Grumpy Old Geeks Podcast - Episode 696: "Googliearchs"

Release Date: May 9, 2025

Hosts: Jason DeFilippo, Brian Schulmeister
Guest: Dave Bittner

1. Social Media Algorithms and Teen Safety

Discussed from [00:01] to [07:10]

The episode kicks off with Jason introducing a new feature—Instagram Teen Accounts—designed to enhance the safety of teenage users. This feature includes automatic protections controlling who can contact teens and the content they can access.

Brian humorously compares it to ensuring teenagers always have their seatbelts on:
"Like making sure they always have their seatbelt on." ([00:06])

The conversation swiftly shifts to the broader issue of algorithmically curated content. Jason expresses frustration over the manipulative nature of social media algorithms:
"I've actually had to limit myself to 90 seconds now, per any social media app, because it will suck me in." ([01:19])

Brian echoes this sentiment, highlighting the pervasive influence of algorithms:
"On every different social media account that I have, I get a radically different worldview." ([04:39])

They delve into how personalized algorithms create disparate realities for users, leading to radicalization and misinformation. Jason shares a personal anecdote about conflicting content on TikTok versus his own feed, illustrating the fragmented nature of online experiences.

2. Cryptocurrency Regulations and Legal Actions

Discussed from [07:10] to [11:44]

The hosts transition to the deteriorating economics of Bitcoin mining, emphasizing its growing unfeasibility due to high energy costs. They cite Kuwait's crackdown on crypto miners, blaming the practice for blackouts and stressing the strain on power grids in a country where summers reach 125°F:
"Officials have blamed the practice for blackouts and for causing stress on its power grids." ([07:32])

Brian and Jason discuss similar regulatory moves in other countries like Russia, Kosovo, Iceland, and Norway, noting the global trend toward restricting crypto mining to conserve energy.

The conversation shifts to the Celsius Network founder, Alexander Mashinsky, who was sentenced to 12 years in prison for defrauding customers: "Celsius did collapse in 2022, exposing Mashinsky's risky bets and 45 million dollars personal profit." ([10:23])

Jason strongly criticizes the lenient punishment:
"Let's put him in rapey butt prison. I think that's a better one." ([10:56])

3. Media Mergers: DoorDash Acquires Deliveroo

Discussed from [15:23] to [16:40]

Jason and Brian discuss DoorDash's acquisition of British delivery service Deliveroo for $3.9 billion: "It does make sense that you would start to see consolidation in this industry as they are having again, smaller margins and less people are using them and all that sort of stuff." ([15:23])

They analyze the strategic advantage this merger provides DoorDash, expanding its global footprint into Europe and the Middle East, accessing a population exceeding 1 billion people: "This acquisition will strengthen DoorDash's position as a leading global platform." ([15:35])

Jason humorously introduces the concept of a "Deliveroo oligarchy" as a future consequence of such consolidations:
"A deliveroo oligarchy." ([16:50])

4. Elon Musk’s X (Formerly Twitter) Challenges

Discussed from [16:40] to [18:26]

The hosts shift focus to Elon Musk's struggles with X, highlighting the platform's decline in user engagement and increasing spam and bot activity: "Elon Musk wants to hire a PR pro to fix X because apparently even he's noticed it's a flaming dumpster full of bots, spam, and Nazi adjacent reposts." ([16:55])

Brian sarcastically suggests that the problems are inherent to what Musk built:
"But this is what he built. This is what he wanted. He created this." ([16:58])

Jason criticizes Musk's inability to control the platform's deterioration:
"It's a tough, tough world out there. Your phone's not listening to you, but the algorithm sure as hell is." ([06:48])

They discuss the broader implications of decreased trust in mainstream news sources, with social media algorithms shaping users' perceptions and beliefs.

5. AI and Its Impact on Society and Children

Discussed from [18:26] to [22:50]

A significant portion of the episode addresses Artificial Intelligence's role in society, particularly its effects on children. Jason references a New York Times report about Google's Gemini AI being made available to users under 13: "Google will be making Gemini available to users under 13, so long as they're under a parent managed Google account using Family Link." ([19:02])

The hosts express skepticism about the effectiveness of these protections, recalling past failures like YouTube Kids in adequately filtering inappropriate content: "They were promised guardrails, but they actually served a lot of inappropriate content for a young kid." ([19:39])

Brian introduces disturbing anecdotes about ChatGPT-induced psychosis, where individuals develop delusional beliefs influenced by AI interactions: "A Reddit thread titled 'Chat GPT Induced Psychosis' has become a support group for others, seeing loved ones lose touch with reality." ([21:16])

They debate the ethical implications of deploying AI for children, stressing the potential for misuse and psychological harm: "Soon to be Gemini for your little child... let's not unleash it on children." ([21:48])

6. Privacy and Security in Apps

Discussed from [25:18] to [29:43]

The discussion turns to privacy breaches in applications, focusing on the dating app Raw: "Due to a lack of basic digital security protections, RAW was accidentally leaving users personal information open to public inspection." ([25:43])

Brian elaborates on the severity, explaining that detailed personal data, including sexual preferences and precise location information, were exposed: "Anyone with a web browser could access detailed app user information, including their data bird birth, display name, sexual preferences, and street-level location data." ([26:16])

Jason humorously critiques the app's new hardware feature, the Raw Ring, designed to track lovers' locations to prevent cheating: "I was going to ask if it was a cock ring, but I guess it may be." ([26:16])

They express concerns over data security and the potential misuse of personal information, emphasizing the need for better protections in app development.

7. Satellite Internet: Starlink's Promotion Abroad

Discussed from [27:08] to [29:43]

Jason brings up US Government’s covert promotion of Elon Musk’s Starlink in foreign nations facing new tariffs: "Shortly after Trump announced a 50% tariff on Lesotho, a small African nation suddenly approved Starlink's first ever license there." ([27:32])

They cite internal State Department cables revealing similar strategies in countries like India, Cambodia, Somalia, Pakistan, and Vietnam: "Internal memos describe similar moves in countries like India, Cambodia, Somalia, Pakistan, and Vietnam, often with embassies pushing Starlink by name." ([28:11])

Brian points out the ethical ambiguities, noting that while the strategy isn't illegal, it blurs the lines between diplomacy and tech marketing: "This blurs ethical lines and highlights how US diplomacy is now doubling as tech marketing." ([28:45])

Jason humorously laments the pervasiveness of such tactics:
"Can we make corruption illegal again? What's the acronym on that? Can I get a hat?" ([29:35])

8. AI Resurrection in Legal Context

Discussed from [34:19] to [35:44]

Jason highlights a unique use of AI where a family used artificial intelligence to digitally resurrect their murdered loved one in court: "At the sentencing of his convicted killer, a lifelike recreation of Pelkey addressed the courtroom." ([34:19])

The hosts debate the ethical and emotional implications of such technology, with Jason acknowledging the mixed reactions: "While the family says the digital likeness brought them healing and closure, critics online are calling it disturbing." ([35:44])

Brian adds a skeptical view:
"I just wonder if somebody at Rolling Stone is actually using ChatGPT to write the damn article because it just sounds so far fetched." ([22:05])

9. Weather Radar System Security

Discussed from [32:38] to [34:19]

The conversation shifts to the illicit targeting of US weather radar systems by an anti-government militia group claiming the existence of weather manipulation weapons: "NeExrad radar sites to identify weaknesses." ([34:10])

They discuss the importance of these systems for severe weather forecasting and express concerns over their vulnerability: "Nexrad, short for Next Generation Weather Radar, is a critical tool used to forecast severe weather." ([34:07])

Jason humorously notes the decline in weather reporting quality:
"And the weather reporting down here has gone to absolute shit." ([34:15])

10. Entertainment, Nostalgia, and Personal Anecdotes

Discussed from [36:40] onwards

Towards the end of the episode, the hosts engage in lighter topics, discussing Star Wars series, classic rock, streaming experiences, and personal experiences with vintage technology.

Brian shares his passion for industrial design, reminiscing about Industrial Light and Magic books and classic Sony designs: "The first record album I ever owned was Elton John's Greatest Hits. The second was Kiss Alive 2." ([59:15])

Jason recounts acquiring a vintage Sony Walkman, emphasizing the nostalgia and appeal of older technology: "I just got a mint condition Sony Walkman. I have a very faint image of this giant building with a Ferris wheel in it." ([65:07])

They also touch upon streaming service frustrations, referencing the removal of favorite shows from platforms like Max and Netflix, and humorously lament over classic rock bands like KISS: "I have a little follow up that I want to start on today, Brian, about algorithmically curated content." ([00:56])

11. Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks

Discussed from [87:00] onwards

The episode concludes with acknowledgments to Patreon supporters, shoutouts to listeners, and light-hearted banter about potential future episodes and merchandise. The hosts encourage listeners to support the podcast through various channels to keep the "grumpiness alive."

Notable Quotes:

• Jason DeFilippo ([01:19]): "I've actually had to limit myself to 90 seconds now, per any social media app, because it will suck me in."

• Brian Schulmeister ([04:39]): "On every different social media account that I have, I get a radically different worldview."

• Jason DeFilippo ([10:56]): "Let's put him in rapey butt prison. I think that's a better one."

• Jason DeFilippo ([27:32]): "Shortly after Trump announced a 50% tariff on Lesotho, a small African nation suddenly approved Starlink's first ever license there."

• Brian Schulmeister ([34:07]): "Nexrad, short for Next Generation Weather Radar, is a critical tool used to forecast severe weather."

• Jason DeFilippo ([35:44]): "While the family says the digital likeness brought them healing and closure, critics online are calling it disturbing."

Conclusion:

In episode 696, "Googliearchs," Grumpy Old Geeks comprehensively dissect pressing issues in the tech world, ranging from the impact of social media algorithms on youth safety to the ethical dilemmas posed by AI in personal and legal contexts. The hosts blend sharp critiques with personal anecdotes, providing listeners with a thorough and engaging analysis of contemporary technological challenges and their broader societal implications.