Grumpy Old Geeks - Episode 687: Uncanny Spaceballs

Release Date: March 7, 2025

Hosted by Jason DeFilippo, Brian Schulmeister, and Dave Bittner, Grumpy Old Geeks dives deep into the chaotic and often absurd world of technology news. In Episode 687, titled "Uncanny Spaceballs," the hosts tackle a myriad of topics ranging from AI mishaps and corporate downfalls to the ever-evolving landscape of cryptocurrency and space exploration. Below is a detailed summary capturing the key discussions, insights, and conclusions of the episode.

1. Tech Dirt Blog's Political Shift

Brian Schulmeister introduces a significant change at Tech Dirt, a blog that has now embraced a more democratic and politically charged stance. He asserts, “We’ve seen how technology can be wielded to consolidate power... It’s a playbook. We watched Musk Perfect at Twitter and now we’re seeing it deployed on a national scale” [00:45]. This shift has garnered mixed reactions, with most followers supporting the new direction while some express concerns over the increased political focus.

2. AI’s Inaccuracy with Movie Timestamps

The hosts discuss the frustrations with AI-generated search results, specifically highlighting a failed attempt by Google AI to locate a famous "Die Hard" clip. Jason DeFilippo points out the inaccuracy: “In the movie Die Hard... the iconic line... is spoken by John McClane at approximately 1 minute and 0 seconds into the movie” [02:39], which is blatantly incorrect as the actual scene occurs at 57 minutes and 18 seconds [03:15]. This mishap underscores the limitations of current AI search functionalities.

3. Fyre Festival 2 and Billy McFarland’s Stunts

Brian Schulmeister brings up Billy McFarland’s dubious Fyre Festival 2, highlighting the ongoing deception. He notes that officials from Isla Mujeres have no knowledge of the event, and the provided coordinates lead to the ocean [05:07]. Jason DeFilippo sarcastically suggests McFarland’s ulterior motives: “If I can lie this good... can I please be part of Doge?” [06:28]. The discussion underscores the skepticism surrounding McFarland’s latest endeavor and the apparent lack of genuine planning.

4. Tesla Under Siege: Sales Plunge and Vandalism

The podcast delves into the dramatic decline in Tesla’s global sales, citing specific drops in Germany (76%), France (26%), Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and China (50%) [08:02]. Brian Schulmeister highlights the broader backlash, including protests, vandalism, and stock price tumults. Jason DeFilippo adds, "Protests and vandalism at Tesla dealerships are on the rise... arsonists in southwest France torched a dozen Teslas” [09:42]. The hosts attribute these issues to intensified criticism of Elon Musk and his leadership style.

5. The Future of AI in Engineering Jobs

Jason DeFilippo references Sergey Brin’s controversial statement advocating for engineers to build AI replacements: “Engineers should work 60 hour weeks in office to build AI that could replace them” [10:09]. The hosts debate the implications of this viewpoint, discussing the potential erosion of the middle class in tech and the increasing reliance on AI-generated solutions.

6. Propaganda and AI Manipulation

A critical segment examines how Russian disinformation is infiltrating AI models. Jason DeFilippo reveals, “Pravda network... exploits how AI models retrieve and process news by flooding search results with disinformation” [22:15]. This tactic, termed "LLM grooming," aims to manipulate AI into perpetuating Kremlin falsehoods, thereby distorting public perception through AI-generated content.

7. Crypto Crisis: Violent Crimes and Market Volatility

The hosts discuss recent violent incidents targeting cryptocurrency holders, such as the home invasion of OnlyFans creator Amaranth who was attacked for her crypto wallet [24:03]. Additionally, they cover Trump’s failed crypto initiative, which temporarily spiked prices before causing a significant crash [25:17]. Brian Schulmeister labels it "the biggest grift we've ever seen," cautioning listeners against investing in such ventures [25:26].

8. Market Turbulence: Technicolor Shutdown and Zelle Lawsuit Dropped

Brian Schulmeister reports on the abrupt closure of VFX giant Technicolor, affecting over 10,000 artists globally due to financial struggles and post-COVID downturns [16:40]. Concurrently, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) under the Trump administration dropped its lawsuit against Zelle, despite prior claims of significant customer losses [27:18]. Jason DeFilippo mocks the recusal, hinting at internal governmental inefficiency [28:21].

9. Canadian Municipalities Abandon X

The podcast highlights a trend among Canadian municipalities to cease using X (formerly Twitter) due to low engagement and the platform’s proliferation of misinformation and hate speech [28:36]. Brian Schulmeister emphasizes their stance against supporting a platform rife with harmful content, aligning with broader societal movements to distance from toxic social media environments [29:38].

10. OpenAI's Expensive Specialized AI Agents

Jason DeFilippo discusses OpenAI’s plan to introduce high-priced AI agents tailored for specific industries, ranging from $2,000 to $20,000 per month [31:01]. Despite OpenAI's financial struggles, including a reported $5 billion loss last year, the move represents a shift towards monetizing AI capabilities for professional use. Brian Schulmeister criticizes the unsustainable business model, comparing it to past tech industry mistakes [31:45].

11. Reviving Dig: Kevin Rose and Alex Ohanian’s Attempt

Kevin Rose and Alex Ohanian aim to revive the once-popular news aggregator Dig with AI-powered tools to enhance community management [32:20]. However, the hosts express skepticism about its viability in the competitive landscape dominated by platforms like Reddit, which continue to struggle with issues around censorship and user engagement [32:47].

12. Social Media’s Physical Impact on Users

A study from Durham University reveals that browsing Instagram significantly affects physiological responses: heart rates slow while sweating increases during usage, indicating deep emotional immersion. Upon logging off, users experience stress spikes akin to withdrawal symptoms [33:35]. Jason DeFilippo underscores the addictive nature of social media, stating, “These platforms are physically bad for you” [33:48].

13. Space Endeavors: Failures and Achievements

The episode covers recent developments in space exploration, highlighting SpaceX’s setbacks with the Starship and celebrating Intuitive Machines’ successful (albeit uncertain) moon landing with their Athena spacecraft [34:45]. Brian Schulmeister optimistically marks the achievement, while Jason DeFilippo humorously critiques the landing mechanism [35:02].

14. Listener Feedback: TV Show Opinions

A listener named John expresses dissatisfaction with the hosts’ reviews of popular TV shows like "Severance," "Black Mirror," and "Foundation" [41:08]. Brian Schulmeister and Jason DeFilippo respond by clarifying their actual opinions, defending their critiques, and emphasizing their right to subjective viewpoints. They acknowledge the listener’s perspective but stand by their assessments of the shows [43:35–44:18].

15. Indie Musicians Struggling to Tour

Brian Schulmeister presents alarming statistics from Ditto Music, revealing that 82.1% of independent musicians find touring prohibitively expensive, leading to declined opportunities and reliance on personal savings to sustain their careers [53:16]. The hosts lament the diminishing prospects for indie artists in an increasingly digital and constrained live-performance economy.

16. Humane AI Pin: From Failure to Hack Revival

The Humane AI pin faced operational shutdowns, leaving customers with non-functional devices. However, a hacker named Marcel reverse-engineered the device, restoring its functionality and transforming it into a potential smartphone alternative [55:14]. The community celebrates this feat, though tensions arise over the legality and ethical implications of bypassing official fixes [56:07].

17. AI Integration in Development Tools and Coding Practices

Jason DeFilippo highlights OpenAI’s integration of ChatGPT with developer tools like Xcode and VS Code, enabling automatic code edits [56:07]. While this advancement aims to streamline software development, the hosts caution about the imperfections of AI-generated code, including security flaws and bugs, emphasizing the necessity for strong coding fundamentals [57:30–58:39]. They discuss the rise of "Vibe coding"—using natural language to generate software—and its potential to marginalize mid-level developers [58:38].

18. Tech Device Frustrations: Adobe and Fire TV Woes

The hosts vent their frustrations with problematic tech devices. Jason DeFilippo criticizes Adobe Creative Suite for causing system instability, while Brian Schulmeister shares similar grievances with frequent crashes necessitating constant reboots [61:29–62:03]. Additionally, Jason recounts his exasperation with Fire TV’s intrusive updates disrupting his viewing experience, contrasting it with his more reliable Apple TV setup [62:03–63:57].

19. Book Discussions: “On Tyranny” and Propaganda

Jason DeFilippo and Brian Schulmeister discuss Timothy Snyder’s "On Tyranny," a guide on resisting authoritarianism, drawing parallels between historical Nazi strategies and current political trends [65:01–66:49]. They emphasize the book’s relevance in understanding and combating modern propaganda techniques, reinforcing the podcast’s overarching theme of vigilance against power consolidation.

20. Department of Homeland Security’s Scary Ad Campaign

The hosts analyze a multi-million dollar DHS ad campaign aimed at eradicating undocumented immigrants, describing it as fear-mongering [67:19–68:

11]. Jason DeFilippo shares his concern over the campaign's psychological impact, noting how it instills fear and anxiety among viewers [67:42–68:44]. Brian Schulmeister echoes the sentiment, questioning the government’s efficiency and intent behind such messaging [67:26].

21. Patreon Shoutouts and Community Engagement

In their concluding segments, Jason and Brian express gratitude to their Patreon supporters, acknowledging new and longstanding contributors [68:53–70:07]. They encourage listeners to support the show through various means, including Patreon, PayPal, and merchandise purchases, fostering a sense of community and mutual support among their audience [69:05–70:21].

Key Takeaways:

• AI Limitations: Current AI technologies often fail in providing accurate information, as evidenced by incorrect movie timestamps, and can be manipulated for propaganda purposes.

• Corporate Accountability: Companies like Tesla face severe backlash and financial downturns due to leadership controversies and external criticisms.

• Cryptocurrency Risks: The volatile crypto market remains a hotspot for both financial speculation and criminal activities targeting its users.

• Impact on Middle-Class Jobs: AI advancements are significantly disrupting the middle class in the tech industry, pushing professionals towards either high-paying specialized roles or low-skill jobs.

• Media and Social Influence: Social media platforms continue to exert profound effects on user well-being and societal dynamics, prompting institutions to rethink their digital strategies.

• Space Exploration: Despite setbacks, private and public space endeavors continue to push the boundaries of technology and exploration.

• Community Feedback: Engaging with listener feedback highlights the subjective nature of media reviews and the importance of diverse perspectives.

Notable Quotes:

• Brian Schulmeister [00:45]: “We’ve seen how technology can be wielded to consolidate power... It’s a playbook.”

• Jason DeFilippo [02:39]: “In the movie Die Hard... the iconic line... is spoken by John McClane at approximately 1 minute and 0 seconds into the movie.”

• Jason DeFilippo [06:28]: “If I can lie this good... can I please be part of Doge?”

• Brian Schulmeister [22:15]: “The Pravda network... is angling to manipulate AI models so they repeat Russian narratives as truth.”

• Brian Schulmeister [25:26]: “It’s the biggest grift we've ever seen.”

• Jason DeFilippo [31:01]: “OpenAI is in dire need of cash after reportedly losing $5 billion last year on operational cost.”

Conclusion:

Episode 687 of Grumpy Old Geeks offers a comprehensive and critical examination of the current technological landscape, highlighting the intersection of AI advancements, corporate ethics, and societal impacts. Through lively discussions and sharp insights, hosts Jason DeFilippo and Brian Schulmeister provide listeners with a nuanced perspective on the triumphs and tribulations shaping the tech world today.

For more in-depth discussions and to support the show, listeners are encouraged to visit Grumpy Old Geeks and explore their Patreon and merchandise offerings.