Topic: Comdex

The discussion of modern robotics prompted a retrospective on Nolan Bushnell, the founder of Atari and Chuck E. Cheese. In 1983, Bushnell introduced the Topo robot, which was marketed as a breakthrough in personal robotics capable of navigating to a refrigerator to retrieve beverages. Despite the hype of the "year of the robot" in the early 1980s, these early machines remained largely gimmicks compared to modern AI ambitions.

John C. Dvorak shares anecdotes about tech luminaries Guy Kawasaki and Michael Dell. He recalls Kawasaki's humorless reaction to a "conflict of interest" joke and his insistence that Adam Curry get a COVID-19 vaccine. Dvorak also claims Michael Dell once reneged on a promise to provide a computer in exchange for promotional work during a product rollout.

The evolution of mobile phone hardware shows that early iPhones lacked front-facing cameras, which were later added as a secondary feature despite lower resolution. This hardware shift enabled the explosion of "dancing dipshit" videos and morning routine content on TikTok. The trend is characterized as a realistic manifestation of narcissism where users seek validation through repetitive performance.

A retrospective on the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas notes the decline of the event's innovation since the Comdex era. The hosts recall when the Adult Video Awards were held concurrently with CES, leading to humorous interactions between tech reporters and adult film stars. A lost comedy bit from the Mevio era involving these interactions is mentioned.

John C. Dvorak recounts a story of writing for the New York Times about the Comdex trade show. He describes the editorial hurdles he faced when using the term "booth babes" and the phrase "hit on," noting the strict linguistic standards of the publication at the time.

The shift in Bill Gates' public persona is attributed to a 1998 incident in Brussels where he was hit with a pie. Following the event, Gates transitioned from flying coach and taking cabs to employing a heavy security detail and using private jets. The incident is described as a "violent act" that fundamentally changed his level of accessibility to the public.

Sir James Carlson wrote in regarding the high cost of living in Denver, a sanctuary city. The hosts also provided wine recommendations for a listener, suggesting Dom Perignon or Cristal for a $200 budget. The segment concluded with a brief look back at John C. Dvorak's history at the Comdex trade shows and his past as a prominent tech columnist.

John C. Dvorak shares an anecdote about legendary parties he co-organized at the Comdex trade shows with Jerry Pournelle. He illustrates how false memories and myths, such as him arriving via helicopter, take on a life of their own in public perception. The hosts use this to emphasize the responsibility of podcasters like Joe Rogan to be accurate when speaking to large audiences.

A 1983 article written by John C. Dvorak for InfoWorld describes a software product called ExpandoVision for the Atari 400 that inserted subliminal messages into television broadcasts. The story includes a prank involving a "Sexual Confidence" cartridge and a hostess at the Comdex trade show, as well as a connection to Robin Williams' guru, Satara Kalsa.

John C. Dvorak recounts his experience winning the People's Choice Award at a Comdex chili cook-off in Las Vegas. To secure the win against a rival from Texas, Dvorak hired professional showgirls to solicit votes from attendees. The story is used as a metaphor for modern voting systems and the potential use of "bots" or "girls" to influence podcast award rankings.

John C. Dvorak recounts winning a "People's Choice" chili cook-off at Comdex by hiring showgirls to solicit votes, illustrating his cynical view of public voting contests. The hosts discuss the futility of competing in modern podcast awards without the use of voting bots or similar aggressive marketing tactics.

Dvorak recounts watching the Adult Video News (AVN) Awards and highlights a specific acceptance speech by the performer Stoya. They discuss the history of the adult industry's presence at major tech events like Comdex in Las Vegas. The segment includes a clip of the award nominations and Stoya's humorous thank-you message to her audience.

John C. Dvorak reflects on his time at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, comparing its current atmosphere to the former Comdex show. The hosts criticize the presence of "junk" vendors and small-scale retailers selling cell phone skins and miscellaneous items. They question the business logic of small mom-and-pop operations purchasing expensive booth space at a major international trade show.