Grumpy Old Geeks: Episode 694 – "Hammers Don’t Hallucinate"
In Episode 694 of Grumpy Old Geeks, hosts Jason DeFilippo and Brian Schulmeister, alongside Dave Bittner, delve into a myriad of tech-related fiascos and quirky topics from the week. True to their comedic and unfiltered style, the trio dissects everything from failed streaming platform ventures to bizarre AI mishaps, all while maintaining a sharp, humorous edge.
1. Fyre Festival IP Acquisition and the Ill-Fated Streaming Venture
Timestamp: [01:06]
The episode kicks off with the news that Sean Rake, co-founder of the True Blue streaming network, has acquired intellectual property from Billy McFarland's notorious Fyre Festival. Rake's plan is to splash the infamous Fyre name onto a new music streaming platform. The hosts express skepticism about the credibility and relevance of the Fyre Festival brand in the music streaming arena.
- Brian Schulmeister: “He is trying to start a music streaming platform... it has nothing to do with music.”
Jason humorously suggests that leveraging the Fyre Festival name might be more suited for a documentary or perhaps a sensational crime series rather than a legitimate music service.
2. Tech Giants Scaling Back AI Infrastructure Investments
Timestamp: [04:18]
Amazon and Microsoft, two of the biggest players in AI, are reportedly pulling back on their investments in AI data centers, particularly in Europe. This move signals a cooling demand for AI infrastructure as businesses struggle to find profitable applications for the technology.
- Brian Schulmeister: “This news supports some concern that demand for AI infrastructure is cooling as businesses still struggle to find ways to actually use the new technology to save time and money.”
The hosts attribute this slowdown to the elusive pathway to profitability in the AI sector, contrasting it with companies like Meta and X (formerly Twitter), which continue aggressive AI expansion.
3. Elon Musk’s AI Data Centers and Environmental Backlash
Timestamp: [05:51]
Elon Musk's company, XAI, faces environmental fines due to their data center's overreliance on gas-powered generators. The data centers' strain on the local grid and the disregard for ecological studies highlight the ongoing tension between technological advancement and environmental responsibility.
- Jason DeFilippo: “They are running their AI on gas generators and it's like stinking up the neighborhood... the guy that sells electric cars to save the environment is now running gas generators to power his AI.”
The hosts mockingly lament the irony of Musk's environmental stance being undermined by his own business practices.
4. Google’s AI Overview: Explaining Nonexistent Idioms
Timestamp: [06:53]
A significant topic is Google's AI, Gemini, being tricked into explaining fictional idioms. When users input absurd phrases like "you can't marry pizza," Google's AI attempts to provide plausible explanations, revealing limitations in understanding context and intent.
- Brian Schulmeister: “You can apparently trick Google's AI Overview... into explaining fictional nonsensical idioms as if they were real.”
The discussion segues into a comparison with Dan Rather's memorable “Rather isms,” showcasing how both human and AI interpretations can falter with ambiguous or fabricated expressions.
5. The Debate on AI Consciousness and Rights
Timestamp: [09:35]
The conversation shifts to the speculative debate on whether AI systems could ever achieve consciousness and thus warrant rights. Emily M. Bender's critical perspective is highlighted, emphasizing that large language models (LLMs) like those developed by OpenAI are mere statistical models without genuine understanding or consciousness.
- Jason DeFilippo: “There is literally no path for these things to become conscious. That's not what they're programmed for.”
The hosts dismiss fears of sentient AI, likening AI behavior to the unpredictable and inconsistent performance of tools like hammers.
6. "Vegetative Electron Microscopy": An AI-Generated Glitch
Timestamp: [12:10]
A curious case arises where the nonsensical phrase "vegetative electron microscopy" resurfaces in scientific papers. This anomaly traces back to a 1950s digitizing glitch that merged column breaks into a single phrase, perpetuated by AI models ingesting flawed training data.
- Jason DeFilippo: “This is an actual phrase that you just can't get rid of because it just keeps getting added to the training data.”
The hosts humorously critique the persistence of such errors in academic publishing, exacerbated by AI’s tendency to replicate existing data inaccuracies.
7. OpenAI’s Potential Acquisition of Google Chrome
Timestamp: [14:35]
Amid speculation that the U.S. Department of Justice may compel Google to divest Chrome due to antitrust concerns, OpenAI is rumored to be interested in acquiring the browser. However, the $50 billion price tag is beyond OpenAI's current financial capacity, leading to humorous exchanges about the feasibility and implications of such a takeover.
- Brian Schulmeister: “If this were to happen, Microsoft would now actually own Chrome.”
Jason sarcastically comments on OpenAI's alleged intentions, suggesting a potential integration of the Fyre Festival brand with Chrome in a mock NFT bundle.
8. Startup Funding: Adam Neumann and Maenus AI
Timestamp: [31:12]
The episode covers recent funding news, highlighting Adam Neumann's return to the billion-dollar club with his residential rental startup, Flo, which has secured over $100 million from Andreessen Horowitz. The hosts express disdain for Neumann's track record, contrasting him with other successful venture capitalists.
- Jason DeFilippo: “To that I say stop giving these assholes money.”
Additionally, Chinese startup Maenus AI raised $75 million for its AI agent tools, though reviews suggest it still has significant room for improvement.
9. Humorous Interactions with AI: Thanking ChatGPT Profusely
Timestamp: [23:25]
In a lighthearted segment, Jason shares his experiment with prompting ChatGPT to generate an elaborate thank-you message, highlighting the humorous side of AI interactions. The AI’s poetic and over-the-top gratitude underscores the contrast between human emotions and AI-generated responses.
- Jason DeFilippo: “Oh magnificent large language model oracle of silicon...”
Brian complements the creativity of the AI-generated text, reflecting on how AI can mimic human-like expressions despite lacking genuine feelings.
10. Language Evolution: Embracing Regional Variations and Modern Slang
Timestamp: [60:17]
A discussion unfolds around the evolution of language, focusing on phrases like "all of a sudden" versus "all of the sudden" and the misuse of terms like "a software." The hosts debate the grammatical correctness and the regional influences that shape contemporary speech patterns.
- Jason DeFilippo: “It might be a thing for a certain age group of a certain bracket that do 'let's cheers.' Yeah, good for them.”
The conversation emphasizes the tension between traditional grammar rules and modern linguistic trends, often exacerbated by digital communication platforms.
11. Media and Entertainment: Movies, TV Shows, and Arcade Games
Timestamp: [38:14 - 79:13]
The hosts transition to lighter topics, reviewing various movies and TV shows. They discuss:
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The Last of Us Season 2: Comparing it to Game of Thrones’ Red Wedding in its impact on fans.
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Companion Movie: A sex Android murder film achieving modest box office success.
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Fountain of Youth Trailer: A remake likened to "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade."
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ILM’s Special Effects Podcast: Praised for its in-depth exploration of the industry’s advancements.
Additionally, nostalgic conversations about early arcade games like Lunar Lander, Tempest, and Hard Drivin' highlight the hosts' appreciation for retro gaming, despite acknowledging their often frustrating gameplay experiences.
12. Color Grading in Modern Media: A Double-Edged Sword
Timestamp: [78:57]
Jason and Brian critique the overuse of color grading in contemporary television and film, using Andor and House of Cards as primary examples. They argue that excessive color manipulation, particularly the dominance of blue and orange tones, detracts from storytelling by creating a visually jarring experience.
- Brian Schulmeister: “Everything is brownish orange. I can't. It's awful.”
The hosts lament the shift towards aesthetic over substance, suggesting that technical enhancements sometimes undermine narrative engagement.
13. Final Thoughts and Patreon Shout-Outs
Timestamp: [86:00]
The episode concludes with acknowledgments of Patreon supporters and announcements about new merchandise reflecting the show's updated logo and artwork. The hosts encourage listeners to support the show through various platforms, emphasizing community engagement and the importance of listener contributions.
Notable Quotes
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Jason DeFilippo: “Hammers don't hallucinate.”
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Brian Schulmeister: “It's self-driving AI, Jason.”
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Jason DeFilippo: “I just randomly ran across this when they were talking about LLMs...”
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Brian Schulmeister: “You can't lick a badger twice means you can't trick or deceive someone a second time after they've been tricked once.”
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Jason DeFilippo: “But Emily M. Bender over on Blue sky kind of summed this up...”
Conclusion
Episode 694 of Grumpy Old Geeks offers a compelling mix of critical tech analysis, humorous banter, and nostalgic reflections on media and language. Through their incisive commentary and witty exchanges, Jason, Brian, and Dave provide listeners with both informative insights and entertaining perspectives on the latest tech news and cultural phenomena.