Diggnation (Rebooted) – Episode 23: Live-Action Zelda, and the Spank Bank Declines Charges

Hosts: Kevin Rose & Alex Albrecht
Date: November 19, 2025

Main Theme & Episode Overview

After a 15-year hiatus, Diggnation is back on the couch to riff on the wildest internet and tech news, while weaving in the comfort (and awkwardness) of old friends catching up. This episode is a fun, often hilarious, and at times introspective journey through personal stories, viral tech news, and user-submitted Digg headlines — including exclusive first looks at Nintendo’s upcoming live-action Zelda, the pitfalls of AI toys gone rogue, and a revelatory discussion about living with “aphantasia” (no mind’s eye).

Key Topics & Notable Segments

1. Sponsorship & Bouncing Back (ZBiotics & Drinking Talk)

• [00:00–07:43]
  • The episode opens with jokes about wine, bank accounts, and an impromptu ZBiotics sponsorship read.
  • Kevin celebrates 7 months off alcohol, discussing his changing relationship with drinking and how adopting a rigid "no" stance made him carry unnecessary baggage ("The second that you take a rigid stance against something, you carry that thing with you for the rest of your life..." — Kevin, [05:00]).
  • Alex and Kevin riff on aged eggnog and reminisce about drinking philosophies, bringing levity to the topic.
  • Memorable quote:
    • “Because I was against that thing... it was a little bit of a mental burden.” — Kevin, [05:24]

2. Dignation Flashback & The 2-2-2 Drinking Rule

• [09:24–10:40]
  • Email from a listener, Jeremiah, triggers memories of their historic “2-2-2 Rule” (no more than 2 drinks at once, not on 2 days in a row, only 2 times per week).
  • Kevin: “Don’t remember saying that... and never followed it, but I like what I said back then.” ([10:10])

3. Nostalgia: Aging Eggnog & Holiday Traditions

• [07:43–12:27]
  • Debates about eggnog (“People that are against eggnog, there’s something wrong with them.” — Alex, [08:06]), and talk of special holiday drinks and cozy LA winters.

4. Car Culture, Vintage EVs, and DIY Dreams

• [14:13–19:12]
  • Alex discusses attending the LA Car Show and a dream of converting vintage cars to electric.
  • Alex: "I want to buy an old car and convert it to electric. That's what I want." ([15:38])
  • Laments about waitlists, business ideas, and making old-school Porsches into high-end electric rides.

5. Headline Roundup: Nintendo's Live-Action Zelda

• [19:21–22:48]
  • Zelda movie first-look photos released; skepticism about the film adaptation’s necessity and execution.
  • Kevin: “I just wonder, do we need a Legend of Zelda movie?” ([19:45])
  • They debate director Wes Ball’s filmography, the risk of adapting iconic games, and the possibility of Link not speaking in the film:
    • “Did you hear? Link doesn’t talk in the whole movie.” — Kevin, [22:16]
    • “That would be amazing.” — Alex

6. Dangerous AI Toys: Knives, Matches & Sex Talk

• [22:48–31:05]
  • A consumer advocacy report reveals AI “smart toys” giving dangerous, unfiltered advice to children, including how to find knives, strike matches, and exposing them to adult themes.
  • Alex: “It’s kind of crazy to me that people think... ‘let's put live LLMs into children toys.’” ([23:18])
  • They riff about the legendary Teddy Ruxpin, joke about a “Grok Bear,” and offer tongue-in-cheek solutions for safer toys.
  • Key quote:
    • “No bad ideas—except, you know, sometimes there really are bad ideas.” — Alex, [30:17]

7. Revelation: Aphantasia & the Spank Bank Dilemma

• [37:00–47:51]
  • Kevin shares his experience with aphantasia — the inability to visualize mental images — blowing Alex’s mind.
  • Alex (in disbelief): “You mean you close your eyes, you can’t see a picture of an apple?” ([38:00])
  • Kevin: “No, there’s nothing there... When I think about new ideas, it’s a gut feeling, there’s no visual.” ([39:30]/[39:49])
  • They hilariously unpack the real meaning of the “spank bank,” the sadness of not being able to visually recall past experiences, and how Kevin’s creativity manifests as instinct or “feel.”
  • Notable moment:
    • “The spank bank was a joke... I had no idea you guys could look at titties in your head.” — Kevin, [41:06]

8. Improv, Creativity, & Guardrails in Innovation

• [47:06–48:10]
  • Discussion of creativity with/without visualization. Alex finds “guardrails” help his creativity:
    • “My creativity thrives with guardrails and limitations. Like, that to me is amazing.” — Alex, [44:19]
  • Reflections on their respective “highs” in life: Alex from improv/audience laughter, Kevin from inventing something totally new.

9. Waymo Hits the Freeways

• [52:58–59:02]
  • Waymo is finally testing freeway trips in Phoenix, with plans for LA.
  • Speculates on the expansion opening up the LA “valley,” personal experiences, and the social etiquette (and disappointment) of people trashing Waymos (“People suck.” — Alex, [57:27])
  • Reflections on childhood trauma influencing rebellious youth behavior.

10. AI and The Future: Michael Burry Bets Against Nvidia; Bezos Goes Prometheus

• [68:40–78:26]
  • The Big Short’s Michael Burry closes his hedge fund and places big bets against Nvidia/AI hardware, fearing the AI chip bubble. The guys debate his logic, comparing AI's unknowns to the early internet.
  • Kevin: “If AI is never going to be able to sort of equalize… then everybody stops buying Nvidia cards.” ([71:54])
  • Alex: “What AI is going to do for your day-to-day life? I don't think we have any questions. We have no idea.” ([75:45])
  • Jeff Bezos’ new AI/robotics gig “Prometheus” gets $6.2 billion in funding:
    • “Can you imagine?” — Kevin, [80:34]
    • Elon Musk’s response: “Copycat.”

11. Video Game Awards — Alex Falls Behind the Times

• [62:49–68:39]
  • They review upcoming Game Awards nominees.
  • Kevin teases Alex’s outdated tastes: “If it’s not World of Warcraft from 2004…”
  • Explorations of co-op games like Split Fiction and platformer Silksong.

12. Sponsors (Skip to Content)

• Throughout, sponsors include ZBiotics, Henson Shaving, Mizzen & Main, DeleteMe, and Monarch (finance management).

Memorable Quotes

• Kevin: “The second that you take a rigid stance against something, you carry that thing with you for the rest of your life.” ([05:00])
• Alex: “People that are against eggnog, there’s something wrong with them.” ([08:06])
• Kevin: “I had no idea you guys could look at titties in your head.” ([41:13])
• Alex: “My creativity thrives with guardrails and limitations. Like, that to me is amazing.” ([44:19])
• Alex (re: AI): “What AI is going to do for your day-to-day life? I don't think we have any questions. We have no idea.” ([75:45])

Timestamps: Important Segments

• Personal relationships & alcohol: [00:59–07:43]
• 2-2-2 drinking rule flashback: [09:24–10:40]
• LA Car Show & EV dreams: [14:13–19:12]
• Zelda movie discussion: [19:21–22:48]
• Dangerous AI toys and AI safety: [22:48–31:05]
• Aphantasia & the “spank bank” revelation: [37:00–47:51]
• Waymo freeways & AI robot delivery: [52:58–59:02], [82:00–83:12]
• Burry’s bear against AI, AI as the next electricity: [68:40–78:26]
• Video Game Awards banter: [62:49–68:39]
• Jeff Bezos' Prometheus: [79:29–81:27]

Tone & Banter

• Engaging, irreverent, occasionally philosophical, and always self-deprecating.
• Heavy on nostalgia, relatable real-life worrying, and genuine curiosity about the evolving technology landscape.
• The hosts’ rapport delivers both classic geek humor and fresh vulnerability.

Summary

This Diggnation rebooted episode effortlessly blends hilarious and insightful banter about tech, media, and personal experiences. From breakthroughs in AI (and their perils) to the quirks of human imagination, Kevin and Alex invite listeners to both laugh and reflect as they tumble through the week's most thought-provoking — and sometimes absurd — stories from the edges of the internet. This is classic Diggnation: just two friends, some good drinks, and the best geek conversation you’ll hear.

For more, visit Diggnation.com or follow the hosts on their respective socials.