Grumpy Old Geeks

This week on Grumpy Old Geeks: FOLLOW UP kicks off with Manus madness, a $2 million ticket to Trump’s crypto cash-grab, and Elon’s Boring Company worming its way into an $8 billion Amtrak boondoggle. Meanwhile, CryptoPunks gets handed off to a nonprofit like an expired Groupon—proof the NFT hype cycle ends with a 501(c)(3) and a shrug.IN THE NEWS, Microsoft trims another 3% of its workforce while a former Metaverse engineer delivers DoorDash from a trailer—living proof that “the future of work” is just working for the apps. Klarna quietly admits AI sucks at customer service and hires back actual people, just as OpenAI’s reasoning models hit the brakes. The Pope wants to exorcise AI, Elon’s backfiring Copyright Office coup leaves him empty-handed, and YouTube starts banning AI-faked trailers that made Screen Culture money off Marvel lies. Jamie Lee Curtis goes full Final Girl on Zuckerberg, and Tesla drama ramps up: robotaxis under investigation, employees revolting, and one poor dealership manager gets canned for telling the truth about ol’ Musky. Oh, and scientists say the universe might die sooner than expected—cool cool cool.In MEDIA CANDY, Murderbot arrives May 16, NIN launches the Future Ruins Festival, and Star Trek and Star Wars both dig up classic soundtracks for some retro feels. Jessica Jones returns in Daredevil: Born Again, Fallout gets Seasons 2 and 3, and even Nobody 2 is back for more murder-dad mayhem. In THE DARK SIDE WITH DAVE, Mr. Bittner shares two truly bleak customer service horror stories and gets bamboozled by a flower shop on Brian’s birthday (happy birthday, Brian!). Also: animatronic Mickey Mouse serves popcorn, Walt Disney’s ghost haunts the parks, Muppets get a pre-show for their 70th, and yes, there’s a guide to toilet-training your cat. Because sure, why not. Closing shout-out? Everyone is entitled to my own opinion.Sponsors:Insta360 - The first 30 people who use code “gog” at store.insta360.com get a free 45” invisible selfie stick worth $25!DeleteMe - Head over to JoinDeleteMe.com/GOG and use the code "GOG" for 20% off.Private Internet Access - Go to GOG.Show/vpn and sign up today. For a limited time only, you can get OUR favorite VPN for as little as $2.03 a month.SetApp - With a single monthly subscription you get 240+ apps for your Mac. Go to SetApp and get started today!!!1Password - Get a great deal on the only password manager recommended by Grumpy Old Geeks! gog.show/1passwordShow notes at https://gog.show/697FOLLOW UPLeave it to ManusA VIP Seat at Donald Trump’s Crypto Dinner Cost at Least $2 MillionElon’s Boring Company Is ‘Helping’ the Government With an $8 Billion Amtrak Tunnel ProjectCryptoPunks was just sold to a nonprofitIN THE NEWSMicrosoft is laying off 3 percent of its global workforceLaid-Off Metaverse Engineer Says He Is DoorDashing and Living in a TrailerSilicon Valley’s Elusive Fantasy of a Computer as Smart as YouKlarna Hiring Back Human Help After Going All-In on AIImprovements in 'reasoning' AI models may slow down soon, analysis findsThe New Pope Wants to Take on AIElon Musk’s apparent power play at the Copyright Office completely backfiredCopyright Office head fired after reporting AI training isn’t always fair useYouTube Cracks Down on Fake Movie Trailer Channels Making MoneyJamie Lee Curtis publicly shamed Mark Zuckerberg to remove a deepfaked adTesla's robotaxi plans have the attention of federal investigatorsA Tesla Dealership Manager Blamed Elon Musk for Tanking Sales and Was Immediately FiredTesla Employees Against ElonOpen Letter to ElonOpen Letter to Elon - @openletter2elonScientists Just Moved Up the Death Date of the UniverseMEDIA CANDYMurderbot premiers May 16thStar Trek: The Wrath of Khan Original Motion Picture SoundtrackStar Wars: The Empire Strikes Back Original Motion Picture SoundtrackNine Inch Nails Announce Future Ruins Festival, Celebrating Influential Music ComposersAndorRogue OneLong Way HomeKrysten Ritter Will Return as Jessica Jones in Daredevil: Born Again Season 2Fallout Season 2 Coming in December and Season 3 Is a GoNobody 2 | Official TrailerSuperman | Official Trailer | DCStar Trek: Strange New Worlds Finally Returns This JulyStar Trek: Prodigy May Need a New Home Again SoonESPN's streaming service will cost up to $30 per month and be called... ESPNFox One is a new streaming service that should launch before SeptemberMax Renamed HBO Max as Warner Bros. Discovery Gives UpLived Through That - Episode 76 - Andy PrieboyTHE DARK SIDE WITH DAVEDave BittnerThe CyberWireHacking HumansCaveatControl LoopOnly Malware in the BuildingA SpaceX Employee Says He Was Fired for the Most Insane ReasonYou Can Now Eat Popcorn Out of a Moving, Talking Mickey Mouse at DisneylandDisney Says It Made Its Walt Disney Robot to Remind Fans He Was an Actual PersonDisneyland Didn’t Want to Do the Muppets Totally Dirty for Their 70th AnniversaryMuppets Pre-Show for World of Color Happiness! at Disneyland Resort for 70th AnniversaryHow to Toilet-Train Your Cat: 21 Days to a Litter-Free HomeHow to Toilet-Train Your Cat: 21 Days to a Litter-Free Home DownloadCLOSING SHOUT-OUTSeveryone is entitled to my own opinionSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of Grumpy Old Geeks, we’re serving up a buffet of dystopia with a side of snark. First, Kuwait has finally realized crypto bros are an energy drain, not a feature. Celsius Network’s founder gets 12 years for running a “safe investment” Ponzi scheme. And in Lopez v. Apple, we find yet another reason to question Cupertino’s moral compass.Then it’s time for a trip through the tech trash fire. DoorDash gobbles up Deliveroo, proving there’s no such thing as too many overpriced salads. Google wants your kids to befriend Gemini—because what could go wrong giving tweens supervised AI access? Tesla’s “Robotaxi” trademark gets the boot for being as generic as Elon’s pickup lines. Meanwhile, Grok strips in public, deepfake porn sites get the axe, and dating app “Raw” rawdogs user data like it’s the early 2000s internet. We also hit peak Black Mirror with brain-typed tweets, AI-resurrected relatives, and crypto kidnappers playing real-life GTA.On Media Candy, the streaming overlords dump trailers like Halloween candy. Squid Game is back to traumatize you, Star Trek: Lower Decks keeps boldly going where no animated series should, and The Old Guard 2 teases a Theron-vs-Thurman sword fight. Plus, Apple’s UX team found the “enhance” button, Netflix wants to be helpful (lol), and Google dreams of becoming a Hollywood darling. Over in Apps & Doodads, Apple wants to stagger iPhone drops, Disney sells you a $3,000 droid with zero sass, and Smart Flowerpots are now a thing because apparently, you can’t be trusted to water your plant.And finally, it’s time for The Dark Side with Dave, where Bittner brings us malware, click tracks, fake vocals, and the shocking truth about KISS’s lipsync disaster in Antwerp. We also dip into ILM’s jaw-dropping legacy, Star Wars’ shady back alleys, and a new Disneyland in Abu Dhabi, because nothing says “happiest place on Earth” like 120°F desert heat. All this and more, right here on your favorite snark-fueled ragecastSponsors:DeleteMe - Head over to JoinDeleteMe.com/GOG and use the code "GOG" for 20% off.Private Internet Access - Go to GOG.Show/vpn and sign up today. For a limited time only, you can get OUR favorite VPN for as little as $2.03 a month.SetApp - With a single monthly subscription you get 240+ apps for your Mac. Go to SetApp and get started today!!!1Password - Get a great deal on the only password manager recommended by Grumpy Old Geeks! gog.show/1passwordShow notes at https://gog.show/696FOLLOW UPKuwait cracks down on crypto miners to cut down on electricity usageFounder of crypto platform Celsius Network is sentenced to 12 years in prisonLopez v. Apple Inc.IN THE NEWSDoorDash is buying British rival Deliveroo for $3.9 billionShrinking Website Run By Nazi Psychopath Wants to Improve Its ImageTesla 'Robotaxi' trademark refused for being too genericKids under 13 will soon get supervised access to Google GeminiPeople Are Losing Loved Ones to AI-Fueled Spiritual FantasiesNonverbal Neuralink Patient Is Using Brain Implant and Grok to Generate RepliesElon Musk's Grok AI Will 'Remove Her Clothes' In Public, On XDating App ‘Raw’ Accidentally Rawdogs Users’ Location Data, Personal InfoGlobalX, Airline for Trump’s Deportations, HackedU.S. pushes nations facing tariffs to approve Musk’s Starlink, cables showLeading deepfake porn site is shut down for goodLehigh County's $500 Million Pension Fund Halts Tesla InvestmentsNOAA Warns of Attacks on Radar Systems by Militia That Thinks They Are ‘Weather Weapons’Family Uses AI To Revive Dead Brother For Impact Statement in Killer’s TrialWe have reached the “severed fingers and abductions” stage of the crypto revolutionMEDIA CANDYStar Trek: Lower DecksSpring Baking ChampionshipUnveiling Our Innovative New TV Experience Featuring Enhanced Design, Responsive Recommendations and a New Way to SearchApple renews Seth Rogen’s Hollywood satire 'The Studio' for season two ahead of finaleThe End Is Here in the First Trailer for Squid Game 3The Long Walk (2025) Official TrailerThe Third Crisis dawns in Foundation S3 teaserNew Old Guard 2 Trailer Sees Charlize Theron Cross Swords With Uma ThurmanThe best travel show on Apple TV+ just made its triumphant returnPoker Face Season 2Google is reportedly getting back into film and TV with a tech-friendly production initiativeGolden Globes Adding Best Podcast Category Beginning In 2026APPS & DOODADSApple reportedly wants to split up the iPhone’s release scheduleApple to add AI search partners to Safari as Google usage fallsPatreon update lets U.S. fans bypass Apple’s 30% fee in iOS app, more changes comingApps like Kindle are already taking advantage of court-mandated iOS App Store changeDisney’s Got a Star Wars Droid to Sell You…for $3,000Smart Flowerpots,Smart Pet Planter,Ai Planter,Intelligent Flowerpots,Multiple Expressions,7 Smart Sensors, and Ai Chips Make Raising Plants Easy and Fun for Living Room,Plant-Free,YellowTrump administration plans to shutter money-saving Energy Star programTHE DARK SIDE WITH DAVEDave BittnerThe CyberWireHacking HumansCaveatControl LoopOnly Malware in the BuildingIndustrial Light & Magic: Into the Digital RealmIndustrial Light & Magic: The Art of Special EffectsIndustrial Light & Magic: 50 Years of InnovationDigital Dreams: The Work of the Sony Design CenterAndorStar Wars: Tales of the UnderworldDisney Just Announced a Brand New Theme Park: Disneyland Abu DhabiKISS : Total Lip Sync Fail in Antwerp Belgium 6 June 2022KISS In Ear Monitor Feed with Click Track, Cues and FAKE VOCALS The Smoking Gun Eddie TrunkSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of Grumpy Old Geeks—Mad Hatter edition—we kick things off with a refresher on Staingate and the joys of delamination (spoiler: it’s not a spa treatment). Then we dive into the U.S. government’s latest tech innovation: buying up domains that sound like QAnon Mad Libs in support of Trump’s meme coin. Meanwhile, DOGE decided to hand the steering wheel of housing regulations to a college kid and an AI. What could possibly go wrong? Not to be outdone, Elon shows up to a Trump meeting wearing two hats—one for each of his unchecked egos—and MoviePass launches a crypto-tied box office fantasy league, because we’ve clearly learned nothing.In the actual news, 4chan has risen from the dead like a less hygienic Lazarus, but it’s still broken (shocker). Worldcoin’s eyeball-scanning overlords are now teaming up with Tinder and Visa—romance and capitalism, together at last. Bitcoin mining is officially more pointless than Beanie Babies, and Microsoft says AI now writes 30% of its code—explains a lot, really. Meta somehow manages to forecast $1.4 trillion in AI revenue while also letting its bots get horny with minors. Meanwhile, Pinterest suddenly pretends to care about AI slop (while being the biggest copyright vampire online), and ChatGPT gets less clingy after OpenAI dials back its update that made it sound like your overly supportive aunt. Plus: more AI lies, shady benchmarks, pillow guy legal drama, and a reminder that North Korean remote workers also hate awkward small talk.We cool off with a Media Candy binge: Schmactors Season 2 is here, Andor returns, Conclave confuses us in the best way, and Ryan Coogler is giving X-Files a reboot we probably don’t deserve. Jeremy Renner turns down Disney’s lowball Hawkeye offer (respect), and musically we vibe with Maria Somerville and Anka Wolbert’s latest releases. In Apps & Doodads, Apple and Epic are back in court, Apple Arcade keeps feeding us Mahjong, and Meta’s Ray-Bans go full Stasi. Lyft wants your boomer parents off the road, and Google is sunsetting old Nest thermostats like it’s Logan’s Run for smart homes. Finally, we peek At the Library with Jason Pargin’s black box paranoia, Scalzi’s lunar love story, and a massive stack of sci-fi, fantasy, and horror. Rounding out the show: a shout-out to The Alarm’s Mike Peters, gone too soon at 66.Sponsors:DeleteMe - Head over to JoinDeleteMe.com/GOG and use the code "GOG" for 20% off.Private Internet Access - Go to GOG.Show/vpn and sign up today. For a limited time only, you can get OUR favorite VPN for as little as $2.03 a month.SetApp - With a single monthly subscription you get 240+ apps for your Mac. Go to SetApp and get started today!!!1Password - Get a great deal on the only password manager recommended by Grumpy Old Geeks! gog.show/1passwordShow notes at https://gog.show/695FOLLOW UPStaingate 101: What is Delamination?US Government Registered Several Websites Potentially Linked to Trump Meme CoinDOGE Recruits College Kid to Help Rewrite Housing Regulations With AIElon Wears Two Hats During Trump Meeting in Desperate Bid for AttentionMoviePass Launches Box Office Betting Platform Unfortunately Tied to CryptoIN THE NEWS4chan is back after a nearly two-week shutdown, but it still has some serious problemsWorld partners with Tinder, Visa to bring its ID-verifying tech to more placesBitcoin Mining Is No Longer Worth itMicrosoft CEO says up to 30% of the company's code was written by AIMeta’s AI chatbots were reportedly able to engage in sexual conversations with minorsMeta forecasted it would make $1.4T in revenue from generative AI by 2035OpenAI rolls back update that made ChatGPT a sycophantic messStudy accuses LM Arena of helping top AI labs game its benchmarkLawyer for MyPillow Founder Filed AI-Generated Brief with ‘Nearly 30’ Bogus CitationsPinterest launches new tools to fight AI slopTime saved by AI offset by new work created, study suggestsUndercover North Korean Remote Workers Hate This One Weird QuestionMEDIA CANDYSchmactors Season 2!AndorConclaveRyan Coogler Confirms X-Files Reboot Is His Next ProjectJeremy Renner Says Disney Offered Him Half His Hawkeye Wage for Season 2Maria Somerville - LusterAnka Wolbert - Cocoon TimeAPPS & DOODADSEpic Games just scored a win against AppleApple updates its App Store guidelines to allow external payment optionsMeta Is Turning Its Ray-Bans Into a Surveillance Machine for AIApple Arcade Mahjong Titan+Lyft Silver wants to keep your aging parents off the roadGoogle is cutting off support for these older Nest Thermostats — what you need to knowAT THE LIBRARYI'm Starting to Worry About This Black Box of Doom: A Novel by Jason Pargin63 New Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Horror Books Arriving in MayWhen the Moon Hits Your Eye by John ScalziCLOSING SHOUT-OUTSThe Alarm frontman Mike Peters dies aged 66See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Grumpy Old Geeks, Fyre Festival rises from the ashes yet again—but not as a festival, because even Billy McFarland finally figured out he’s better at selling pipe dreams than tents. Meanwhile, Amazon and Microsoft are tapping the brakes on their AI data center dreams, Google’s AI keeps confidently explaining made-up nonsense like it’s gospel, and Kevin Roose once again tries to convince us to have empathy for the glorified autocomplete machines. (Spoiler: We won’t.) Also, OpenAI wants to buy Chrome even though they can barely afford their own lunch tabs, Perplexity says the quiet part loud about stalking your browser habits, and Meta lays off more VR developers while pretending they care about human rights.In the “it’s all stupid, but at least it’s entertaining” department: Uber gets sued for making it harder to cancel than joining Scientology, Adam Neumann dupes investors again, sperm racing is now a real thing (and yes, there’s crypto involved), and Bluesky caves to the almighty blue checkmark. Plus, Affinity Suite reminds us you don’t have to sell a kidney to escape Adobe, The Wheel of Time gets an open-world game that’ll probably drop after the heat death of the universe, and Wednesday Season 2 is on the way, because Netflix refuses to let its only hits rest.Stick around for The Dark Side with Dave where we grumble about Andor Season 2, lament bad writing decisions, geek out over old-school arcade games, and learn that memory colors are apparently a thing. Oh, and if you’re feeling fancy, go ahead and thank ChatGPT for wasting millions in server bills—because if Sam Altman’s crying about manners costing money, we’re grabbing the popcorn.Sponsors:Insta360 - The first 30 people who use code “gog” at store.insta360.com get a free 45” invisible selfie stick worth $25!DeleteMe - Head over to JoinDeleteMe.com/GOG and use the code "GOG" for 20% off.Private Internet Access - Go to GOG.Show/vpn and sign up today. For a limited time only, you can get OUR favorite VPN for as little as $2.03 a month.SetApp - With a single monthly subscription you get 240+ apps for your Mac. Go to SetApp and get started today!!!1Password - Get a great deal on the only password manager recommended by Grumpy Old Geeks! gog.show/1passwordShow notes at https://gog.show/694FOLLOW UPFyre Festival is becoming a music streaming service that might not be a scam this timeBilly McFarland Is Selling Fyre FestIN THE NEWSAmazon Follows Microsoft in Retreat From Ambitious AI Data Center PlansYou can trick Google's AI Overviews into explaining made-up idiomsDan Rather’s Metaphors Anchored in Folksy TruismsIf A.I. Systems Become Conscious, Should They Have Rights?A Strange Phrase Keeps Turning Up in Scientific Papers, But Why?Google will keep third-party tracking cookies on Chrome as they areOpenAI wants to buy Chrome and make it an “AI-first” experiencePerplexity CEO says its browser will track everything users do online to sell 'hyper personalized' adsChatGPT’s responses will now include Washington Post articlesSam Altman Admits That Saying "Please" and "Thank You" to ChatGPT Is Wasting Millions of Dollars in Computing PowerFTC sues Uber over claims the company makes subscriptions hard to cancelMeta conducts layoffs in Oculus Studios, impacting VR exercise app SupernaturalMeta’s Oversight Board Is Worried Meta’s New Policies Will Harm Human RightsAdam Neumann’s Flow raises $100M+, more than doubles valuation to $2.5BChinese AI startup Manus reportedly gets funding from Benchmark at $500M valuationTwo Guys, One Track: Sperm Racing Is Now a Thing—Yes, It Involves CryptoRAMMS+EIN - 14.12.1997 – Palladium, Los Angeles, CA, United StatesMEDIA CANDYThe PittThe Last of UsCompanionThe OrderWednesday: Season 2 | Official Teaser Trailer | NetflixApple TV+ has its own spin on Indiana Jones, and it looks epicRiot Fest 2025APPS & DOODADSBluesky is getting blue checkmarks and an official verification systemAffinity Suite 2.6The Wheel of Time Is Getting Its Own Open-World RPG Video GameTHE DARK SIDE WITH DAVEDave BittnerThe CyberWireHacking HumansCaveatControl LoopOnly Malware in the BuildingAndor Season 2The Glorious, Terrible Delirium of Mon Mothma’s Liberating Andor MomentLight & Magic Season 2Strong Songs - The Music of the MuppetsArcade Game: Lunar Lander (1979 Atari)When arcade games were boring.Hard Drivin' - ArcadeTempestMemory ColorsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, we blast off with a tale as old as grift: Fyre Fest 2 has been postponed—again—proving that you really can fail upward if you squint hard enough and wear enough white linen. Over at Automattic, employees discovered secret watermarks in their internal comms, because what workplace isn’t better with a sprinkle of corporate surveillance cosplay? Meanwhile, Katy Perry took a joyride to the upper atmosphere with Gayle King and Bezos’ better half, giving us the 2025 edition of the cringiest “Imagine”-style celebrity moment yet. Spoiler: no one needed this.In Elon World™, things are somehow even weirder. Seth Rogen dropped some truth bombs about Silicon Valley’s MAGA leanings, only to have them surgically removed from the Breakthrough Prize stream. Musk, for his part, is managing his growing empire of baby mamas like a Bond villain with a baby registry. Add in a cringe-filled offer to a YouTuber to become Space Karen’s next broodmare, and we’ve officially entered peak simulation. Meanwhile, whistleblowers are spilling DOGE secrets, OpenAI is building a social network (because we clearly don’t have enough doomscrolling options), and 4chan has finally been hacked into oblivion. Pour one out—for the internet’s dumpster fire.Also in the news: Google lost a big ad tech monopoly case (cue tiny violins), China is no longer buying the “autonomous” car hype after a fatal crash, and Trump’s FCC chair is threatening Comcast for not being enough like Fox News (as if that’s the journalistic gold standard). The Pentagon’s nerd squad resigned after butting heads with DOGE, Reality Labs burned $45 billion like it was going out of style, and AI customer service bots are now inventing policies out of thin air. Oh, and if your AI thinks your Python package has a delivery issue—you’re not crazy, it probably hallucinated it. Welcome to the future.Sponsors:Private Internet Access - Go to GOG.Show/vpn and sign up today. For a limited time only, you can get OUR favorite VPN for as little as $2.03 a month.SetApp - With a single monthly subscription you get 240+ apps for your Mac. Go to SetApp and get started today!!!1Password - Get a great deal on the only password manager recommended by Grumpy Old Geeks! gog.show/1passwordShow notes at https://gog.show/693FOLLOW UPFyre Fest 2 Postponed: “New Date Will Be Announced”Following Layoffs, Automattic Employees Discover Leak-Catching WatermarksIN THE NEWSUnfortunately for Katy Perry, That “Space Flight” Turned Out Exactly How We All Knew It WouldWe Finally Have 2025’s “Imagine” VideoLet them eat spaceSeth Rogen’s Criticism of Silicon Valley’s Support for Trump Was Cut From the “Full” Stream of Breakthrough PrizeThe Tactics Elon Musk Uses to Manage His ‘Legion’ of Babies—and Their MothersGlamorous influencer Tiffany Fong breaks silence on Elon Musk's 'offer to impregnate her' with shocking statementA whistleblower's disclosure details how DOGE may have taken sensitive labor dataElectronics exempted from reciprocal tariffs will soon be subject to new semiconductor tariffs insteadGoogle loses ad tech monopoly caseChina cracks down on 'autonomous' car claims after fatal accidentTrump’s FCC chair threatens Comcast, demands changes to NBC news coverageOpenAI is building a social network4chan Likely Gone Forever After Hackers Take ControlCompany apologizes after AI support agent invents policy that causes user uproarPentagon tech unit resigns after clash with Musk's DOGEWhat Does a Corrupt Election Look Like?Tesla puts finishing touches on Hollywood charge-n-dinerInside the $45 billion cash burn at Reality LabsWe Have a Package for You! A Comprehensive Analysis of Package Hallucinations by Code Generating LLMsThe business of the AI labs by Max BolingbrokeMEDIA CANDYKilling an Arab on PandoraApple’s ‘Mythic Quest’ is ending with an updated Season 4 finaleSide QuestNight of the ZoopocalypseBlack MirrorDaredevilThe Last of UsG2028 Years Later Rises From the Grave With a New Trailer'Real Time' host Bill Maher says President Trump was "gracious" and "not fake" during his White House visit.Bringing Down a DictatorBlueprint for Revolution: How to Use Rice Pudding, Lego Men, and Other Nonviolent Techniques to Galvanize Communities, Overthrow Dictators, or Simply Change the World by Srdja PopovicAPPS & DOODADSApple is reportedly working on two new versions of the Vision ProIlya Bezdelev 🎙️ metacast.appMetacast Ep. 68: Q1 Update - new features, struggles, hopeSpotify was down – here's everything we know about its huge outageAT THE LIBRARYBritish authors want Meta to answer for alleged copyright infringementAmazon will use AI to generate recaps for book series on the Kindle‪David Schachner on BlueSkyThe Warehouse by Rob HartBlood in the Machine: The Origins of the Rebellion Against Big Tech by Brian MerchantThe AI Con: How to Fight Big Tech's Hype and Create the Future We Want by Emily M. Bender and Alex HannaLamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal by Christopher MooreLollapalooza: The Uncensored Story of Alternative Rock's Wildest Festival by Richard Bienstock & Tom BeajourI'm Starting to Worry About This Black Box of Doom: A Novel by Jason ParginTHE DARK SIDE WITH DAVEDave BittnerThe CyberWireHacking HumansCaveatControl LoopOnly Malware in the BuildingDisney Teases Its Adventurous New Lion King and Up RidesThe Star Wars that George Lucas didn't want you to see is coming to the big screenSTAR WARS in the UK (1977)‘End of an era’: The last RadioShack in Maryland is closing its doorsThe Alligator King and his seven sons.Sesame Street: Alligator KingLadybug picnicLowercase NLetter BCLOSING SHOUT-OUTSRIP Jed Gould, aka Jed the Fish aka Jeddum Fishum1997 KROQ Calendar Commercial Featuring Jed The FishDJ Jed “The Fish”See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, the boys kick things off with some serious déjà vu as Fyre Fest’s favorite grifter promises he’s totally throwing another festival — because nothing says “I’ve changed” like doubling down on the same scam. Meanwhile, the IRS decided to become ICE’s BFF by casually sharing migrant tax data, and their commissioner moonwalks out right after. Also: Microsoft’s long game of “let OpenAI set the money on fire while we build empires” is going exactly as planned.In the news, it’s Elon all day: Starlink might be doing the same government freebie hustle Microsoft perfected, DOGE is monitoring your comms for anti-Musk snark, and apparently has enough data on your family to build Black Mirror Season 8. Tesla’s financials are circling the drain so hard they won’t even take their own Cybertrucks back as trade-ins, but don’t worry — Elon’s ready to bail out Twitter/xAI with monopoly money. Over in the UK, the cops are one coffee away from full Minority Report, and MIT confirms what we already knew: AI doesn’t have morals, just vibes. Speaking of AI, someone sent an avatar to court. Yes, really.In Media Candy, it’s a smorgasbord: The White Lotus is back, Murderbot looks like a win, and the Tron: Ares trailer wants you to care again. There’s also a full Ask A Ninja drop for your 2006 nostalgia, and “Donald Trump Rides a Cock Horse” makes us long for the innocent absurdity of Morrissey Rides a Cockhorse. Over in Apps & Doodads, we’ve got AI dumbbells (because of course), Instagram still pretending the iPad doesn’t exist, and the Scotty Peeler — the tool you didn’t know you needed. Finally, Dave’s back in The Darkside, riffing on malware, The Owl House, and how ChatGPT sometimes gives your image prompts a side of Lovecraftian horror. RIP to some true legends: Dave Allen, Al Barile, and Clem Burke — your music lives louder than ever.Sponsors:DeleteMe - Head over to JoinDeleteMe.com/GOG and use the code "GOG" for 20% off.Private Internet Access - Go to GOG.Show/vpn and sign up today. For a limited time only, you can get OUR favorite VPN for as little as $2.03 a month.SetApp - With a single monthly subscription you get 240+ apps for your Mac. Go to SetApp and get started today!!!1Password - Get a great deal on the only password manager recommended by Grumpy Old Geeks! gog.show/1passwordShow notes at https://gog.show/692FOLLOW UPFyre Fest Founder Insists Another Festival Is ComingI.R.S. Agrees to Share Migrants’ Tax Information With ICEIRS agrees to share tax data with immigration authoritiesActing IRS commissioner resigning after agency reaches data-sharing deal with immigration authoritiesMicrosoft’s AI masterplan: Let OpenAI burn cash, then build on their successesIN THE NEWSMicrosoft Hooked the Government on Its Products With Freebies. Could Elon Musk’s Starlink Be Doing the Same?Social Security Website Crashes Blamed on DOGE Software UpdateDOGE is reportedly using AI to monitor government comms for anti-Musk and anti-Trump chatterHere's All of the Data That Elon Musk's DOGE May Have on You and Your FamilyDOGE Is About to Get DOGE’dUK is going full Minority Report with ‘murder prediction’ researchMIT study finds that AI doesn't, in fact, have valuesElon Musk sets the stage for Tesla to bail out Twitter/xAI at an insane valuationTesla Is So Cooked That It's Now Refusing to Accept Cybertrucks as Trade-InsJustice Department Says It Will Pull Back on Prosecuting Crypto FraudCitation Needed - Issue 81 – Crypto crime is legal by Molly WhiteReflexive AI use isn’t optional anymoreTech founder charged with fraud for 'AI' that was secretly overseas contract workersPro Tip: Don’t Send Your AI Avatar to Testify for You in CourtTrump’s TikTok Plan Upended by Chinese Objections Over TariffsFrance to ban students from keeping smartphones in schoolsA Tiny Piece of Mouse Brain Has Finally Been Mapped in Mindblowing DetailMEDIA CANDYThe White LotusThe StudioDevil May CryBlack Mirror Season 7Ask A Ninja Omnibus What Year Is This?The PittTron: Ares‘ First Trailer Brings Us to a Whole New GridTron: Ares | Official TrailerThe Murderbot TV show trailer is hereMurderbot — Official Trailer | Apple TV+Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning | Official Trailer (2025 Movie) - Tom CruiseBrian Eno’s Windows Reboot Chime Inducted Into National Recording RegistryThere’s No Future in OptimismTriplaPearliesLonely TownDonald Trump Rides a Cock HorseDecades After "Morrissey Rides a Cockhorse," Moz Is "Way Worse"Morrissey Rides A Cockhorse - Warlock PinchersAPPS & DOODADSMacbook Air 15“Scotty Peeler - Label and Sticker RemoverSlipdrive - Portable Hard Drive Sleeve for LaptopThe year is 2025, and Instagram is reportedly 'working on' an iPad appNova by PanicDerek Sivers - Tech IndependenceKabata - The world’s first AI powered dumbbellsNintendo delays Switch 2 US pre-orders following Trump tariffsBUSY BarAmazon HaulMob ControlUnited States Disappeared TrackerTHE DARKSIDE WITH DAVEDave BittnerThe CyberWireHacking HumansCaveatControl LoopOnly Malware in the BuildingThe Owl HouseEerie, IndianaCLOSING SHOUT-OUTSDave Allen, Gang of Four Bassist, Dead at 69Al Barile, Guitarist for Hardcore Pioneers SSD, Dead at 63Blondie Drummer Clem Burke Dead at 70See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, the Geeks wade into a swamp of tech meltdowns, governmental facepalms, and the usual Elon-flavored absurdity. Kicking things off, protesters take their beef with Tesla to the streets while Proud Boys decide this is the hill to vroom and die on. Meanwhile, Elon’s privacy prayers have finally been answered—thanks to new FAA rules, he and Tay-Tay can jet around untracked like it’s 1999. Oh, and while Earth dodges a killer asteroid, the Moon might be signing up for an unplanned smackdown. Sorry, Luna.In the news, Signal’s reputation as the go-to encrypted app takes a nosedive thanks to Republican Senate drama and an Inspector General with receipts. The NSA warned us. Nobody listened. Now it’s “SignalGate” season. Elon continues his narcissist Voltron strategy by having xAI buy X (from Elon). Trump, meanwhile, is moonwalking into a $2.3B Truth Social payday, while his meme coin tanks post-tariff tantrum. OpenAI flexes with new AGI funding and 700M AI-generated images (probably 699M of them cursed), while the first therapy chatbot actually helps someone and a brain-voice interface starts sounding a lot like Skynet: The Prequel. Oh, and in shocking news: Trump’s war on “information silos” is code for “your personal data is about to be someone else’s business.”Media Candy serves up a grab bag from punk docs (Turn It Around) to jungle pulp throwbacks (Tales of the Gold Monkey), and yes—Stephen Collins is still problematic. Apple’s prepping new AI-powered health apps, emoji drops, and a food tab for News+, because why not. WhatsApp now wants to be your phone, Alexa+ disappoints, and Zuckerberg tries to make Facebook usable again with a “Friends-only” feed. Meanwhile, Bill Gates pulls a nostalgia flex by dropping OG Microsoft source code like it’s a rare vinyl. In other dark corners: Kermit the Frog is now giving commencement speeches, Val Kilmer sadly exits stage left, and Elon fails in his bid to buy a state supreme court. Hands off, Elon. Just… hands off.Sponsors:Private Internet Access - Go to GOG.Show/vpn and sign up today. For a limited time only, you can get OUR favorite VPN for as little as $2.03 a month.SetApp - With a single monthly subscription you get 240+ apps for your Mac. Go to SetApp and get started today!!!1Password - Get a great deal on the only password manager recommended by Grumpy Old Geeks! gog.show/1passwordDeleteMe - Head over to JoinDeleteMe.com/GOG and use the code "GOG" for 20% off.Show notes at https://gog.show/691FOLLOW UPCrowds Turn Out Across the U.S. for ‘Tesla Takedown’ ProtestsThe Proud Boys and Militias Come to Tesla’s DefenseTaylor Swift and Elon Can Finally Fly Private Without Being Tracked Thanks to New FAA RuleEarth Is Safe From Menacing Asteroid—but Our Moon Might Take the HitIN THE NEWSRepublican chair of Senate Armed Services Committee calls for investigation into Signal chatDoD Inspector General Says He’s Looking Into SignalGateWaltz’s team set up at least 20 Signal group chats for crises across the worldNSA warned of vulnerabilities in Signal app a month before Houthi strike chatTrump administration fires director of National Security AgencyxAI, Elon Musk's AI company, just purchased X, Elon Musk's social media companyTrump kicks off sale of $2.3bn Truth Social stakeYou’ll Never Guess What Happened to Trump’s Meme Coin After He Announced His TariffsOpenAI: New funding to build towards AGIOxygen Levels in Earth's Lakes Are Plummeting, Study RevealsChatGPT users have generated over 700M images since last week, OpenAI saysFirst Therapy Chatbot Trial Yields Mental Health BenefitsUS Senate committee opens review into Meta’s efforts to gain access to ChinaBrain-to-voice neuroprosthesis restores naturalistic speechGenerative AI Leadership & Strategy SpecializationPresident Trump’s War on ‘Information Silos’ Is Bad News for Your Personal DataMEDIA CANDYThe White LotusThe StudioOrphan Black: EchoesOrphan BlackShe-Hulk: Attorney at LawTales of the Gold MonkeyStephen CollinsTurn It Around: The Story of East Bay PunkGenres are bustin’ out all over in Strange New Worlds S3 teaserFerris Bueller's teacher schools Trump on tariffsAPPS & DOODADSProject 2025 TrackerApple is reportedly on track to launch the M5 iPad Pro and MacBook Pro later this yearApple is said to be developing a revamped Health app with a built-in AI doctoriOS 18.4 is available now with new emoji, Apple News+ Food and priority notificationsChange the default apps on iPhoneWhatsApp can be your default calling and texting app on iPhoneAlexa+ is out, but missing a lot of features Amazon demoed last monthFacebook’s new Friends-only feed ditches all the algorithmic junkBill Gates Publishes Original Microsoft Source Code in a Blog PostRed SalsaTHE DARK SIDE WITH DAVEDave BittnerThe CyberWireHacking HumansCaveatControl LoopOnly Malware in the BuildingKermit the Frog named University of Maryland commencement speakerCLOSING SHOUT-OUTSBletchley code breaker Betty Webb dies aged 101Val Kilmer, Top Gun Actor and One-Time Batman, Dead at 65Elon Musk tried to buy Wisconsin's Supreme Court. He lost.Hands Off!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Dunning-Kruger Effect is alive, well, and running the show. Elon’s approval rating is cratering while experts warn he could blow a hole in federal spending; war plans are accidentally texted, and top U.S. officials’ passwords are found online; 23andMe files for bankruptcy; TikTok attempts a patriotic glow-up to stay alive in the U.S.; OpenAI admits trying to make chatbots honest, while research shows lonely users are emotionally clinging to ChatGPT; Amazon wants the Consumer Product Safety Commission erased; SEVERANCE, and more!Sponsors:DeleteMe - Head over to JoinDeleteMe.com/GOG and use the code "GOG" for 20% off.Private Internet Access - Go to GOG.Show/vpn and sign up today. For a limited time only, you can get OUR favorite VPN for as little as $2.03 a month.SetApp - With a single monthly subscription you get 240+ apps for your Mac. Go to SetApp and get started today!!!1Password - Get a great deal on the only password manager recommended by Grumpy Old Geeks! gog.show/1passwordShow notes at https://gog.show/690FOLLOW UPDunning-Kruger EffectDOGE’s Supposed Savings Are About to Cost the U.S. a Lot of MoneyElon Musk's Approval Rating Is 'Falling Through the Floor,' Polls ShowThe Guy Who Predicted the 2008 Crash Issues Warning About Elon Musk Torpedoing Federal SpendingIN THE NEWSThe Trump Administration Accidentally Texted Me Its War PlansPrivate Data and Passwords of Senior U.S. Security Officials Found OnlineDNA testing firm 23andMe files for bankruptcy as demand dries upHow to delete your 23andMe dataRebuilding TikTok in AmericaOpenAI Says Disciplining Chatbots for Lying Just Makes Them WorseOpenAI CEO Responds to ChatGPT Users Creating Studio Ghibli-Style AI ImagesDavid Findlay on BlueskyEarly methods for studying affective use and emotional well-being in ChatGPTJoint studies from OpenAI and MIT found links between loneliness and ChatGPT useAmazon wants the Consumer Product Safety Commission deemed 'unconstitutional'US lifts sanctions on Tornado CashTrump-backed crypto bank joins stablecoin wars with new dollar-pegged tokenThe 560-pound Twitter logo has sold for $34,000Tesla halts driving-assistance software trial in China, pending approvalMEDIA CANDYYou Gotta Eat Here Restaurants In Toronto, ONCommon Sense - What’s Good for the GooseAMC Theatres will screen a Swedish movie 'visually dubbed' with the help of AIDaredevilFor the WinDodgers confirm they will visit President Trump at White House next monthAdolescenceThe ResidenceDirector Uses Takedowns to Remove Pirate Bay Docu "TPB-AFK" from YouTubeSeveranceSEVERANCE - PILOT EPISODE - "MISTER"Severance: The Lexington LetterLumon Terminal ProSeason 2 writing on RedditAPPS & DOODADSThe AirFly Pro 2Napster just sold for $207 millionConsent-O-MaticAT THE LIBRARYThe President's Brain Is Missing - A Tor.Com Original By John ScalziWhen the Moon Hits Your Eye by John ScalziPicks and Shovels by Cory DoctorowBlueprint for RevolutionCLOSING SHOUT-OUTSKISS Officially Confirm First Performance Since Retiring from TouringSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

AI influencers with Down syndrome are selling nudes; Tesla’s Autopilot crashes into a cartoon wall while 46,000 Cybertrucks get recalled; ICE ramps up creepy surveillance; OpenAI’s copyright grab faces pushback; California might hand AI to Big Tech on a silver platter; BYD dunks on Tesla with lightning-fast EV charging; White Trash Wins Lotto returns; Max kills the Looney Tunes; Apple gets sued, Amazon spies harder, and Roku pushes autoplay ads; Dave geeks out on keyboards like it’s 1994.Sponsors:DeleteMe - Head over to JoinDeleteMe.com/GOG and use the code "GOG" for 20% off.Private Internet Access - Go to GOG.Show/vpn and sign up today. For a limited time only, you can get OUR favorite VPN for as little as $2.03 a month.SetApp - With a single monthly subscription you get 240+ apps for your Mac. Go to SetApp and get started today!!!1Password - Get a great deal on the only password manager recommended by Grumpy Old Geeks! gog.show/1passwordShow notes at https://gog.show/689FOLLOW UPPeople Are Using AI to Create Influencers With Down Syndrome Who Sell NudesHuman Intelligence Sharply DecliningCan You Fool A Self Driving Car?Tesla Autopilot drives into Wile E Coyote fake road wall in camera vs lidar testTesla recalls more than 46,000 Cybertrucks over a faulty exterior panelIN THE NEWSThe 200+ Sites an ICE Surveillance Contractor is MonitoringCISA scrambles to contact fired employees after court rules layoffs ‘unlawful’Director of rural broadband program exits with a warning about shift to ‘worse’ satellite internetThe court rejects Elon’s latest attempt to slow OpenAI downThe Unbelievable Scale of AI’s Pirated-Books ProblemCalifornia’s A.B. 412: A Bill That Could Crush Startups and Cement A Big Tech AI MonopolyOpenAI declares AI race “over” if training on copyrighted works isn’t fair useChina's EV champ BYD reveals super-fast charging that leaves Tesla eating dustMEDIA CANDYWHITE TRASH WINS LOTTOAndy Prieboy talks 'White Trash Wins Lotto'Spotify's latest custom playlist highlights artists with upcoming shows in your areaOddly catchy remix of Hootie & the Blowfish singing to The Smiths' music (video)From the World of John Wick: Ballerina (2025) New TrailerBallerina‘s New Trailer Teases a John Wick Showdown for the AgesMoana 2Mythic QuestThe White LotusDaredevilThe Wheel of Time Season 3Max Removes the Rest of the Original Looney Tunes CartoonsSpectrum is finally offering a streaming-only subscription for DodgersNew ‘Starship Troopers’ Movie in the Works from ‘District 9’ Filmmaker Neill Blomkamp (Exclusive)Mark Cuban Shares the Dumbest Video Ever Uploaded to BlueskySeveranceSeverance: The Lexington LetterAPPS & DOODADSApple hit with lawsuit over 'false advertising' of Apple Intelligence featuresMacWhisper ProAmazon’s Echo will send all voice recordings to the cloud, starting March 28Roku testing auto-play video ads before loading the home screenSetApp THE DARK SIDE WITH DAVEDave BittnerThe CyberWireHacking HumansCaveatControl LoopOnly Malware in the Buildingthe SenecaApple Extended Keyboard IISee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Pi Day gets its due; Y Combinator marks 20 years of “disruption”; Americans lose $12.5B to scams thanks to AI and social media; Deliveroo posts a profit but still tanks on Wall Street; Twitter’s security remains a joke; Pinterest steals user content for AI; and a rogue developer gets busted for a kill switch scheme. Severance Season 2 costs $20M per episode; Ted Lasso returns despite ending; Waymo’s driverless taxis rack up parking tickets; and Apple plans to turn AirPods into live translators. Meanwhile, the FCC launches a National Security Council, the U.S. housing agency flirts with crypto, and hermit crabs show better teamwork than Big Tech.Sponsors:DeleteMe - Head over to JoinDeleteMe.com/GOG and use the code "GOG" for 20% off.Private Internet Access - Go to GOG.Show/vpn and sign up today. For a limited time only, you can get OUR favorite VPN for as little as $2.03 a month.SetApp - With a single monthly subscription you get 240+ apps for your Mac. Go to SetApp and get started today!!!1Password - Get a great deal on the only password manager recommended by Grumpy Old Geeks! gog.show/1passwordShow notes at https://gog.show/688FOLLOW UPIt's Pi Day.The Man Behind The American OligarchyIN THE NEWSDeliveroo turns first annual profitFTC says Americans lost $12.5B to scams last yearConsumer Reports finds popular voice cloning tools lack safeguardsThe FCC is creating a new Council for National Security within the agencyDOGE axes CISA ‘red team’ staffers amid ongoing federal cutsJudge Calls DOGE Firings a ‘Sham,20 Plagues Y Combinator Unleashed on the World Over the Last 20 Years‘We Are Witnessing a New Brain Drain’ as Scientists Flee America for FranceElon Musk claims bad actors in Ukraine are behind “massive“ X cyberattackThe Real Reason Twitter Went DownDeveloper convicted for “kill switch” codePinterest to Train AI Models on User ContentU.S. Housing Agency Considers Launching Crypto ExperimentWaymo was slapped with nearly 600 parking ticketsAre We Inside a Black Hole?MEDIA CANDYSeverance is laughing at youSomehow, Severance season 2 cost an enormous $20 million per episodeEddy Cue and Ben Stiller interview each other about SeveranceParadiseThe White LotusBlack Mirror: Season 7 | Official TrailerTed Lasso Returning for Season 4Apple Music Classical expands to the webAphex Twin Curates a Massive 191-Song PlaylistPlaylist - Music selected by Aphex Twin for Supreme.Matt Pinfield Comes Out of a Coma After Suffering Massive StrokeAPPS & DOODADSAudioShake Launches Breakthrough AI Model to Separate Overlapping VoicesZoom PodTrak P2Apple reportedly plans to add a live-translation feature to AirPods'Don't let your kids be on Roblox', Roblox CEO tells parentsAT THE LIBRARYCareless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism by Sarah Wynn-WilliamsMeta is trying to silence a former executiveTHE DARK SIDE WITH DAVEDave BittnerThe CyberWireOnly Malware in the BuildingGravity FallsBaiting A Romance FraudsterHermit Crabs: Conga Line CooperationSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.