Tired Of Misplacing Your Rabbit At Night?

Summary

Armstrong & Getty On Demand: "Tired Of Misplacing Your Rabbit At Night?"

Release Date: August 13, 2025
Host: Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty
Produced by: iHeartPodcasts

---

1. The Struggles of Spirit Airlines

Timestamp: [00:44 - 02:56]

Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty kick off the episode by discussing Spirit Airlines' financial troubles. Michael highlights the airline's precarious position:

Michael: "Spirit is really struggling. It's not a good sign when the flight attendants come around asking you for food and blankets."
(00:44)

Katie and Michael share personal anecdotes about flying Spirit, emphasizing its reputation as a low-cost carrier prevalent on the East Coast. They humorously compare it to a "super cut rate cattle car," noting its popularity among travelers heading to and from Las Vegas.

---

2. Chinese Genetic Engineering: The Bride of Chinese Frankenstein

Timestamp: [02:56 - 09:47]

The conversation shifts to a captivating and controversial topic: gene-edited babies and the ethical implications surrounding them.

Key Highlights:

• Heejung Kyu's Controversial Research:
  Michael introduces Heejung Kyu, dubbed "Chinese Frankenstein," who claimed to have created the world's first gene-edited babies with immunity to HIV. Kyu was subsequently arrested for illegal medical practices in China.

  Michael: "He announced in 2018 that he had created the world's first gene-edited babies. Twin girls... designed to have immunity to HIV."
  (02:56)

• Expansion to the U.S.:
  Despite his imprisonment, Kyu plans to open a lab in Austin, Texas, focusing on Alzheimer's research using gene editing.

• Kathy Tai and Designer Pets:
  The hosts introduce Kathy Tai, a young genetic engineer aiming to create fantastical pets like dragons, unicorns, and glow-in-the-dark rabbits.

  Michael: "She's co-founded a genetic engineering company that's trying to create the next generation of pets, including dragons, unicorns, and glow in the dark rabbits."
  (04:04)

• Ethical Concerns and Social Implications:
  The discussion delves into the broader implications of "designer babies." Michael criticizes the tech industry's obsession with breeding smarter individuals, arguing that intelligence alone does not equate to success or happiness.

  Katie: "If I was given the choice between a kid with 160 IQ or average, I'd go average, because I think I'd be like just committing a kid to a lifetime of misery."
  (08:47)

• Diverse Types of Intelligence:
  They explore the multifaceted nature of intelligence, emphasizing that traits like emotional intelligence, creativity, and moral values are equally important as raw IQ.

  Michael: "The lack of insight and intelligence and wisdom are separate traits. You're not breeding for curiosity or capacity."
  (09:06)

---

3. Democratic Socialists and the New Political Landscape in New York

Timestamp: [15:25 - 23:25]

The hosts analyze the rise of Democratic Socialists within New York City's political sphere, focusing on the inner circles of Mayor-Elect Mamdani.

Key Highlights:

• Profile of Mamdani's Inner Circle:
  Katie details the youthful and ideologically driven team supporting the Communist mayoral candidate, highlighting their backgrounds and political beliefs.

  Katie: "Starting with this Ms. Bisgard Church, age 34... a Democratic Socialist member her entire life."
  (16:16)

• Extremist Views and Alliances:
  They discuss the controversial alliances between young progressives and Islamists, questioning the rationale behind groups like "Queers for Palestine."

  Michael: "Why would queers for Palestine exist? What the hell is going on there."
  (19:09)

• Impact on Policy and Governance:
  The discussion touches on how these ideologies might influence future policies under Mamdani's administration, expressing concerns over radical changes and instability.

  Katie: "Every parent is not like I want my kid to be a scholar at Harvard... I want my kid to be happy."
  (12:24)

---

4. Russia-Ukraine Conflict and the Trump-Putin Summit

Timestamp: [21:56 - 35:35]

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, highlighting the strategic maneuvers and the anticipated summit between President Trump and Vladimir Putin.

Key Highlights:

• Recent Military Developments:
  Michael reports on Russia's limited advances near Donetsk and speculates on the motivations behind these movements.

  Michael: "They might have dedicated more resources or used up reserves... otherwise, it is just terrible luck."
  (22:20)

• Zelensky's Stance:
  Katie emphasizes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's refusal to cede territory to Russia, underscoring national pride and resistance.

  Katie: "Ukrainian soldiers echo Zelensky in saying that giving up territory to Russia is not an option."
  (24:06)

• Trump-Putin Negotiations:
  The hosts debate the potential outcomes of the upcoming summit, expressing skepticism about Trump’s comments and Putin's strategies.

  Katie: "If I was given the choice between a kid with 160 IQ or average, I'd go average... committing a kid to a lifetime of misery."
  (25:43)

  Michael: "I think he's underestimating Putin. You’d better never, ever underestimate your opponent."
  (31:36)

• Speculations on Diplomatic Tactics:
  They predict possible scenarios where Putin may delay negotiations or present counterproposals, making genuine peace elusive.

  Michael: "He’s going to ride a grizzly bear bare-chested for the photo op... hitting Trump with a seven-point plan."
  (32:39)

  Katie: "I don't want to see Trump and Putin smiling side by side. The guy is ordering the bombings of grade schools..."
  (35:35)

---

5. The Rise of "Clanker" and Attitudes Toward AI

Timestamp: [38:15 - 41:46]

In a lighter yet thought-provoking segment, the hosts explore the emergence of the term "clanker" as a modern slur against artificial intelligence and robots.

Key Highlights:

• Definition and Usage:
  "Clanker" has gained popularity on platforms like TikTok, where people use it to express frustration with automated systems and robots.

  Michael: "Clanker is a word that has emerged recently... people on TikTok are posting videos of people harassing robots."
  (38:21)

• Legislative Response:
  Senator Ruben Gallego introduced legislation to protect individuals from being forced to interact with "clankers."

  Getty: "My new bill makes sure you don't have to talk to a clanker if you don't want to."
  (39:11)

• Linguistic and Social Implications:
  Katie and Michael debate whether "clanker" qualifies as a derogatory term, discussing its impact on societal views of technology.

  Katie: "It seems like somebody looking for a minor problem where major problems exist."
  (41:34)

  Michael: "Human beings have that reaction to something new that they perceive as threatening is as deep within us as anything in our DNA."
  (41:44)

• Anthropomorphism of AI:
  They analyze how society's tendency to humanize technology contributes to negative perceptions and language trends.

  Katie: "I asked my Tesla a question... it was trying as hard as it can to sound like a human."
  (40:59)

---

6. Final Thoughts and Teasers

Timestamp: [35:35 - End]

As the episode wraps up, Armstrong and Getty hint at upcoming topics, including the intersection of Marxism and Islamism, and societal reactions to technological advancements.

Michael: "Coming up next hour. Why are Marxists getting together with Islamists? How did that all get started?"
(35:35)

Katie: "They're calling like you drop an in bomb on..."
(35:53)

---

Conclusion

In this episode of "Armstrong & Getty On Demand," Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty delve into a variety of pressing topics, from the ethical dilemmas of genetic engineering and the complexities of modern political alliances to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and societal attitudes toward artificial intelligence. Through engaging discussions peppered with humor and critical insights, the hosts offer listeners a comprehensive analysis of contemporary issues, backed by personal anecdotes and informed opinions.

---

Notable Quotes:

• Michael on Intelligence:

  "You're not breeding for curiosity or capacity."
  (09:06)

• Katie on Designer Babies:

  "If I was given the choice between a kid with 160 IQ or average, I'd go average, because I think I'd be like just committing a kid to a lifetime of misery."
  (08:47)

• Michael on Putin's Strategy:

  "I think he's underestimating Putin. You’d better never, ever underestimate your opponent."
  (31:36)

• Katie on Clankers:

  "It seems like somebody looking for a minor problem where major problems exist."
  (41:34)

---

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the "Tired Of Misplacing Your Rabbit At Night?" episode, providing listeners with an informative overview of the topics covered.

Transcript

[Jack Armstrong]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Joe Getty]

Ice Cube's big three is the surprise hit of the summer. This Saturday, 4pm Eastern on CBS. With playoff elimination on the line. The most physical, fiercest and competitive basketball in the world. Miami's Michael Beasley and Lance Stevenson must win to make the playoffs. And breakout star Dwight Howard of the LA Riot will battle Gary Payton's Boston squad in a do or die match for both teams. Six teams are allowed for four spots and all must win. There's no crying in the big three. And the no holds barred action starts Saturday at 4pm Eastern, 1pm Pacific. Presented by iheart.

[Jack Armstrong]

Broadcasting live from the.

[Katie]

Abraham Lincoln radio studio at the George Washington Broadcast Center.

[Jack Armstrong]

Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty.

[Michael]

Armstrong and Getty. And now he's Armstrong and Getty. Spirit Airlines warned investors that they might not be able to survive if they don't raise more money. Not really. The news you want to see mid flight on your seat back screen, it's like, yeah, Spirit is really struggling. It's not a good sign when the flight attendants come around asking you for food and blankets.

[Katie]

You have a, you have anything I could eat?

[Michael]

Are you gonna finish that?

[Katie]

I have not flown Spirit Airlines. That's an east coast thing.

[Michael]

Nor have I. Yeah, yeah, they're big on the East Coast.

[Katie]

Yeah.

[Michael]

Super cut rate cattle car, you know, which is fine if you need to get somewhere. And cheap is all you care about, you know. Fair enough.

[Katie]

You've flown Spirit Airlines, Katie?

[Michael]

Unfortunately, yes. Did it destroy yours?

[Katie]

Yes.

[Michael]

And it, it is huge for Vegas flying. So you'll see a lot of party animals headed to and a lot of hangovers headed back.

[Katie]

Okay. Yeah.

[Michael]

I mean, Southwest is so bare bones.

[Katie]

It's always hard for me to picture something more bare bones than that, but apparently Spirit is.

[Michael]

So the story is entitled the Bride of Chinese Frankenstein. I mean, you got Chinese Frankenstein, of course, you gotta have his bride in the race to make designer babies. Some great coverage in the Free Press about a very, very odd story. This guy's name is Heejung Kyu. I'm sure I'm mispronouncing that this guy is semi infamous. You may actually recall the story that he, he actually was a brilliant student, left China, went to Stanford and went back to China and he ultimately got arrested and jailed for three years for illegal medical practices. He was, he had, he announced in 2018 that he had created the world's first gene edited babies. Twin girls. He said he designed to have a trait very few humans are born with immunity to hiv. They called me Chinese Frankenstein. He told me.

[Katie]

I didn't know.

[Michael]

Journalist.

[Katie]

I didn't know what you were going to say. They were edited to have a trait no human beings have had. If they could fly or see through walls or what it was going to be.

[Michael]

No, turns out it's immunity to hiv, which is, you know, certainly lovely. So anyway, but China jailed and partly because it was so incredibly controversial. And now though he is still in China, not supposed to leave, he's getting together financing to open a lab in Austin, Texas. There he said he would do Alzheimer's research on monkeys and non viable human embryos in hope of figuring out how to one day edit human embryos in order to prevent the disease. His great competitor in this field, weirdly enough, is his ex wife. They appear to have been married for about three months.

[Katie]

By the way, I took a pass on going into some sort of monkeys with Alzheimer's bit. I decided it was distasteful but good.

[Michael]

Thank God. Enter.

[Katie]

Is that banana? I had it, I had it just.

[Michael]

Oh no, no, no. It's not funny. There's no humor there.

[Katie]

You're right.

[Michael]

Enter Kathy Tai, a 29 year old Chinese born Canadian Thiel fellow. Last year she co founded a genetic engineering company in the US that's trying to create. All right, there is humor to be had here. Just everybody feel free to join in. She's co founded a genetic engineering company that's trying to create the next generation of pets, including dragons, unicorns and glow in the dark rabbits.

[Katie]

Well finally, the long desired need not satisfied for so many glowing rabbits.

[Michael]

Tired of misplacing your rabbit at night? Can't tell you how many times I've stepped on a rabbit in the dark. Right, right. Dragons, unicorns and glow in the dark rabbits. But this week she announced an interview.

[Katie]

What sort of sad, inbred, genetically modified pet is going to be the unicorn that comes out of this plant? Good lord. You're gonna give that to your daughter for her sixth birthday and she's gonna shriek in horror.

[Michael]

Well, they're specially designing tanks where narwhals can mount female donkeys until they get it right.

[Katie]

Oh.

[Michael]

Anyway, let's see. Oh, so she gave an interview with NPR this week, I guess, and she said, yeah, we're going to do that and we will explore how to do gene correction in human embryos more safely. We want to be the company that does this in the light, with transparency and with good intentions.

[Katie]

So, which is interesting because how many companies around the world, whether it's in Russia, China, North Korea or Maybe in our own labs in the United States are, are doing this secretly? Probably a lot of people are.

[Michael]

So the fact that you got a guy who has been called Chinese Frankenstein and the bride of Chinese Frankenstein is in the same field is just a little too much.

[Katie]

Hey, that's hurtful.

[Michael]

According to these people, they call what they're doing the man a Manhattan Project. The stakes, to be fair, writes the journalist, the stakes here are existential. According to their defenders, designer babies, as they're colloquially, colloquially known, are a way to fast track evolution. To that end, different publication, the Wall Street Journal. Inside Silicon Valley's growing obsession with having smarter babies. Tech execs are paying tens of thousands to find brilliant dates or select high IQ embryos. They want to raise high performing children.

[Katie]

Why is it always that? How come they're not looking for a surly bald man?

[Michael]

I can provide that. So they mentioned this mathematician who spent seven years researching how to keep an advanced form of artificial intelligence from destroying humanity before he declared, concluded that stopping it was not possible, at least anytime soon.

[Katie]

I agree, I do agree with that last part.

[Michael]

Well, yeah, and oddly enough, I think this story is proof of it because I remember in the early days of gene splicing, people are like, now we need to be very careful because we're playing God here. And what if people decided and it's like, yeah, they're doing it now full speed ahead, they're spending tremendous amounts of money and our best, brightest minds are 100% dedicated to this. But anyway, so this AI doomsday guy said he's now considered, turned his considerable brain power to promoting cutting edge technology to create smarter humans who will be up to the task of saving us all. And Silicon Valley, evidently interest in breeding smarter babies is peaking.

[Katie]

You know, what an interesting side to that. I don't know if they've thought this through. What's your experience with super smart people? A lot of them are miserable and nuts. In my experience.

[Michael]

Yeah, there's a pretty good share of either miserable. So antisocial, they can't get along with anybody. Mental illness problems because they're so isolated and they just see the world so differently than everybody else. And, or, and I read this at an early age and it made it was, was it Edison? Somebody had this wonderful quote about what tools don't bring you success, that it's all about hard work. And one of them was intelligence. Unfulfilled genius is a cliche. And so, you know, and we're kind of jumping to the end here, which, which is fine. She describ. Describes all of the tech CEOs that prefer Ivy League. They're charging them up to a half million dollars trying to get them the smartest woman they can or just her embryos and blah, blah, blah, so they can have the smartest kids they could possibly have.

[Katie]

That's so wild. If I was given the choice. And I would never want to play God like this with my kid anyway, but if I was given the choice between a kid with 160 IQ or average, I'd go average, because I think I'd be like just committing a kid to a lifetime of misery.

[Michael]

In large.

[Katie]

Yeah.

[Michael]

In large percentages. Yeah, Absolutely true. Well, and then, you know, the. The lack of insight and intelligence and wisdom are separate traits. I become completely convinced of that. Anyway. Not curiosity.

[Katie]

Absolutely.

[Michael]

You're not breeding for curiosity or capacity.

[Katie]

For hard work or morality, if that's.

[Michael]

Genetic morality or dedication to a cause. I'm just thinking from the perspective of these tech geniuses. Wait a minute. It was a lot more than intelligence that made you what you are today. It's all sorts of traits. God, it's probably intelligence.

[Katie]

Probably way down the list of the reason Elon Musk. Elon Musk or Thomas Edison or pick your person was able to do what they did. Like you said, unfulfilled genius is a cliche. I mean, just, there's so many other pieces of the puzzle you gotta have.

[Michael]

And I remember there was a study came out, made a hell of an impression on me, and I'm sure there's a whole field of this that I'm just not familiar with, but the different sorts of intelligence, and I think they separated it into seven different sorts at the time that ranged from, like, mathematical, musical intelligence, emotional intelligence, athletic intelligence, because it's your brain directing your muscle fibers. Athletics and learning and adapting and perfecting a skill. How is athletic prowess not a form of intelligence since it's all driven by your brain? Anyway, I had an ultimate point of just that. The sort of.

[Katie]

But you're too dumb to remember it.

[Michael]

That's. That's a big part of it. Yeah, but how many of those different aspects of intelligence are necessary or even more important than just raw computing power? So, I mean, because IQ on one level, which is impossible to measure, you could describe as just chip speed.

[Katie]

Yeah.

[Michael]

How fast. How effectively does your brain function? How fast does it learn? But that's just one of a number of qualities that I think lead to success, even in, you know, a field like tech, where everybody's a super genius.

[Katie]

And the history of the world is all technology is co opted by the military for military use or porn. I don't know how this is going to be affected by porn, but one of the rare cases where I can't see a porn application for this, but obviously a military application. I mean, see all the Marvel movies. If you could actually breed a super soldier like Bucky and Captain America are in those movies. China's doing that right now.

[Michael]

Yeah, Silicon Valley, they love iq, said Keon Sedegi, founder of Nucleus Genomics. But again, what is your life experience that leads you to believe that extra.

[Katie]

Smart people are who you want around you?

[Michael]

But that's not necessarily what parents elsewhere value most. Said this guy is running one of these companies. You talk to mom and Pop America. Not every parent is like I want my kid to be, you know, a scholar at Harvard. Like no, I want my kid to be like LeBron James.

[Katie]

Wow. Okay. All right. How much you want your kid? I want my kid to be happy. I want my kid to be, you know, own a house, be married, have a couple of kids, make a living and be happy. That's what I want.

[Michael]

I say why don't we pluck this fruit from the tree of knowledge and wolf it down and then enjoy its delicious taste.

[Katie]

Have any thoughts on the Franken Babies? Text line 415295 KFTC Armstrong and Getty.

[Jack Armstrong]

Time for a sofa upgrade. Visit washablesofas.com and discover Annabe where designer style meets budget friendly prices. With sofas starting at $699, Annabe brings you the ultimate in furniture innovation with a modular design that allows you to rearrange your space effortlessly. Perfect for both small and large spaces, Anibe is the only machine washable sofa inside and out. Say goodbye to stains and messes with liquid and stain resistant fabrics that make cleaning easy. Liquid simply slides right off. Designed for custom comfort, our high resilience foam lets you choose between a sink in feel or a supportive memory foam blend. Plus our pet friendly stain resistant fabrics ensure your sofa stays beautiful for years. Don't compromise quality for price. Visit washablesofas.com to upgrade your living space today with no risk returns and a 30 day money back guarantee. Get up to 60% off plus free shipping and free returns. Shop [e-mail] Authors are subject to change and certain restrictions may apply.

[Joe Getty]

The reviews and ratings are in and Ice Cube's big three is the surprise hit of the summer. This Saturday, 4pm Eastern on CBS with playoff elimination on the line, the stars will be flocking to Los Angeles to witness the most physical, fiercest and competitive basketball in the world. Miami's Michael Beasley and Lance Stevenson must win over Houston to make the playoffs, reeling from last week's savage beating at the hands of Chicago's possessed Madrez Harrell. Last time these teams met, Miami beat Houston, but they are a dangerous team having their manhood at stake. Then breakout star Dwight Howard of the LA Riot will battle Gary Payton's Boston squad in a do or die match for both teams. Will LA avenge their previous shocking loss to perennial basketball Boston rivals? To survive, six teams are allowed for four spots and all must win. Don't miss the Big Three, the three on three basketball league everyone is talking about. There's no crying in the big three and the no hold spot action starts Saturday at 4pm Eastern, 1pm Pacific, followed by two games on Vice starting at 6:30 Eastern.

[Katie]

Presented by iheart two Chinese ships colliding at high speed. A China Coast Guard ship with a water cannon and a gray Chinese PLA Navy ship both appearing to pursue a Coast Guard ship from the Philippines. The PLA Navy has been engaging in what certainly the U.S. navy has characterized as pretty unprofessional operations for quite some time. The incident took place near Scarborough Shoal, which both the Philippines and China claim. Chinese state TV issued this statement from the China Coast Guard.

[Jack Armstrong]

The China Coast Guard took necessary measures such as tracking, monitoring, blocking and controlling to drive away the Philippine vessels on site. Operations were professional, regulated and legitimate.

[Katie]

All right, are you going to Scarborough show? That's where the incident took place. Chinese keep pushing and pushing and pushing to see how the world react and so far the world reacts with that. Darn it, I wish they wouldn't do that. So New York Times then. Interesting article today about old mom Danny. The Communist would be mayor of New York. Mark Halpern writes in his newsletter today they're writing about his inner circle, a list that will frighten the stuffing and bejesus out of most people who read this.

[Michael]

Both.

[Katie]

There are people you've never heard of them, don't know them and will be shocked but not surprised by their resumes and views.

[Michael]

Oh hit me.

[Katie]

And so I read through a couple of them. It's got his entire inner circle and it's a whole bunch of different people. But starting with this Ms. Bisgard Church, age 34. Everybody's crazy young like she's on the older end being in the early 30s, lots of 20 somethings. Served as campaign manager during the primary. Since then she's been responsible for laying the groundwork for the mayoral administration. A California native and a Democratic Socialist member her entire life. Completely new to politics when she took the job as Mum Dami's chief of staff straight out of graduate school. Now widely seen as a right hand man, she is a big believer in all that stuff he's been talking about again. First political job straight out of the university system in California. Ready to apply those insane university ideas. Here's somebody else. 28 years old, senior advisor, 28 year old. Said he was skeptical of Momdani's long shot campaign when they first met, but he quickly became indispensable. He's also helped as an emissary to this and that. But he's really into the pro Palestinian views and all that sort of stuff. He kind of drives that whole deal. Here's another person with Columbia ties and is also in their late 20s, 27 year old and believes in all the stuff with the government run grocery stores and so just he plucked. They're almost all members of the Democratic Socialist Party which nobody had ever paid any attention to. Like they have been elevated from obscurity into like the close ranks of a guy who's almost certainly going to be the mayor of New York City.

[Michael]

Right, Right. It's funny, I was just reading about the Democratic Socialists of America's big convention in which they had a number of speakers who claimed, among other things or have in the past, that America deserved 911 and denied that Hamas committed atrocities on October 7th.

[Katie]

Lots of that sort of stuff.

[Michael]

Yeah. Which reminds me, we can either get into this this hour or maybe next hour, but the red, the so called red Green alliance. What the hell is the deal with the young super progressives of the Western world joining with Islamists who are antithetical to everything they claim to believe. Why would queers for Palestine exist? What the hell is going on there? It's bizarre when they kind of explains how it came to be.

[Katie]

When they buy their own words, they'll tell you if you ask them, the Islamists, they would love to hang you from a crane.

[Michael]

Yeah. Oh yeah.

[Katie]

Or, or something worse.

[Michael]

Right at the end of your suffering, they would hang you from me.

[Katie]

Like I'm trying to think of a situation where I would join with somebody who wanted me dead like that in a political. I mean it's just. It's impossible to come up with an example.

[Michael]

I think anyway, at some point we will absolutely touch on that. I think it's revealing and interesting.

[Katie]

Here's this woman of Field Director 20 something socialist helped amass a staggering 50,000 volunteer army for Mamdani during the campaign. 50,000 volunteers running in a primary in.

[Jack Armstrong]

One city, Armstrong and Getty Time for a sofa upgrade. Visit washablesofas.com and discover Annabe where designer style meets budget friendly prices. With sofas starting at $699, Anabe brings you the ultimate in furniture innovation with a modular design that allows you to rearrange your space effortlessly. Perfect for both small and large spaces, Anibe is the only machine washable sofa inside and out. Say goodbye to stains and messes with liquid and stain resistant fabrics that make cleaning easy. Liquid simply slides right off. Designed for custom comfort and our high resilience foam lets you choose between a sink in feel or a supportive memory foam blend. Plus our pet friendly stain resistant fabrics ensure your sofa stays beautiful for years. Don't compromise quality for price. Visit washablesofas.com to upgrade your living space today with no risk returns and a 30 day money back guarantee. Get up to 60% off plus free shipping and free returns. Shop now at washablesofas.com Offers are subject to change and certain restrictions may apply.

[Joe Getty]

The reviews and ratings are in and Ice Cube's Big Three is the surprise hit of the summer this Saturday, 4pm Eastern on CBS, with playoff elimination on the line, the stars will be flocking to Los Angeles to witness the most physical, fiercest and competitive basketball in the world. Miami's Michael Beasley and Lance Stevenson must win over Houston to make the playoffs, reeling from last week's savage beating at the hands of Chicago's possessed Montrez Harold. Last time these teams met, Miami beat Houston, but they are a dangerous team having their manhood at stake. Then breakout star Dwight Howard of the LA Riot will battle Gary Payton's Boston squad in a do or die match for both teams. Will LA avenge their previous shocking loss to perennial basketball Boston rivals to survive? Six teams are allowed for four spots and all must win. Don't miss the Big Three, the three on three basketball league everyone is talking about. There's no crying in the Big Three and the no hold spot action starts Saturday at 4pm Eastern 1pm Pacific, followed by two games on Vice starting at 6:30 Eastern.

[Adam Schiff]

Presented by iHeart 60 miles north of Donetsk, Ukrainian villagers listen to defensive lines breaking down. Limited Russian advances over the summer are reportedly accelerating in the days leading up to Vladimir Putin's planned meeting with President Trump in Anchorage, Alaska. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky saying today the push is aimed at creating a narrative of victory for Russia prior to its.

[Michael]

Summit with the U.S. tomorrow's mobile presidential.

[Katie]

Conversations between Putin and Trump may be important for their bilateral, but they cannot agree on anything about Ukraine without us. Man, the fact that Russia has been able to break through in the last couple of days while these talks have been going on is a, is a, is bad luck. There's got to be some luck involved because they've been trying to break through for three years in various spots. I mean, some of these lines have barely moved at all in years and now they've, they've had a pretty decent breakthrough.

[Michael]

The only thing I can think of is they dedicated, you know, even more cannon fodder to the effort or used up resources they were holding in reserve or something. Otherwise it is just terrible luck and kind of surprising. Although the Ukrainians are getting tired, there's no doubt.

[Katie]

Yeah. Do you want to tease your thing eventually?

[Michael]

I mean. Yeah, it's what I said just a couple of minutes ago, really great stuff on a topic I don't recall. So stay with us for that.

[Katie]

I, I will see. My history as a listener is it's going to be interesting, troubling or hilarious. So I will stick around for anything, really. How does Zelensky feel about Trump's plan to give up territory? Well, here's a report from Fox. We must return to the entire territory of Ukraine. We will fight to the last drop of blood.

[Adam Schiff]

Ukrainian soldiers echo Zelensky in saying that giving up territory to Russia is not an option. President Trump feels a fair land swap is the most plausible path to ending bloodshed. But possible terms hinge on a ceasefire deal. And if Putin is actually interested in.

[Katie]

Peace, it's a feel out meeting, to be honest.

[Michael]

And so the President feels like, look, I got to look at this guy across the table.

[Katie]

I need to see him face to face. I need to hear him one on one. I need to make an assessment by looking at him. Well, there's a lot of interesting stuff there. First of all, what you said the other day, I agree with 100% and have always thought this stuff about, well, it's a mistake because it gives him legitimacy. Whatever, whatever. That, that's people who spend too much time in university settings thinking about things. I mean, whatever. Good Lord. So they actually sitting down there and you know, Trump is such the colossus really of the world right now in terms of attention and everything like that. I like the idea of him sitting there and talking Putin face to face and seeing if we Move the needle. But two things. Is Trump holding his cards close to his vest like we don't know, or has he shown them? The other day, and I don't think we played the clip, but the other day he said, you know, I'll know. I'll. I'll talk to Putin and I'll see if he's interested. And if he's not interested, when I call Zielinski, I'll just basically say, well, good luck. So was that, Was that him just basically showing his cards? As in, if Trump's not interested in peace, good luck to you. I mean, yeah, we're not gonna, we're not gonna fix it for you. Because he didn't say, and if I find out Trump's Putin's not interested, then we drop the hammer and we provide them with, you know, whatever. Now I just said, I'll call Zelinsky and tell him good luck.

[Michael]

Yeah, I don't know what he meant. It just those, those press sprays where he just holds court and says stuff. It's hard to quote him a few days later and think that was the policy.

[Katie]

But on negotiations at this high, with negotiations at this high a level, would you say that? I wouldn't think I would. I mean, like, if we were doing, I don't know, salary negotiations with somebody and I said out loud where they could hear me, and now they come back and lowball me, I guess we'll just have to take it. No, I think you do that.

[Michael]

No, I think you're misinterpreting what he said. I think the actual quote was, I'll tell him, you got to keep fighting. Good luck.

[Katie]

Yeah, with. With. No, we're. And we're going to help you. Okay, I thought, I thought you'd have to throw that in there, but.

[Michael]

Which is, again, the downside of shooting off his mouth, you know, for hours at a time virtually every day. Which is better? No transparency? Is it just. You can't take anything that seriously, like normally a president would say, and if we decide Putin is not serious about an agreement, we will inform Zelensky that the fight continues and we are prepared to blah, blah, blah.

[Katie]

Right.

[Michael]

In an official, statementy way, yeah.

[Katie]

And so is Zielinski completely serious about this, or is it a negotiating position? And I've heard really smart people who follow this very closely have no idea when he says, we're not giving up land. Is that the official position of the Ukrainian people and their government with the idea perhaps, that if we start giving up land, the population's going to turn on us. Because a lot of polling shows still there ain't that many people for giving up land to Russia. Or is that just a starting position on a negotiation? I don't actually know.

[Michael]

You know, yeah, it could be just a very, very tough starting position. Meaning to give an inch on this, you're gonna have to give me a mile. Which I understand, since it. Since it's an existential question for Ukraine.

[Katie]

Although I doubt that I'm alone on this. I've gone into various things like buying a house or a car or whatever, and I had a bottom line in my head and I end up moving at some point because of circumstances.

[Michael]

So a couple of interesting aspects of this. Number one, I've talked about a couple of times that Russia, various high level spokespeople and legislators and advisers are really floating the idea that, look, Ukraine is one piece of us in the US getting together. We have so much to talk about, including, you know, Arctic, you know, navigation and drilling rights and blah, blah, blah, because we are neighbors with Russia, it's easy to forget that. But if indeed the Arctic ice cap continues to recede, there's going to be a hell of a lot of stuff going on in the Arctic in the next 50 years. So they're trying to say, look, look, look, we'll give you this mineral rights and that, and we won't dispute you on those islands and all, and just give us a little chunky Ukraine. And of course the Europeans and Ukrainians hate that idea, but again, I've talked about that a couple of times. I found this interesting. Ever since the summit was announced, Russian media have been full of stories about US Special Envoy Steve Witk and Dimitri Ev. The who's Dimitri? Of the senior Putinate. There have been all sorts of stories in the papers about Witkoff and Dimitri, of sharing fried dumplings at a restaurant in the Russian capital, and about the site of a future Moscow hotel described as a possible Trump Tower Moscow that the two men visited last week.

[Katie]

Hmm, that's an interesting one. I hadn't heard.

[Michael]

So who knows what sort of multifaceted assortment of shiny baubles Putin and company are gonna dangle in front of Trump to try to distract him from the main issue or actually successfully make the question of Ukraine subordinate to the US's greater strategic interests, which is what I would do if I were Putin. I, I would think about, all right, what can we give up that's not nearly as important to us as expanding our empire into the parts of the world that used to be our empire.

[Katie]

Would you agree to that if you were an American concerned mostly about American priorities as opposed to Ukrainian priorities?

[Michael]

I will. You know, I don't have an answer to that other than to say you would have to look at it.

[Katie]

Is there anything wrong with Trump going in there and doing what's best for the United States and if it helps Ukraine, great?

[Michael]

Of course not. Of course not. No, I'm, I'm, I'm a real politic, geopolitical realist. I just feel strongly that the U. S. Led norms of the last 75 years have been incredibly important in lifting up humanity, and we abandon them at our peril.

[Katie]

There's a video conference, I think, going on right now with European leaders. They scheduled this, like the day before. Zelinsky is involved in. Trump's on it. And so I wonder what Europe's, Europe's lines for what they're willing to agree to might be completely different than ours.

[Michael]

Right. Well. And they want to hammer home what Zelensky tried to clumsily in the Oval Office and about God, J.D. vance sitting on his chest, pounding him with both fists, and that is that you can't trust a single thing. Putin says. He only signs agreements to be able to violate them. That's why he goes ahead. He thinks, wow, strategically this is great. I'm going to blindside him.

[Katie]

Now I'm back to arresting Putin and throwing him in the Anchorage county jail or whatever. Had another point. Oh. So what do you think of Trump saying yesterday, I will know within two minutes whether Putin's serious or not.

[Michael]

I think he's underestimating Putin. I think you're much better off Never, ever, ever underestimating your opponent. Putin is going to. His entire strategy is convince Trump I'm serious about this, and a. An agreement can be reached.

[Katie]

I feel like his own, his entire goal is delay, period, just delay.

[Michael]

Especially what I said is how he.

[Katie]

Does it, especially with this military breakthrough in the last couple of days. He might be thinking, good Lord, we broke through like that. You give me 60 more days before America drops the hammer on sanctions and maybe arming Ukraine, and I think I can make some serious gains here. So if I can. So if he can convince Trump on Friday that, boy, I love your ideas. This is fantastic. I'm going to take it back to my people. We'll hit you with a counter proposal. How about we say November 1st, we'll, we'll return here, you know, just however many times, how many months he needs to.

[Michael]

Yeah, I was going to say he's going to Go salmon fishing. He's going to ride a grizzly bear bare chested for the photo op.

[Katie]

He's going to go play a hockey match where he scores six goals.

[Michael]

Right, exactly. Against pros who are inexplicably paralyzed on defense.

[Katie]

But.

[Michael]

And then he will hit Trump with a seven point plan. Well, he'll say, look, here's the broad outlines of it. I'm going to get you a seven point plan within a month. Six of those points are fairly reasonable. The seventh is utterly unacceptable.

[Katie]

Right.

[Michael]

And he will cling to that seventh point and refuse to negotiate much, and six months will pass.

[Katie]

Will Trump fall for that? Surely Trump's done enough deals where people were trying to delay and, you know, he didn't put up with it. Surely he has. I mean, he said this over and over in recent weeks. He keeps tapping me along. Everything he says is bull esque.

[Michael]

Right. Well, Putin hears that. Putin is the king of adapting strategy and understanding psychology.

[Katie]

If you hear frustration in my voice, it's because I think that's the most likely outcome. I mean, if I had to bet money they come out of it with a. Had a great conversation, we're gonna meet again on a ridiculously far away date. I don't understand why these things always go so slow. But the date for when they reconvene, it wouldn't be. It wouldn't shock me if it's not January 1st, that they'll. They'll reconvene and discuss this and it'll just be. The whole world will know. Oh, God. We all know what's going on here.

[Michael]

Yeah. I don't think it'll be that obvious. I think Putin knows what you just said. And he'll say, wow, we are close to the deal of all deals, the legacy deal for you. Dear Donald, this is history making. Just got to hash out a few details. We'll have our people get together tomorrow and get back to work on this.

[Katie]

That's a good idea. See, a schedule a meeting for September 1, but then all of a sudden you get a. You need a colonoscopy, you got an appointment and I got something.

[Michael]

No, it's just that these things are difficult to work out. You string it along like the whole idiotic waste of time Hamas discussions going on in. Cutter, Please. That's how you do it. You just drag your feet. Yes, Michael. Do you think they'll do the usual photo op stuff where they're shaking hands and raising arms again, Smiling.

[Katie]

That'd be tough. I hope not. I don't. I don't want to see Trump and Putin smiling side by side. The guy is ordering the bombings of grade schools, but wouldn't surprise me.

[Michael]

Horrifying.

[Katie]

I I don't see Zelinsky and Putin ever meeting. Trump wants that to happen.

[Michael]

Great stuff. Coming up next hour. Why are Marxists getting together with Islamists? How did that all get started? Coming up sooner than that. People are annoyed with technology and they're hitting it with racial slurs. What does it mean?

[Katie]

They're calling like you drop an in bomb on.

[Michael]

They might as well be racial slurs. It's the same thing according to linguists.

[Katie]

I see what you mean. Oh, that's fantastic. Okay, that's coming up next.

[Jack Armstrong]

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[Joe Getty]

The reviews and ratings are in and Ice Cube's Big Three is the surprise hit of the summer. This Saturday, 4pm Eastern on CBS, with playoff elimination on the line, the stars will be flocking to Los Angeles to witness the most physical, fiercest and competitive basketball in the world. Miami's Michael Beasley and Lance Stevenson must win over Houston to make the playoffs, reeling from last week's savage beating at the hands of Chicago's possessed Montrez Herrera. Last time these teams met, Miami beat Houston, but they are a dangerous team having their manhood at stake. Then breakout star Dwight Howard of the LA Riot will battle Gary Payton's Boston squad in a do or die match for both teams. Will LA avenge their previous shocking loss to perennial basketball Boston rivals to survive, six teams are allowed for four spots and all must win. Don't miss the Big Three, the three on three basketball league everyone is talking about. There's no crying in the Big Three, and the no host spot action starts Saturday at 4pm Eastern, 1pm Pacific, followed by two games on Vice starting at 6:30 Eastern. Presented by iHeart.

[Katie]

Adam Schiff might be in trouble. I sure hope so. Maybe we'll talk about that more in hour four.

[Michael]

It gladdens the heart when bad things happen to bad people, doesn't it?

[Katie]

It does.

[Joe Getty]

Got the smallest, thinnest neck I've ever seen.

[Michael]

Again, the sin necked this really looming large for Trump. So what's a clanker? Clanker is a word that has emerged recently and gained a fair amount of popularity, especially online, which is where everything happens. Which reminds me, is making us all insane. Maybe we get to that next hour Anyway, it seems to have popped up from a Star wars video game, but it's become so popular, people on TikTok are posting videos of people harassing robots on sidewalks and in stores, yelling, you're get out of my way, clanker. You're a clanker. Senator Ruben Gallego, Democrat, Arizona, used the term last week to tout a new piece of legislation. Quote, sick of yelling representative into the phone 10 times just to talk to a human. My new bill makes sure you don't have to talk to a clanker if you don't want to.

[Katie]

Wow, they'd make that against the law. I don't like that.

[Michael]

What now? Oh, shouting no.

[Katie]

The company ought to be able to automate if they want to. And if a company can make more money by having human beings answer the phone.

[Michael]

Yeah, I have no idea what the legislation represents, but I agree with you on that. So anyway, and they talk about people using it on the street and yelling at robots, blah blah, blah, yelling at robots, stupid, blank and clanker. Then they point out a slur is generally defined as a word or phrase meant to denigrate a person based on their membership to a particular group, such as race, gender or religion, one that goes beyond rudeness into overt bigotry. They're almost always directed at people, but now it's being directed, like a slur, at technology. And according to scientists who really ought to get real jobs, this sort of scientist, they offer some sense that people want to put down the machines and recognize their ascension in society, including this one linguist who is also a content creator, therefore not to be trusted. He focused on how the Internet is shaping language. The use of clanker emerged a couple of months ago. Its use mirrored classic slurs related to racial tropes and appear to emerge out of a growing cultural need related to growing unease with where advanced technology is heading.

[Katie]

Something.

[Michael]

Yes.

[Katie]

Can't have its feelings hurt. Can it be a derogatory term?

[Michael]

Well, this is. That's where the overthinking comes along. What he says, and I found this somewhat interesting, is what we're doing is we're anthropomorphizing and personifying and simplifying the concept of AI, reducing it into an analogy of a human and kind of playing into the same tropes.

[Katie]

Yes. Well, as I mentioned earlier, I asked my Tesla a question as I was driving down the freeway yesterday. I asked Grok and Grock talked to me in a pleasant woman's voice and basically said, good luck, have a good day. She said to me, I mean, how would you not anthropomorphize that it's trying as hard as it can to sound like a human.

[Michael]

And then the, the alleged linguist says, naturally, when we trend in that direction, it does play into those tropes of how people treated marginalized communities before.

[Katie]

It seems like somebody looking for a minor problem where major problems exist.

[Michael]

You know what is interesting? And, and they find like one minority person who thinks, yeah, it reminds me of racial slurs. I'm not comfortable with it.

[Katie]

Whatever.

[Michael]

I think it might also indicate, and obviously we're anti racism around here. We're against racism. We're not anti racist, which means you're a racist and a Marxist. But anyway, the fact that human beings have that reaction to something new that they perceive as threatening is as deep within us as anything in our DNA. It's worth thinking about Armstrong and Getty.

[Joe Getty]

Ice Cube's big three is the surprise hit of the summer. This Saturday, 4pm Eastern on CBS. With playoff elimination on the line, the most physical, fiercest and competitive basketball basketball in the world. Miami's Michael Beasley and Lance Stevenson must win to make the playoffs. And breakout star Dwight Howard of the LA Riot will battle Gary Payton's Boston squad in a do or die match for both teams. Six teams are allowed for four spots and all must win. There's no crying in the big three, and the no holds barred action starts Saturday at 4pm Eastern, 1pm Pacific. Presented by iHeart.

[Michael]

This is an iHeart podcast.