6 chapters across the catalog
Adam Curry debunks the "scanning activity" alarmism by reading his own server's log files in real-time. He shows that automated bots from all over the world, including Ireland, constantly attempt to log into private servers. He argues that this routine internet background noise is being misrepresented as targeted Russian state hacking.
The hosts debunk common analogies used to explain net neutrality, such as "fast lanes" and "speed bumps." Curry explains that the current debate was actually sparked by Netflix's demand for specific performance guarantees on ISP networks. He argues that the "road" analogy is technically inaccurate and that ISPs have no incentive to slow down the general internet, but rather want a legal framework to charge high-bandwidth users.
Net Neutrality, Network Engineering and Metered Service
A network engineer provides a detailed critique of "Net Neutrality," arguing that treating all data packets equally is technically negligent. The engineer explains that traffic shaping and prioritization are essential for network performance, particularly for time-sensitive data. The hosts argue that the push for neutrality will inevitably lead to metered internet billing and play into the hands of large providers like Google.
Google Downtime, Internet Traffic Statistics, Antitrust Claims
A brief Google service outage led to widespread reports from tech journalists claiming that 40% of global internet traffic disappeared during the downtime. These statistics, sourced from Go Squared Engineering, are challenged as being unverified and likely only reflective of a specific subset of users rather than the entire internet. If Google truly controlled 40% of the web, it is argued that the government should initiate antitrust proceedings to break the company up.
NSA Traffic Statistics, Internet Bandwidth Math Tricks
The NSA's claim that it only monitors 1.6% of internet traffic is dismissed as a mathematical deception. The hosts argue that because the vast majority of bandwidth is consumed by Netflix and movie downloads, the remaining percentage allows for the total surveillance of all global email and text communication.
A listener query connects the recent cutting of multiple undersea internet cables to the U.S. military shooting down a malfunctioning spy satellite. The theory suggests these events might be a coordinated demonstration of American power to disrupt communications and prove anti-satellite capabilities following similar tests by China.
