech Tips.
Like, I've been watching since, like, Langley House stuff, like.
So I've always been a fan. Always loved computers, loved gaming, loved technology.
It's always been a passion of mine. And I was just like, man, it would be so cool to, like, work and do stuff like that.
And I was creative. I guess it's like, I went into neuroscience with the idea when I was younger.
I was like, I'm going to be a scientist. Like, I am going to make knowledge.
I'm going to create stuff. And then I did that and kind of became disenchanted by the world of academia.
I was like, oh, this is, like, a really messed up system.
And it's a lot of hard work with very little reward at, like, immediate kind of reward.
And I was like, this isn't right for me. So I kind of had to leave.
And I've always been, like, a creative type. Like, I do a lot of, I do, like, a lot of theater and stuff like that.
So I've been doing creative stuff for a long time. So I was like, let's work at LMG.
Like, it would be so cool. It looks amazing on, like, every, all the videos make it look amazing.
It would be so much fun to work there. I love all the tech. And then it happened.
That's really cool to hear. You mentioned that you were really into theater.
In specific, you're really into improv, is that right? I do improv comedy.
I know a white guy doing improv comedy. Like, yeah, I've been doing improv comedy for a better part of, like, when did I start?
Probably when I was, like, 15.
So, like, almost 12 years now. I did improv in high school. Then at university, I ran the improv club at the University of Lethbridge.
I performed at, like, Loose Moose Theater in Calgary. The Cancunauts in Calgary.
I performed out here at the Tightrope Theater in Vancouver.
Yeah, I love it. I've always been, like, a bit of a, I've always loved the spotlight.
So, and I've always been a class clown and stuff like that. So being able to, like, go on stage and just make people laugh has always been,
like, it always feels great. And, like, that's why I love, like, I'm always trying to put in stupid stuff that's funny.
In, like, all of our, every video I write, I'm, like, trying to just find moments to, like, catch people off guard and make them laugh or
do a bizarre intro. And I'm sure the viewers, they all appreciate it.
I've been seeing so many comments talking about the intro specifically and how good they've become.
Thank you. Thank you. I've always, like, I don't know what to do other than just, like, what's the weirdest
thing that I can come up with that seems kind of funny and is, like, at least close enough to relevant.
I remember the one with Linus didn't want to do the intro for the Micron USB.
Oh, that was such a good one. Yeah, I know. With Anthony on the green screen, Linus did not get it.
He was, like, this doesn't, this seems bad. He's, like, if you have a better idea, please change it, but he was super busy.
So we never, like, got around to doing it. And then, like, the next, when we had to go film the intro, I was, like, we're filming
the intro, and he's, like, oh, did you change it? I was, like, no, he's, like, okay.
And so, like, he had zero confidence in it. And then, like, when the video came out and everyone was, like, that intro was incredible,
I was, like, yes. Yes. I showed him.
Felt so vindicated. That's really cool to hear how, like, improv has kind of, like, helped you through this role.
I feel like there's so many things that someone can learn from being an improv.
Do you have any tips for somebody who might want to start getting into it?
Okay, yeah. One thing I've always liked about improv is that I feel like it is very,
it's very applicable to life in general.
Because it is, it's all about thinking on your feet. It's about working with others.
So there's lots of, like, soft social skills that you can take away from it.
The biggest thing that I say, like, especially when I'm running, like,
workshops and stuff like that, is that it's like, you have to, like, embrace failure.
Because if you're going to go and do improv, literally what you're setting your, like,
you're going, hey, I'm going to go on stage in front of an audience.
And I am preparing literally nothing. You're literally setting yourself up to fail.
And it's going to happen. Not everything's going to land. Not everything's going to be perfect.
But being comfortable with failure allows you to, like, you know, take those risks.
And find out what works and what doesn't. And, like, that's the only real way to learn is through messing up a little bit.
And the great thing about improv is that it's like, you're also in a scenario where people, the audience also understands that you have nothing prepared.
So they're a lot more sympathetic to the idea. They're like, well, that's, they're like, you might do, like, a terrible scene.
No one laughs. It was stupid. And they're like, that sucked. But, like, boy, at least I'm not up there.
Like, I've always been like, you ought to embrace failure.
Really, you've got to take it on the chin. And, like, once you learn that failure doesn't actually matter that much,
because we're trained throughout our entire lives to be like, don't fail school,
don't mess anything up. If you mess something up, it's going to be the end of the world.
And, like, 99.9% of the time, it's real failures don't really matter.
They're always bigger, more perceived in our brains. So, like, that's the biggest thing is embrace failure and support your local artists.
Go have fun and, like, go and have fun. Don't worry about being good at it. You're not getting, no one's good at it until, like, you're new at something.
So if you're comfortable with sharing, what has been your biggest failure in improv?
I don't have a story about failure in improv, but I do have an interesting story about failure.
So I actually applied to work here, like, two years ago, maybe almost three at this point.
Oh, really? And I didn't get the job.
And basically what happened was that I applied, I sent in my script and stuff like that,
and I got to the, like, get to know you phase.
I got to the interview with Linus. And what happened was that it was, like, it was booked for after, like, work hours.
It was booked on a Tuesday evening. It was when we were going to have a phone call and do a phone interview.
And at the time, I was working at an escape room.
And I was supposed to have the evening off. But last minute, both the people that were supposed to be there called in sick.
So the manager needed, like, somebody else to come in.
I was like, okay, I can come in, but, like, I do have a job interview.
My managers are super chill. And they also, it was an escape room. They knew that no one was staying there for, like, a long time.
So they weren't, like, mad. I was like, I have a job interview.
So I will need, like, a dedicated half hour to 45 minutes off.
And they were like, that's cool. Tuesday nights, it's an escape room.
It's not going to be that busy, right? Like, who was like, it's Tuesday night.
Let's go. So I was like, okay, it shouldn't be a big worry.
But, like, right before I have the interview, like, three or four different groups
all come at the exact same time. Oh, my God. So we're immediately slammed. And so I have to, like, get everything set up, get, like, the rooms running,
get people into the rooms, and then hand everything off to my manager, who can, like, kind of juggle the three rooms at the same time.
And you might be thinking right now, why didn't you just reschedule the interview?
And that is what I should have done. I should have just been like, crap, sorry, Linus.
I got called in to work. Can we reschedule? Yes, that is the thing I should have done.
But I was like, oh, no, I don't want to mess it up. I don't want to be, like, inconvenient.
I don't know. It was dumb. I was young. I was younger. I was worried. I was like, if I'm inconvenient, he's going to be like, boo.
And I was like, no, he's not. Stuff pops up all the time. If he's interested in, yeah.
Now I know, if somebody's interested in interviewing you, they're going to be interested in interviewing you,
regardless of whether it's at this night or the next night.
So, like, don't feel bad about having to reschedule. So, like, I ended up being, like, doing this interview.
And, like, I was totally frazzled. I was, like, literally out of breath on top of being scared,
because I was talking to Linus. And I was, like, I've been watching Linus for, like,
I was, there's definitely some starstruckness there. And, like, I was, like, he literally asked me, like,
did you, like, run up a flight of stairs? You're, like, breathing really heavy. And I was, like, uh, yeah.
This is a completely flat building. There was no stairs at all.
Yeah. And so I kiboshed the interview. I do a bad job. He asked me at one point.
He was, like, you studied neuroscience, but you haven't really done much with it since you've left universities.
And I just went, like, yeah. Like, that literally was my reply.
Oh, man. Like, I just had, and I just kiboshed, and I didn't explain the whole thing about how, like,
you know, I fell out of love with, like, the academic world. And now I was just kind of just moving out of school,
moving back, trying to find work. I could have given him a very great explanation
as to why I hadn't been doing neuroscience stuff.
And, uh, I didn't.
And so I didn't, and so I didn't make it, I didn't get hired.
Right. Um, but interesting, six months later,
he called me, um, they, or sent me an email,
and he was, like, hey, we need a script for Techquickie.
Can we use yours? Can we contract you, and you just use the script
you sent in as a, uh, as an application? Right. And I was, like, yeah.
So my first video on the, at Linus Media Group
is actually, like, two years ago on Techquickie, and you can find my names on it.
It is Adam Sondergaard. It is about brain-computer interfaces.
I did that, and then I applied again, like, I applied again the next, uh, the next time,
and then the rest is history. There you go.
So that, I mean, it goes to show, like, go for it. Like, I'll try, because you don't know,
like, I never would have gotten the opportunity to have, like, a script be filmed and put on the internet.
I never would have gotten that if I didn't apply and mess up the application.
And then I was like, well, I messed up whatever. I'll apply again.
So. You miss all the shots you don't take? Yeah, you miss 100% of the shots you don't take.
Michael Scott, Wayne Gretzky. Or Wayne Gretzky, Michael Scott.
Adam Sondergaard. Also, you're a big music guy, is that right?
Yes, huge music fan. What's your favorite genre?
I guess, like, I don't really have a favorite genre, but I tend towards, treat it like guitar-based music,
probably, like, alt-rock kind of stuff, usually heavier,
maybe some stonery kind of stuff. I like a lot of prog, you know.
I like the Weedley-Weedley music. I like that.
Like, if it's needlessly intelligent
and a little bit show-off-y, I'm usually like... That's all you. I mean, it's usually kind of my jam.
I try to make sure I listen to a wide selection of music,
but there's stuff that I'm not very familiar with. Like, I don't listen to, like, not too familiar with,
like, mainstream country or stuff like reggae
or significant portions of, like, classical music or modern orchestral.
I only really dabble in all of those. Totally fair.
Who are your favorite artists, then? Right now, I've listened to a lot of Black Country New Road.
Their album, Ants, from up there is absolutely incredible.
I think one of the best albums in the past five years, easily.
I've been very into Steely Dan in the past couple of years. I just got into them about a year ago
and have been devouring their whole catalog. It's genius.
Long-term favorite bands. There's a Canadian band. They're like a math metal slash prog band.
They're called Protest the Hero. Love those guys.
Mastodon has always been really one of my favorite bands.
Who else am I? Obviously Radiohead, like, huge Radiohead fan.
Trying to think of who else I'm a really big fan of. I like Beck.
Beck's freaking amazing. Kendrick Lamar. I'm a big, huge Beastie Boys fan, too.
Yeah, there's too many bands that I love. It's something to name just a few favorites.
That's totally fair. What do you think your most played song this year is, though?
I can pull it up. Oh, okay. Just in 2022?
You can see that my most listened to songs are all Steely Dan.
Oh, wow. But that's because I had a big phase. Anyways, Adam, thanks so much for your time.
Looking forward to seeing your future videos. Keep an eye out for weird shit.