2 chapters across the catalog
A news report features a "Talking Elmo" doll that began saying "Kill James" after a battery change. The hosts discuss whether this was a malicious programming prank or a technical glitch. They use the incident to illustrate the potential dangers of complex automated systems, including driverless cars.
The push for driverless trucks is expected to face significant opposition from the Teamsters union and state-level regulatory hurdles. The transition toward automation is linked to the rising discussion of Universal Basic Income (UBI) as a solution for human workers displaced by technology. The "obsession" with roboticizing service jobs, such as using iPads in restaurants, is criticized for destroying entry-level employment.
