8 chapters across the catalog
The show concludes with a sign-off from the Texas Hill Country and Northern California. The hosts preview the "Unrelenting" podcast and play several "end of show mixes" that touch on themes of "AI slop" and medical experiences. The final segments include the traditional "Adios mofos" sign-off and a reminder of the show's donation website.
A dangerous new TikTok trend involves students intentionally shorting out their school-issued Chromebooks by jamming metal into the USB ports. These incidents have caused battery fires and evacuations in several high schools, which the hosts jokingly label a "Neo-Luddite" movement.
A discussion on the history of the Luddite movement traces the term back to 19th-century textile workers who destroyed automated looms to protect their livelihoods. The segment also explores the etymology of "algorithm," noting its origin from a Persian mathematician, while observing that the Greek word "algos" translates to pain and suffering.
Instagram Influencers, Burger Photos and Social Etiquette
A story from a listener in New York describes the "gross" behavior of Instagram influencers at a birthday party, where guests spent 15 minutes photographing sliders with portable lighting before eating. The hosts discuss the rise of "influencer culture" where restaurants provide free meals in exchange for social media promotion.
A recent Apple iOS update reportedly included code to prevent the Taiwan flag emoji from appearing on localized versions of the software in China. This censorship caused some US-based applications to crash when the word "Taiwan" was typed. The discussion transitions into a general skepticism of self-driving car technology, with one host identifying as a "Luddite" who prefers manual control over semi-autonomous systems.
Christopher Buckley Internet Predictions, Luddite Speechwriting History
Christopher Buckley, a former speechwriter for George H.W. Bush, admitted to his poor track record of predicting technological trends, having once claimed the internet would never be profitable. Buckley also joked about his past skepticism regarding the fax machine. Despite his history in high-level political communications, his son describes him as a "Luddite" who avoids modern technology like text messaging.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano admits in an interview that she does not use email, citing security and personal reasons. The hosts argue that her lack of technical proficiency is an embarrassment for an official overseeing cybersecurity. They suggest she avoids email primarily to prevent a paper trail for legal discovery.
During a Q&A session, Janet Napolitano admits she does not use email or have personal online accounts, describing herself as a "Luddite." The hosts argue this lack of technical proficiency makes her unfit to lead national cybersecurity policy and suggest she avoids email to prevent a paper trail for legal discovery.
