Grumpy Old Geeks Episode 670: Just Buy the Thing!

Release Date: October 19, 2024

In Episode 670 of "Grumpy Old Geeks," hosts Jason DeFilippo and Brian Schulmeister, joined by special guest Dave Bittner, navigate through a whirlwind of tech news, personal anecdotes, and spirited debates. This detailed summary captures the essence of their impassioned discussions, sprinkled with humor and sharp insights.

1. Shop GOG Store: Hiccups and New Designs [00:43 - 03:06]

The episode kicks off with Jason addressing recent issues with their Shop GOG store. A mix-up led to shirts being sourced from Latvia unintentionally. Jason quips, "You won't be getting shirts from Latvia unless you live in Latvia now, which was a screw up on my side." He updates listeners on new designs, including a "Cybertruck Enthusiast Shirt," and reassures that operations are back on track.

2. Personal Anecdotes: Health and Healing [03:06 - 04:30]

Sharing lighter moments, Jason recounts accidentally biting his tongue, resulting in prolonged healing—a humorous nod to aging. He says, "I bit my tongue like I was chewing into a Kobe steak." Brian empathizes, adding, "As we are getting older, everything takes a lot longer to heal." These exchanges set a relatable and engaging tone for the episode.

3. WordPress vs. Automattic: A Brewing Conflict [04:30 - 08:49]

A significant portion of the episode delves into the friction between WordPress's parent company, Automattic, led by Matt Mullenweg, and WP Engine. Jason highlights a contentious move where Automattic forked a WP Engine plugin, removing it from the repository. "They can take over your plugin and basically fork it and then take your old one out of rotation," Jason explains at [05:12].

Brian adds, "This was a total retaliatory move." The hosts discuss leaked internal communications from Automattic, revealing attempts to enforce WordPress trademarks aggressively and offer increased severance to dissenting employees. They predict escalating tensions and potential leadership changes within Automattic.

4. Receiving Hate Mail: Listener Feedback [08:49 - 10:38]

Jason shares his unexpected receipt of hate mail, including demeaning messages telling him to harm himself. "They even told me to kill myself. It's awesome," he sarcastically remarks at [09:21]. Brian encourages viewing such feedback as validation of their impact, adding, "You know you're doing something right when you get that stuff."

5. Tech News Roundup: A Mix of Innovations and Controversies [10:38 - 30:45]

a. EU's Stance on Tesla's Cybertruck [14:26 - 16:45]

Brian reports on European road safety organizations condemning Tesla's Cybertruck for its size and design flaws. "Approval and registration of cybertrucks in the EU poses illegal risks to all other road users," he states at [15:28]. The hosts agree that the Cybertruck's bulky nature isn't suited for Europe's narrower roads, predicting regulatory pushback.

b. EU's Potential Fines on Elon Musk's Companies [17:13 - 18:17]

The discussion shifts to the European Union contemplating hefty fines on Elon Musk's ventures, including SpaceX and Neuralink, over content moderation violations. Jason criticizes the EU's broad approach, saying, "They should just be based on the platform that you are having trouble with at the moment." Brian concurs, emphasizing the need for targeted penalties.

c. US Commission Report on Facial Recognition Technology ("FART") [18:17 - 19:43]

In a satirical twist, the hosts discuss the US Commission's report on federal use of facial recognition technology, humorously acronymizing it as "FART." Jason jokes, "How have we never noticed that face recognition Technology's acronym is FART?" highlighting concerns over privacy and ethical implications.

d. FCC's Investigation into Broadband Data Caps [19:43 - 21:21]

Brian critiques the FCC's ongoing investigation into data caps and net neutrality. He expresses frustration over the agency's inaction despite evident consumer and small business hardships. "We have dug deep enough. We kind of know what we need to do here," he laments.

e. New York Times vs. Perplexity AI Startup [21:21 - 23:00]

The hosts examine a legal tussle where The New York Times sent a cease and desist to Perplexity, an AI startup, over unauthorized use of content. Jason highlights the inefficacies of Perplexity's citations, noting, "Almost none of the links actually go to the exact story I'm looking for." Brian underscores the importance of proper attribution and compensation in AI applications.

f. AI in Law Enforcement: Able Startup [23:00 - 24:53]

Discussing ethical AI applications, Jason and Brian explore Able, a startup automating police report generation using AI. Jason raises concerns about reliability, saying, "If we lose that, then we have nothing." Brian echoes similar sentiments, emphasizing the risks of AI errors in critical documentation.

g. Instagram's New Profile Cards [14:08 - 17:02]

Brian shares Instagram's introduction of profile cards, allowing users to create customizable profiles with links, music, and QR codes. The hosts nostalgically liken it to MySpace pages but jest about potential clutter, with Jason stating, "When can I start buying these profile cards in packs of eight with some bubble gum in them?"

h. TikTok's Awareness of Negative Effects [26:02 - 28:38]

Brian discusses leaked documents revealing TikTok's acknowledgment of its app fostering compulsive use and linked mental health issues. He notes, "TikTok's own research found that compulsive usage correlates with a slew of negative mental health effects." The hosts criticize TikTok's inadequate measures to mitigate these problems.

i. Microsoft and Amazon's Investments in Nuclear Power [28:38 - 29:44]

Jason and Brian humorously critique Microsoft's and Amazon's investments in small modular nuclear reactors to power their AI initiatives. Jason remarks, "They're going to be doing the SMR route too, with these small, small modular reactors. No word on asmr." highlighting the irony and potential risks of such energy sources.

j. NASA's Europa Clipper Mission [29:31 - 31:01]

The discussion shifts to NASA's Europa Clipper mission, the largest spacecraft ever built for a mission to another planet. Brian details, "The spacecraft has started its 1.8 billion million journey to Europa, one of Jupiter's moons and one of the most promising habit." The hosts express excitement over the potential discovery of life beneath Europa's icy crust.

6. Streaming Shows and Entertainment [31:01 - 34:06]

Shifting gears, the hosts talk about various TV shows:

• "The Diplomat" and "Lincoln Lawyer": Both shows have new seasons out or upcoming, with the hosts expressing enthusiasm for binge-watching.

• "Slow Horses": Apple TV+'s sixth season announcement excites the hosts, anticipating more captivating content.

They also joke about integrating their favorite shows into their viewing habits, blending their tech talk with entertainment preferences.

7. Smart Appliances and Refrigerator Woes [38:39 - 43:35]

Jason and Brian share their experiences with refrigerators, discussing the transition to smart appliances. Jason recounts the challenges of purchasing a new fridge, stating, "We lost a bunch of stuff because we couldn't get one." Brian reflects on the practicality of smart features, opting for simplicity over advanced (and often unnecessary) functionalities. They debate the merits of traditional versus smart fridges, emphasizing reliability and ease of use.

8. Ham Radio License Journey [55:09 - 63:06]

Brian updates listeners on his quest to obtain a ham radio license. He discusses the different license levels—Technician, General, and Extra—and the study process using resources like hamstudy.org. Brian shares, "My experience in broadcasting means I know a lot about signals and cables and connectors, and that pays off for this." The hosts contemplate the relevance of traditional skills in modern technology landscapes.

9. Nostalgia, Decluttering, and Modern Living [63:06 - 73:59]

Exploring the theme of decluttering versus "recluttering," the hosts reflect on how nostalgia influences their lifestyles. Mason’s experience with a Street Fighter 2 arcade machine parallels Jason's possession of classic gaming consoles. They debate the balance between keeping cherished items and maintaining an organized living space. Brian muses, "You can tell by noises that [refrigerators] make," emphasizing practical aspects of home maintenance influenced by sentimental values.

10. Closing Shout-Outs and Community Engagement [73:59 - 77:31]

In their wrap-up, Jason and Brian extend gratitude to Patreon supporters and encourage listeners to engage with their online store, Shop GOG, for exclusive merchandise. They humorously encourage listeners to leave reviews and participate in their Discord community, fostering a sense of camaraderie among fans.

Notable Quotes:

• Jason DeFilippo [00:43]: "You won't be getting shirts from Latvia unless you live in Latvia now, which was a screw up on my side."

• Jason DeFilippo [05:12]: "We can take over your plugin and basically fork it and then take your old one out of rotation."

• Jason DeFilippo [09:21]: "They even told

me to kill myself. It's awesome."

• Brian Schulmeister [15:28]: "Approval and registration of cybertrucks in the EU poses illegal risks to all other road users."

• Brian Schulmeister [18:17]: "Face recognition Technology's acronym is FART."

• Jason DeFilippo [21:21]: "Almost none of the links actually go to the exact story I'm looking for."

• Jason DeFilippo [23:00]: "If we lose that, then we have nothing."

• Jason DeFilippo [28:38]: "They're going to be doing the SMR route too, with these small, small modular reactors. No word on asmr."

• Brian Schulmeister [29:31]: "The spacecraft has started its 1.8 billion million journey to Europa, one of Jupiter's moons and one of the most promising habit."

• Brian Schulmeister [63:03]: "Temperature sensor and I have an alert set up so that if the refrigerator goes above a certain temperature, I'll get alerted to let me know that something's wrong."

This episode of "Grumpy Old Geeks" seamlessly weaves together a tapestry of tech debates, personal stories, and cultural reflections, all delivered with the hosts' characteristic wit and candidness. Whether dissecting corporate power struggles, exploring the implications of emerging technologies, or reminiscing about nostalgic pastimes, Jason and Brian provide an engaging and insightful commentary for tech enthusiasts and casual listeners alike.