Grumpy Old Geeks – Episode 693: Let Them Eat Space Release Date: April 18, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 693 of Grumpy Old Geeks, hosts Jason DeFilippo and Brian Schulmeister, along with guest Dave Bittner, dive deep into the chaotic world of tech news. True to their name, the trio offers no-holds-barred critiques of the latest technological mishaps, corporate blunders, and industry controversies. This episode, aptly titled "Let Them Eat Space," navigates through a spectrum of topics, from science journalism pitfalls to the tumultuous endeavors of tech moguls in space tourism.

IFL Science and the Exoplanet K2-18b Clickbait

[00:56] Brian Schulmeister kicks off the episode by expressing disappointment in IFL Science (originally "I Love Science") for veering into clickbait territory. The site initially garnered acclaim for its engaging science content but has recently been criticized for sensationalist headlines, particularly concerning the exoplanet K2-18b.

Brian Schulmeister [01:55]: "You cried aliens. Ifl science. You posted the first article saying that there could be aliens... you are clickbait now."

[02:55] Jason DeFilippo emphasizes that while it's possible to "love science," audiences need to discern reliable sources from those exploiting sensationalism for clicks.

The Direwolves Cloning Controversy

The conversation shifts to the controversial cloning of direwolves, reflecting a trend where scientific endeavors cross into the realm of fantasy:

[03:04] Jason DeFilippo: "There's only 20 out of the roughly 19,000 genes that they edited. So it's not really a direwolf."

Both hosts express frustration over what they perceive as frivolous scientific projects misrepresenting their capabilities.

Fyre Fest’s Second Attempt Postponed

The infamous organizer Billy McFarland faces yet another setback as his second attempt to stage a music festival, following the disastrous Fyre Fest, has been postponed indefinitely:

[04:26] Jason DeFilippo: "This was never gonna happen."

[04:44] Jason DeFilippo sarcastically advises ticket holders to invest their refunds in cryptocurrency, highlighting the recurring pattern of McFarland's failed ventures.

Automattic’s Internal Watermark Scandal

A significant tech industry issue is raised when Brian Schulmeister discusses how Automattic (parent company of WordPress) has embedded invisible watermarks in their internal communications to deter leaking:

[05:22] Jason DeFilippo: "I love that movie. This is... concealment tactics."

This move by Automattic, intended to track leaks, has been criticized as a sign of distrust and poor management within the company.

Elon Musk and the Space Tourism Backlash

A major portion of the episode delves into Elon Musk's controversial ventures into space tourism, particularly focusing on a recent suborbital flight involving celebrities like Katy Perry and Lauren Sanchez. The hosts criticize the superficial nature of these missions, contrasting them with the reduction of genuine female pioneers in NASA:

[07:59] Brian Schulmeister: "They are... not looking good for anybody involved."

Elon Musk's personal controversies, including paternity disputes and allegations of offering hush money, are also scrutinized extensively:

[12:47] Jason DeFilippo: "Elon's trying to make a compound near Austin for all the women that he's been impregnating."

The episode paints a bleak picture of Musk's impact on both the tech industry and personal lives of those around him.

Cybersecurity Breach at NLRB Involving DOGE

The discussion moves to a whistleblower's revelation about negative activities by the DOGE (likely a placeholder for another organization) involving the theft of sensitive labor data from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB):

[16:26] Brian Schulmeister: "Look, it was just one of Doge's team that accidentally left their VPN on."

The breach raises alarms about data security, potential intimidation of whistleblowers, and the broader implications for federal trust in protecting sensitive information.

U.S. Tariffs on Electronics and Semiconductors

[17:47] Brian Schulmeister and Jason DeFilippo discuss the fluctuating landscape of U.S. tariffs on electronics. Despite temporary exemptions for products like smartphones and computers, looming sectoral tariffs on semiconductors threaten to escalate costs dramatically:

[18:53] Jason DeFilippo: "Yep... the tariffs are off, but we'll soon be on again anyways."

The hosts express concern over the sustainability and economic impact of such tariff policies on consumer electronics.

Google’s Antitrust Case Against the DOJ

The U.S. Department of Justice scored a significant victory in an antitrust case against Google, ruling that the tech giant unlawfully maintained a monopoly in the online advertising technology market:

[21:00] Brian Schulmeister: "Judge Brinkma found Google liable under sections 1 and 2 of the Sherman act..."

While the case dismisses certain arguments about Google's monopoly in ad networks, the ruling underscores ongoing challenges large tech companies face regarding competition and regulation.

OpenAI’s Foray into Social Networking

In a surprising development, OpenAI is reportedly developing a social network centered around ChatGPT's image generation capabilities. The proposed platform aims to integrate seamlessly with existing AI tools but raises questions about data privacy and the ethics of AI-driven social interactions:

[26:58] Jason DeFilippo: "It's unclear whether it'll be a standalone app or baked into ChatGPT..."

The initiative highlights OpenAI's expansion beyond traditional AI applications into more community-focused platforms.

4chan Hack and Its Aftermath

The anonymous message board 4chan recently suffered a major hack that exposed its source code, leading to significant outages and the potential migration of its user base to other platforms:

[28:04] Brian Schulmeister: "Good riddance to 4chan... but the problem remains: where do these users go next?"

Brian reflects on 4chan's notorious history, including its role in events like Gamergate and QAnon, emphasizing the cyclical nature of internet subcultures finding new homes.

AI Code Generators and Fake Software Packages

A concerning trend in AI development is addressed when the hosts discuss how AI-powered code editors like Cursor are hallucinating software packages, leading to security risks in the software supply chain:

[32:22] Brian Schulmeister: "Stuff's not supposed to be used for certain purposes."

This issue underscores the challenges of deploying AI in critical, user-facing roles without adequate oversight.

Defense Digital Service’s Resignation Over AI Collaboration

[33:15] Brian Schulmeister reports that the Defense Digital Service (DDS), the Pentagon's elite tech unit, has resigned en masse after clashes with Elon Musk’s DOGE over AI collaboration:

[33:54] Brian Schulmeister: "This is the real problem... we're losing a generation."

The departure leaves critical defense initiatives like drone detection and military aid automation in jeopardy, signaling deeper issues within governmental tech collaborations.

Tesla’s Retro-Futuristic Diner

Shifting gears to lighter news, Tesla is finalizing plans for a retro-futuristic diner in Hollywood, dubbed the Charge and Dime concept. The establishment promises rooftop EV charging, drive-in movie screens, and themed dining experiences:

[36:27] Brian Schulmeister: "I don't think it's going to happen."

Despite high hopes, the project faces skepticism regarding its reception and viability, especially amidst ongoing protests against Tesla.

Meta’s Reality Labs and Financial Troubles

A report from Yahoo Finance highlights that Meta’s Reality Labs division has lost nearly $50 billion over five years due to mismanagement and strategic missteps:

[36:27] Brian Schulmeister: "Zuckerberg being an idiot."

The financial hemorrhage emphasizes the struggles tech giants face in pioneering new technologies without sustainable strategies.

AI Tools Creating Fake Software Packages

Further concerns about AI accuracy emerge as a study reveals that 20% of software packages recommended by various AI models like ChatGPT are entirely fictitious. This error rate poses significant risks, including the potential for malicious actors to exploit these fake packages:

[38:39] Brian Schulmeister: "Yeah... hackers can create malicious packages."

The findings call for improved validation mechanisms in AI-driven development tools to ensure software integrity.

Sesame Street Action Figures and Nostalgia

In a nostalgic segment, Brian and Jason reminisce about Sesame Street songs and new action figures released by Super 7, sparking reflections on childhood memories and the evolution of educational programming:

[80:05] Jason DeFilippo: "Silent E actually did come out on a Sesame street album."

The discussion highlights the enduring impact of Sesame Street on generations and its ability to convey complex emotions and lessons to children.

Closing Remarks and Tributes

The episode concludes with heartfelt tributes to Jed the Fishgold, a pioneering DJ at KROQ, who recently passed away. The hosts share personal anecdotes and express their admiration for his influence on the alternative music scene.

[86:14] Jason DeFilippo: "He was awesome. He was nuts. Nobody was quite as crazy as he was and just massively influential."

Additionally, they touch upon the discontinuation of the last Radio Shack in Maryland, lamenting the end of an era for a beloved electronics retailer.

Notable Quotes

• Brian Schulmeister [01:55]: "You cried aliens. Ifl science. You are clickbait now."
• Jason DeFilippo [03:04]: "Only 20 out of the roughly 19,000 genes that they edited. So it's not really a direwolf."
• Brian Schulmeister [16:26]: "Look, it was just one of Doge's team that accidentally left their VPN on."
• Jason DeFilippo [24:48]: "I’m moving to China. Fuck this shit, man."

Conclusion

Episode 693 of Grumpy Old Geeks delivers a comprehensive and candid analysis of recent tech events, blending sharp criticism with personal anecdotes and nostalgic musings. From corporate missteps and AI inaccuracies to the fading presence of iconic brands, Jason, Brian, and Dave offer listeners an unfiltered look into the current state of technology and its broader societal implications. Whether you're a tech enthusiast or simply enjoy a good rant, this episode provides both insightful commentary and relatable grumpiness.

Stay Connected

For more insights and discussions, visit the Grumpy Old Geeks Show and join their Discord community. Support the show on Patreon and explore exclusive merchandise at Shop GOG Show.