Topic: 18

Developers examining the beta code for iOS 18 discovered the "pre-prompts" Apple uses to constrain its AI, known as Apple Intelligence. These instructions mandate that the AI avoid religious, political, or "provocative" topics to ensure a "vanilla" user experience. These guardrails are intended to prevent the AI from behaving erratically or offensively, as seen in previous industry failures like Microsoft's Tay.

Two long-term donors are dubbed "Knights of the No Agenda Round Table" after completing 20-month layaway donation plans. Sir Tinley Knott asks for advice on infant vaccination schedules, leading the hosts to recommend the No Agenda Social community for non-pharmaceutical information. The ceremony includes the traditional reading of the "mutton and meat" menu and a promotion for the official No Agenda rings.

Google is running tests to limit news access for 4% of Canadian users in response to Bill C-18, the Online News Act, which would force tech giants to compensate media outlets for links. Expert Michael Geist warns that if the bill passes, Google and Facebook may stop linking to Canadian news entirely to avoid paying 35% of news expenditures. The legislation is criticized as a misunderstanding of how the internet functions, potentially harming the very news organizations it intends to help.

Prosecutors are using a novel legal argument to charge January 6th defendants with "corruptly obstructing an official proceeding," a law originally passed as part of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act following the Enron scandal. While the law was intended for financial document destruction, judges in D.C. have so far allowed it to apply to the certification of the election. This charge carries a maximum 20-year prison sentence.

MSNBC's Joy Reid reportedly received an asterisk in recent Nielsen ratings, indicating a viewership so low it falls within the margin of error. The hosts explain the importance of the 18-49 demographic for pharmaceutical advertisers and how declining ratings impact cable news viability.

The hosts thank the executive producers for Episode 1206, including Ryan Fakima and an anonymous donor from Croatia. A discussion ensues regarding the "Lucky Jew" donation of $324, which is 18 squared, referencing the significance of the number 18 in Jewish tradition. The segment includes a "de-douching" ceremony for a donor and travel karma for a listener flying to a retreat.

The hosts discover that Jewish tradition involves giving charitable gifts in multiples of 18, symbolizing "Chai" or life. This explains several odd-numbered donations received for the Ronald McDonald House via the wedding website. They decide to add the "Lucky Jew Donation" or "Shape-shifting Donation" to the show's official terminology.

Jonathan Meyer is knighted as "Sir GIS Jedi Knight of the Gem City" after reaching the donation threshold. The segment includes a detailed discussion on the merits of McCallan 18 versus McCallan 25, with the hosts recommending the 18-year-old variety as the superior scotch for connoisseurs.

A US F-18 shot down a Syrian Su-22 fighter jet near Raqqa after it reportedly dropped bombs near US-backed forces. Russia retaliated by threatening to track coalition aircraft as targets and suspending safety communications. Joint Chiefs Chairman Joseph Dunford cited the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) as the legal justification for the action, a move the hosts criticize as a stretch of 16-year-old legislation.

The legal implications of hosting "Loli art" (anime-style depictions of minors) on federated servers are explored under 18 U.S. Code 1466. The hosts discuss whether caching such images makes a server admin liable for distributing obscene material. They compare the scrutiny of small Mastodon servers to the massive amounts of adult content hosted on platforms like Yahoo and Tumblr.

Legal analysts cite Title 18 U.S. Code 2071 and Executive Order 12968 as potential grounds for disqualifying Hillary Clinton from office due to the mishandling of classified records. Former Attorney General Michael Mukasey argues that the destruction of public records is a felony that carries a disqualification penalty. Security clearance expert Sean Bigley notes that adjudicative guidelines regarding "Guideline K" and "Guideline M" strictly prohibit storing protected information in unauthorized locations regardless of intent.

The FBI affidavit against Joshua Goldberg reveals the case is based on the distribution of five website links containing explosive-making instructions. Critics argue the FBI created the operation by using an informant to suggest the target and keep the "dullard" suspect engaged. The discussion highlights that Goldberg lived with his parents and was under total control of federal agents throughout the planning phase.

A detailed note from donor Paul Oppenhoffen describes his breakup with Ancilla Tilia, who recently moved to Berlin. The message reflects on their volatile but loving relationship and her influence on his personal growth. The segment concludes with a "relationship karma" wish and the playing of the "Obama 18" jingle.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency reports major sales of military equipment, including $588 million to Libya for C-130 aircraft and $200 million to Kuwait for F-18 technical support. The hosts note that much of the billing is categorized as "other" rather than major defense equipment.

The "Fix Gun Checks Act of 2013" relies on definitions established in the 1993 Brady Bill, specifically the term "mental defective." Federal law prohibits firearm sales to individuals adjudicated as a danger to themselves or others due to subnormal intelligence or mental illness. The hosts argue this broad definition allows for significant government overreach in determining who is fit to own a gun.

President Obama recorded a campaign video in the White House promoting a "dinner with Barack and Joe" sweepstakes for donors. This appears to violate Title 18 Subsection 607 of US law, which prohibits soliciting campaign donations inside government buildings. The hosts note that despite the clear legal breach, no authorities are likely to prosecute the President.

The hosts read through a list of donations and grant "Karma" to various producers. Notable donors include an 18-wheeler driver from Pennsylvania and a student from New South Wales. They acknowledge a significant drop in donations, totaling approximately $10,000, attributed to both holiday spending and the PayPal technical issues.

The hosts conclude the episode by emphasizing the importance of the "value-for-value" model and the work required to deconstruct propaganda. A brief review of the novel "18 Acres" by Nicole Wallace is provided, noting its parallels to Hillary Clinton's life. The show ends with a reminder for listeners to obtain amateur radio licenses for emergency communication and a sign-off from "the man wanted by Interpol."

An urban legend circulating in aviation circles describes a tense radio exchange between Iranian Air Defense and a U.S. Marine Corps F-18 pilot. In the story, the pilot dismisses Iranian threats to launch interceptors by inviting them to "send them up." The hosts acknowledge the story is likely a piece of military folklore.