716: Release the CrackerBot!

Oct 3, 2025

Dave Bittner, host of The Dark Side and a CyberWire contributor, joins to discuss the chaos in tech, including California's AI safety law that has Nvidia's head worried. They dive into the controversy surrounding Disney's cease-and-desist actions against Character.ai, and the growing presence of bots affecting public sentiment. Bittner also explores the shifting landscape of media pacing, pondering whether classic films stand the test of time for newer audiences. Plus, holiday shopping tips featuring an R2-D2 prop from Home Depot add some festive cheer!

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INSIGHT

California's SB53 Raises Reporting Bar

California's SB53 forces frontier AI makers to disclose safety protocols and report incidents publicly.
The hosts doubt enforcement and expect whistleblowers to be the real trigger for disclosure.

insights

INSIGHT

Nvidia's Geopolitical Sales Pitch

Jensen Huang framed geopolitical chip competition as an existential threat to keep sales and policy support flowing.
The hosts view this as PR and salesmanship rather than genuine panic at Nvidia.

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ANECDOTE

Nirvana Cover Lawsuit Dismissed Again

Brian recounts the long-running Spencer Eldon Nirvana album-cover litigation and its dismissal.
The judge noted Eldon's past embrace of the cover, including tattooing the album name on his chest.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

California's AI Safety Law and Nvidia's Response

02:51 • 2min

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Spencer Eldon v. Nirvana Dismissal Explained

05:14 • 2min

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Spotify Leadership Shuffle and Artist Backlash

07:33 • 2min

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Meta's UK Ad-Free Paid Subscription

09:20 • 1min

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UK Digital ID Proposal and Concerns

10:27 • 2min

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OpenAI's New Tools: Sora, Instant Checkout, and Valuation

12:10 • 5min

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Disney vs. Character.ai and AI Actress Controversy

16:48 • 3min

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FCC Leak of iPhone Schematics

20:02 • 2min

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Alphabet's $22M Settlement with Donald Trump

21:32 • 1min

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Was the Cracker Barrel Logo Outrage Manufactured?

Media Picks and Slow Pacing in Modern Shows

26:53 • 5min

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YouTube Music's AI DJs and Creator Tools Concern

31:52 • 1min

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Disney Suspends Kimmel and Subscriber Fallout

33:17 • 35sec

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MLB Network Postseason Rights Frustration

33:52 • 1min

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Apple Journal App, iOS 26 Impressions, and Vision Pro Discussion

35:02 • 4min

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Logitech Solar Keyboard and Peripheral Thoughts

38:50 • 2min

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Amazon Fire TV Moving from Android to Linux

41:18 • 2min

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Neon App's Call-Recording-for-AI Launch and Breach

43:40 • 3min

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Tile Tracker Security Flaws and Stalking Risks

46:50 • 1min

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Perplexity's Comet Browser Release

48:14 • 47sec

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Unexpected Renewals and Subscription Frustrations

49:01 • 1min

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Dave Bittner Guest Segment: Pop Culture and Pacing in Films

50:11 • 9min

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Disney Park Overlays and Vacation Plans

58:50 • 6min

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Home Depot R2-D2 Holiday Props and Holiday Shopping

01:04:21 • 2min

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Introducing Someone New to Star Wars: Viewing Order Debate

01:06:21 • 6min

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Listener Support and Show Donations

• Mentioned in 25 episodes

The Princess Bride

William Goldman

The Princess Bride is a modern fantasy classic that tells the story of Buttercup, one of the world's most beautiful women, and her farm boy lover Westley. The narrative is presented as an 'abridgment' of a nonexistent work by 'S. Morgenstern', allowing Goldman to interject his own commentary and personal anecdotes. The story involves quests for riches, revenge, power, and true love, featuring memorable characters such as the criminal mastermind Vizzini, the giant Fezzik, and the swordsman Inigo Montoya. The tale is filled with swashbuckling adventures, daring feats, and a deep exploration of true love and its challenges.

#90

• Mentioned in 136 episodes

Frankenstein

Mary Shelley

Written in epistolary form, the novel tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a brilliant and ambitious scientist who, driven by Enlightenment-era ideas of progress and science, creates a living being from dead body parts. However, upon seeing the creature come to life, Frankenstein is horrified and abandons it. The creature, shunned by society due to its appearance, seeks revenge against its creator, leading to a series of tragic events. The novel explores themes of guilt, loss, and the emotional and moral consequences of scientific hubris, blending elements of Gothic and Romantic literature.

The world is a dumpster fire, confirmed. Following California's landmark AI safety bill SB 53, the head of Nvidia is allegedly "quaking in his boots"—which is a good sign, unlike the news that the "Nirvana Baby" Spencer Elden's lawsuit was finally dismissed. Meanwhile, corporate America continues its pivot to chaos: Spotify shuffled its execs, Meta is charging UK users for ad-free Facebook and Instagram, and the UK is introducing digital ID cards (Hello, Mark of the Beast). The entire internet is now dominated by bots, proving the Cracker Barrel logo outrage was manufactured, a fact that's somehow less depressing than the FCC accidentally leaking iPhone schematics. Naturally, Alphabet just paid $22 million to settle President Trump’s YouTube lawsuit, confirming that legal threats are the new VC funding. Disney is panicking over an "AI Actress," sending cease and desist letters to Character.AI, while OpenAI rolls out its new Sora app and ChatGPT's ability to buy things for you, proving it's determined to turn the internet into one seamless, copyright-infringing shopping mall, and it's now worth more than Elon Musk's SpaceX.

The ensuing boredom demands new media, though the pacing is terrible in everything: Slow Horses Season 5 and Human: Neanderthal Encounters are great, but even the original Matrix and Frankenstein trailer (by Guillermo del Toro) feel slow, confirming the Princess Bride litmus test. MXV’s Riot Fest photos were rad, and Disney lost 1.7M subs after suspending Kimmel, which is why YouTube Music is testing AI hosts (who will only be wrong), and the Pivot Tour is happening. Our Apps & Doohickeys department confirms security is an afterthought: macOS 26 unlocked the Journal app, but the smart glasses race is fully on, and Logitech’s new keyboard can be recharged by any light (finally, tech that works!). Amazon Fire TV is expected to ditch Android for Linux, Meta introduced the AI-filled Vibes feed, and Tile trackers were found to have a stalking flaw—a fact only slightly more depressing than the swift failure of the Neon call-recording app and the continued existence of the Comet browser. Finally, The Dark Side with Dave celebrated the low-budget charm of Blue Thunder and the necessity of Disney Park Ride Overlays, while Dave embarked on his quest to unbox the Home Depot R2D2. We thank our patrons for keeping this beautiful noise alive and pay tribute to the amazing Jane Goodall.

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Show notes at https://gog.show/716

FOLLOW UP

California Governor Newsom signs landmark AI safety bill SB 53

Nvidia Is Quaking in Its Boots

‘Nirvana Baby’ Spencer Elden’s ‘Nevermind’ Suit Dismissed Again

IN THE NEWS

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