Armstrong & Getty On Demand – “Robot Wolves!”

Date: September 24, 2025
Podcast: Armstrong & Getty On Demand
Hosts: Jack Armstrong, Joe Getty, with regular contributor Katie

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the alarming discovery of a massive SIM card operation in New York potentially capable of shutting down all cellular communications, explores vulnerabilities in American infrastructure to foreign (especially Chinese) interference, reflects on the differences between totalitarian and open societies in the age of technological warfare, and includes their signature mix of dark humor and social commentary (with a brief segue into the titular “robot wolves”). Other topics include phishing scams, Trump’s surprising statements on Ukraine and Russia, and a provocative discussion on race, policy, and historical context in America.

Key Topics & Discussion Points

1. The New York 'SIM Farm' Discovery and U.S. Tech Vulnerability

(03:40–16:27)

• SIM Farm Threat:
  Authorities uncovered a massive SIM-card “farm” in New York, capable of sending 30 million texts per minute and potentially disrupting all cell service in New York City, including critical communication for police and fire departments.

  • “A system so powerful authorities say it could have been used to disrupt all cell phone service for the entire city...” – Joe Getty [04:40]
  • ABC and CNN reports tie the facility to the Chinese government.

• Redundancy Concerns:
  Katie questions whether first responders truly rely on civilian phone networks, raising concerns about the lack of secure, backup communication systems in emergencies.

  • “Surely we have a redundancy or radios or something that doesn't depend on the civilian system. That's crazy.” – Katie [05:44]

• Nation-State Sleeper Infrastructure:
  The hosts, referencing security expert John Miller, speculate this isn’t unique to New York—other major U.S. cities likely have similar vulnerabilities planted by hostile foreign actors, particularly China.

  • “How many other sleeper systems, trip wires, booby traps are in our infrastructure?” – Katie [07:27]
  • “If they have one in New York, they got it in all the other major cities also.” – Joe Getty [07:47]

• Potential Scenarios:
  The trio game out real-world panic if cell service dropped during a national emergency (“something from a horror movie” [09:01]), examining society’s total dependence on personal devices and digital infrastructure.

• Technology and Open vs. Closed Societies:
  The segment closes on a philosophical question: Can an open, technologically advanced democracy compete with a high-surveillance, tightly controlled autocracy like China?

  • “A technologically advanced totalitarian state competing against a technologically advanced open society with freedom of movement... Can the open society possibly win?” – Katie [10:27]
  • “That is the big question. I think that is the big question.” – Joe Getty [11:01]

2. China, Infrastructure, and the “Robot Wolves” Gag

(12:14–16:12)

• Comparison of Government Efficiencies:
  Joe recounts China’s rapid construction of a huge suspension bridge as a symbol of totalitarian efficiency versus U.S. bureaucratic gridlock.

  • “We built the Empire State Building in six months... now it takes 30 years to lay one mile of track... because of all kinds of environmental concerns...” – Joe Getty [12:59]

• Strategic Intent and What Would Trigger a Tech Attack:
  Discussion shifts to what China’s ultimate goal would be if it pulled the trigger on a communications blackout, arguing they’re unlikely to do so without a grander geopolitical aim.

• Escalation Silliness: "Robot Wolves":
  Katie tosses in “robot wolves” as a tongue-in-cheek reference to unsettling sci-fi scenarios, riffing on the sense of paranoia that pervades the conversation.

  • “Robot wolves start galloping across meadows.” – Katie [15:39]
  • “Why do they howl? Why are they howling? They're robots. Oh my God, it's worse than I thought.” – Joe Getty [16:03]

3. Scam Emails and the “Ukrainian Girlfriend” Saga

(19:52–24:49)

• Joe’s “Precious Diamond” Catfish Scammer:
  Joe humorously updates listeners on his ongoing engagement with a romance scammer, supposedly a Ukrainian woman, who sends mismatched photos and flowery language (“my precious diamond”).

  • “She writes in funny ways. I guess you would if you don’t... You're not a native English speaker. She's Ukrainian. She says things like, 'Jack, my precious diamond...'” – Joe Getty [20:32]

• Guilt Tactic and Scam Tactics:
  When Joe tries to bait the scammer into asking him for money, she flips it, guilt-tripping him for not being responsive enough and threatening to end the “relationship.”

  • “She actually, like, if you're not gonna actually email me back and participate in this relationship, I want out...” – Joe Getty [22:24]

• Behind the Scam Curtain:
  Katie and Joe break down the methodology behind such scams: building trust, requesting small amounts first, and simultaneously trying to extract personally identifying info for future fraud.

  • “Look at it like a series of interviews. ... The second interview is the, can we lure this guy into sending $40 on some pretext? And if that happens, then you get the full court press...” – Katie [24:28]
  • “They're trying to plumb data to get your passwords.” – Katie [42:05]

4. Trump’s Shifting Posture on Ukraine & Russia

(29:02–33:28)

• Trump Statements at the UN:
  Joe summarizes former President Trump’s surprising support for Ukraine to retake all its original territory with NATO/European help, labeling Russia a “paper tiger” and hinting at Russian economic fragility.

  • “...after seeing the economic trouble it's causing Russia, I think Ukraine, with the support of the European Union, is in a position to fight and win all of Ukraine back...” – Joe Getty [30:44]

• Russian Response and Global Stakes:
  The Kremlin responds with mockery, dismissing the “paper tiger” comments and lampooning Trump’s shifting views on social media.

• Speculation: Nuclear Strategy?
  The conversation then ponders whether Russia and China could use distraction or even tactical nuclear weapons, believing the U.S. would not retaliate in kind, further destabilizing global order.

  • “I don't think we would fire back with nuclear weapons. I think we'd absorb it... try to negotiate something, which is be fine with China and Russia.” – Joe Getty [34:36]

5. Historical Context: Open vs. Closed Societies in Modern Warfare

(36:01–39:13)

• Are Civil Liberties a Liability?
  The hosts wonder if the relative security from government intrusion in modern America is an unsustainable historical anomaly in the era of threats from technologically advanced autocracies.
  • “Could it be that... civil liberties was also a moment in time that will not be repeated because it makes us too vulnerable to a... totalitarian state?” – Katie [38:39]

6. Cultural Commentary: School Boards and Social Policy

(19:52)

• School Sports Policy:
  Brief mention that a Sacramento-area school kept boys’ and girls’ sports separate (“we can’t believe it”).

7. Provocative Conversation on Race, Policy & Social Outcomes

(47:37–52:10)

• Charlie Kirk Exchange:
  The hosts play and analyze a segment of Charlie Kirk debating college students over racial disparities, crime, welfare policy, and the roots of socioeconomic challenges in Black communities.

  • “Black America was one of the most peaceful, flourishing, fastest growing economically communities in the country. It's not genetic... What changed?” – Charlie Kirk (clip) [48:28]

• Progressive Policy Impact:
  Katie and Joe agree it was progressive welfare policies—not genetics or persistent racism—that led to negative outcomes since the 1960s.

• “Hard Questions Needed”:
  Joe urges more open, honest dialogue about race, social policy, and their consequences, even if controversial.

  • “Having those kind of conversations. We need so many more of those kind of conversations on every topic.” – Joe Getty [52:01]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Sim Farm Threat:
  “Imagine if your cell phone didn’t work, but you’re getting some sort of news about... a 9/11-style attack anywhere and all of a sudden cell phones don’t work. Imagine the panic that would sow nationwide.” – Joe Getty [09:01]

• On U.S. Society & Chinese Intent:
  “They’re not running a jackass operation. ... They have a goal. Their goal is to supplant us as the world’s hyperpower.” – Joe Getty [12:59]

• The “Robot Wolves” Bit:
  “Robot wolves start galloping across meadows.” – Katie [15:39]
  “Why do they howl? Why are they howling? They're robots. Oh my God, it's worse than I thought.” – Joe Getty [16:03]

• On Scam Artists:
  “Look at it like a series of interviews. ... The second interview is the, can we lure this guy into sending $40 on some pretext? ... They bring in their real pros.” – Katie [24:28]

• Concerning Nuclear Escalation:
  “I don’t think we would fire back with nuclear weapons. I think we’d absorb it, try to negotiate something, which is be fine with China and Russia.” – Joe Getty [34:36]

• On Civil Liberties and National Security:
  “Could it be that... civil liberties was also a moment in time that will not be repeated because it makes us too vulnerable to a... totalitarian state?” – Katie [38:39]

• On Honest Debate:
  “Having those kind of conversations. We need so many more of those kind of conversations on every topic.” – Joe Getty [52:01]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• SIM farm, Infrastructure Threats: 03:40–16:27
• China, Efficiency, Robot Wolves: 12:14–16:12
• Catfishing/Scam Story: 19:52–24:49, revisited 42:05–42:44
• Trump/Ukraine/Russia Analysis: 29:02–33:28
• Race, Policy, Social Outcomes (Charlie Kirk tape): 47:37–52:10

Tone & Style

• Wry, conversational, and often darkly humorous, with a willingness to explore scary scenarios and provocative topics.
• Philosophical and skeptical, particularly around issues of national vulnerability, tech, and foreign threats.
• Self-aware and meta, often acknowledging the outlandishness of certain segments (“Okay, so now we're gonna get silly. Is that what we've decided?” [15:45]) and their own podcasting habits.

Takeaways for Listeners

• The U.S. faces profound vulnerabilities to foreign cyber/infrastructure interference, as illustrated by the “SIM farm” revelations and the broader context of escalating technological competition with China.
• There’s skepticism about whether open, democratic societies can remain secure in the era of algorithmic and infrastructural warfare against autocracies.
• Listeners are reminded to stay vigilant about online scams, both generic phishing and sophisticated, emotionally manipulative cons.
• The episode challenges conventional narratives on race, policy, and crime, promoting open dialogue over talking points.
• Armstrong & Getty blend serious concern with satire, offering both insight and comic relief (“robot wolves”) for unsettling times.