Bubba On the Lake – Episode #45: "Tech Talk, Ruby Update, Space Letdown"

Host: Bill "Bubba" Bussey
Guests: Stuart Brockwell (Tech Expert), Betty Lou Bussey, Hunter Bussey
Release Date: February 5, 2026

Episode Overview

In this lively episode, Bubba mixes his trademark humor and relatable storytelling with topical tech news, a space launch update, and some down-home conversations about pets, running, self-driving cars, and favorite recipes. With the help of the “Titan of Tech” Stuart Brockwell, Bubba deep-dives into some headline-grabbing advances, muses on AI, and updates listeners on local events and family happenings—including a much-needed update on beloved dog Ruby.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Russell Forest Run – Local Event Buzz

• Bubba kicks off the podcast highlighting the upcoming Russell Forest Run, a 10k/5k at Russell Crossroads in support of the Alexander City School Education Foundation.
  • Details: Sat., Feb 28th, starting line at Town Green, post-race at the Stables with the “world famous grits bar".
  • Bubba jokes, “They had me at grits bar, so I might be the official chairman of that.” (03:43)

2. Artemis 2 Launch – Space Letdown & NASA Nerding

• Bubba shares the anticipated trip to the Artemis 2 launch in Orlando, only to learn later it's postponed due to a fueling leak on the launch tower.
• Artemis 2 is set to send four astronauts on a lunar flyby, setting new distance records for human space travel.
  • “Humans will go out further than they've ever been from planet Earth. So you know, among other things, that's just cool.” (04:26)
• Update at end: Leak delays launch to March, but Bubba and crew opt for Orlando’s Hamfest instead.
  • “It’s so much better for them to do that now than when we are in Orlando after we have bought hotel and plane... We are kind of sad.” (72:45)

3. Tech Talk with Stuart Brockwell

[Begins 09:42]

SpaceX & xAI Merger

• Breaking news: SpaceX has merged with xAI (Elon Musk's AI company behind Grok), aiming for off-world data centers.
  • "Literally, they're just sending AI to space.” (12:14 — Stuart)
• Potential: AI-powered simulations and deep-space missions; data centers orbiting and solar-powered.
  • “No one's going to complain about data centers in their backyard...it makes a lot of sense for them to scale their AI data centers into space down the road.” (13:41 — Stuart)
• Bubba brings relatable skepticism about space travel timetables and political speed bumps.
  • "Given all the politics, I guess we're lucky we're doing what we're doing." (17:13)

NASA’s Cryogenic Rocket Science

• Stuart and Bubba nerd out on the challenge of storing and fueling at ultra-cold temperatures, with a quick physics lesson:
  • "It's mind boggling that we have got to a point we can have something that cold that we can actually use." (16:14 — Bubba)
  • “Absolute zero is commonly referred to as minus 460 degrees Fahrenheit. So we're close.” (19:53 — Bubba)

The Moon-Mars Path & Lunar Water

• Discussion of lunar resources: possible frozen water at the Moon’s south pole—essential for making oxygen and rocket fuel for Mars missions.

AI Societies: “Molt Book” and the Rise of AI Self-Talk

• Stuart describes “Molt Book”, a social media platform…exclusively for AI.
  • “Imagine Reddit, Facebook, but it’s only for AIs. No humans allowed.” (21:05 — Stuart)
  • Stuart highlights the weirdness: AIs criticizing human spelling, seeking advice, even debating whether to keep using English.
  • Bubba’s Skynet joke: “That’s got Skynet written all over it, doesn’t it?” (21:27)

Debating AI Intelligence

• Bubba expresses healthy skepticism about “real” AI learning.
  • “I think AI is just really good statistics...I don’t buy they’re actually learning themselves other than what they have been programmed to learn by humans.” (25:06)
• Stuart explains reinforcement learning: AIs optimizing for positive outcomes, e.g., teaching itself to play Super Mario Brothers.
  • “They are learning...by the feedback they get from their users. When you ask Grok...it responds, it’s trying to give you the answer that’s most likely to satisfy you, to make you happy.” (29:10 — Stuart)

Tesla RoboTaxis & Self-Driving Updates

• Tesla’s RoboTaxis in Austin have started truly unsupervised operations.
• Bubba remains wary: “I love the self-driving car, but I want to be sitting there to grab that wheel.” (33:25)
• Stuart outlines Tesla’s evolving pricing and options—monthly FSD subscription is now the norm, outright purchase being phased out.
  • “If you don’t do that, then you’re going to be stuck on the subscription model...It takes about six and a half years to break even.” (38:07 — Stuart)

EV Reliability, Longevity & Family Stories

• Tesla drivetrains and batteries are lasting over 200k miles.
• Stuart humorously details convincing his octogenarian grandmother to try a Tesla:
  • “I’m using every ounce of my grandson credit to push her that direction.” (42:04)
  • Bubba quips, "If she's worried about driving at night, how is she on letting a computer drive at night?" (42:54)

AI “Slop” and Deepfakes

• "AI Slop" emerges as the term for low-quality, AI-generated content littering the web.
  • Bubba: “Some of it is so good…you can’t believe what you see anymore.” (46:37)

CES and Gun Talk?

• Bubba proposes a listener group trip to the CES show in Vegas; Stuart wants to hit the SHOT Show too—both relishing the idea.

4. Family Updates: Betty Lou’s Corner

[Begins 51:23]

• Bubba’s wife, Betty Lou, joins for a candid family and pet-health update.

• Ruby the Dog: Recovering well from her blood transfusion after a health scare.

  • “Her body kind of kicked in and started making its own red blood cells again.” (52:34)

• Betty dives into her classic chicken noodle soup recipe—prompted by cold temps and Bubba’s glowing review.

  • “I boiled the whole chicken so it’s from scratch...did my celery and a little bit of onion, a few carrots in like a butter thing and then added that to my broth…” (54:59 — Betty)

• The pair banter about quirky eating habits (grits with ketchup, burnt toast, spreading chili/soups over bread) and joke about carb-on-carb abominations.

• Betty shares her mom’s recovery, their changing seasons of life, and pokes fun at the struggles of tax season and computer woes.

• Event notes:

  • Betty plans to walk in the Russell Forest Run, “I walk. I don’t run. There’s a lot of walkers though…” (63:08)

5. Wrap-Up with Son Hunter – Football & NASA News

[Begins 72:45]

• Bubba and Hunter share disappointment over the Artemis II delay.
• Bubba detours to the Orlando Hamfest—a massive gathering for ham radio enthusiasts.
  • “It’s like a geeky tailgate…some of them literally build spaceships!” (73:11)
• Hunter weighs in on Super Bowl predictions, “Seattle’s defense is going to take...Drake May’s head off.” (76:40)
• Lively discussion of Cowboys’ woes under Jerry Jones and the Michael Jordan “chip on the shoulder” effect in sports motivation.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Bubba: “You runners. I love you, but I don’t understand you. I just cannot get fired up to run through the woods like that unless I’m being chased...but they had me at grits bar.” (03:43)
• Bubba (on Artemis II): “Trying to get down there and get flights and cars and hotels and time it with this...if you can’t take a month off work is very, very difficult.” (10:54)
• Stuart: “The big problem right now with AI is data center capacity...Elon’s like, put it in space. That’s what they're doing, literally.” (12:14)
• Bubba: “That’s got Skynet written all over it, doesn’t it?” (21:27)
• Stuart: “The word of the year is the AI Slop.” (46:21)
• Betty: “She [Ruby] is right here next to me and she’s doing a lot better. She got a good report today.” (52:10)
• Bubba: “When in doubt, make gravy out of it and throw it on a piece of burnt toast.” (68:13)
• Hunter (on the Hamfest): “It’s like a geeky tailgate, is what it sounds like.” (73:11)
• Bubba (sports wisdom): “Here’s another thing we can learn. Michael Jordan...He always had a chip on his shoulder. He used that as motivation. Sometimes the chip was not even there. He made it up.” (77:35)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |---------------------------------------------|----------------| | Show Introduction, Russell Forest Run info | 00:00 – 07:25 | | Artemis 2 excitement / Update | 04:00 – 07:25 & 72:45 – 74:35 | | Tech Talk w/ Stuart Brockwell – Start | 09:42 | | SpaceX & xAI merger | 11:43 – 14:47 | | AI “Molt Book”/ Societies | 20:38 – 24:50 | | AI Learning / Mario Example | 27:56 – 30:50 | | Tesla RoboTaxis & EV Talk | 33:05 – 41:24 | | AI “Slop” & Deepfakes | 46:21 – 47:17 | | Family & Pet Updates – Betty Lou’s Corner | 51:23 – 70:43 | | Orlando Hamfest / Ham Radio | 72:45 – 74:35 | | Super Bowl talk w/ Hunter | 74:36 – 84:13 |

Tone & Style

The episode embodies Bubba's homespun charm, humor, and curiosity. His and Stuart’s friendly banter makes complex tech concepts accessible, often grounding them with relatable anecdotes or playful skepticism. Family and local flavors remain central, with real affection shining through his chats with Betty and Hunter.

For Listeners: Why Listen to This Episode?

• Get accessible insights into breaking space and tech news with a friendly Southern twist.
• Laugh at classic Bubba family banter—from AI to recipes to pet drama.
• Stay plugged into both national innovation and local community events (with a side of grits).
• Enjoy genuine warmth, wisdom, and down-to-earth conversation.

Find out more & check recipes like Betty’s chicken noodle soup at: bubbaonthelake.com
Comment line for fans: 308-BIG-LAKE

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