6 chapters across the catalog
AARP Magazine, John C. Dvorak April Fools Classic
AARP Magazine recently featured a 1994 April Fools' gag written by John C. Dvorak for PC Computing. The column claimed a non-existent Senate bill would prohibit intoxicated people from using the "information superhighway." The prank was so convincing at the time that Senator Pat Leahy's office received significant public backlash.
ChatGPT-4 John C. Dvorak Profile, Mouse Skepticism
ChatGPT-4 provides a generally accurate profile of John C. Dvorak's career at PC Magazine but fails to mention his 15-year history in podcasting. The AI also hallucinates a nuanced evolution of Dvorak's views on the computer mouse, claiming he now sees it as a tool for video editing. The segment highlights the AI's tendency to smooth over controversial history with generic accolades.
Loma Prieta Earthquake Legacy, Harmonic Vibration Weapons
The 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake left a lasting psychological impact on residents and professionals in the San Francisco Bay Area, including staff at PC Computing. Discussion turned to the "low note" or ground loop resonance felt during major quakes, which some claim is similar to harmonic vibration frequencies developed for sonic weaponry.
Bettendorf Iowa, Google Fiber Privacy, MILF Photo Submission
A donation from Bettendorf, Iowa, prompts a discussion about the town's history and its municipal gigabit Ethernet. Dvorak recalls an April Fool's column he wrote about Sioux City changing its name to Gateway City. The hosts also discuss the privacy implications of "free" Google Fiber in Austin and acknowledge a photo submission from a listener's wife.
An article in PC Magazine argues that initiatives like Code.org are primarily designed to sell more hardware to schools rather than improve education. Critics suggest that the American curriculum is being "dumbed down" while students remain unable to perform basic geography. The focus on coding is seen as a distraction from declining test scores in science, technology, engineering, and math.
The production values of the Emmy telecast are reviewed, focusing on the snarky voiceover commentary provided by John Hodgman. This style of "lewd commentary" is compared to a past PC Computing MVP awards event hosted by Jim Seymour and a co-host that nearly resulted in their termination.
