Topic: Ethereum

A donor's note sparks a discussion on the merits of XRP compared to Bitcoin and Ethereum, highlighting XRP's speed and low transaction costs. The recent legal victory for Ripple against the SEC and Gary Gensler has led to a significant increase in the coin's value. While some view XRP as the only cryptocurrency with a clear regulatory "green light," others remain skeptical of its centralized nature and ties to the banking system.

The Ethereum network is experiencing significant congestion due to the popularity of "CryptoKitties," a virtual kitten breeding game. The phenomenon is compared to the Beanie Babies craze and cited as a potential indicator of a cryptocurrency bubble. CNBC is noted for its increasing coverage of Bitcoin as the Coinbase app reaches the top of the iPhone download charts.

Bitcoin's utility as a payment mechanism is questioned as transaction costs and mempool congestion increase. While Bitcoin Core (BTC) is compared to a "tulip" bubble, other cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin Cash (BCH) and Ethereum are noted for providing different use cases. The segment includes a "de-douching" of the crypto market and a discussion on the speculative nature of current price charts.

Banks in Australia are launching a New Payments Platform to facilitate instantaneous real-time transfers, which critics see as a step toward a cashless society by 2020. Adam Curry proposes creating a No Agenda ecosystem using an Ethereum-based blockchain to link the show's disparate websites and directories.

The San Francisco PBS station KQED was severely impacted by a ransomware attack that took their systems offline for over 30 days due to a lack of proper backups. This leads to a conceptual discussion about the future of the internet, where individuals could become "nodes" on the Ethereum network through their own microchips, creating a decentralized and addressable web of people.

The show acknowledges significant financial contributions from its "producers," including a $711 donation from Sirnonimous of Dogpatch. Other donors are recognized for their support, including a new "Black Knight" and a producer who funded their donation through successful Ethereum cryptocurrency trading.

In response to a $525.25 donation from Charles Couch, John Dvorak provides an update on "The Vinegar Book," focusing on avoiding toxic cellulose-producing bacteria. Adam Curry shares his skepticism regarding cyber-currencies as actual money. Technical details regarding Curry's voice-changing equipment, including the Eventide Harmonizer and a Toysmith megaphone, are disclosed.