Diggnation (Rebooted) – Episode Summary

Episode: “Netflix Wants HBO, Founders Want Manners, and AI Wants Your Face”

Date: December 10, 2025
Hosts: Kevin Rose & Alex Albrecht
Featuring: Justin & Mao

Overview

Kevin and Alex return with Diggnation's irreverent, in-depth takes on the biggest stories trending online. In this episode, they dive into the Netflix-Warner Bros Discovery mega merger, the strange rise of etiquette camps for tech founders, and the unsettling power of AI image generation and social manipulation. The tone is as loose, geeky, and self-aware as ever, punctuated by stories from their personal lives, debates over bets and resolutions, and a few especially notable tangents.

Main Discussion Points

1. Diggnation’s Return & Life Updates (00:13–06:15)

• The crew is back after a long hiatus, now recording at new Digg offices.
• Thanksgiving stories featuring family, baking, and morning cocktails.
• Introduction of “rucking vests”—weighted gear for burning extra calories and increasing bone density.
  • “For the ruckers out there … burn an extra 100 calories a day just by wearing a light vest around.” – Kevin (06:13)

2. Digg Platform Updates & Community Building (07:15–11:27)

• The show’s being filmed at new Digg headquarters, described by Justin as “very open, warehouse kind of setup” (07:38).
• Digg’s new community features are coming soon, focusing on transparency (“visible audit logs”), customizable spaces, and resisting overpowered moderation.
• No official open beta date, but “very early next year.”
  • “How do we ensure you don't have overpowered moderators … There's a visible audit log …” – Justin (09:22)

3. New Year’s Resolutions & The Drinking Bet (13:06–19:39)

• Kevin and Alex discuss quirky New Year's resolutions (chess on Duolingo, Rollie piano), and make a running joke about Kevin betting Alex to go a year without drinking.
  • “Is there a world where you would do a bet to do one year of no drinking?” – Kevin (15:32)
• Hilarity ensues as the group debates how much money would be required, the logistics of proving sobriety, and the real challenge of removing the freedom of choice.
  • “It’s about the freedom of choice. It’s the freedom to decide.” – Justin (17:20)

4. Netflix’s Potential Acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery (21:01–28:20)

[Key Segment: 21:01–28:20]

• Massive news: Rumors swirl that Netflix is looking to acquire Warner Bros Discovery for $82–$84 billion.
• Context: Skydance (Larry Ellison’s son’s company) already purchased Paramount.
• Major IP on the line: Harry Potter, DC, Game of Thrones.
• The group muses on how such deals reshape distribution, consolidate streaming services, and risk regulatory scrutiny.
  • “This gives me many more reasons to go to Netflix, which is why they're willing to pay 84 … billion for it.” – Alex (25:26)
  • “With HBO, every time you hit play, there’s a pretty high bar.” – Kevin (29:12)
• Concerns: Will HBO lift Netflix’s “quality bar,” or vice versa?
• Bonuses: Quick personal reviews of other streaming packages, e.g., Paramount+’s usefulness (“Amazing Race and Survivor … addicted to those classic old reality shows.”—Alex, 26:05).

5. Etiquette Camp for Tech Founders (30:26–36:28)

[Key Segment: 30:30–36:28]

• San Francisco “etiquette camps” aim to teach young founders how to dress and act professionally.
  • “It’s like a finishing school for tech bros.” – Alex (30:43)
• Hosts question whether founder “polishing” detracts from authenticity and focus.
  • “If they’re focused on their fashion, your eyes are on the wrong thing.” – Kevin (32:07)
• Justin shares personal experience with “code switching.”
  • “There is a necessary skill to work within the bubbles of certain industries.” – Mao (32:42)
• General consensus: Social skills help, but “just being genuine and a good person is not teachable.” (35:37)

6. AI, Deep Fakes, and Social Media Bots (49:04–58:54)

[Key Segment: 49:04–58:54]

• Discussion of Google’s new AI image generator (“Nana Banana Pro”) and how it can seamlessly forge photos of people in any context.
  • “Two years ago … it didn’t work. And now … look at this. That looks like Deadpool!” – Kevin (50:04)
• Alarming advances in AI-faked accounts and media: examples of AI-generated therapists, fake podcast guests, and viral misinformation.
• How bot farms—run domestically and internationally—amplify social discord.
  • “10 people can be 10,000 people … that’s even worse.” – Alex (57:11)
  • “Dude, if you want to attack a society and bring them down … you could just cause a little bit of micro friction in households.” – Kevin (54:17)
• Legal, social, and generational implications (“The world is not prepared for 2027.” – Alex quoting unidentified AI researcher, 58:08).

7. Digital Wellness: Social Media Bans, Teens, & Alternatives (41:25–48:40)

[Key Segment: 41:25–48:40]

• Australia and an Ireland town ban social media for teens under 16, putting enforcement responsibility on platforms.
  • “The really interesting thing was a lot of them said it was a relief.” – Alex (43:41)
• Alex and Heather experiment IRL with a social detox—results: “instant” improved well-being.
• Debate over whether swapping mindless scroll with board games, Duolingo, and crosswords is the way forward.
• App idea: limit feed to “25 posts per day” to curb doomscrolling.

8. Tech & Health: Pill Robots, Cancer Screening, & the Kindle Color Scribe (63:37–76:40)

• Tiny spider-inspired robots for endoscopies—as an alternative to more invasive procedures.
• Blood-based cancer screenings (Galleri test), full-body scans (Prenuvo), and the pros/cons of early detection and false positives.
  • *“But the downside … false positives when you get something.”—Kevin (68:11)
• Kindle Color Scribe launches—discussion of digital reading, notetaking, and the appeal of focused, offline devices.
  • *“I would love to check out what the new... Oh, but you can write on it.” – Alex (69:38)

9. Japanese 7-Eleven Egg Sandwiches Arrive in the U.S. (78:55–84:36)

• The hype around Japan’s famous convenience store sandwiches.
• Skepticism that the U.S. 7-Eleven experience can ever match the cleanliness, convenience, and food culture of Japan's locations.
  • “It’s not why 7-Eleven sucks … there’s a completely different societal situation going on.” – Alex (80:04)
• Tangents about Slurpees, childhood sugar, and what it would take for Alex to give up sugar for a bet.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Netflix’s ambitions (25:26):
  “This gives me many more reasons to go to Netflix, which is why they're willing to pay 84 … billion for it.” – Alex

• On trust and media (51:22):
  “We have definitely got to the spot where you just can't trust anything that you see.” – Alex

• On social detox (43:41):
  “The really interesting thing was a lot of them said it was a relief.” – Alex
  “How you getting the good cat videos and shit?” – Kevin (43:41)

• On etiquette camp for founders (30:43):
  “It’s like a finishing school for tech bros.” – Alex

• On AI bot farms (54:17):
  “You could go and hire … 10,000 people … all you do is sit in groups … and just … cause a little bit of micro friction in households.” – Kevin

• On early cancer detection (68:46):
  “Found like a golf ball sized tumor in his brain ... popped it out, totally fine. Would have never known unless...” – Kevin

Timeline / Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamps | |-----------------------------------------------------|----------------| | Diggnation returns, life chat, rucking vest | 00:13–06:15 | | New Digg office, upcoming features | 07:15–11:27 | | New Year’s resolutions & drinking challenge | 13:06–19:39 | | Netflix–Warner Bros merger deep dive | 21:01–28:20 | | Etiquette camp for founders | 30:30–36:28 | | Social media bans, wellness, the “25 app” | 41:25–48:40 | | AI deep fakes, Nano Banana, digital evidence | 49:04–58:54 | | Health tech: pill robots, cancer screen, Kindle | 63:37–76:40 | | Japanese 7-Eleven sandwiches in U.S. | 78:55–84:36 |

Standout “Diggnation” Tangents

• Riffing on bets, including year-long sobriety and all-7-Eleven diets.
• “Double teamed by media” (72:23), an impromptu joke about reading and listening to books simultaneously.
• Toilet scrolling vs. genuine relaxation (“hour and a half on the toilet…”).
• Childhood nostalgia for Slurpees and “suicide” soda mixes.
• Candid confessions about sugar and potato chip addictions.

Summary for New Listeners

This episode is classic Diggnation—fun, wide-ranging, and unexpectedly substantial. Kevin and Alex blend personal anecdotes with sharp analysis of the stories and trends shaping online culture, from mega media mergers (Netflix/HBO) and tech industry posturing, to the alarming sophistication of AI-fueled hoaxes. The discussions—especially about digital wellness, the future of trust in media, and transparent online communities—feel both timely and prescient, with just enough offbeat humor to keep it all accessible.