Topic: Ants

The show concludes with a formal knighting ceremony for Sir Joshua Caraballo and the induction of a new member into the Order of the Ant. Listeners are encouraged to visit NoAgendaRings.com for signet rings and commemorative pins. Adam Curry provides a final reminder of the "Value for Value" mission and signs off with his signature "Adios mofos" before the closing music mix.

Adam Curry reads the credits for the 1900th episode, acknowledging major donors including Sironimus of Dogpatch and Jason Calacanis. Several producers are elevated to the rank of Knight or Archduke, and many join the "Order of the Ant." The segment follows the "Value for Value" model, where listeners contribute time, talent, or treasure to support the production.

Adam Curry transitions to the "Value for Value" segment, thanking producers for their financial support following the death of John C. Dvorak. He reads notes from top donors, including Stuart and Jessica Green, who contributed $1,000 each for knighthoods. Curry also mentions his upcoming 62nd birthday and the influx of "Order of the Ant" donations from listeners honoring Dvorak's legacy.

Adam Curry officially knights and dames several high-value producers, including Jessica Green, Annette Miller, and Raymond Lee. He details the rewards associated with these titles, such as "gerbils' breast milk" and "mutton and mead." The segment concludes with a promotion for the physical "Order of the Ant" pins available to those who donate the specific $333.33 amount.

A series of high-value donations are read, including contributions from Sir Wild Bill, Sir Jamo, and Hakan Andersson. Several producers are inducted into the "Order of the Ant" or elevated to knighthood, with personal notes touching on job searches, birthdays, and the passing of John C. Dvorak.

Producers including Sir David Fugazotto and Raj Dosanjh are recognized for their support. "Sarcastic The Nomad" is elevated to the rank of Viscount of Chester County, Pennsylvania, while celebrating 30 years of marriage and promoting a local meetup.

The show celebrates several producer birthdays, including Adam's daughter Christina Valerie Curry. The newly minted knights are offered traditional (and humorous) knightly rewards, and listeners are directed to NoAgendaRings.com for information on official show jewelry.

The hosts introduce "The Order of the Ant," a new donation tier of $333.33 that honors John C. Dvorak's legacy. They encourage listeners to use modern podcast apps like Fountain and Podverse that support the Value for Value model. Adam Curry explains that the show relies entirely on listener support rather than traditional commercials, which are increasingly being skipped by users on platforms like Spotify.

Adam Curry reads the notes from top donors, including Lasse Jensen from Denmark and Brett Carothers from British Columbia. Carothers, owner of Hollywood Tree, requests a knighthood and offers a live edge slab for the show's roundtable. Several donors express their condolences regarding the passing of John C. Dvorak and their commitment to joining the Order of the Ant.

The show continues with the knighthood ceremony for several producers, including Sir Double J and Sir Robertson of Two Sticks. Donors share personal stories of listening to the show for over a decade and the impact John C. Dvorak had on their lives. Adam Curry plays requested jingles, including "Mac and Cheese" and "Shut Up Slave," as part of the ceremony.

Adam Curry thanks the Associate Executive Producers and show supporters, including Manuka Gold and Eli the Coffee Guy from Gigawatt Coffee Roasters. He also acknowledges Nicholas Ficklin, producer of Sklazin Hot Sauce, who created a special batch in honor of JCD. The segment concludes with the classic "I Got Ants" jingle in recognition of the new Order of the Ant.

Sir Paul Couture has designed a special memorial challenge coin to honor the late John C. Dvorak. The hosts plan to distribute these numbered coins to listeners who complete their knighthood. They also mention an "Order of the Ant" pin as a new recognition for the show's producers.

Aaron Chamberlain enumerates John C. Dvorak's famous quirks, including his stories about "torching ants" and his "it's a scam" catchphrase regarding Silicon Valley press releases. Chris Breiux from Sour Lake, Texas, thanks Dvorak for leaving the world better than he found it. The segment captures the specific "isms" and anecdotes that defined Dvorak's public persona.

Steve Webb (Baron OG Godcaster) shares a story about his kitchen being "inundated with ants" shortly after John C. Dvorak's passing, viewing it as a spiritual visit. Oscar Z recalls a legendary meetup at the Sacramento Train Museum where Dvorak told stories from the observation car of the California Zephyr. Dame Lindsay of the House Hunters closes her note with Dvorak's signature "adios mofos."

A humorous segment explores the culinary properties of ants, with a host describing the experience of accidentally eating an ant during dinner. The discussion suggests that desiccated and ground ants could serve as a substitute for black pepper due to their peppery flavor profile, followed by a repetitive "I got ants" jingle.

Adam Curry plays the famous "I Got Ants" jingle, created by the late Sir Saturday Night Bill based on Dvorak's real-life struggle with an ant infestation. JC Dvorak provides context, explaining that their house was built on a massive ant hill, leading to swarms so thick the floor appeared to move. John's primary solution for the "Chinese army" of ants was simply to vacuum them up.

Robert Kamianowski donated $388.33, noting that John C. Dvorak was "on his game" until the very end of his final episode. As a truck driver, he requested a playback of the "I love my truck" and "I got ants" jingles, which were favorites of Dvorak. The donation qualifies Kamianowski for knighthood, a status he plans to finalize in a future contribution.

Authorities in Kenya arrested a Chinese national, Zhang Keqin, for attempting to smuggle over 2,200 live ants in his luggage at Nairobi's main airport. The ants, which included giant African harvester queens, were packed in test tubes and syringes. This case highlights a rising trend in "biopiracy," where insects are trafficked to collectors in Europe and Asia for thousands of dollars, rivaling the illegal trade in elephant ivory.

The niche but growing hobby of ant keeping is explored, featuring "Cole's Ants" and the business "Antlantis," which maintains 3,000 colonies. Enthusiasts build massive ant farms into walls and sometimes stage "Ant Wars" by pitting different colonies against each other. The discussion notes the irony of John C. Dvorak living on a hill in Albany, California, which is home to a massive "mega-colony" of Argentinian ants.

The show concludes with a "Tip of the Day" regarding flameless LED taper candles and their remote-control utility. The hosts play several end-of-show mixes, including a special tribute song for the late Bill Walsh. Final sign-offs are delivered from the Texas Hill Country and Northern Silicon Valley as the program transitions to the "Disaffected" podcast.