Topic: Opt Out

The hosts argue that "opt-in" privacy settings are often a red herring because companies use "dark patterns" to trick users. They cite the example of Adobe Flash updates bundling McAfee software and reference the South Park "HUMANCENTiPAD" episode as a commentary on unread user agreements.

Sheryl Sandberg suggested that a version of Facebook allowing users to completely opt out of data targeting would likely be a paid product. Facebook currently uses data from companies like Experian to refine its ad targeting. The average revenue per user (ARPU) for Facebook is estimated at $25 per quarter, making each user worth approximately $100 annually to the company.

A traveler reports being denied TSA Pre-Check status despite having a valid Trusted Traveler number, reflecting a reported cutback in the program. Choosing to "opt out" of the backscatter X-ray machines led to a lengthy wait for a manual pat-down. The process is described as a "humiliation process" involving specific verbal cues used by TSA agents to coordinate male assists.

A Long Island school superintendent discusses the "opt-out" movement against standardized testing. While he expresses support for the parents' concerns, he clarifies that it is legally impossible for him as a government official to officially support the boycott of state-mandated evaluations.

Curry details his experience navigating security at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, where he requested a manual opt-out from the body scanners. He describes a brief confrontation with a security officer before being allowed to bypass the magnetometer entirely for a pat-down. The hosts criticize the "security theater" of airport protocols, noting that his bag full of electronics was barely scrutinized.

With only minutes remaining before their connecting flight to Austin, travelers were forced to use the TSA "slave scanners" after being told a female assist for an opt-out would take too long. A frantic dash through the Atlanta airport involved riding the terminal train and sprinting up escalators with heavy gear. Mickey successfully reached the gate agent just as the door was closing, allowing them to board the plane.

The hosts read a long list of donations and messages from associate executive producers. Topics in the listener notes include TSA opt-out experiences, job search karma requests, and support for the upcoming "Hot Pockets" tour. They acknowledge several "69.69" donations intended to keep a specific show meme alive.

The hosts discuss upcoming personal schedules, including a wedding that may lead to a "clip show" or a brief hiatus. Listeners from Colorado Springs and San Diego offer meetups and "opt-out karma" for those navigating TSA security. One host shares a recent experience at a shooting range where residual gunpowder did not trigger airport sensors, questioning the efficacy of TSA's explosive detection swabs.

Adam Curry recounts a dinner conversation where a guest was unaware of her right to opt out of TSA body scanners. This is followed by a critique of a "Online Booty Call" advertisement airing on Fox Business, which the hosts use to illustrate the declining standards of mainstream media.

The hosts discuss the development of a "No Agenda ABCs" children's book illustrated by a producer named Jay, featuring memes like "Opt-Out" and "WTC7." Additionally, a 250-page book/DVD project documenting the 2008 "Hot Pockets" tour is being finalized by Mickey Curry.

Mimi Curry successfully convinced other passengers to opt-out of airport body scanners by using specific talking points. The strategy involves questioning why TSA agents are not allowed to wear dosimeters if the machines are safe. The TSA has reportedly changed its procedure to be less confrontational during the opt-out process.

The hosts predict that "National Opt-Out Day," scheduled for the day before Thanksgiving, will result in the TSA purposefully slowing down security lines to punish protesters. They argue that while the initiative is well-intentioned, it may inadvertently provide the "security-industrial complex" with an excuse to demand more funding and faster technology to keep "human resources" and commerce flowing.

Humorist Dave Barry recounts his experience with a TSA scanner that flagged him for a "blurred groin," leading to an intrusive pat-down. The show concludes with a final warning about the "security-industrial complex" and Michael Chertoff's financial interest in scanner technology. The hosts encourage listeners to participate in "Opt-Out Day" and sign off with their traditional "Shut Up Slave" catchphrase.

The hosts analyze how mainstream media outlets like NBC and Fox News are framing the debate over enhanced pat-downs and body scanners ahead of Thanksgiving. They discuss "National Opt-Out Day" and the psychological "Pavlovian" training of the public to accept invasive procedures. A tangent mentions Tina Fey's "butt double" in the credits of 30 Rock as an example of media artifice.

Activists are organizing a National Opt-Out Day for November 24th to protest TSA body scanners. Concerns from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) regarding the safety of backscatter X-ray radiation are discussed, alongside suggestions for passengers to wear dosimeters to measure exposure.

The hosts discuss strategies for passengers who choose to "opt out" of body scanners, including vocalizing the choice and asking specific questions of TSA agents. They propose a psychological warfare tactic of spreading rumors that pedophiles are seeking TSA employment to legally grope children. They also suggest that passengers should consider filing local sexual assault charges against agents who perform invasive physical searches.

The media's treatment of Sarah Palin is criticized as anti-feminist, specifically regarding the "eye-rolling" reactions to her public appearances. A listener's request for a TSA opt-out script is addressed, with the hosts explaining they are still looking for a reliable manual. A brief mention is made of the TV show "Chuck" allegedly using show-related catchphrases like "Nothing to see here."

The TSA announced enhanced pat-down procedures on October 29, 2010, the same day as the Yemen terror alert. The hosts argue the terror threat was timed to suppress resistance to new invasive screening methods, which include agents feeling the "crotchal area" of passengers.

The discussion focuses on the controversy surrounding TSA full-body scanners and the "opt-out" movement. One listener reports being denied a US travel authorization after opting out of a scan, while another describes a TSA agent's claim that staff are quitting due to the machines. The hosts argue the scanners are ineffective, intrusive, and slower than traditional metal detectors.

The hosts provide contact information for Jennifer Carmichael at the TSA Office of Civil Rights and Liberties, urging listeners to file formal complaints when opting out of body scanners. They argue that a mass "opt-out" movement would create long lines and force the government and airlines to reconsider the invasive security protocols.