Topic: Elevators

A "boots on the ground" report identifies elevator mechanics as the highest-paid and most secure skilled trade, surpassing electricians and HVAC technicians. While elevator unions are described as difficult to enter, the profession offers significant job protection regardless of economic conditions. The trade is recommended as a top career path for young people in the current economy.

During the donation segment, a note from an elevator mechanic explains "destination dispatch" systems found in modern office buildings. The technology, which removes buttons from inside the car, is designed for security and traffic flow. The mechanic also describes "anti-nuisance" sensors that cancel floor calls if the "load weigher" detects the car is empty, preventing children from prank-pushing all the buttons.

A critique of modern "destination dispatch" elevator systems describes the lack of internal buttons and the resulting inefficiency in Manhattan hotels. An anecdote about the Hearst Building mentions the use of podium stewards to operate elevators. Additionally, a complaint is lodged against Cisco VoIP phones that rebooted nightly at 3:59 AM, illuminating hotel rooms with bright white screens.

A viral clip features a woman complaining about the "keep me logged in" checkbox on websites, comparing it to a non-functional elevator door button. The hosts agree that constant password changes and login requirements are a modern nuisance that rarely works as intended.

Senator Orrin Hatch was confronted by protesters, including comedian Amy Schumer, in a Senate elevator. Hatch told the women to "grow up," which sparked further outrage. The hosts mock the "enraged" tone of the protesters and the sense of entitlement displayed during the confrontation.

The Wall Street Journal reports that the Obayashi Corporation plans to have a functional "space elevator" by the year 2050. The hosts remain skeptical of the project's feasibility, joking that they hope to be alive to see it. The episode concludes with the "Adios Mofos" sign-off and a series of jingles, including a parody song about Sharia law and a remix of Brett Kavanaugh's "I like beer" testimony.

The increasing complexity of modern elevator systems, which require RFID fobs and digital floor selection before entering, is criticized as "theater security." A demonstration is described where a $13 ID reader-writer was used to easily clone building access fobs. The discussion suggests that as human chipping becomes more common, "Faraday gloves" will become a necessary privacy product to prevent unauthorized scanning.

Canada's Thoth Technology has received a US patent for a 20km high inflatable space elevator tower designed to cut rocket fuel costs by 30%. The hosts mock the feasibility of the structure and the fact that it is partially funded by NASA, leading to a tangent about the conversion of miles to kilometers.

A Canadian company, Thoth Technology, received a patent for a 12.4-mile high "space elevator" using inflatable gas cells. John C. Dvorak challenges the patent, claiming the concept was discussed on the show years ago. The hosts express skepticism regarding the structural integrity of such a tower against high-altitude winds.

Adam Curry recommends the documentary "Moon Rising," which claims to show colorized NASA photos revealing moon bases and light disks. The film argues that NASA has systematically manipulated lunar photography to hide extraterrestrial structures. Dvorak remains skeptical of the "space elevator" and moon base claims.

The hosts discuss the TechCrunch Disrupt conference, which they characterize as a "douchebag festival." They recount an anecdote involving associates who mocked the event by forcing startup founders to deliver elevator pitches into microphones held at extreme heights or near the ground. The segment also mentions appearances by John Doerr and Bing Gordon.

There is a persistent urban legend regarding secret "express mode" codes for Otis and Schindler elevators. By pressing the "close door" button and a floor button simultaneously, users may be able to bypass other stops. The hosts are soliciting information from elevator technicians to confirm these hidden maintenance features and other computer-coded shortcuts.