Topic: Sats

The hosts mock Gavin Newsom for bragging about a 960 SAT score, which they characterize as a "dummy's score." An AI-generated parody of Newsom describes him engaging in low-brow activities at Red Lobster and Waffle House. The segment transitions into a critique of Sam Altman and the massive valuations of AI companies despite technical limitations.

The "Value for Value" funding model is highlighted as the foundation of the show's 18-year independence. Listeners are encouraged to use modern podcasting apps like Podverse, Fountain, and Podcast Guru, which allow for direct donations and "boosts" using Bitcoin Satoshis during live broadcasts.

Mark Riddell, a Harvard graduate, pled guilty in Boston Federal Court for his role in a massive college admissions bribery scheme. Prosecutors revealed he was paid $10,000 per test to manipulate SAT scores for students. The hosts joke about taking exams for money as a retirement plan.

A promotional musical segment encourages listeners to tune in to No Agenda on Thursdays and Sundays for "critical views" and media deconstruction. The lyrics mention "cuck bucks," "sats," and the "value-for-value" model, thanking the "dames and knights" of the show's community. The segment emphasizes the importance of avoiding certainty and supporting the program through various gift methods.

Executive Producers Matthew Januszewski and Grand Duke Dwayne Melanson provided significant financial support to the show. A donation from "Dame Laura" detailed the personal toll of the pandemic, including the cancellation of SAT exams and varsity sports for her children in Virginia. The segment highlighted the frustration of parents dealing with school closures and the comparison of COVID-19 risks to the more common Influenza B, which her son contracted despite being vaccinated.

Mark Riddell, a Harvard graduate, pleads guilty for his role in the college admissions bribery scheme. Riddell was paid approximately $10,000 per test to take the SAT or ACT for students, often manipulating the scores to meet specific targets. He faces up to 20 years in prison for his involvement in the massive fraud.

The show concludes with a report on the lowest national SAT scores in a decade, with only 42% of students considered "college ready." The hosts dismiss the importance of the scores, calling college a "scam to steal your money." Final sign-offs are delivered from Galveston Island and Northern Silicon Valley, followed by a Joe Biden parody clip.

MSNBC host Chris Hayes discusses the alignment of the SAT with Common Core standards. Critics in the segment argue this creates an "external control mechanism" over local school districts, forcing them to adhere to a national curriculum through backdoor testing requirements.

A series of letters from producers are read, including one from Daniel Karda regarding gold repatriation and government land grabs of retirement accounts. Another letter from "The Angry Korean" (Song John Kim) discusses the realities of South Korean military service and criticizes racist tropes in media. The hosts also remind listeners to nominate the show for the upcoming Podcast Awards.

The New York Times published a front-page story titled "Risky Rise of the Good Grade Pill," detailing the widespread use of Adderall among students seeking higher SAT scores. The report suggests that 1.6 million prescriptions are being used as performance enhancers rather than for medical necessity. The hosts argue the story serves as an advertisement for pharmaceutical companies while distracting from the "bath salts" epidemic.

A listener letter details a claim from a former Joint Chiefs of Staff liaison regarding the Lyndon Johnson administration. The account alleges that Johnson considered declaring martial law three times in 1967 due to campus riots but was dissuaded by military leadership. The narrative suggests a subsequent policy shift to intentionally decline the quality of American education to ensure a more controllable population.