12 chapters across the catalog
Todd Cochrane Death and September 11th Anniversary
The hosts open the program by acknowledging the sudden death of Todd Cochrane, an early podcasting pioneer and founder of Blubrry, who passed away at age 61 from a heart attack. The conversation transitions to the anniversary of the September 11th attacks. Reference is made to the discovery of a hijacker's passport following the 2001 plane crashes.
During the 9/11 attacks, CIA officer Michael Morell briefed President Bush on Air Force One regarding a predicted second wave of attacks that never materialized. This historical inaccuracy is compared to modern psychological operations, described as a mass amygdala hijack designed to keep the public in a state of fear. The isolation of lockdowns and the trauma of 9/11 are cited as ingredients for mass formation psychosis.
A major security scare occurred at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam after an Air Europa pilot mistakenly triggered a 7500 transponder code, signaling a hijacking. The error resulted in a massive military and police response, grounding flights for two hours. Reports suggest the captain may have been demonstrating cockpit procedures to an intern when the code was entered.
Angela Rye CNN Argument, White Men Terrorist Comment
CNN commentator Angela Rye sparked controversy during a heated panel discussion by claiming that "white men" are the greatest terrorist threat in the United States. The hosts analyzed the frequency and pitch of Rye's voice, noting how it effectively dominates broadcast arguments. The segment also touched on the linguistic debate over using the word "hijack" in the presence of Muslim members of Congress.
Jeff Pegues, Laptop Bomb Threats, Hijacking Warnings
CBS correspondent Jeff Pegues reports on enhanced security measures for international flights due to intelligence about laptop-based explosives. The segment ends with a sudden, uncorroborated warning about potential hijackings, which the hosts find suspicious.
The hosts review the latest software updates from Rogue Amoeba, specifically the transition from Audio Hijack Pro to the redesigned Audio Hijack. The discussion highlights the improved user interface and the efficiency of Fission for quick audio editing and clipping. One host demonstrates the software's capabilities by isolating a "calm down" vocal clip in real-time.
The existence of an "uninterruptible autopilot" system, patented by Boeing and Honeywell, is discussed as a possible explanation for mysterious aircraft behavior. The system is designed to allow remote control of a plane to prevent hijackings, guiding it to a safe landing at pre-programmed airbases. This technology is theorized to have played a role in various aviation incidents, including the Germanwings crash.
Dvorak and Curry, Podcast Production and Radio Standardization
Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak open episode 625 by discussing their differing technical workflows for clipping audio, including Dvorak's accidental use of caps lock. Dvorak recounts his 1980s media tour for a telecommunications book, noting the lack of standardization across various radio station control rooms. The hosts compare modern digital recording tools like Audio Hijack Pro against older hardware like Gates mixing boards.
Alaska Airlines Flight 819, Hijack Hoax and Operation Noble Eagle
An anonymous phone call to the FBI in Honolulu triggered a national security response for Alaska Airlines Flight 819. NORAD launched "Operation Noble Eagle," scrambling two F-15 fighter jets to escort the commercial airliner to Seattle. The incident was determined to be a hoax, and the FBI is investigating the caller for causing a massive waste of government resources.
Operation Damascus Volcano, Satellite Signal Hijacking
The NATO-led operation in Syria, titled "Operation Damascus Volcano," reportedly involves the hijacking of Syrian satellite television signals. The hosts discuss reports that the NSA is broadcasting fake patriotic clips and news using Syrian logos and graphics to confuse the population. They also note that Pakistan and South Africa abstained from the UN Security Council vote on Syria.
A congressman grills Director Mueller about the FBI's contact with Anwar al-Awlaki prior to 9/11. Despite Mueller's denials, reports suggest Awlaki had contact with two hijackers and was even invited to the Pentagon after the attacks. The hosts predict the congressman will be marginalized for asking "tough questions" about Awlaki's status as a potential asset.
The hosts revisit reports from September 11, 2001, regarding a Boeing 767 that made an emergency landing in Cleveland due to a bomb threat. They argue this "missing" plane and the subsequent 8-mile debris field of Flight 93 were omitted from the 9-11 Commission Report to cover up the shoot-down.
