Topic: Cranky Geek

Producer Dana Brunetti shares his journey of discovering the No Agenda show while building a ranch during the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially familiar with Dvorak from Tech TV and Cranky Geeks, Brunetti was surprised to find him paired with former MTV VJ Adam Curry. He describes the show as a refreshing, "non-woke" alternative to mainstream tech media that led to a close personal friendship with Dvorak.

The hosts acknowledge Dvorak's massive reach across Tech TV, Wired, and various podcasts, noting how he successfully migrated audiences between platforms. In a lighthearted moment, Adam Curry officially "de-douches" Andrew Horowitz, a show tradition for long-time contributors. Horowitz expresses a sense of relief as they prepare to transition into the final segment of the memorial show.

Sir Thomas of the Apocalypse reflects on his long history following John C. Dvorak, starting with TechTV in the late 1990s and the Cranky Geeks program. He recalls rediscovering the podcast after accidentally typing a political commentator's URL that the show had famously redirected for years. His donation serves as a tribute to Dvorak's insightful and contrarian personality.

Ethan Katz, a self-described "shapeshifting Jew," donated $333.34 to complete his knighthood. He credited John C. Dvorak's deep understanding of the PC industry with helping launch his own career in network engineering in the early 1990s. The segment included a playback of several "magical shapeshifting Jew" jingles in response to his contribution.

Producers Travis from Arizona, Scott Clark, and Andy Hall submit donations to honor the passing of John C. Dvorak. Travis reflects on being introduced to Dvorak through Cranky Geeks, while Andy Hall credits the show for helping him through his career in the Texas oil fields. The segment includes a request for a "de-douching" and mentions a LinkedIn connection for listeners to share stories.

Supporters reflect on Dvorak's career spanning from PC Magazine articles to the Cranky Geeks era. Many notes credit the podcast for providing a "light in the darkness" during the 2020-2021 lockdowns. Tributes arrive from international locations including Saskatoon, Canada, and Liverpool, Great Britain, emphasizing the global reach of the "Gitmo Nation" community.

A long note from a listener in Tasmania prompts a discussion on the legendary reliability of 2003 Lexus vehicles, specifically the longevity of their light bulbs. The segment also reminisces about the "Cranky Geeks" show and host John C. Dvorak's habit of throwing index cards and CDs at the camera during his time at CNET Central.

Dame Zelda of the Turtle Realm in Muskegon, Michigan, sponsored the knighthood of her husband, Drew Soar, who will now be known as "Sir Grumpy Old Boomer." Drew has been a long-time listener of the hosts' previous projects, including "Cranky Geeks." The couple's donation was celebrated with a formal welcome to the No Agenda Round Table.

Paul Gabrielson, a long-time listener since the "Cranky Geeks" era, was knighted as Sir Slovelo of the Central Coast. He requested jobs karma for his wife, who recently started a new position after being laid off due to COVID-19.

The hosts concluded the show by reading the names of producers who contributed to the episode's funding. They emphasized the importance of the "Value for Value" model in maintaining independent media and thanked long-time listeners for their continued support.

A 2010 clip from the program Cranky Geeks features a discussion on how social networks act as a disease vector in a population with no immunity. The hosts compare the addictive nature of Facebook and Twitter notifications to the dopamine hits of early email systems. They argue that these platforms have caused a societal dislocation by prioritizing interaction over calculation.

A discussion on the evolution of journalistic corrections in the digital age, contrasting the traditional print model with real-time internet reporting. While some argue for "slipstream" changes to articles, major outlets like the Washington Post continue to append lengthy lists of corrections to the end of digital posts.

The hosts detail their re-connection at Meveo through Ron Blum, which led to the creation of the Tech 5 news show and eventually No Agenda. They credit the name "No Agenda" to a casual realization that they had no specific goals for the program other than honest conversation. Curry expresses his belief that a natural, unscripted conversation between two well-traveled individuals is inherently interesting to an audience.

John C. Dvorak and Adam Curry explain their strict "no guests" policy, citing the logistical nightmare of booking and the lack of authenticity in pre-interviewed segments. They describe how mainstream outlets like CNBC and CNN use bookers to script controversy by assigning guests specific "sides" to take. Dvorak recounts his experience on a radio book tour and his preference for the "freeform" style of Larry King.

Listeners from Pittsburgh, Colorado Springs, and Rotterdam send in donations and requests for "Job Karma." One donor mentions Adam and John's chemistry dating back to the "Cranky Geeks" podcast. Another listener, Jeffrey Yerke, discusses his work remastering old Red Fox comedy albums.

John C. Dvorak announces the end of his show "Cranky Geeks," explaining that the half-hour format is no longer viable for traditional ad agencies. He criticizes agencies for only wanting to buy 15-second pre-roll ads and lacking the metrics to value longer-form content. The hosts contrast this failure with the success of the No Agenda value-for-value model.

Frustration is expressed regarding the time-consuming nature of corporate meetings in San Francisco following a stint at Cranky Geeks. Despite attempts to avoid administrative obligations by appearing on Buzz Out Loud, a three-hour block of back-to-back meetings proved physically draining. The experience highlights a preference for independent work over traditional office environments.

Traditional television advertising is described as "dead" or "unwatchable" due to the high frequency of commercial breaks in modern programming like the series "V." Viewers increasingly use DVRs to skip ads, though some networks attempt to disable fast-forward features. The hosts argue that only high-quality, non-disruptive ads, like those for Apple, successfully capture viewer attention in the digital age.

John C. Dvorak explains why free software advocate Richard Stallman has not appeared on his show, Cranky Geeks. Stallman reportedly demands that hosts use the term "GNU/Linux" exclusively and refuses to compromise on specific terminology. The hosts debate whether accommodating such requests is worth the effort to secure an interview with the controversial figure.

John Dvorak and Adam Curry discuss recent episodes of Cranky Geeks, including a production error where Dvorak wore the same sweater vest for two back-to-back tapings. They explain the logistics of pre-taping shows when hosts are traveling to New York or Washington.