10 chapters across the catalog
Vice President Kamala Harris issued a public service announcement for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides $65 billion for high-speed internet access. However, Harris repeatedly directed listeners to "internet.gov," a non-existent site, instead of the correct "getinternet.gov." The hosts highlight the error and discuss the program's benefits for major ISPs like Comcast and AT&T.
Voting Machines Online, Georgia Software Updates
Despite claims that voting machines are never connected to the internet, a report shows that thousands of ES&S machines use modems to transmit "unofficial" results. In Georgia, software researcher Hari Hursti observed "sloppy" security during a last-minute software update in Fulton County, comparing the risks of uncertified election software to the Boeing 737 Max technical failures.
The terms of service for Nest thermostats include a requirement that users must be at least 13 years old to operate the device. The hardware requires a constant internet connection to function properly, leading to concerns about reliability and corporate control over home climate systems.
No Agenda Music Archive, French Internet Infrastructure
Adam Curry discusses compiling a "Best Of" show featuring nearly seven hours of listener-submitted No Agenda music. The hosts express concerns about internet reliability in southern France, which may necessitate playing these musical archives during Curry's upcoming travels.
A stay in a New York City Airbnb highlights the legal gray areas of the service, with hosts requesting guests claim to be visiting family. The discussion shifts to the superiority of short-term rentals over hotels regarding internet speed, specifically citing a 50 megabit Verizon Fios connection. Modern hotels are criticized for failing to provision adequate Wi-Fi bandwidth for current guest demands.
Celebration Florida, Disney Village and Real Estate
The hosts discuss the master-planned community of Celebration, Florida, originally developed by Disney. They explore the town's unique real estate market and amenities, with one host expressing interest in moving there for the relaxing atmosphere and high-speed internet.
The hosts open the program from Tokyo, Japan, discussing technical difficulties involving Skype latency and internet routing. One host switches from a Sonic.net connection to Comcast to improve the ping times to Asia. They note the irony of the connection failing only after the pre-show ends and the recording begins.
Mark Zuckerberg discusses his initiative to bring internet access to the next 5 billion people, which critics argue is primarily a push for Facebook adoption. Zuckerberg claims the move is not about money, despite the potential for massive data collection in developing markets. The initiative is framed as a humanitarian effort to provide healthcare and news access.
Value for Value, Producer Credits, and Global Connectivity Issues
The program acknowledges its "Value for Value" funding model, thanking numerous executive and associate executive producers for their financial support following a period of low donations. During the segment, a live internet connection failure occurs between the hosts, highlighting the technical challenges of remote broadcasting. Individual donors are granted "karma" and "de-douching" as part of the show's tradition.
In the United Kingdom, residents are required to pay a 142-pound annual TV license fee, which now applies to anyone with an internet connection regardless of television ownership. The fee supports the BBC, which is praised for producing high-quality content like Top Gear. The show's lack of commercial sponsors allows for honest, often brutal reviews of vehicles, such as the Ford F-150.
