The Human Firewall: Open Source Firmware and the Fight Against Digital Predators with Josh at WLTechBlog

Josh joined me on the Star River on Feb 27, 2026.

Let's see where the currents took us...

🎧 This episode is coming soon!

Come back on March 31st at 2:00pm Eastern to listen!

Is our technology a bridge to the stars, or a back door into our private lives? Josh and I take a deep dive to find out.

On this journey down the Star River, the current has led me to Josh at WLTechBlog - a digital nomad, technologist, and security expert who navigates the invisible currents of our online world.

We dive into the "code" of modern living, from the ethics of closed-source security cameras (and superior open-source firmware like Thingino) to the reality of life as a digital nomad. But the conversation turns deeply personal as Josh shares a cautionary tale about elder financial scams - a stark reminder that in our high-tech age, the most dangerous "bugs" are often found in human psychology.

In this episode, we navigate:

  • The Thingino Project: A look at open-source IP camera firmware and why taking control of your hardware is the ultimate act of digital sovereignty.
  • The Digital Nomad Life: What it really looks like to work and travel through the "Radio Quiet" parts of the world while staying connected.
  • The Human Hack: A breakdown of how elder financial scams operate and what we can do to protect our families from increasingly sophisticated digital predators.
  • The Ritual: Finding a sense of security and "home" in the infinite, even when your office is wherever the signal finds you.

Whether you're a firmware tinkerer or just someone trying to keep your loved ones safe in a connected world, Josh's story is a vital map for the modern age.


About Josh

Security and privacy advocate, digital nomad, Thingino camera firmware developer, and more.

He is:

The Cosmic Vintage

Astropotamus Josh
Water Gatorade in a mug from Buc-ees.
Connects all live on Earth and a symbol of The River itself. Smooth and refreshing.

The River's currents may have ended here for the day, but the journey continues at astropotamus.com. You can find more Star River episodes, equipment reviews, general articles and how-to information about astrophotography, and lots more on this website. If you'd like to lend your support to my production efforts, there's a list of ways you can help out on my support page.

When you're ready to wade deeper into the current, join your fellow time travelers on the Star River Discord. We're all traveling this river together - and whether you want to join the crew in our chat or even become a guest on the show, I'd love to have you aboard.

Until the next bend in the river... clear skies, and I'll see you in the dark!

-Astropotamus