Armstrong & Getty On Demand: "You Know What? That's Rude."
Release Date: January 8, 2025
Host/Authors: Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty
Podcast Description: The official, On-Demand podcast of The Armstrong & Getty Show! Accept no substitutes!
1. Wildfires Ravage Los Angeles
Timestamp: [00:24 - 02:00]
The episode opens with a grim report on the severe wildfire situation engulfing Los Angeles. A reporter details the relentless fires affecting nearly 360 areas, exacerbated by escalating winds since the previous night. The intensity of the situation is underscored by the evacuation of approximately 30,000 residents.
Notable Quotes:
- Reporter: "Different properties just on fire for hours... it is very difficult, very smoky out here." (00:24)
- Joe Getty: "30,000 people evacuated their homes so far in the LA area..." (01:02)
- Jack Armstrong: "All I know is it's very windy. It's going to be very, very windy." (01:50)
Armstrong and Getty discuss the challenges faced by firefighters, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of the winds and expressing skepticism about exaggerated reports of sustained 100-mile-an-hour gusts.
2. Immigration, H1B Visas, and the American Talent Pipeline
Timestamp: [01:54 - 13:08]
The conversation shifts to a heated debate surrounding immigration and the strategic importance of H1B visas in sustaining America's technological and economic growth. Joe Getty references a controversial tweet by Vivek Ramaswamy, which criticizes American culture for prioritizing mediocrity over excellence, thereby hindering the nation's ability to compete globally.
Notable Quotes:
- Joe Getty: "The reason top tech companies often hire foreign born and first generation engineers over Native Americans isn't because of an innate American IQ deficit..." (03:15)
- Vivek Ramaswamy's Tweet (summarized): Criticizes American culture for veneration of mediocrity and emphasizes the need for a meritocratic system that prizes excellence. (01:54 - 06:17)
- Jack Armstrong: "The idea that in popular culture, the quick-witted, wiseacre guy... is revered. But... the technical wizard is an object of mockery." (09:52)
Armstrong and Getty delve into the complexities of the H1B visa system, highlighting its role in allowing businesses to leverage foreign talent due to cost efficiencies and contractual bindings that tie employees to their employers. They express concern over legislative and cultural pushbacks that aim to restrict immigration, potentially jeopardizing America's dominance in technology and innovation.
3. Meritocracy vs. Pop Culture's Influence on Youth
Timestamp: [10:48 - 12:21]
The hosts explore how American pop culture often glorifies social charisma over academic or technical prowess. Joe Getty shares a personal anecdote about his son, who excels in chess but is dissuaded by portrayals of "nerdy" kids as outcasts in media.
Notable Quotes:
- Joe Getty: "Every TV show you ever watch, every movie, the chess kid is the nerd. I'm not gonna do that." (10:55)
- Jack Armstrong: "The ability to charisma, in short, it's not worthless. But in popular culture, that person is revered." (09:52)
They discuss the broader implications of this cultural trend, suggesting that it undermines the development of future engineers and technical experts who are crucial for maintaining America's competitive edge on the global stage.
4. Medical School Acceptance Rates and Racial Disparities
Timestamp: [17:02 - 17:20]
Armstrong and Getty address the alarming statistics surrounding medical school acceptance rates among different racial groups. They critique the superficial solutions that focus on promoting diversity without addressing underlying educational disparities.
Notable Quotes:
- Jack Armstrong: "The idea that you solve it at the end by promoting people who are clearly not qualified is idiotic." (17:02)
- Joe Getty: "We want the best people, we want the best people. I don't care what they came from or what color they are." (17:13)
The hosts argue for a more foundational approach to improving educational outcomes in underserved communities rather than relying on systemic adjustments in higher education admissions.
5. Facebook's Shift Away from Professional Fact-Checking
Timestamp: [18:53 - 29:11]
A significant portion of the episode critiques Mark Zuckerberg's decision to eliminate professional fact-checkers on Facebook and Instagram, replacing them with community-driven notes. The hosts express deep skepticism about the efficacy and motivations behind this move, suggesting it epitomizes the broader challenges of misinformation on social media platforms.
Notable Quotes:
- Jack Armstrong: "They're abandoning, quote unquote, professional fact checking, which is a phrase so repugnant I can barely get out of my mouth." (18:53)
- Joe Getty: "It's a crime that I haven't seen that." (21:48)
- Jack Armstrong: "Mark Zuckerberg is a force for evil on the planet. He is a monster." (21:30)
They critically analyze the Wall Street Journal's coverage of this policy change, highlighting the partisan biases inherent in the selection of “experts” who predominantly identify as Democrats. This, they argue, undermines the credibility and impartiality of the new fact-checking system.
Additional Insights:
- Jack Armstrong: "We've got to saluting and respecting excellence of this country or we will be doomed." (12:52)
- Joe Getty: "Everybody should know this, right? It's obvious once you hear it." (29:34)
The discussion extends to the ideological homogeneity of academic experts and its impact on public discourse, emphasizing the need for diverse and unbiased fact-checking mechanisms to preserve free expression without sacrificing truth.
6. Critique of Tech Giants and Censorship
Timestamp: [21:07 - 25:12]
The hosts continue their critique of big tech, specifically targeting Mark Zuckerberg's role in shaping information flows on social media. They reference the documentary "The Social Dilemma" to illustrate the detrimental effects of unchecked tech influence on society.
Notable Quotes:
- Jack Armstrong: "There could be no more effective indictment of them than these tech giants won't let their kids use their own products." (21:48)
- Joe Getty: "If Zuckerberg came forward and said... that the Biden administration hinted strongly they were going to ruin us if we allowed that kind of talk." (23:50)
- Jack Armstrong: "I have called him Satan, I believe." (21:30)
Armstrong and Getty lament the erosion of free speech on platforms like Facebook, attributing it to both corporate interests and external political pressures. They argue that the removal of professional fact-checking is symptomatic of a larger trend towards censorship and control over public narratives by tech conglomerates.
7. Light-Hearted Segment: New Year's Resolutions and Subscriptions
Timestamp: [30:12 - 35:17]
Transitioning from serious topics, the hosts engage in a humorous discussion about common pitfalls in maintaining New Year's resolutions, particularly focusing on diet and exercise. They share personal anecdotes about struggling to quit gym memberships and subscription services, highlighting the manipulative tactics these businesses use to retain customers.
Notable Quotes:
- Joe Getty: "The most common New Year's resolution is to either eat better, exercise more... And saw this thing in the New York Post, red flags for, you know, the fact that you're going to fail." (29:55)
- Jack Armstrong: "I'm taking massive doses of turmeric. It's all about the turmeric pills." (31:54)
- Joe Getty: "They have all kinds of different ways to make sure you can't quit and they can keep you around." (34:22)
The segment serves as a relatable interlude, offering listeners both laughs and a nod to the often frustrating realities of self-improvement efforts.
Conclusion
In "You Know What? That's Rude," Armstrong and Getty tackle a range of pressing issues from environmental disasters and immigration policies to the influence of big tech on free speech. Through a blend of serious analysis and humorous anecdotes, they provide listeners with a thought-provoking commentary on the state of American society, culture, and governance.
Note: Timestamps correspond to the approximate beginning of each segment within the provided transcript.