6 chapters across the catalog
King Richard III, Voice Reconstruction and NPR Skepticism
NPR reports on the reconstruction of King Richard III’s voice using his skeleton and a digital avatar. The hosts dismiss the report as "bull crap," noting that the "90% accuracy" claim is based on a casting call for an actor with the right facial proportions rather than actual scientific audio recovery. They mock the idea that people were "weeping" at the museum exhibit.
Grief Tech, Digital Immortality and AI Voice Reconstruction
Entrepreneur Michael Bommer, facing terminal cancer, spent $15,000 to create an interactive AI version of himself to provide comfort to his wife after his passing. This "grief tech" allows the AI to tell stories and answer questions in his voice. The hosts discuss the ethical implications of digital immortality and its potential to hinder the grieving process.
A host recounts the experience of living for one full year without a mobile phone or cellular account. Despite the social friction and disbelief from others, the host manages communication through Google Voice on a computer, highlighting the extreme addiction the general population has developed toward handheld devices since 2007.
BBG Request for Digital Ham Radio Propaganda Software
The Broadcast Board of Governors (BBG) issued a request for quotation for software capable of decoding digital high-frequency transmissions for non-technical users. The project seeks to utilize amateur radio modes like MFSK32 and Olivia to transmit digital content via Voice of America. This move signals an effort by the U.S. government's propaganda arm to leverage ham radio technology for broader information dissemination.
D-Star Digital Technology and Amateur Radio Social Networking
D-Star (Digital Smart Technologies for Amateur Radio) is presented as a high-quality digital voice and data protocol that allows for global addressability and routing. Developed by ICOM, the technology enables 128 kilobit data connections and direct call-sign addressing, functioning as a non-commercial social network for licensed operators. The protocol's ability to send simultaneous text and voice data is highlighted as a significant advancement for the hobby.
The hosts analyze an interview on Australian ABC Radio with a reporter named Ali al-Mujahid regarding instability in Yemen. They conclude that the reporter's voice is actually a computer-generated speech synthesizer. Adam Curry demonstrates how easily such digital voices can be produced on a Mac, raising concerns about the authenticity of foreign reporting.
