Topic: Geek

Producer Dana Brunetti shares his journey of discovering the No Agenda show while building a ranch during the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially familiar with Dvorak from Tech TV and Cranky Geeks, Brunetti was surprised to find him paired with former MTV VJ Adam Curry. He describes the show as a refreshing, "non-woke" alternative to mainstream tech media that led to a close personal friendship with Dvorak.

The hosts acknowledge Dvorak's massive reach across Tech TV, Wired, and various podcasts, noting how he successfully migrated audiences between platforms. In a lighthearted moment, Adam Curry officially "de-douches" Andrew Horowitz, a show tradition for long-time contributors. Horowitz expresses a sense of relief as they prepare to transition into the final segment of the memorial show.

Sir Thomas of the Apocalypse reflects on his long history following John C. Dvorak, starting with TechTV in the late 1990s and the Cranky Geeks program. He recalls rediscovering the podcast after accidentally typing a political commentator's URL that the show had famously redirected for years. His donation serves as a tribute to Dvorak's insightful and contrarian personality.

Ethan Katz, a self-described "shapeshifting Jew," donated $333.34 to complete his knighthood. He credited John C. Dvorak's deep understanding of the PC industry with helping launch his own career in network engineering in the early 1990s. The segment included a playback of several "magical shapeshifting Jew" jingles in response to his contribution.

Andy Hall of Ponal, Maine, credited the podcast with providing the "clarity and voice of reason" necessary to survive working in the Texas oil fields. He noted that his father, known as "Ponal Geek" in the artist community, had been hitting him in the mouth with the show since episode one. Hall committed to regular future donations to ensure the show's continuation.

Producers Travis from Arizona, Scott Clark, and Andy Hall submit donations to honor the passing of John C. Dvorak. Travis reflects on being introduced to Dvorak through Cranky Geeks, while Andy Hall credits the show for helping him through his career in the Texas oil fields. The segment includes a request for a "de-douching" and mentions a LinkedIn connection for listeners to share stories.

Supporters reflect on Dvorak's career spanning from PC Magazine articles to the Cranky Geeks era. Many notes credit the podcast for providing a "light in the darkness" during the 2020-2021 lockdowns. Tributes arrive from international locations including Saskatoon, Canada, and Liverpool, Great Britain, emphasizing the global reach of the "Gitmo Nation" community.

The hosts sign off, directing listeners to their website and reminding them of the next live broadcast on Thursday. They mention the "Rock and Roll Geek Show" following their stream. The episode concludes with a musical montage featuring various show memes, including references to Puerto Rico, George Washington University, and political donations.

John C. Dvorak issues a "retracted tip" regarding AliExpress, warning listeners that the site sells fraudulent high-capacity USB drives. He recommends a software tool called "Check Flash," written by a Ukrainian developer, to verify the actual storage capacity of new flash drives. The segment advises users to test all new storage media for "phony baloney" headers and potential malware before use.

A long note from a listener in Tasmania prompts a discussion on the legendary reliability of 2003 Lexus vehicles, specifically the longevity of their light bulbs. The segment also reminisces about the "Cranky Geeks" show and host John C. Dvorak's habit of throwing index cards and CDs at the camera during his time at CNET Central.

Dame Zelda of the Turtle Realm in Muskegon, Michigan, sponsored the knighthood of her husband, Drew Soar, who will now be known as "Sir Grumpy Old Boomer." Drew has been a long-time listener of the hosts' previous projects, including "Cranky Geeks." The couple's donation was celebrated with a formal welcome to the No Agenda Round Table.

The hosts promote No Agenda Social as a federated network free of algorithms and discuss the "Schoolology" artwork by Aero Shamrock. A critique of artist Darren O'Neill's "cheesecake" style leads to a discussion on 1950s advertising aesthetics and the "retro" nature of the show's community.

Paul Gabrielson, a long-time listener since the "Cranky Geeks" era, was knighted as Sir Slovelo of the Central Coast. He requested jobs karma for his wife, who recently started a new position after being laid off due to COVID-19.

The hosts concluded the show by reading the names of producers who contributed to the episode's funding. They emphasized the importance of the "Value for Value" model in maintaining independent media and thanked long-time listeners for their continued support.

The hosts discuss the trend of female celebrities and tech personalities claiming to be "geeks." They propose a rule that no one can call themselves a "geek girl" unless they have a ham radio license. They specifically name Molly Wood, Veronica Belmont, and Natalie Del Conte as candidates for this requirement.

A 2010 clip from the program Cranky Geeks features a discussion on how social networks act as a disease vector in a population with no immunity. The hosts compare the addictive nature of Facebook and Twitter notifications to the dopamine hits of early email systems. They argue that these platforms have caused a societal dislocation by prioritizing interaction over calculation.

A discussion on the evolution of journalistic corrections in the digital age, contrasting the traditional print model with real-time internet reporting. While some argue for "slipstream" changes to articles, major outlets like the Washington Post continue to append lengthy lists of corrections to the end of digital posts.

The hosts detail their re-connection at Meveo through Ron Blum, which led to the creation of the Tech 5 news show and eventually No Agenda. They credit the name "No Agenda" to a casual realization that they had no specific goals for the program other than honest conversation. Curry expresses his belief that a natural, unscripted conversation between two well-traveled individuals is inherently interesting to an audience.

The hosts conduct their bi-weekly donation segment, thanking executive and associate executive producers for supporting the "value for value" model. They credit Ponol Geek for the episode's artwork and read letters from donors including Sir K-Town, Jan LeClerc, and John F. Bell. A provisional barony of Antarctica is granted to Sir Trevor Baxter, and the hosts remind listeners to check their recurring subscriptions.

John C. Dvorak and Adam Curry explain their strict "no guests" policy, citing the logistical nightmare of booking and the lack of authenticity in pre-interviewed segments. They describe how mainstream outlets like CNBC and CNN use bookers to script controversy by assigning guests specific "sides" to take. Dvorak recounts his experience on a radio book tour and his preference for the "freeform" style of Larry King.