Topic: Followers

The hosts discuss returning to a home in northern Silicon Valley where extensive bedroom renovations are currently underway. A milestone for the official No Agenda Instagram account is mentioned, noting that a photo of the studio will be released once the follower count reaches 5,000. Current progress is estimated at approximately 3,000 followers.

The hosts sign off, promising to return on Sunday. The episode ends with a musical mix by "Follow the Monkey" and a final reminder for listeners to support the show via the "Value for Value" model at noagendadonations.com.

Adam Curry and Mimi Smith-Dvorak sign off, with Mimi preparing to return to the Olympic Peninsula. They acknowledge the technical support from Jay, JC, and Brendan. The episode concludes with end-of-show mixes by "Follow the Monkey" and "MVP," featuring clips of the administration's "America First" military rhetoric and a musical tribute to John C. Dvorak's recovery.

Donations from Ben Nydus and Jason Roman highlight personal milestones, including a 5-year anniversary of the hosts' last in-person meeting and a Rutgers University graduation. The segment includes "goat karma" requests and the playing of various jingles, including "Trump Massive Dumps" and "John's Creepy Yeah-Yeah-Yeah."

A rapper describes using "gummies from Alabama gas stations" to cope with the "Delta variant" news cycle. The lyrics contemplate a "peaceful divorce" of the states or a potential civil war on the horizon. The segment ends with a satirical video from an influencer who pretends to encourage vaccine appointments before shouting "SIGHT! BITCH!" and rejecting the "synthetic proteins."

A surreal song titled "Instant Followers" warns that "pretty soon you're gonna be dead" if you take the second booster. The lyrics describe a "heavy floor" and a "brain case" burning with greed. The segment concludes with a reflection on how mandates "call science change" and were never truly intended to stop the virus, but rather to manage public anxiety.

The hosts discuss their experiences with social media trolls and the strategy of blocking rather than reporting. One host notes that a policy of only posting show promotions has led to a steady increase in follower counts, suggesting that users prefer content over personal opinions. They also touch on the presence of disinformation agents in their mentions.

Dvorak critiques modern journalism and government oversight, arguing that reporters and congresspeople lack the specialized technical knowledge required to conduct effective investigations. He uses his experience as an air pollution inspector to illustrate the importance of understanding the industry one is regulating.

A theoretical business model is proposed for a "House of Trolls" agency that would provide clandestine reputation management and corporate sabotage services. The agency would utilize a network of digital natives to create thousands of bot accounts with fake followers to amplify specific narratives. Potential clients could include major corporations looking to discredit competitors, such as Samsung targeting Apple or General Motors targeting Ford.

Twitter's recommendation algorithm repeatedly suggests that users follow comedian Sarah Silverman. The hosts discuss the persistence of these suggestions despite personal preferences, questioning the underlying logic of the platform's automated systems.

The discussion explores how the government could easily manipulate social media by creating "rooms of tweeters" to boost specific narratives. By having the POTUS account retweet these state-sponsored accounts, they could gain thousands of followers instantly. The hosts jokingly consider starting their own "techno expert" website to tap into the $50 billion government technology budget.

A shift in social media strategy involves posting low-quality photos of meals, such as English bangers and eggs, to increase follower counts on Twitter. The tactic is based on observations that food-related content drives higher engagement and helps users surpass plateaus in follower numbers. Criticism is directed at the aesthetic quality of the food and the use of ketchup on roasted potatoes.

Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak open episode 639 of the No Agenda show from the South Austin Safe House and Northern Silicon Valley. They discuss the concept of being a "rule follower," featuring a clip of IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde at the National Press Club. Lagarde jokingly refers to herself as someone who does as she is told.

New TSA regulations require passengers on US-bound flights to power on their electronic devices at security checkpoints to prove they do not contain explosives. The segment mocks the "rule follower" mentality of travelers and questions the logic of the measure, noting that terrorists are now effectively warned where not to hide bombs.

Twitter's recommendation engine incorrectly suggests that one of the hosts follows Britney Spears. The "who to follow" column is criticized for its lack of accuracy, as a simple analysis of user interactions could yield better suggestions than the current automated system.

The hosts coordinate a social media update to alert listeners that the show is live. Mickey Hoogendijk is mentioned in relation to a photo of the mobile studio setup being shared on Twitter. The segment captures the atmosphere of broadcasting from a car during a snowstorm.

Twitter users are reportedly upset over changes to the "replies" and "following" features. The hosts predict the rise of Twitter clones like Identica and the eventual fragmentation of the service into specialized networks for geeks, celebrities, and other niches.

A technical discussion explores the "focus follows mouse" feature common in Unix X11 systems and its absence in Mac OS X. While Apple allows scrolling in background windows via the mouse wheel, it does not support keyboard input focus without clicking to bring the window forward. This design choice is attributed to Apple's specific user interface philosophy.

A discussion regarding social media growth highlights one host surpassing 10,000 followers on Twitter within twenty days. The conversation shifts to the utility of a large following for crowdsourcing information, specifically seeking recommendations for open-source or shareware programs to convert DVDs into laptop-viewable files.

Dvorak reports a surge in his Twitter followers to over 5,700 after a plug from Leo Laporte. Curry explains the strategy of attracting "repeaters" like Jason Calacanis to amplify messages to a larger, more relevant audience.