Topic: Hat

IBM shares dropped 13% following reports that AI models like Claude can now effectively program in COBOL, threatening IBM's legacy mainframe service business. While AI can handle basic coding, the hosts argue that troubleshooting complex Linux kernels still requires human expertise due to persistent AI hallucinations.

John Dvorak's "Tip of the Day" recommends the PBS American Experience documentary "The Hard Hat Riots." The film explores the 1970 clashes in New York City and the historical shift of the working class toward the Republican Party during the Nixon era.

Predictions for the aftermath of the 2024 election vary, with some expecting a "big wet fart" of no activity and others anticipating significant rioting if Donald Trump wins. The discussion recalls the 2016 protests involving "pink pussy hats" and immediate calls for impeachment. There is a consensus that while massive protests are likely, large-scale violent riots may be less probable than media narratives suggest.

International listeners from Latvia and Malaysia report that Kamala Harris is primarily known globally for her distinctive laugh, often mocked on federal Russian television. In a separate viral moment, President Joe Biden was filmed briefly wearing a Trump campaign hat during a 9/11 memorial event. The gesture sparked speculation regarding Biden's true feelings toward the Harris campaign.

Sam Tripoli and his co-host on the "Tinfoil Hat" podcast are featured explaining the "Value for Value" model to their audience. They credit Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak for conceptualizing the system, which relies on "Time, Talent, and Treasure" instead of traditional advertising. The hosts express satisfaction that their model is being adopted by other independent creators to ensure self-sufficiency and avoid deplatforming.

Artist Roger Roundy achieved a "hat trick" by winning the show's art competition for three consecutive episodes. His winning piece featured a "Mrs. Pillman" ADHD theme, beating out competition from AI-generated submissions. The hosts discuss the loss of "artistic voice" in AI-generated content and praise the manual effort in Roundy's work, while also acknowledging other notable pieces like Janet Yellen on a slot machine.

Producers reported on recent meetups in Oregon, which featured a pomegranate mead tasting, and a gathering in Las Vegas during the Black Hat and Def Con conventions. Upcoming meetups are scheduled for Fort Worth, Jacksonville, and Dublin. These events are organized by listeners to foster community outside of mainstream media influence.

The hosts debunk the myth that John F. Kennedy ended the fashion of men wearing hats. They discuss the 1922 Straw Hat Riot in New York City, where mobs attacked men wearing straw hats past the socially accepted seasonal deadline.

NPR's Nina Totenberg is criticized for her reporting on Supreme Court abortion protests. The hosts suggest the protesters use left-wing chanting styles, leading to accusations that the demonstrations are staged or populated by "crisis actors."

Tony Cabrera of the No Agenda Shop is recognized for adding winning show art canvas prints to the store. The hosts offer "free consulting" on marketing, suggesting that top-selling items like the "pink hat" should be more prominently displayed. Several new knights and dames are dubbed, including Sir Zons and Dame Sarah, who requested "chocolate tres leches" at the roundtable.

Archival audio from 2016 reminds listeners that Donald Trump's inauguration was met with violent protests, burning cars, and over 100 arrests. The hosts note that the media and public have largely forgotten the chaos of four years ago, focusing instead on the "Women's March" that occurred the following day.

A report from Consumer Watchdog warns that new car models with internet-connected vital systems are vulnerable to remote hacking. Demonstrations show hackers taking control of steering and braking, leading to calls for a physical "kill switch" to disconnect vehicle computers from the internet.

The Mastodon development community issued a statement opposing Gab's use of their software, specifically criticizing Gab's decision to charge for features that are free on other instances. This mirrors historical tensions in the open-source movement, such as the backlash against Red Hat's commercialization of Linux.

Cliff Stoll shares his delight in the popularity of "capture the flag" events and lockpicking among security professionals. He mentions having a master-keyed Schlage lock on his own front door after learning the skill from a friend. Despite his interest, Stoll considers himself an "old hat" in the field, comparing himself to Dwight Eisenhower talking about modern politics.

Chicago Police shifted the trajectory of their investigation into the alleged attack on actor Jussie Smollett after two brothers claimed Smollett paid them $3,500 to orchestrate the event. The brothers reportedly purchased the rope used in the incident at a hardware store and were promised additional payment upon their return from Nigeria. The hosts reflect on their initial skepticism of the story, citing the extreme weather conditions in Chicago at the time of the reported assault.

CNN hosts Chris Cuomo and Don Lemon engaged in a lengthy discussion regarding the symbolism of the MAGA hat following a San Francisco restaurateur's ban on the headwear. The network's focus on the hat's perceived association with racism and birtherism is criticized as a distraction from significant global news. The segment argues that such coverage prioritizes identity politics over substantive reporting on events in Europe or Venezuela.

A viral video involving students from Covington Catholic High School and Native American elder Nathan Phillips sparked national outrage and accusations of racism. Initial media reports focused on the students wearing MAGA hats, but subsequent footage provided context that challenged the original narrative. Twitter suspended the account that first amplified the video, while several media figures issued apologies for rush-to-judgment commentary.

Commentator Angela Rye expressed being "triggered" by the sight of red Make America Great Again hats, suggesting the symbol represents policies that compromise friendships. The discussion posits that the media has successfully branded the color red and the MAGA hat as inherently racist. Comparisons are made to red souvenir hats from the Great Wall of China to illustrate the broad association of the color with controversial political themes.

The discussion shifts to why conservative supporters of the border wall do not organize mass street protests similar to the "pussy hat" marches or Antifa. It is suggested that right-wing protesters are often labeled as Nazis by the media, which discourages public mobilization.

A CBS segment characterizing conspiracy theorists as middle-aged men with ham radios in basements is deconstructed. The hosts defend ham radio enthusiasts and note that prominent figures like Alex Jones do not actually fit the "ham radio" stereotype.