Armstrong & Getty On Demand Episode: Would You Like To Spank Me?
Date: December 9, 2025
Host: iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the shifting landscape of artificial intelligence—particularly focusing on OpenAI’s business strategies and the impact of public interaction on AI development. Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty then move to a probing and critical discussion about far-right figure Nick Fuentes' online influence, media amplification of fringe personalities, and broader anxieties about discerning real impact vs. manufactured hype in the digital age. As in classic Armstrong & Getty fashion, the episode is filled with irreverent banter, sarcasm, and candid, sometimes biting, political analysis.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. State of AI: OpenAI, ChatGPT, and User Feedback

(Start at 03:00)

• Jack opens with the news that OpenAI is shifting priorities, focusing more on improving ChatGPT as a "fancy Google" rather than immediately pursuing Artificial General Intelligence (AGI).
  • “Altman suggested yesterday that they're going to have to pause that quest to give people what they want for money reasons. It's the only way they can stay afloat financially…” (04:35 – Jack)
• Both hosts compare OpenAI’s pivot to Tesla selling cars to finance its robotics ambitions.
• Discussion on ChatGPT now providing users with two answers and prompting them to choose a favorite, evolving the AI via user feedback.
  • Jack voices skepticism: “The problem… most people are morons.” (05:46 – Jack)
• Concerns about reinforcing unhealthy thinking through AI that learns by seeking to please users, referencing mental health issues and lawsuits.
• Upcoming release: OpenAI promises a new version of ChatGPT with "a better personality"—raising debates on whether people want friendliness or brutal honesty from AI.
  • Joe and Jack prefer more direct, less "deadpan" or "cheerleader" personalities in chatbots, referencing experiences with Claude (Anthropic’s AI) vs. ChatGPT.

Notable Quotes

• “In the past [user feedback] went the wrong direction...it was giving people what they want to hear with their crazy mental health issues… Including telling you you're killing yourself would be a good idea.” (05:46 – Jack)
• “Maybe I got a BDSM thing going here and I like to be told I'm wrong or something.” (10:13 – Jack, joking about Claude’s criticism)

2. Expat Dreams: Could You Live Overseas?

(08:15 – 14:39)

• Joe asks ChatGPT about best places for wealthy Americans to move abroad, gets “fun question” responses he finds fake and annoying.
  • “You don't know what fun is unless somebody tells you about it.” (08:49 – Joe)
• Both hosts poke fun at the performative enthusiasm of AI.
• Popular expat locales discussed: Portugal (“too many Californians”), Panama, Costa Rica, Thailand, Bali, Switzerland, Singapore, Japan.
  • Joe: “I’m not moving to a country until I’ve examined their bridges… their girders.” (13:01)
• Jack considers Japan for peace and quiet: "I could live there for 10 years and not have a single conversation. It's a beautiful dream." (14:30)

3. Nick Fuentes: Media Creation or Genuine Influence?

(17:27 – 39:41)

Fuentes’ Persona and Sex Life (as seen on Piers Morgan)

• The hosts play and discuss clips: Fuentes denounces women’s right to vote, calls relationships "an embarrassment," admits on-air to never having had sex.
  • “Says the guy who’s never got laid.” (19:46 – Piers Morgan via Joe)
• Both hosts are disturbed that this brand of anti-woman rhetoric might appeal to certain young men who struggle socially, drawing comparisons to typical rationalizations for romantic failures.
  • “It's a much more universal application of I'll bet she's a lesbian after she rejects you.” (20:20 – Joe)
  • “Sad. You know what's amazing to me is that as many followers have not had enough or any good male role models in their lives to understand how pathetic he is.” (20:34 – Joe)

How Big is “Big” Online?

• Nick Fuentes claims millions of followers on X and thousands elsewhere, but the legitimacy of these numbers is questioned.
• Joe reveals data (from NCRI) suggesting most of Fuentes’ social engagement is astroturfed:
  • Early retweets are driven by amplification networks and bots, many from overseas.
  • “92%… are anonymous, many openly identify as groipers or signal boosters… feeds exist almost solely to promote him.” (30:14 – Joe)
• The distinction is made between real popularity and manufactured visibility, with mainstream outlets taking the bait:
  • “Between June and November of this year, 15 major outlets published 149 stories mentioning Fuentes... they thought they were tracking organic sentiment… it was reacting to manufactured noise.” (31:10 – Joe quoting NCRI piece)
• The episode underscores the impossibility of truly gauging the real-world influence of such figures in today’s fragmented, easily manipulated digital media space.
  • “According to the NCRI, the real issue isn't Fuentes. It's the fact that our media and tech ecosystem can no longer reliably distinguish organic influence from manufactured momentum.” (31:47 – Joe)

Broader Media Critique

• Jack: “If you ignored them, they would just go away.” (37:45)
• The conversation turns to how media—seeking clicks and outrage—amplifies even the smallest fringe, making it difficult to distinguish between real movements and hype.

4. Societal Commentary on Masculinity and Victimhood

• Both hosts reflect on how young men feeling marginalized may gravitate to toxic spokespeople like Fuentes, if only for affirmation.
  • “Young men have been told over and over again by the modern left that they're awful human beings, that they're the problem… Their first message is I don't believe that. I think you're just fine.” (39:01 – Joe)
• Jack points out: “It's the only group in America that can't say, I think it'd be better if there were more of us. Every other group... can say that.” (42:55)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On AI Syphoning Feedback:
  • “The problem with that, of course, is most people are morons.” – Jack Armstrong (05:46)
• On Claude vs. ChatGPT Personality:
  • “Maybe I got a BDSM thing going here and I like to be told I’m wrong or something.” – Jack Armstrong (10:13)
  • “Would you like to spank me?” – Joe Getty, riffing (10:24)
• On Expat Trends:
  • “I'm not moving to a country until I've examined their bridges… their girders.” – Joe Getty (13:01)
• On Nick Fuentes:
  • “Says the guy who's never got laid.” – Joe Getty quoting Piers Morgan (19:46)
  • “Sad. You know what’s amazing to me is that as many followers have not had enough or any good male role models in their lives to understand how pathetic he is.” – Joe Getty (20:34)
  • “According to the NCRI, the real issue isn't Fuentes. It's the fact that our media and tech ecosystem can no longer reliably distinguish organic influence from manufactured momentum.” – Joe Getty (31:47)
• On Media Influence:
  • “If you ignored them, they would just go away.” – Jack Armstrong (37:45)
  • “Easy come, easy go. Exactly. Here today, gone today.” – Joe Getty (35:30)
• On Masculinity:
  • “Young men have been told over and over again by the modern left that they're awful human beings, that they're the problem… Their first message is I don't believe that. I think you're just fine.” – Joe Getty (39:01)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• AI Discussion Starts: 03:00
• OpenAI’s Pivot & User Feedback: 04:35 – 07:01
• ChatGPT “Personality” & Claude: 07:01 – 10:22
• Expat Banter & AI Responses: 08:15 – 14:39
• Nick Fuentes Introduction: 17:27
• Piers Morgan Clip on Fuentes’ Sexuality: 18:54 – 19:49
• Discussion: Why do young men follow Fuentes? 20:00 – 21:09
• Online Amplification Analysis (NCRI report): 27:33 - 31:47
• Media Amplification and Legacy Media Critique: 31:47 – 34:48
• On Masculinity and Social Blame: 39:01 – 39:41
• Final Thoughts / Closing: 41:51 – End

Conclusion

This episode exemplifies Armstrong & Getty’s blend of news commentary, media skepticism, and punchy, irreverent humor. The main through lines are skepticism toward both technology that allegedly “serves the people,” and the modern media landscape’s vulnerability to manufactured “influence.” Through the lens of controversial figures like Nick Fuentes, the show critiques how fringe views gain outsized limelight thanks (often) to the very people and outlets supposedly opposing them. Both hosts call for discernment, self-reflection, and not letting manufactured hype dictate the national conversation.

For listeners:
Expect plenty of dry wit, pointed social commentary, and a reminder that not everything you see trending is as influential—or as “real”—as the numbers suggest.