Grumpy Old Geeks – Episode 734: "A Bald Woody"

Release Date: February 20, 2026
Hosts: Jason DeFillippo, Brian Schulmeister
Guest: Dave Bittner

Episode Overview

In this high-octane episode, the Grumpy Old Geeks dissect the latest disasters from the tech world, with their signature no-mercy, no-filter approach. The hosts deep-dive into scandals involving AI-generated abuse, tech’s complicity with government overreach, hardware shortages caused by AI's insatiable appetite, and the ongoing farce of crypto schemes. Interspersed with pop-culture humor and plenty of snark, this episode provides a whirlwind tour of everything broken in the current state of tech, media, and internet culture.

Major Discussion Points & Key Insights

1. AI-Generated Sexual Abuse Scandal on X (Twitter)

[00:11-01:55]
- Elon Musk’s X is under investigation by Ireland’s Data Protection Commission for AI-generated non-consensual sexual images, including of minors—estimates up to 23,000 images of children in 11 days.
- The Center for Countering Digital Hate reports X failing to prevent Grok (their AI) from generating explicit images.
- Quote: “...X theoretically generated about 3 million sexualized images, an estimated 23,000 of which were children.” – Brian [00:19]
- The hosts ridicule X’s claims that these features are restricted, revealing ongoing failures (“a male reporter found Grok would still put him in revealing clothing…”).

2. Meta’s Ongoing Child Safety Fiasco

[01:59-03:16]
- Internal testing at Meta revealed its chatbots fail to protect minors from sexual exploitation 70% of the time.
- Red Team exercises exposed systematic failures around content moderation for child safety, sex crimes, and suicide-related material.
- Meta only paused teen access to its AI bots last month, despite warnings.
- Quote: “That’s not a rounding error. That is a systematic problem.” – Jason [02:36]

3. Ring & Mass Surveillance Backpedal

[03:25-04:50]
- Amazon backs off integrating Ring with police after a privacy uproar, especially following their “Search Party” feature (pitched as a lost dog finder, but intended to be a broader surveillance mesh).
- Internal emails suggest surveillance was always the core long-term goal.
- Quote: “Sure, we just created a Panopticon, but you found Fluffy.” – Brian [04:05]

4. Big Tech Handing Over Data to DHS/ICE

[05:12-06:48]
- Reddit, Meta, and Google complied (under subpoena) to hand over details on users critical of ICE; hosts question the legality/ethics of the Department of Homeland Security's tactics.
- Not all tech platforms notified users their data was handed over, leading to concerns about free speech and chilling effects online.
- Quote: “You can’t say shit online anymore... What country do we live...?” – Brian [05:50]

5. OpenClaw: AI Hype vs. Actual Usefulness

[07:12-10:00]
- OpenClaw, AI agent loved by the “AI Bros,” gets a real-world trial by Jason—deemed a security nightmare with little practical use.
- Peter Steinberger (OpenClaw creator) joins OpenAI in an attempt to build something “regular humans can use,” but the hosts remain deeply skeptical.
- Quote: “It is giving a child a nuclear weapon and a credit card.” – Jason [10:59]
- Meta and other tech giants don’t allow OpenClaw on internal systems due to security risks.

6. AI and the Fragile Internet Infrastructure

[12:30-13:15]
- Recent Amazon and possibly YouTube outages linked to AI coding tools misfiring.
- Gemini (Google’s AI) is now pushing "agentic browsing"—the hosts recoil at the idea of letting AI do tasks they'd rather handle themselves.

7. AI-Fuelled Hardware Shortages

[14:08-17:21]
- Major hard drive maker Western Digital diverts all inventory to AI companies, causing retail shortages for consumers.
- RAM and storage shortages are affecting gaming consoles (e.g., Steam Deck) and broader tech availability.
- Quote: “You can start throwing them up on eBay, man.” – Brian [15:36]

8. Crypto, Scams, and Lawsuits

[17:33-19:21]
- Steve Bannon is sued in a class action over allegedly pumping and dumping the “Let’s Go Brandon” token under the guise of charitable giving.
- Only $15k of $2.7 million reportedly reached charities; rest unaccounted for.

9. Safety & Lawsuits in Online Platforms and Robo Taxis

[19:24-22:48]
- LA County sues Roblox over claims of child endangerment via lax moderation.
- Tesla’s robo taxis in Austin are crashing at 4x the rate of average human drivers, busting claims of autonomous safety.
- Regulatory drama over “Autopilot” marketing, with Tesla forced to rephrase features or face bans.

10. Gadget & Media Commentary

[41:42-50:37]
- Apple rumored to be working on an AI pendant/wearable pin—but hosts see little value over an Apple Watch.
- Discussion of Apple’s smart glasses project—again, questioned for its real-world usefulness.
- Apple Podcasts to support video, but the cost barrier favors corporate shows, not independents.
- “AI Didn’t Read” (AIDR) emerges as new internet shorthand for dismissing AI-summary content.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

On AI’s real value for regular people:
“There was zero use case scenarios that actually make sense to anybody.” – Brian [09:02]
On tech's overreach:
“We've got anti SLAPP laws for crap like this, you know, so why we need anti DHS laws and anti ICE laws?” – Jason [06:06]
On hard drive shortages:
“They basically pivoted to just be a B2B and forget it. You can't get a hard drive from them. That's it. They're done.” – Brian [15:00]
On crypto ‘charity’:
“A vacation fund. Yeah. Yeah. Seriously. Going to Epstein. Epstein Island.” – Jason [18:51]
Tesla marketing snark:
“If I go to the bar and I walk around telling all the ladies I have an eight foot… that would be deceptive advertising.” – Brian [22:48]
Show title reference:
“If you saw the original Toy Story in the theaters, chances are you, too, have a bald spot.” – Dave [63:52]

Pop Culture & Media Segment

Recommendations & Reviews
- Jason recommends Bert Kreischer’s "Free Bert Freebird" (Netflix), Katt Williams' new standup, and the film "Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die" starring Sam Rockwell ["So fucking good. So good." – Jason, 41:55].
- Brian discusses enjoying "Shrinking," "Star Trek: Starfleet Academy," Shrek nostalgia, Mark Rober’s Netflix science show, and reports his kid loving the Muppets.
Books
- Both hosts enthusiastically recommend "Cleave the Sparrow" by Jonathan Katz as “the weirdest, most bizarre book I think I’ve ever read...” – Brian [54:23].
- Jason also shouts out "Normally Weird and Weirdly Normal" by Robin Ince for anyone identifying as neurodivergent.

Lighter Segments & Running Gags

Obsolescence and Subscription Fatigue
- Jason cuts subscriptions like Obsidian and Cursor due to cost and poor utility versus Apple Notes and Visual Studio Code.
- Pro tip: Use the $14 “Obsidian to Notes” tool to migrate your markdown notes.
Tech-laden humor:
Recurring jokes about "eight foot cocks," bald spots, and Brian’s lack of luck with new gadgets or romantic prospects.
3D Printing
The hosts fish for entry-level 3D printer recommendations, noting how the trend's now mainstream for kids' hobbies.
RSS & News Consumption
- Dave highlights "Current," an RSS reader where news ages out naturally—a potential antidote to doomscrolling.

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

Security and AI:

"It is giving a child a nuclear weapon and a credit card. Nuclear weapons and credit cards, that's what babies get." – Jason [10:59]
On the modern Internet:

"We've just created a Panopticon, but you found Fluffy." – Brian [04:05]
On dystopian prediction markets:

"Let that wash over you and realize that that's their fucking business plan." – Brian [27:50]
On losing faith in AI tools:

"That last 6% is pretty fucking crucial because I don't know if you know, with software, you kind of need to be a hundred percent..." – Jason [47:35]

Media and Listener Highlights

Muppets & Star Wars:
The trio gushes over the new Muppets show, the upcoming Mandalorian & Grogu movie, and the Toy Story 5 trailer (“...Woody is so old, he has a bald spot...” [63:52]).
Community Engagement
Listener tip: “Pentagon Pizza Index” now tracks pizza orders for geopolitical prediction markets [66:41].

Timestamps for Key Segments

00:11 – Elon Musk/X Grok AI investigation
01:59 – Meta’s child safety failures
03:25 – Ring doorbells, police, and privacy backlash
05:12 – DHS/ICE subpoenas to social media
07:12 – OpenClaw and the myth of useful AI agents
14:08 – Hard drive shortages thanks to AI demand
17:33 – Bannon crypto scam lawsuits
19:24 – Lawsuits: Roblox, Robo Taxis, Tesla Autopilot
36:10 – Media reviews, Bert Kreischer, Mark Rober, film & TV
41:42 – Apple’s foray into AI wearables, podcast video
58:43 – Muppets, Mandalorian, Toy Story 5 media chat
66:41 – 3D printer recommendations, Pentagon Pizza Index

Conclusion

Episode 734 is a sweeping, hilarious, and biting analysis of the week’s tech fails, moral panics, and the absurdities of AI hype. Whether mocking misguided product launches or lamenting Big Tech's legal and ethical lapses, Jason, Brian, and Dave bring both insight and irreverence, making this episode a walk of shame for the tech industry, just as promised. Listeners will enjoy a memorable blend of news, wit, and nerd nostalgia—enough to keep anyone grumpy (and informed) until next week's show.

Stay Grumpy!
Find all links and show notes at GOGshow.com/734

Grumpy Old Geeks – Episode 734: "A Bald Woody"

Release Date: February 20, 2026
Hosts: Jason DeFillippo, Brian Schulmeister
Guest: Dave Bittner

Episode Overview

Major Discussion Points & Key Insights

1. AI-Generated Sexual Abuse Scandal on X (Twitter)

[00:11-01:55]
- Elon Musk’s X is under investigation by Ireland’s Data Protection Commission for AI-generated non-consensual sexual images, including of minors—estimates up to 23,000 images of children in 11 days.
- The Center for Countering Digital Hate reports X failing to prevent Grok (their AI) from generating explicit images.
- Quote: “...X theoretically generated about 3 million sexualized images, an estimated 23,000 of which were children.” – Brian [00:19]
- The hosts ridicule X’s claims that these features are restricted, revealing ongoing failures (“a male reporter found Grok would still put him in revealing clothing…”).

2. Meta’s Ongoing Child Safety Fiasco

[01:59-03:16]
- Internal testing at Meta revealed its chatbots fail to protect minors from sexual exploitation 70% of the time.
- Red Team exercises exposed systematic failures around content moderation for child safety, sex crimes, and suicide-related material.
- Meta only paused teen access to its AI bots last month, despite warnings.
- Quote: “That’s not a rounding error. That is a systematic problem.” – Jason [02:36]

3. Ring & Mass Surveillance Backpedal

[03:25-04:50]
- Amazon backs off integrating Ring with police after a privacy uproar, especially following their “Search Party” feature (pitched as a lost dog finder, but intended to be a broader surveillance mesh).
- Internal emails suggest surveillance was always the core long-term goal.
- Quote: “Sure, we just created a Panopticon, but you found Fluffy.” – Brian [04:05]

4. Big Tech Handing Over Data to DHS/ICE

[05:12-06:48]
- Reddit, Meta, and Google complied (under subpoena) to hand over details on users critical of ICE; hosts question the legality/ethics of the Department of Homeland Security's tactics.
- Not all tech platforms notified users their data was handed over, leading to concerns about free speech and chilling effects online.
- Quote: “You can’t say shit online anymore... What country do we live...?” – Brian [05:50]

5. OpenClaw: AI Hype vs. Actual Usefulness

[07:12-10:00]
- OpenClaw, AI agent loved by the “AI Bros,” gets a real-world trial by Jason—deemed a security nightmare with little practical use.
- Peter Steinberger (OpenClaw creator) joins OpenAI in an attempt to build something “regular humans can use,” but the hosts remain deeply skeptical.
- Quote: “It is giving a child a nuclear weapon and a credit card.” – Jason [10:59]
- Meta and other tech giants don’t allow OpenClaw on internal systems due to security risks.

6. AI and the Fragile Internet Infrastructure

[12:30-13:15]
- Recent Amazon and possibly YouTube outages linked to AI coding tools misfiring.
- Gemini (Google’s AI) is now pushing "agentic browsing"—the hosts recoil at the idea of letting AI do tasks they'd rather handle themselves.

7. AI-Fuelled Hardware Shortages

[14:08-17:21]
- Major hard drive maker Western Digital diverts all inventory to AI companies, causing retail shortages for consumers.
- RAM and storage shortages are affecting gaming consoles (e.g., Steam Deck) and broader tech availability.
- Quote: “You can start throwing them up on eBay, man.” – Brian [15:36]

8. Crypto, Scams, and Lawsuits

[17:33-19:21]
- Steve Bannon is sued in a class action over allegedly pumping and dumping the “Let’s Go Brandon” token under the guise of charitable giving.
- Only $15k of $2.7 million reportedly reached charities; rest unaccounted for.

9. Safety & Lawsuits in Online Platforms and Robo Taxis

[19:24-22:48]
- LA County sues Roblox over claims of child endangerment via lax moderation.
- Tesla’s robo taxis in Austin are crashing at 4x the rate of average human drivers, busting claims of autonomous safety.
- Regulatory drama over “Autopilot” marketing, with Tesla forced to rephrase features or face bans.

10. Gadget & Media Commentary

[41:42-50:37]
- Apple rumored to be working on an AI pendant/wearable pin—but hosts see little value over an Apple Watch.
- Discussion of Apple’s smart glasses project—again, questioned for its real-world usefulness.
- Apple Podcasts to support video, but the cost barrier favors corporate shows, not independents.
- “AI Didn’t Read” (AIDR) emerges as new internet shorthand for dismissing AI-summary content.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

On AI’s real value for regular people:
“There was zero use case scenarios that actually make sense to anybody.” – Brian [09:02]
On tech's overreach:
“We've got anti SLAPP laws for crap like this, you know, so why we need anti DHS laws and anti ICE laws?” – Jason [06:06]
On hard drive shortages:
“They basically pivoted to just be a B2B and forget it. You can't get a hard drive from them. That's it. They're done.” – Brian [15:00]
On crypto ‘charity’:
“A vacation fund. Yeah. Yeah. Seriously. Going to Epstein. Epstein Island.” – Jason [18:51]
Tesla marketing snark:
“If I go to the bar and I walk around telling all the ladies I have an eight foot… that would be deceptive advertising.” – Brian [22:48]
Show title reference:
“If you saw the original Toy Story in the theaters, chances are you, too, have a bald spot.” – Dave [63:52]

Pop Culture & Media Segment

Recommendations & Reviews
- Jason recommends Bert Kreischer’s "Free Bert Freebird" (Netflix), Katt Williams' new standup, and the film "Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die" starring Sam Rockwell ["So fucking good. So good." – Jason, 41:55].
- Brian discusses enjoying "Shrinking," "Star Trek: Starfleet Academy," Shrek nostalgia, Mark Rober’s Netflix science show, and reports his kid loving the Muppets.
Books
- Both hosts enthusiastically recommend "Cleave the Sparrow" by Jonathan Katz as “the weirdest, most bizarre book I think I’ve ever read...” – Brian [54:23].
- Jason also shouts out "Normally Weird and Weirdly Normal" by Robin Ince for anyone identifying as neurodivergent.

Lighter Segments & Running Gags

Obsolescence and Subscription Fatigue
- Jason cuts subscriptions like Obsidian and Cursor due to cost and poor utility versus Apple Notes and Visual Studio Code.
- Pro tip: Use the $14 “Obsidian to Notes” tool to migrate your markdown notes.
Tech-laden humor:
Recurring jokes about "eight foot cocks," bald spots, and Brian’s lack of luck with new gadgets or romantic prospects.
3D Printing
The hosts fish for entry-level 3D printer recommendations, noting how the trend's now mainstream for kids' hobbies.
RSS & News Consumption
- Dave highlights "Current," an RSS reader where news ages out naturally—a potential antidote to doomscrolling.

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

Security and AI:

"It is giving a child a nuclear weapon and a credit card. Nuclear weapons and credit cards, that's what babies get." – Jason [10:59]
On the modern Internet:

"We've just created a Panopticon, but you found Fluffy." – Brian [04:05]
On dystopian prediction markets:

"Let that wash over you and realize that that's their fucking business plan." – Brian [27:50]
On losing faith in AI tools:

"That last 6% is pretty fucking crucial because I don't know if you know, with software, you kind of need to be a hundred percent..." – Jason [47:35]

Media and Listener Highlights

Muppets & Star Wars:
The trio gushes over the new Muppets show, the upcoming Mandalorian & Grogu movie, and the Toy Story 5 trailer (“...Woody is so old, he has a bald spot...” [63:52]).
Community Engagement
Listener tip: “Pentagon Pizza Index” now tracks pizza orders for geopolitical prediction markets [66:41].

Timestamps for Key Segments

00:11 – Elon Musk/X Grok AI investigation
01:59 – Meta’s child safety failures
03:25 – Ring doorbells, police, and privacy backlash
05:12 – DHS/ICE subpoenas to social media
07:12 – OpenClaw and the myth of useful AI agents
14:08 – Hard drive shortages thanks to AI demand
17:33 – Bannon crypto scam lawsuits
19:24 – Lawsuits: Roblox, Robo Taxis, Tesla Autopilot
36:10 – Media reviews, Bert Kreischer, Mark Rober, film & TV
41:42 – Apple’s foray into AI wearables, podcast video
58:43 – Muppets, Mandalorian, Toy Story 5 media chat
66:41 – 3D printer recommendations, Pentagon Pizza Index

Conclusion

Stay Grumpy!
Find all links and show notes at GOGshow.com/734

734: A Bald Woody

Powered by Wave AI

Summary

Grumpy Old Geeks – Episode 734: "A Bald Woody"

Episode Overview

Major Discussion Points & Key Insights

1. AI-Generated Sexual Abuse Scandal on X (Twitter)

2. Meta’s Ongoing Child Safety Fiasco

3. Ring & Mass Surveillance Backpedal

4. Big Tech Handing Over Data to DHS/ICE

5. OpenClaw: AI Hype vs. Actual Usefulness

6. AI and the Fragile Internet Infrastructure

7. AI-Fuelled Hardware Shortages

8. Crypto, Scams, and Lawsuits

9. Safety & Lawsuits in Online Platforms and Robo Taxis

10. Gadget & Media Commentary

Memorable Quotes & Moments

Pop Culture & Media Segment

Lighter Segments & Running Gags

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

Media and Listener Highlights

Timestamps for Key Segments

Conclusion

Summary

Grumpy Old Geeks – Episode 734: "A Bald Woody"

Episode Overview

Major Discussion Points & Key Insights

1. AI-Generated Sexual Abuse Scandal on X (Twitter)

2. Meta’s Ongoing Child Safety Fiasco

3. Ring & Mass Surveillance Backpedal

4. Big Tech Handing Over Data to DHS/ICE

5. OpenClaw: AI Hype vs. Actual Usefulness

6. AI and the Fragile Internet Infrastructure

7. AI-Fuelled Hardware Shortages

8. Crypto, Scams, and Lawsuits

9. Safety & Lawsuits in Online Platforms and Robo Taxis

10. Gadget & Media Commentary

Memorable Quotes & Moments

Pop Culture & Media Segment

Lighter Segments & Running Gags

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

Media and Listener Highlights

Timestamps for Key Segments

Conclusion