Diggnation (Rebooted) Episode 007 Summary: “Miller High Life Cologne + SXSW Live Reunion Show Announced”

Release Date: December 12, 2024
Hosts: Kevin Rose and Alex Albrecht

After a 15-year hiatus, Diggnation roars back to life with a blend of nostalgia, humor, and insightful discussions. In Episode 007, titled “Miller High Life Cologne + SXSW Live Reunion Show Announced,” hosts Kevin Rose and Alex Albrecht reconnect on a cozy couch to cover a range of topics from personal updates to cutting-edge technology and exciting announcements.

1. Personal Catch-Up and Holiday Reflections

The episode kicks off with Kevin and Alex reminiscing about their past Diggnation episodes and catching up on personal lives. They share humorous anecdotes about their marriages, divorces, and the chaos surrounding their personal holidays.

• Family and Marriage:
  Kevin: “[02:18] I will say I'M very proud of my meat. I took... two large turkey legs...”
  Alex: “[04:26] My dog, Montana, was a good one, and Monty's there.”

• Holiday Plans and Traditions:
  They discuss Thanksgiving plans, highlighting Kevin’s elaborate turkey leg preparation using sous vide and smoking techniques, much to the amusement of Alex.

• Pets:
  Alex: “[04:27] Jaime, Bindi, our new dog, is sleeping right here...”
  The conversation takes a heartfelt turn as Alex shares memories of his late dog Monty and introduces his new Chihuahua-Pomeranian mix, Bindi.

2. Announcement: SXSW Live Reunion Show

The hosts break into an excited reveal about the upcoming Diggnation Live Reunion Show at South by Southwest (SXSW), marking their first reunion in 27 years.

• Details of the Show:
  Kevin: “[10:40] Diggnation Live. First reunion in 27 years...”
  Alex: “[12:10] The show is going to be amazing. We're going to have so many old friends...”

• Ticketing and Participation:
  They discuss ticket logistics, emphasizing affordability and encouraging fans to attend. Plans include special guests, musical performances, and exclusive merchandise.

• Excitement and Nostalgia:
  Kevin: “[14:05] Yes. But we’re gonna make it special... pepper special all over the show.”
  Alex: “[14:26] We gotta do this right, Dude, I'm in.”

3. NASA’s Artemis Mission Delay

Transitioning to current events, Kevin and Alex delve into NASA’s delay of the Artemis mission, which aims to return humans to the Moon.

• Mission Overview and Delay Reasons:
  Alex: “[15:39] NASA delays first crewed flight to the moon in over 50 years...”
  Kevin: “[16:07] Like, what are they doing? They’re not sending...”

  They discuss the postponement from September 2026 to April 2027 due to testing issues with the Orion spacecraft and express skepticism about the necessity of manned lunar missions.

• Comparisons to SpaceX and Boeing:
  Alex: “[17:27] It was SpaceX...”
  They critique Boeing’s reliability and contrast NASA’s scientific goals with SpaceX’s profit-driven space ventures.

4. Exploring Self-Driving Technology with Waymo

The hosts share their experiences with Waymo’s autonomous vehicles, comparing them to Uber and Tesla’s self-driving options.

• Personal Experiences with Waymo:
  Kevin: “[37:38] I love Waymo. Great fun...”
  Alex: “[42:04] They don’t turn the cameras on unless they absolutely have cameras...”

  They recount specific instances demonstrating Waymo’s advanced obstacle avoidance and discuss the implications of autonomous driving on social behaviors, such as the “Mile High Club.”

• Expansion and Regional Limitations:
  Alex: “[39:01] Waymo is expanding into Miami...”
  They note Waymo’s selective route choices in Los Angeles and the challenges of navigating congested urban areas.

5. Innovation Spotlight: Diamond Battery Technology

A fascinating segment where Kevin and Alex explain the groundbreaking development of nuclear-powered diamond batteries with a 5,700-year lifespan, unveiled in the UK.

• How It Works:
  Alex: “[46:12] So in the UK... they encased carbon-14 in lab-grown diamonds...”
  Kevin: “[48:22] But how do they dip it and not have it drop in there?”

  They break down the technical aspects, highlighting how carbon-14’s radioactive decay is harnessed within diamond structures to generate microwatt energy. The potential applications range from powering pacemakers to enabling long-lasting IoT devices.

• Environmental Impact and Future Prospects:
  Alex: “[50:18] You could recycle nuclear waste into diamond batteries...”
  They discuss the environmental benefits of converting nuclear waste into sustainable energy sources, envisioning a future where such batteries eliminate the need for frequent replacements.

6. Engaging with Fans: Email Interactions and Stories

Capturing the essence of Diggnation, Kevin and Alex incorporate fan emails into their dialogue, blending humor with heartfelt exchanges.

• Fan Emails and Responses:
  Kevin reads an email about Tron and Andor Season 2 invites:
  “[55:34] By the way, this is why I love Kevin..."
  They playfully mock misunderstandings and share inside jokes, reinforcing their connection with the audience.

• Nostalgic Stories and Guest Mentions:
  The hosts reminisce about their early days, including Dungeons & Dragons sessions that led to professional collaborations with notable figures like Dan Trachtenberg and Gary Vaynerchuk.

  Alex: “[70:00] Jeff Kanata who started Prey and Predator Badlands...”
  Kevin: “[63:07] I met Sundar at Google Ventures...”

7. Miller High Life’s “Dive Bar Perfume” Launch

In a humorous twist, Kevin and Alex discuss Miller High Life’s unconventional product launch: a limited edition fragrance titled “Dive Bar Perfume.”

• Product Description and Reactions:
  Alex: “[78:27] Dive Bar Perfume is designed to embody the local dive bar...”
  Kevin: “[78:48] I will buy 20 bottles if available...”

  They humorously elaborate on the scent’s intended notes—cedar wood, musky leather, sea salt—and speculate on its market success, seamlessly integrating promotional banter with their trademark humor.

8. Closing Remarks and Final Interactions

As the episode wraps up, Kevin and Alex continue their lively banter, addressing more fan emails and sharing snippets of their playful interactions.

• Final Emails and Goodbyes:
  Kevin: “[80:36] Eric Wolf writes in... where did you get that couch?”
  Alex: “[81:11] Hello, Alex...”
  They conclude with well-wishes for the holidays and a reaffirmed excitement for the upcoming live show.

• Closing Humor:
  Kevin: “[83:49] We hope to see you at South by Southwest... Peace.”
  Alex: “[83:57] Love you guys. See you later.”

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Kevin Rose: “[03:00] And then sous vided them at 175 for six hours. It breaks down all that cartilage...”
• Alex Albrecht: “[10:40] Diggnation Live. First reunion in 27 years.”
• Kevin Rose: “[16:07] Like, what are they doing? They’re not sending...”
• Alex Albrecht: “[46:12] So in the UK... they encased carbon-14 in lab-grown diamonds...”
• Kevin Rose: “[55:38] By the way, I love Alex Albrecht...”
• Alex Albrecht: “[78:23] They're the champagne of beers.”
• Kevin Rose: “[83:49] We hope to see you at South by Southwest...”
• Alex Albrecht: “[84:23] Peace.”

Conclusion

Episode 007 of Diggnation (Rebooted) masterfully balances personal storytelling with insightful discussions on technology and upcoming projects. Kevin Rose and Alex Albrecht’s chemistry shines throughout, offering both humor and depth. The announcement of the SXSW Live Reunion Show serves as a nostalgic yet forward-looking anchor, promising an engaging experience for long-time fans and new listeners alike. Whether delving into NASA’s space missions, exploring autonomous vehicle technologies, or laughing over unconventional emails, this episode encapsulates the essence of Diggnation: a blend of geeky passion, heartfelt connections, and endless entertainment.