Grumpy Old Geeks Episode 685: Bezos, Jeff Bezos
Release Date: February 22, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 685 of Grumpy Old Geeks, hosts Jason DeFilippo and Brian Schulmeister, along with guest Dave Bittner, dive deep into a whirlwind of tech news, dissecting the latest controversies, mishaps, and industry upheavals. True to the show's name, the trio doesn't hold back, providing sharp critiques and humorous takes on the week's technological train wrecks.

Elon Musk's Bizarre CPAC Appearance

Timestamp: [05:00] - [07:05]

Key Points:

• Elon Musk made an unconventional and incoherent appearance at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC).
• During an interview with Newsmax host Rob Schmidt, Musk donned a MAGA hat and gas station sunglasses, wielding a chainsaw presented by Argentina's President Javier Milei as the "chainsaw for bureaucracy."
• Musk's dialogue was a mix of internet memes, political complaints, and conspiracy theories, including a declaration of "I am become meme" and accusations against the left attempting to outlaw comedy.
• He criticized the Ukraine war as a "graft machine," arguing it enriches elites while endangering lives.

Notable Quotes:

• Jason DeFilippo [05:54]: "He rambled through a mix of Internet memes, political grievances, and conspiracy-laced claims, at one point declaring 'I am become meme' and accused the left of trying to outlaw comedy."
• Brian Schulmeister [07:05]: "He can't shut up. And it's all lies, all of it, like, and provable."

Tesla Supercharger Cable Theft and Security Enhancements

Timestamp: [08:00] - [09:32]

Key Points:

• Tesla faces a surge in thefts of supercharger cables, with thieves targeting the copper-rich components for resale.
• In response, Tesla is testing the Dye Defender wrap, an explosive blue dye that detonates when cut, marking the cables and identifying thieves.
• Additionally, Tesla plans to engrave "Property of Tesla" on cables to deter resale at recycling centers.

Notable Quotes:

• Jason DeFilippo [08:33]: "I just can't believe that you can just walk up to a supercharger and cut the cable off. Shouldn't you get zapped or something?"
• Brian Schulmeister [09:26]: "I don't think it's a live cable until you're paid the money, paying for it, of course."

Department of Government Evisceration and Federal Layoffs

Timestamp: [09:53] - [16:55]

Key Points:

• The Department of Government, under Elon Musk's influence, is undertaking a mass purge of federal employees across various agencies.
• Recent layoffs include critical positions at the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service and the National Nuclear Safety Administration.
• These layoffs are retaliatory measures targeting employees involved in overseeing or investigating Musk's enterprises, such as Neuralink and Starlink.
• Lawsuits are emerging to halt this dismantling, but reports suggest that Trump's underlings may not comply with court orders, raising concerns about the future of governmental integrity.

Notable Quotes:

• Brian Schulmeister [10:18]: "If they just decide to ignore any court order, we are screwed."
• Jason DeFilippo [12:02]: "Brian, I don't know if you saw the interview with the guy from the government. He says chickens can't fly, so why do we care?"

New York Times Integrates AI Tools

Timestamp: [14:32] - [19:32]

Key Points:

• The New York Times is incorporating AI tools, including Echo, an AI-powered summary tool, GitHub Copilot, Google's Vertex AI, and select Amazon and OpenAI tools, into its newsroom and product teams.
• These tools assist in suggesting edits, brainstorming interview questions, and conducting research but are restricted from drafting or significantly revising articles or accessing confidential sources.
• This move comes amidst the evolving landscape of AI integration in media, balancing efficiency with journalistic integrity.

Notable Quotes:

• Jason DeFilippo [13:09]: "Journalists can now use AI to suggest edits, brainstorm interview questions and conduct research. But they're barred from using it to draft or significantly revise articles or input confidential sources."

Trump Media's Financial Struggles

Timestamp: [20:50] - [23:14]

Key Points:

• Trump Media and Technology Group reported a loss of $400.9 million in the previous year, attributed to stock-based compensation, accounting adjustments, and a revenue-sharing change with an undisclosed advertising partner.
• The company's revenue fell by 12%, under the ticker "DJT."
• Recent initiatives include launching a streaming service and applying for investment fund trademarks, aiming to support U.S. energy and manufacturing sectors while positioning as an alternative to "WOKE" investment funds.

Notable Quotes:

• Brian Schulmeister [23:10]: "They are incredibly brazen."
• Jason DeFilippo [23:19]: "Just like Uber, yes."

Andrew and Tristan Tate's Travel Restrictions

Timestamp: [23:40] - [25:12]

Key Points:

• The Biden administration is reportedly exerting pressure on Romanian authorities to lift travel restrictions on influencers Andrew and Tristan Tate.
• The Tate brothers, dual citizens of the U.S. and the U.K., face charges in Romania, including human trafficking, sexual misconduct, and money laundering.
• Romanian Foreign Minister Emil Herzanu Snowden stated that while the U.S. expressed interest, no undue pressure was applied, emphasizing Romania's independent judiciary.

Notable Quotes:

• Jason DeFilippo [24:24]: "It's okay when our influencers do it. Yes."
• Brian Schulmeister [25:17]: "They're going to have a horrible theme song though."

Meta's Waterworth Project and AI Developments

Timestamp: [25:37] - [32:00]

Key Points:

• Meta announced the Waterworth project, a 50,000-kilometer undersea cable system aimed at enhancing global internet connectivity across five continents, including India, the U.S., Brazil, and South Africa.
• This multi-billion-dollar initiative is designed to support AI-driven innovation and solidify Meta's control over global data infrastructure.
• The project rekindles early Metaverse ambitions, raising concerns about sustainability and Meta's intentions in controlling vast internet infrastructure.

Notable Quotes:

• Brian Schulmeister [31:15]: "Pretty much, yeah."
• Jason DeFilippo [31:11]: "I think this project probably started back then and now they're like, oh, but we're AI now we're AI."

AI Industry Insights: Satya Nadella's Views

Timestamp: [32:00] - [38:44]

Key Points:

• Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella expressed skepticism about the current trajectory of AI, emphasizing that true economic impact from AI remains elusive.
• Nadella criticized the industry's focus on arbitrary benchmarks and "artificial general intelligence" (AGI), advocating instead for practical applications that generate real GDP growth.
• He highlighted that massive investments in AI require corresponding consumer demand, warning of a potential correction similar to the dot-com bubble if demand doesn't follow.

Notable Quotes:

• Brian Schulmeister [33:44]: "The world has yet to turn any of today's AI hype and spending into a meaningful lift in the actual economy."
• Jason DeFilippo [37:18]: "It's not going to happen."

Robotics: Figure's Helix

Timestamp: [38:18] - [40:35]

Key Points:

• Robotics company Figure introduced Helix, a vision-language-action model enabling humanoid robots to understand language, perceive their environment, and execute complex tasks using a single neural network.
• Demonstrations show Helix performing everyday tasks like putting away groceries, albeit at a slow and somewhat eerie pace.
• The project raises concerns about the potential for dystopian applications and the ethical implications of advanced humanoid robots.

Notable Quotes:

• Jason DeFilippo [39:41]: "It's like, what are they doing there with that?"
• Brian Schulmeister [40:37]: "So yeah, no, no, you got to watch the video. It's. It's. Yeah, I don't. I do not approve."

Public Opinion on Elon Musk’s Government Role

Timestamp: [40:37] - [43:10]

Key Points:

• A Washington Post Ipsos poll reveals growing American disapproval of Elon Musk's influence in the White House, with 49% disapproving of his actions in slashing government programs and firing federal employees.
• The poll indicates significant animosity, with 41% strongly disapproving, highlighting the public's increasing concern over Musk's governmental interference.

Notable Quotes:

• Brian Schulmeister [49:00]: "People are finally waking up. It's about time they listen to our show."
• Jason DeFilippo [50:10]: "They are still hiring back people..."

Uber vs. DoorDash Lawsuit

Timestamp: [28:14] - [31:11]

Key Points:

• Uber has filed a lawsuit against DoorDash in California, accusing the food delivery giant of pressuring restaurants to exclusively use its services.
• Allegations include DoorDash threatening to increase commission rates by 30% for restaurants that also partner with Uber Eats and demanding higher fees for dual-platform collaborations.
• The lawsuit aims to compel DoorDash to alter these business practices, reflecting a competitive battle reminiscent of past disputes between tech giants.

Notable Quotes:

• Jason DeFilippo [28:38]: "I hope those guys get some planes because that's the only way I'm getting Faquito Mas."
• Brian Schulmeister [28:14]: "Just like Uber, yes."

Media and Entertainment Discussions

Timestamp: [32:00] - [68:30]

Key Points:

• The hosts transition into lighter topics, discussing recent movies and TV shows they've watched, including The Wild Robot with the Kiddo, Reacher Season Three, and upcoming series like Apple's Murderbot.
• They critique the SNL 50th-anniversary special for its lackluster humor and focus on recent decades, missing out on classic sketches and stars.
• Conversations also touch on documentary releases and personal recommendations, balancing the episode's heavy tech focus with cultural commentary.

Notable Quotes:

• Brian Schulmeister [42:33]: "It's phenomenal. It's a really nice, fun movie."
• Jason DeFilippo [43:45]: "The dark hair is a. Is a good thing."

Shoutouts and Listener Feedback

Timestamp: [58:26] - [68:30]

Key Points:

• The episode concludes with shoutouts to new Patreon patrons, PayPal supporters, and listeners who have provided positive reviews.
• The hosts express gratitude towards their audience, encouraging more listeners to join and support the show.
• They also highlight merchandise offers, including "Deport Elon" shirts, and discuss listener experiences with various products and services.

Notable Quotes:

• Brian Schulmeister [65:07]: "The show is technically perfect. The audio is magic."
• Jason DeFilippo [67:07]: "Nobody on our Discord has jumped to the rescue and said, hey, you guys really got to watch it."

Conclusion

Episode 685 of Grumpy Old Geeks offers a comprehensive and unapologetic analysis of recent tech developments, with a particular focus on Elon Musk's expanding influence. From scrutinizing high-profile appearances and corporate strategies to examining broader industry trends in AI and robotics, the hosts deliver their signature blend of humor and critical insight. Supplemented by discussions on media, entertainment, and listener interactions, this episode provides both depth and diversity, making it a must-listen for tech enthusiasts seeking honest and engaging discourse.

Notable Quotes Summary:

• Jason DeFilippo:

  • "He rambled through a mix of Internet memes, political grievances, and conspiracy-laced claims."
  • "I just can't believe that you can just walk up to a supercharger and cut the cable off."
  • "It was like, we don't have anything to use this on."

• Brian Schulmeister:

  • "He can't shut up. And it's all lies, all of it, like, and provable."
  • "If they just decide to ignore any court order, we are screwed."

Note: All timestamps correspond to the moments in the transcript where the quotes were made.

For more in-depth discussions and the full transcript, visit the Grumpy Old Geeks website.