Topic: Google Plus

The hosts acknowledge high-tier donors and grant new titles of knighthood to long-time producers. Notes from donors highlight resistance to vaccine mandates among federal employees and healthcare workers at Kaiser Permanente, as well as a small settlement from a Google Plus class-action lawsuit.

Google has a long history of failed social media attempts, including Orkut, Buzz, and Google Plus. Orkut was notably successful in Brazil before being shut down, while Google Plus failed to gain traction against Facebook. The hosts suggest that Google could regain public favor and damage its competitors by bringing back Google Reader and fully supporting RSS, which would empower independent bloggers and podcasters.

The hosts sign off, noting the closure of Google Plus and reminding listeners to support the show at dvorak.org/na. The episode concludes with a "Resistance" remix featuring clips of media figures discussing Donald Trump's inheritance and the "jobs, jobs, jobs" mantra.

The evolution of social networks is analyzed through the concept of "digital DNA," suggesting that platforms develop cultures that are impossible for parent companies to change. Examples cited include Orkut's specific demographic shift in Brazil and the subsequent failures of Google Buzz and Google Plus to capture market share from established competitors.

Reports indicate that major tech companies like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon are paying "extortion fees" to Adblock Plus to have their ads whitelisted. The fee is reportedly 30% of the additional ad revenue generated by unblocking. In response, the advertising industry has proposed "LEAN" ads—Light, Encrypted, AdChoice supported, and Non-invasive—to meet acceptable standards for ad blockers.

Adblock Plus is introducing a program to allow "acceptable ads" through its filter in exchange for a fee from advertisers. The hosts describe this as "legal racketeering" and "extortion," noting that the "Acceptable Ads Manifesto" website is registered to the lead developer of Adblock Plus. They discuss the future of online advertising and Google's efforts to bypass blockers by serving ads directly from primary domains.

The current state of digital journalism is criticized for its reliance on "listicles" and ad-heavy slideshows that offer little factual substance. Tech journalist Mike Elgan's content on Google Plus is used as an example of conjecture-based writing designed to drive ad impressions. Additionally, Tumblr is identified as a major hub for adult content, which is contrasted with Yahoo's corporate image.

A beta test for the "Freedom Controller" is announced, intended as a way for users to migrate away from mainstream social media platforms like Facebook and Google+. Live listeners are given a secret phrase to sign up on the Cart Curry website. The project is described as a non-monetized effort to promote digital independence.

A dispute on Twitter regarding whether the tail of the Asiana flight "fell off" or was "chopped off" serves as a critique of social media behavior. The platform is described as a "global schoolyard" where intelligent people engage in petty arguments. Additionally, Google Plus is dismissed as a failure, despite claims of high view counts on posts by tech figures like Robert Scoble.

The Freedom Controller is an open-source project designed to create a distributed social and information network that bypasses centralized hubs like Google and Facebook. The goal is to provide a platform for producers to share information without the risk of a single entity "flipping a switch" to disable the network. A personal anecdote regarding a divorce and a "tell-all" book in the Netherlands illustrates the pitfalls of the traditional media industry.

Google introduces the "OK Google" voice search feature for Chrome, raising privacy concerns about always-on microphones. Furthermore, breakthroughs in facial recognition technology are detailed, allowing for deep analysis of skin, eyes, and jewelry in photos.

The hosts argue that the ultimate goal of the government's cybersecurity policy is the creation of an "identity ecosystem" that eliminates online anonymity. They discuss the National Strategy for Trusted Identities in Cyberspace (NSTIC) and criticize major tech platforms for enforcing real-name policies.

The discussion expands on a MarketWatch column regarding the psychological manipulation of Facebook "likes" and the pressure to present a fake, positive version of reality. The hosts argue that social media has created a "self-esteem generation" where people feel obligated to like content they actually dislike. An update confirms that the listener "army" has successfully pushed Mickey's art into the lead.

The hosts review an email from Clarissa Stryker of Google's Media Partnerships team regarding the verification of the No Agenda Google Plus page. They perform a live background check on Stryker, noting her education at Georgetown University and her previous employment at ABC News, while debating the merits of being "verified" on a platform they find overly complicated.

The hosts praise the evolving quality of artwork submitted by Martin JJ and other producers at the No Agenda Art Generator. They discuss the dynamics of the show's Google Plus group and the history of listener-run forums, noting that some community members occasionally become overly critical of the show's direction.

Adam Curry expresses frustration with the Google Plus interface despite the growing No Agenda community there. He requests that a listener create an RSS feed to scrape posts from the community. The hosts emphasize that the No Agenda News Network remains the primary source for vetted stories.

The hosts read notes from high-tier donors, including Felix Cornici and Scott Morgan. They discuss the ownership of gun-related domains and the growth of the No Agenda community on Google Plus, which recently surpassed 1,000 members.

Adam Curry expresses confusion over the value of Google Plus, despite being in thousands of "circles." He mentions that tech journalist Mike Elgan is a proponent of the platform. The hosts discuss the "Hangout" feature and the "No Agenda" community circle, though Curry finds the notification system overwhelming and a "time sink."

Tech journalist Mike Elgan is "de-douched" after making a $200 donation following a call-out on a previous show. Elgan's post on Google Plus about the show sparked a wave of negative comments from tech "fanboys" who criticized Adam Curry's hair and the show's "conspiracy theories." The hosts read the insults aloud, comparing the experience to Matt Damon's practice of reading mean tweets to stay humble.

The hosts discuss the reported suicide of the nurse involved in the Kate Middleton prank call incident, questioning the official narrative and the media's role. Adam Curry also mentions a blog post by Mike Elgan regarding his "douchebag" call-out on the show, noting the negative reaction from Elgan's followers on Google Plus.