Topic: Booking

258 chapters across the catalog

Lunar Economy
Episode 1872 16:24 - 19:28

1872: Lunar Economy

Interregnum Definition, Liberal World Order

The hosts debate the meaning of the word "interregnum" after it is used to describe Donald Trump's presidency as a gap in the "Liberal World Order." Using the "Book of Knowledge" AI, they define the term as a period between successive reigns or regimes where normal government is suspended. They conclude that by definition, an interregnum implies the leader is not a king.

Lunar Economy
Episode 1872 1:24:57 - 1:28:22

1872: Lunar Economy

Helium-3 Extraction, Lunar Economy Skepticism

The "Book of Knowledge" defines Helium-3 as a potential fuel for future fusion reactors and a component in quantum computing. NASA officials suggest that extracting Helium-3 from the moon could spark a "lunar economy." The hosts remain doubtful, predicting that the Artemis missions will face significant delays or technical failures before achieving these goals.

Transmission Window
Episode 1867 2:14:02 - 2:20:43

1867: Transmission Window

Knighting Ceremony and Matthew Payne's Ham Radio Quest

The program conducts a knighting ceremony for top producers, including Sir Kevin Dills and Matthew Payne. Payne, an extra-class ham radio operator, shares his journey to the "podium of eminence," while the hosts joke about John Dvorak's long-delayed "Vinegar Book" becoming a chapter in a family cookbook.

Cone of Uncertainty
Episode 1861 33:48 - 35:22

1861: Cone of Uncertainty

Operation Petticoat Television Series and Pink Submarines

The hosts use an AI "Book of Knowledge" to settle a dispute regarding a 1970s television show featuring a pink submarine. The series, titled Operation Petticoat, aired on ABC from 1977 to 1978. The discussion serves as a brief diversion from geopolitical news to test the accuracy of AI-assisted research.

Splashdown
Episode 1859 34:48 - 37:13

1859: Splashdown

Book of Knowledge AI Robot and Host Age Discrepancy

A custom-built AI robot named the "Book of Knowledge" has been restored to functionality for the program. During a live demonstration, the robot correctly identified Adam Curry's birth date as September 3, 1964, but incorrectly calculated his age as 62 for the current date of April 12, 2026. The hosts noted that while the flourishes are improved, the AI's mathematical accuracy remains inconsistent.

Mork & Mimi
Episode 1851 13:59 - 19:17

1851: Mork & Mimi

Pentagon Spending Scandal, Lobster Tails and Ribeye Steaks

The Department of War faces scrutiny over reports of extravagant spending, including $6.9 million on lobster tails and $15 million on ribeye steaks in a single month. Critics, including Stephen Colbert and CNN, highlight these costs alongside purchases of Herman Miller recliners and fruit basket stands. Secretary Pete Hegseth is accused of burning through a $93 billion budget in September 2025 as the war with Iran looms.

Podcaster Down!
Episode 1848 1:02:17 - 1:04:51

1848: Podcaster Down!

Gateview Publishing, Kids' Investment Books

Gateview Publishing is highlighted for its new release, "The ABCs of Stock Investing," a children's book illustrated with investment terms. The segment discusses the business of independent publishing and the strategy of offering PDF versions of niche educational products.

Scott Adams Redux
Episode 1841 1:20:06 - 1:21:35

1841: Scott Adams Redux

Dilbert Compilations, Human Resources Satire

Scott Adams mentions his latest Dilbert compilation, "Cubicles That Make You Envy the Dead," and explains the origin of the character Catbert. He notes that he chose a cat to represent the Director of Human Resources because cats are perceived as indifferent to the well-being of others.

No Agenda Christmas 2025
Episode 1828 43:17 - 44:52

1828: No Agenda Christmas 2025

Santa's Husband, LGBTQ Christmas Literature

The authors of the book *Santa's Husband* discuss their inspiration, which began as a joke on Twitter following the Mall of America's hiring of a Black Santa Claus. The book depicts Santa as a Black gay man married to a white husband. The hosts discuss the erasure of Mrs. Claus in this new narrative and the public's reaction to the cultural shift.

Secretary of Egg
Episode 1823 2:50:20 - 2:52:39

1823: Secretary of Egg

NPR "Read a Book" Segment and Climate Change Fiction

A critique of NPR's "Read a Book" segment focuses on a recommendation for the thriller "Wild Dark Shore." The book involves a family on a sinking research island in Antarctica and is praised by NPR for tackling themes of resilience in the face of climate change. The hosts mock the segment's earnest tone and its focus on climate-related narratives.

Stunt Grenade
Episode 1817 34:13 - 38:13

1817: Stunt Grenade

Trevor Lohman, Book Blurb Philosophy

Author Trevor Lohman received endorsements for his books "God's Eye View" and "Shroud Pilled" from the podcast hosts. The segment explores the philosophy of providing book blurbs, referencing Alan Watts' generous approach to endorsements and the modern use of AI tools like ChatGPT to generate synopses for forwards and reviews.

Stunt Grenade
Episode 1817 1:36:01 - 1:40:44

1817: Stunt Grenade

Kentucky Primary, Trump Bully Tactics

Thomas Massie addressed Donald Trump's support for his primary opponents in Kentucky, dismissing the President's tactics as bullying. Massie noted that his opponents are financed by billionaires found in Epstein's phone book and warned his colleagues that a vote against releasing the files would be a permanent stain on their records.

Stimming
Episode 1802 3:24:20 - 3:27:28

1802: Stimming

Tip of the Day, Oswald Spengler's Decline of the West

John C. Dvorak provides the "Tip of the Day," recommending Oswald Spengler’s 1918 book "The Decline of the West, Volume 1." He advises listeners to skip Volume 2, which he characterizes as a rehash forced by publishers. Dvorak notes that Michael Savage frequently misidentifies the author as "Otto Spengler" and suggests reading the author's Wikipedia entry before starting the "super genius" text.

Death Buses
Episode 1797 1:23:47 - 1:26:12

1797: Death Buses

Anthropic Copyright Settlement, AI Training Data Lawsuits

AI startup Anthropic has agreed to a $1.5 billion settlement in a class-action lawsuit brought by authors who alleged the company used pirated books to train its models. While the settlement is large, a San Francisco judge's ruling that training AI constitutes "fair use" is seen as a significant legal victory for the industry.

chatJCD
Episode 1788 1:27:37 - 1:29:57

1788: chatJCD

Parenting and the Rejection of AI Children's Books

A 35-year-old parent shares a strategy for fostering literacy by providing physical books and strictly limiting phone and AI exposure. The contributor argues that parents should create their own stories for children rather than relying on "garbage" AI-generated content or modern digital distractions.

Three Holes One Bag
Episode 1778 1:35:02 - 1:38:05

1778: Three Holes One Bag

National Climate Assessment Website, Data Set Removal

The Trump administration shut down the primary website for the National Climate Assessment, a series of reports mandated by Congress since the 1990s. Scientists, including Catherine Hayhoe, criticized the move as a "modern version of book burning" that leaves local planners without essential data. NASA officials stated that existing reports would eventually be hosted as PDFs on a different platform.

Local Jamoke
Episode 1753 2:41:52 - 2:44:43

1753: Local Jamoke

The Light Phone 3 and the Hollow Book Gag Gift

A host discusses pre-ordering the Light Phone 3, a simplified device with a camera and navigation but no web browser, as a way to reduce smartphone dependency. This leads to a creative proposal for a "No Agenda Guide to Getting Rid of Your Phone Addiction," which would be a hollowed-out book designed to store a phone on a bookshelf. The hosts brainstorm the feasibility of mass-producing such a gift in the U.S.