Topic: Marketwatch

A viral story about a refrigerator being used in a massive cyber attack is debunked as a marketing stunt by Proofpoint Inc. The hosts trace the story back to a single press release on MarketWatch that lacked any supporting research or white papers.

John C. Dvorak reveals that he is no longer writing for MarketWatch, suggesting the "No Agenda" show's content may have played a role. Adam Curry warns Dvorak that writing a column about the debunked NSA terror plots would never be published by a "legit" news site. They discuss the "gatekeeping" in mainstream financial and tech journalism that prevents critical reporting on the intelligence community.

The discussion expands on a MarketWatch column regarding the psychological manipulation of Facebook "likes" and the pressure to present a fake, positive version of reality. The hosts argue that social media has created a "self-esteem generation" where people feel obligated to like content they actually dislike. An update confirms that the listener "army" has successfully pushed Mickey's art into the lead.

The recent Apple WWDC keynote is described as underwhelming, with Steve Jobs appearing out of breath and the stock price dropping following the event. This is contrasted with a MarketWatch report suggesting that low-income workers may not be able to retire until age 84, further challenging the modern American Dream.

A firsthand account of the pre-interview process at CNBC reveals how producers attempt to script guest responses to fit a specific narrative. The specific case involved Apple's policy of only accepting credit cards for iPad purchases to track buyers and prevent black market reselling, which the network wanted to frame solely as a privacy invasion.

MarketWatch columnist Paul B. Farrell warns investors of impending "economic anarchy" resulting from a global debt time bomb. The discussion suggests that the "Great Recession" of 2008-2009 is merely a precursor to a total collapse predicted for 2013. Recommendations for survival include investing in gold and weapons as the middle class faces a transition to food stamps.

John C. Dvorak admits to practicing self-censorship in his professional writing for Dow Jones MarketWatch, now owned by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. He explains that writers naturally avoid attacking their employers or editors to maintain their positions, illustrating the broader point about corporate influence on journalism.

Reports from the Harry Schultz Letter and MarketWatch suggest that U.S. embassies worldwide are being advised to purchase massive amounts of local currency. This hoarding of cash suggests a sense of foreboding within the State Department regarding a significant financial event expected within the next 120 to 180 days. The hosts link this to potential bank holidays or currency devaluations.

CNBC reporter Rick Santelli gained national attention for a viral rant against the mortgage bailout. John Dvorak counters this sentiment in a MarketWatch column, arguing that the gutting of consumer protection and usury laws has left the middle class vulnerable to predatory lending and corporate monopolies like AT&T.

A strategy for evaluating the reliability of online reviewers and journalists involves checking their historical archives to see if their tastes align with the reader's. Using Yelp as an example, the host explains how to verify a reviewer's credibility by comparing their past restaurant ratings to one's own known preferences.

The push for green energy and cap-and-trade systems is expected to attract fraudulent companies looking to exploit government funding. UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown's claims of creating 100,000 wind energy jobs are scrutinized and dismissed as a significant exaggeration of actual economic potential.

The episode concludes with a mention of a MarketWatch column on "Obama-proofing" investment portfolios using advice from an anonymous billionaire. The hosts sign off from the UK and Silicon Valley, planning for a follow-up show on Saturday.

Following News Corp's acquisition of Dow Jones, the impact of Rupert Murdoch's ownership on the Wall Street Journal and MarketWatch is examined. A host describes attending an editorial meeting where a representative of Murdoch was introduced. There is speculation regarding whether the new ownership will lead to direct editorial interference or the termination of specific columnists.

The ongoing saga of the Microsoft-Yahoo merger is characterized as "porn for the masses" that distracts from more serious issues like government surveillance. Jerry Yang's reluctance to sell his company is defended against media criticism that prioritizes shareholder profit over technological passion. The hosts suggest that adding names like Britney Spears or Amy Winehouse to tech headlines is the only way to ensure high viewership.

Financial news outlets like MarketWatch and CNBC focus primarily on providing actionable stock tips to satisfy their audience's desire for wealth accumulation. This differs from the approach of newer competitors like Fox Business, which has struggled to gain traction by focusing more on talk-show formats. Successful financial media brands recognize that their viewers are primarily interested in market performance and specific investment recommendations.

Speculation is mounting regarding a potential merger between AOL and Yahoo as a response to Microsoft's interest in the space. Analysts note that the homepages of both services have become nearly identical in layout and function. The departure of visionary leaders like Steve Case has left AOL appearing "rudderless" as it struggles to maintain its former cultural relevance.

A critique of media coverage regarding Google argues that journalists fail to investigate the company's "black box" advertising algorithms. Google's control over both the buy and sell sides of the online ad market is highlighted as a unique monopoly. An anecdote mentions a meeting with an original engineer of the system Google acquired to build AdSense.

The hosts engage in a meta-discussion about the tendency of journalists to claim credit for early predictions. One host accuses the other of constantly referencing past columns to validate current arguments, while the other claims it is merely for "clarification" of a premise.

Ron Paul has released a four-point economic revitalization plan that includes televising Federal Reserve meetings and repealing the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The discussion argues that Sarbanes-Oxley has damaged the U.S. high-tech sector and driven capital to London by imposing excessive reporting costs and personal liability on CEOs. The act is characterized as a "knee-jerk reaction" to the Enron and MCI scandals that has ultimately hurt the American economy.