9 chapters across the catalog
A discussion regarding the lack of call waiting on certain phone lines leads to an anecdote about producer Dana Brunetti receiving a busy signal. The conversation shifts to the "tip of the day" suggesting people disable call waiting to avoid interruptions from "bigger names" on other lines.
A recording surfaced of a phone line purportedly for a "Hillary Clinton 2020" campaign, though its authenticity is questioned. The segment transitions into a discussion of classic phone pranks, such as the "conference call" gag where two unsuspecting parties are connected to each other. John C. Dvorak also recalls a prank involving changing the language settings on new smartphones to Korean.
The hosts play a recording of a parody phone call purportedly from the CDC regarding COVID-19 contact tracing. The automated voice informs the listener they are at high risk of death because they have a "tiny wiener." The segment serves as a humorous break from the heavy news cycle.
Telemarketing Harassment and Phone Etiquette Frustrations
Frustrations are expressed regarding the failure of the National Do Not Call List to prevent persistent telemarketing calls, specifically mentioning "Rachel" and offers for Google search rankings. A strict personal policy is shared regarding hanging up on callers who ask "Is this Adam Curry?" without first introducing themselves. The segment highlights a perceived decline in professional phone manners among modern callers.
Listener Etiquette, Phone Call Frustrations and Tourette's
Adam Curry vents about the lack of etiquette from callers who don't identify themselves immediately. This leads to an anecdote about a man with Tourette's syndrome on a flight who was removed due to his vocal tics and erratic behavior, which the hosts attribute to extreme social anxiety.
The prospect of using illegal signal jammers in theaters to prevent phone disruptions is debated. While jammers would ensure silence, they pose a significant safety risk by preventing emergency 911 calls during medical crises, such as heart attacks.
A mysterious phone call purportedly featuring the voice of Saddam Hussein has been circulating in the Arab world, causing significant controversy. While some claim the recording is authentic, others remain skeptical. The hosts discuss the impact of the recording on regional perceptions of the former Iraqi leader.
National Do Not Call List and Mongolian UFO Report
A viral email warning about cell phone numbers being released to telemarketers is discussed, prompting a reminder about the National Do Not Call Registry (888-382-1222). Additionally, a report from Mongolia claims two disc-shaped objects crashed near Ulaanbaatar on February 19, with one object reportedly weighing two tons.
John C. Dvorak details ongoing issues with AT&T (formerly SBC) regarding "phone slamming" and the unauthorized addition of services like call waiting and long-distance plans to his bill. Despite setting up a security password to prevent unauthorized changes, Dvorak discovers that low-level call center employees can bypass these protections. He suspects the persistent interference may be motivated by personal grudges from disgruntled tech users.
