Topic: Archive Org

The Internet Archive and its founder Brewster Kahle face multiple lawsuits from record labels over the digital preservation of 78 RPM records from the early 20th century. Despite many of these recordings being obscure or out of print, labels claim performance rights violations. Collectors argue that digitizing these fragile discs is essential for cultural preservation, as the physical media degrades with every playback.

Brewster Kahle of the Internet Archive discussed the potential for AI to make digital libraries more interactive and searchable. Despite ongoing copyright lawsuits in the U.S., the organization continues to archive over a billion URLs daily, with the Wayback Machine now hosting 900 billion pages. The archive also preserves unique collections, such as 78rpm records and the recently deleted MTV News digital archives.

A producer successfully located the book previously mentioned by a host, titled "Cities of Wealth: Programs for Economic Control in Berkeley, California." While Tom Bates is not the primary author, he is heavily involved in the publication, which was produced by the Community Ownership Organizing Project. The document is available on Archive.org and will be shared in the upcoming show newsletter.

The hosts play a classic, profanity-laced outtake of radio legend Casey Kasem struggling to transition from an up-tempo song to a somber "long distance dedication" about a dead dog. This leads to a discussion about the history of recorded music, from Thomas Edison's cylinders to 78 RPM shellac discs. Dvorak highlights the "78 Project" on Archive.org as a significant resource for preserving high-fidelity historical recordings.

Joseph Mercola requested the removal of his website content from Archive.org following a warning letter from the FDA regarding product claims. Mark Graham, director of the Wayback Machine, clarified that the archive only removes content at the request of copyright holders. The organization is currently celebrating its 25th anniversary with projects including a massive archive of 78rpm records.

CNN aired a hit piece on Dr. Joseph Mercola, labeling him the "ultimate super spreader" of COVID-19 misinformation. The report relies on data from the Center for Countering Digital Hate, which placed Mercola at the top of their "Disinformation Dozen" list. The hosts note that the Wayback Machine has reportedly removed Mercola's archives and question the funding of the UK-based non-profit behind the list.

Producers from Australia, Guatemala, and the Netherlands are recognized for their financial support. A discussion about the "value-for-value" model leads to an analysis of YouTube as a massive, often unauthorized, archive for old-time jazz and swing music. An anecdote is shared regarding Taylor Swift's mother allegedly demanding large sums from streaming platforms for the "privilege" of hosting her daughter's music.

The hosts advocate for independent media hosting rather than relying on centralized platforms like YouTube or Podbean. They discuss the technical challenges of managing high-traffic RSS feeds and why they avoid using Archive.org for primary distribution due to the "surge" of data during new episode releases.

A vast collection of Paul Whiteman and Bing Crosby recordings from 1925-1935 was discovered on archive.org. This led to a recommendation for OTR Cat, a catalog specializing in obscure old-time radio plays, including rare episodes of "The Fat Man."

The FBI and social media sleuths investigate a manifesto and website, LastRhodesian.com, attributed to Dylann Roof. The site, registered through a Russian registrar, contains 100 megabytes of photos and a political screed. The hosts question the authenticity of the site, noting that it appeared on Archive.org only after the shooting and that most EXIF data had been stripped from the images.

The hosts thank PG Kelly for archiving the show on Archive.org, noting the importance of long-term preservation. A donation note from a Southwest Airlines flight attendant is read, offering the hosts free drinks on future flights. The segment concludes with a brief mention of Aeroflot's new low-cost carrier, "Victory."

Producer PG Kelly is thanked for archiving all 600 episodes of the show on Archive.org. The project includes an animated GIF that cycles through the unique artwork created for every episode. The hosts acknowledge Brewster Kale's work in maintaining the internet archive as a vital resource for digital history.

New resources for listeners are announced, including a complete archive of all past episodes at a dedicated URL. A service called Bitlove.org is highlighted for automatically creating torrents of the show's RSS feed. Appreciation is again shown for the community members maintaining these technical tools and the art generator.

A PDF publication titled "Jihad Recollections," hosted on Archive.org, is analyzed for its high production value and Western-style editorial layout. The magazine features articles on 9-11 and fitness tips for avoiding "evil" gyms, which the Portland bomb suspect reportedly contributed to. The hosts suggest the publication is a sophisticated "spook" propaganda tool designed by intelligence agencies to identify and radicalize susceptible individuals for future law enforcement stings.

The Gitmo Nation Roundtable podcast is highlighted as a listener-produced show that conducts deep research into No Agenda topics. One such research project involved locating a 2006 version of George Sodini's professional resume via the Wayback Machine. The hosts note the high quality of the formatting, contrasting it with the media's portrayal of Sodini as a simple "crazy programmer."