Grumpy Old Geeks: Episode 675 – "Your Own Personal Jesus"

Release Date: November 23, 2024

In Episode 675 of Grumpy Old Geeks, hosts Jason DeFilippo and Brian Schulmeister, joined by special guest Dave Bittner, delve deep into a myriad of technology-related topics, dissecting the latest news with their characteristic no-holds-barred approach. From advancements in AI and autonomous vehicles to privacy concerns and media hiccups, this episode offers a comprehensive overview of the tech landscape with insightful commentary and sharp wit.

1. Autonomous Vehicles and Regulatory Shifts

Waymo's Limited Expansion

• Timestamp [00:45]: Jason shares his experience with the Waymo app, expressing frustration over its limited availability in Los Angeles County. Despite promises of widespread coverage, users like Jason find themselves unable to access driverless taxi services outside specific city limits.

  Jason DeFilippo [00:07]: "I went and got the Waymo app to see if I could get... my driverless taxi ride... It has not gotten to everywhere in LA county like they said it did."

Trump Administration's Push for Driverless Cars

• Timestamp [19:21]: The hosts discuss the Trump administration's intentions to expand autonomous vehicle deployments across the U.S., aiming to replace the fragmented state regulations with a federal framework. This move is seen as a nod to industry giants like Elon Musk, seeking more freedom and simplified rules.

  Brian Schulmeister [19:22]: "Yeah. Yeah, what they want is no regulations."

Tesla's Safety Concerns

• Timestamp [20:18]: A study highlights Tesla's alarming rate of fatal accidents, positioning it as the most dangerous car brand in the U.S. with double the national average crash rate. The discussion points to potential issues with Tesla's "Full Self-Driving" feature, which may lead drivers to overestimate their cars' autonomous capabilities.

  Jason DeFilippo [21:13]: "Which makes people believe that their car is more capable than it actually is until they run into a wall."

2. The Intersection of AI and Religion

AI-Powered Jesus Avatar in Switzerland

• Timestamp [07:03]: Jason introduces the groundbreaking Deus in Machina project at St. Peter's Chapel in Lucerne, where an AI Jesus avatar replaces the traditional priest in the confessional booth. Developed in collaboration with a local university, the AI interacts with visitors in 100 languages, aiming to explore the engagement between technology and spirituality.

  Jason DeFilippo [07:31]: "I think people who have muscle memory for the confessional may have been kind of fucked on this one."

Public Reception and Ethical Concerns

• Timestamp [09:36]: While the project received positive feedback from two-thirds of participants, critics voiced concerns about the AI's depth and impersonality. Theologian Marco Schmid acknowledges potential issues with the AI providing inappropriate or contradictory advice, sparking debates on the ethical implications of AI in sacred spaces.

  Brian Schulmeister [09:37]: "As do priests."

3. AI Training and Copyright Issues

Use of Movie and TV Dialogues in AI Training

• Timestamp [11:15]: An investigation reveals that dialogues from over 53,000 movies and 85,000 TV episodes were utilized to train AI systems without the consent of original writers. Sources like opensubtitles.org provided subtitles that fed into generative AI models, igniting ethical and legal debates about fair use.

  Jason DeFilippo [11:30]: "This includes content from the Godfather, the Simpsons, and Breaking Bad... sparking ethical and legal debates."

OpenAI Lawsuit and Data Deletion Controversy

• Timestamp [12:20]: A lawsuit accuses OpenAI of unlawfully using copyrighted materials in its AI training. During the legal proceedings, OpenAI engineers accidentally deleted crucial search data from a virtual machine, hindering the plaintiffs' ability to trace the use of copyrighted works.

  Brian Schulmeister [13:03]: "Interestingly specific mistake."

4. Data Privacy and Security Breaches

Atlas Biomed's Disappearance

• Timestamp [14:31]: The UK-based DNA testing company, Atlas Biomed, has abruptly vanished, leaving customers stranded without access to their genetic data. Tied to Russian billionaires and under investigation by the UK's Information Commissioner's Office, fears about data misuse and security vulnerabilities are rampant.

  Brian Schulmeister [14:34]: "Yeah, well, that horse is out of the gate."

Neuralink's Human Trials in Canada

• Timestamp [14:40]: Neuralink secures Health Canada's approval to commence human trials in Toronto Western Hospital. The trial aims to test brain implants that interpret neural activity, enabling individuals with quadriplegia to control devices with their thoughts. The discussion touches on the potential benefits and ethical considerations of such advancements.

  Jason DeFilippo [14:46]: "This is going to be a study which aims to evaluate the safety of its implant and surgical robot."

5. Social Media Wars and Privacy Concerns

BlueSky's Rapid Growth vs. Meta's Threads

• Timestamp [51:28]: The hosts compare the surge in user base for BlueSky and Meta's Threads, noting BlueSky's recent milestones with over 20 million users. The conversation highlights BlueSky's open-source design and absence of ads as key differentiators from Threads, which is scrambling to adjust its algorithms to prioritize followed content over recommendations.

  Brian Schulmeister [51:28]: "Blue sky has experienced other periods of significant growth over the last year. The recent surge is far bigger than what the open source service had previously seen."

AI Notification Summaries Threaten Group Chats

• Timestamp [50:27]: An article is discussed, warning that AI-driven notification summaries could degrade the quality of real-time group chats and text messages. The hosts express concerns over how AI may disrupt nuanced, personal conversations, leading to more algorithmic homogeneity.

  Jason DeFilippo [51:24]: "It makes no sense whatsoever. And half the time it's like you think you sent something to the wrong person."

6. Crypto Market Insights and Personal Investments

Bitcoin's Surge Nearing $100,000

• Timestamp [04:34]: Bitcoin's price approaches the elusive $100k mark, a milestone it hasn't reached in a while. Brian speculates on its continued rise, albeit with a somewhat pessimistic outlook on the broader financial system.

  Brian Schulmeister [04:34]: "I have a feeling it's going to continue for quite a while, at least the next four years or until everything burns down, as it might."

Personal Crypto Holdings and Market Realities

• Timestamp [06:13]: Brian shares his personal crypto strategy, focusing on long-term holds like Ethereum and Bitcoin while shedding lesser-known coins for minor profits. He acknowledges the challenges of making substantial gains compared to traditional stock investments.

  Brian Schulmeister [06:14]: "I am up about 5% on my investment, which is, let's be honest here, considerably less than I would be if I'd invested that money in any of my well-performing individual stock holdings or just an index fund."

7. Sustainability Efforts in Tech Infrastructure

Microsoft's Eco-Friendly Data Centers

• Timestamp [24:43]: Microsoft announces the construction of two new data centers in Northern Virginia using cross-laminated timber (CLT), a fire-resistant wood material. While this approach reduces carbon emissions by 35% compared to steel and 65% versus concrete, the hosts critique its long-term impact given the immense energy consumption of data center operations.

  Jason DeFilippo [24:34]: "They’re trying to lower their carbon emissions from their data centers... compared with conventional steel construction."

8. Media Streaming Challenges and Recommendations

Streaming Setbacks: The Paul vs. Tyson Fight

• Timestamp [29:02]: The highly anticipated fight between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson faces significant streaming issues, causing widespread frustration among viewers. The hosts lament the technical failures, which marred the event's live experience.

  Jason DeFilippo [30:09]: "It just crashed. I pulled it up on my laptop to see. Nope. All of Netflix was down."

TV Show and Movie Recommendations

• Timestamp [31:43]: Jason and Brian exchange recommendations on various shows and movies, including The Old Man, Lioness Season Two, Day of the Jackal on Peacock, and Neuralink's upcoming series. They critique and praise different aspects, from plot developments to visual effects, offering listeners curated content suggestions.

  Brian Schulmeister [37:18]: "I also got... Leonardo Da Vinci by Ken Burns... It's not that much? No Ken Burns effect. He's toned down the Ken Burns effect."

9. Reflections on Programming Languages

Legacy of BASIC in Modern Programming

• Timestamp [75:07]: The conversation turns nostalgic as Dave Bittner mentions the passing of Thomas Kurtz, co-creator of BASIC. Both hosts recount their early experiences with BASIC, acknowledging its foundational role in their programming education despite its decline in modern use.

  Brian Schulmeister [73:54]: "Yeah. First thing I ever did on a computer was learn BASIC."

BASIC's Relevance Today

• Timestamp [77:00]: The hosts debate the current standing of BASIC, agreeing that while it was instrumental in teaching programming basics, it is largely obsolete in today's tech industry. They emphasize the shift towards more advanced, object-oriented languages and the diminishing job prospects for BASIC programmers.

  Brian Schulmeister [76:17]: "Yes. You have been trying to search the great thinkers and things of that nature to escape the dystopia that is surrounding us right now."

10. Thanksgiving Traditions and Personal Anecdotes

Evolving Family Traditions

• Timestamp [78:25]: As Thanksgiving approaches, Brian shares his transition from large family gatherings in Southern California to a more intimate Canadian Thanksgiving in Toronto. He highlights his role in preparing traditional dishes, blending American and Chinese Canadian culinary customs.

  Brian Schulmeister [78:25]: "We do ham now. So it's just a small ham for my immediate... wife and my kid."

Hosts' Personal Stories

• Timestamp [80:08]: Jason reminisces about his family's Thanksgiving traditions, including chess tournaments and jarts (a mix of darts and horseshoes), while Dave shares memories of activities like touch football and synchronized family parades.

  Jason DeFilippo [81:44]: "We had like five chess boards... we'd all play chess."

Conclusion and Shout-Outs

As Thanksgiving nears, the hosts express their gratitude to listeners and supporters, acknowledging new subscribers and contributors. They wrap up the episode with well-wishes for the holiday, encouraging listeners to enjoy downtime and cherish their traditions.

Jason DeFilippo [83:13]: "And just a reminder to everybody, we are off next week so we can enjoy a little downtime."

Notable Quotes:

• Jason DeFilippo [04:34]: "It might be the only money soon. Brian."

• Brian Schulmeister [09:37]: "As do priests."

• Brian Schulmeister [21:58]: "Be careful or Krampus and Boris Pistoris will come for you."

• Jason DeFilippo [20:13]: "Unless you're Tesla and you turn off that data and that feature right before the crash."

• Brian Schulmeister [51:28]: "Blue sky has experienced other periods of significant growth over the last year."

Key Takeaways:

• Autonomous Vehicles: Regulatory frameworks remain a contentious issue, with significant implications for companies like Waymo and Tesla.

• AI in Religion: Innovative yet controversial, AI-driven religious interactions raise profound ethical questions.

• Data Privacy: Incidents like Atlas Biomed's disappearance and the misuse of AI training data highlight ongoing privacy vulnerabilities.

• Crypto Market: Bitcoin's surge continues to capture attention, though investment strategies vary among individuals.

• Social Media Evolution: Platforms like BlueSky are gaining traction amid scrutiny of traditional giants like Meta's Threads.

• Programming Education: BASIC holds a nostalgic place in the hearts of programmers, though its practical relevance has waned.

• Thanksgiving Traditions: Personal stories underscore the evolving nature of family gatherings and cultural integration.

For a more detailed dive into each topic, including technical insights and personal anecdotes from the hosts, tune into Grumpy Old Geeks' Episode 675: "Your Own Personal Jesus."