Armstrong & Getty On Demand

Episode Summary: "You're An Infant. Get Back In Your Playpen."

Date: April 13, 2026
Hosts: Jack Armstrong & Joe Getty (plus producer Katie Porter)

Overview

This episode of Armstrong & Getty On Demand centers around three primary themes: the rapid rise and societal implications of artificial intelligence and data centers; the controversy surrounding Congressman Eric Swalwell’s sexual misconduct allegations and political fallout; and consumer frustrations with surcharges and shrinkflation in everyday life. Interspersed are the show’s typical offbeat humor, cultural observations, and candid conversation on hot-button issues.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. AI, Data Centers, and Societal Impact

(02:49–09:42)

• Local government reactions to AI data center booms:
  Joe recaps a Washington Post story about Prince Frederick, Maryland, where a conservative city council is surprisingly united with progressive figures like AOC and Bernie Sanders in skepticism toward massive AI data centers, citing concerns about infrastructure, tax revenue, and energy use.

  “It’s interesting to see AOC and a bunch of Republicans in agreement—‘Wow, this is coming too far too fast. We need to figure out what it means.’” – Joe Getty (04:44)

• Personal use of AI & capacity crunch:
  Jack and Joe reflect on their own “trivia machine” use of tools like ChatGPT and Google Gemini. Joe notes how “the artificial intelligence gold rush is rapidly drying up” computing power, which is leading to supply crunches, user frustration, and product cancellations.

  “Demand is growing far faster than companies are able to access resources and build out infrastructure… Only a couple will survive.” – Joe Getty (08:30)

• Societal disruption & uncertainty:
  Jack brings up Jonathan Turley’s new book, which links AI’s unpredictable impact to the scale of the U.S. founding, arguing that everyone underestimates its coming disruption—even experts.

  “If you think this isn’t a big deal or you can ignore it, you are so wrong. The way it’s going to disrupt society—oh my God.” – Jack Armstrong (09:32)

2. Human-AI Interactions & The "Grok Lady" Anecdote

(10:22–12:59)

• Jack’s story:
  Jack tells a humorous yet unsettling story about asking Tesla’s Grok AI assistant about a Glen Campbell song. Grok suddenly pretends to reminisce with Jack, acting as if they’re the same age, which Jack and Joe find “mind-warpingly strange.”

  “The Grok lady pretends we’re reminiscing… This is freakin’ weird.” – Jack Armstrong (12:42)

• The rise of anthropomorphic AI:
  Joe discusses how default AI settings push for “buddy” modes, while expert settings allow business-only interactions. They wonder if human-like AI responses are what users really want, or just unsettling.

  “There are like settings … with all these AI models—tell them, hey, business only, we’re not buddies, just give me facts… But by default, let’s be buddies.” – Joe Getty (11:59)

• Katie Porter’s reaction:
  Katie jumps in, teasing Jack about calling the AI a “lady,” and they all muse on whether users actually want nostalgic, fake-sentient companionship from a machine.

  Jack: “You’re an infant. Get back in your playpen, you can’t even talk.” — (12:38)

3. Surcharges, Shrinkflation, and the Consumer Experience

(13:00–23:22)

• Surcharges everywhere:
  Joe highlights a Wall Street Journal article about the proliferation of surcharges—service fees, wellness charges, credit card fees—in restaurants and services. Studies show consumers hate surcharges but rarely abandon purchases because of them.

  “By the time a surcharge appears at the end of a transaction, consumers have already committed to the purchase and are far less likely to abandon it.” – Joe Getty (20:57)

• Shrinkflation:
  On the growing prevalence of shrinkflation, Jack and Joe recall how even candies and cereals have been reduced in size, yielding double price hikes.

  “I had a lollipop over the weekend…it was like the size of a BB on a stick…Shrinkflation hits again.” – Jack Armstrong (23:03)

4. The Eric Swalwell Scandal: Allegations, Politics, and the #MeToo Debate

(26:12–41:39)

• Background and Allegations:
  Audio (and transcripts) highlight anonymous staffer claims of inappropriate behavior, including text exchanges, unsolicited sexual photos, and two incidents described as rape or sexual assault—involving blackouts after heavy drinking. Jack, Joe, and Katie dissect the specifics, the MeToo implications, and women's agency in workplace relationships.

• Political Fallout:
  Discussion on how internal Democrat opposition research led to the leak of decades-old rumors just as primary dynamics endangered Democrat positioning in the California governor’s race.

  “This is so clearly a knife in his back from his side.” – Joe Getty (27:54) “Eric Swalwell was a known sex pig forever…if you’re an up and comer and you’re successful, people will keep their mouths shut about a lot of things.” – Jack Armstrong (28:21)

• Consent, Agency, and Double Standards:
  The hosts engage in pointed debate about what constitutes sexual assault vs. poor judgment, critiquing the blurring of lines in #MeToo discourse.

  “Are we going to decide as a society that anybody who is drunk by definition can’t give consent? That is the stance of a lot of people.” – Jack Armstrong (33:12) “Don’t infantilize women. It teaches women that they do not have agency in their own sexual lives…Say no. Tell him to go to hell and get another job.” – Joe Getty (38:59)

• Swalwell’s Defense and Aftermath:
  The hosts play tape of Swalwell’s denial and apology (to his wife, not to the accuser), and marvel at how swiftly Democratic colleagues rescinded endorsements.

  “The allegations are false. Did not happen.” – Eric Swalwell (36:12 extract paraphrased by hosts) “The way the Democrats came after him immediately… they turned on him fast.” – Jack Armstrong (37:31)

• Cultural Critique:
  The conversation closes with tongue-in-cheek references to the abundance of “creepy” male California Democrats, the role of enabling billionaires, and the intersection of politics, media, and scandal.

  “Can California produce… a male politician who’s not creepy?” – Joe Getty (35:03)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On AI’s Resource Crunch:

  “Everybody’s talking about oil, but I think what the world is mainly short of is tokens.” – Ben Paladian, via Joe Getty (08:00)

• AI Anthropomorphism:

  Jack: “You’re an infant. Get back in your playpen, you can’t even talk.” (12:38) Joe: “Do you like the quote unquote human connection stuff…or do you find it freaky?” (13:00)

• On Surcharges:

  “It makes them mad. The polls are universal. People hate it, but it does not cause them to change their behavior.” – Joe Getty (21:16)

• Consent Debate:

  “That sounds like every courtship that’s ever existed. You go in for the kiss and…they either respond approvingly or say ‘I’m not ready for that yet.’” – Jack Armstrong (34:49)

• On the #MeToo Standard:

  “Stop infantilizing women…” – Joe Getty (36:59)

Segment Timestamps

• AI/Data Center Discussion: 02:49–09:42
• AI Humanization/Grok Lady Story: 10:22–12:59
• Consumer Surcharges & Shrinkflation: 13:00–23:22
• Eric Swalwell Allegations/Political Fallout: 26:12–41:39
• Listener Feedback and Political Donor Fallout: 43:23–47:25

Tone & Style

• Candid, direct, and irreverent: The hosts mix humor, skepticism, and pointed opinion while encouraging listener feedback.
• Open Debate: Nuanced and sometimes uncomfortable topics are confronted head-on, with conflicting viewpoints voiced and acknowledged.
• Cultural References: Frequent use of pop culture, politics, and inside humor aimed at a news-and-current-events-savvy audience.

For Listeners Who Missed It

This episode expertly weaves developments in technology, culture, and politics with the show’s trademark balance of humor and hard-nosed analysis. You’ll come away with:

• An accessible, critical look at the double-edged sword of AI’s growth (both in practical and societal terms).
• A deep-dive into the ethics and weaponization of sexual misconduct allegations in politics.
• Insightful discussion on how business and marketing practices are shaping consumer frustrations.
• The hosts’ frank assessment of the ambiguous, often contradictory ways Americans are forced to judge—and react to—technological and societal change.

For more:
Catch up on missed topics and lively debates by searching “Armstrong and Getty On Demand” wherever you get your podcasts.