9 chapters across the catalog
Tipping Culture, California Service Standards, Toast Data
Data from the tech platform Toast reveals that California is the worst tipping state in the U.S., with an average tip of 17.2%. In contrast, Delaware residents top the list by tipping over 21% on average. The hosts discuss the evolution of tipping standards from 15% to 20% and express frustration with modern digital payment screens that prompt for tips on simple retail transactions.
A survey finds that 44% of employees are looking for new jobs, primarily seeking higher wages to combat inflation. CNBC is reporting on the benefits of hiring individuals with criminal records to fill labor shortages in the service industry. The hosts suggest that as younger generations opt for the gig economy, "essential" service jobs may increasingly be staffed by former convicts as part of a broader economic shift.
San Antonio Retail, Labor Shortage and Service Delays
Retail centers in San Antonio, such as La Cantera, are experiencing significant service delays and unbussed tables despite being only half full. Restaurant staff cite a lack of workers, leading to 45-minute wait times and a general slowdown in the local service economy.
Service Corporation International, Funeral Industry Earnings
Service Corporation International (SCI), a major funeral and cemetery provider, raised its 2021 earnings guidance due to higher-than-expected death volumes. The CEO attributed the growth to the Delta variant and "non-COVID excess deaths." The hosts suggest that financial reports from the death care industry are a more reliable metric of mortality trends than government data.
The discussion shifts to the history of Napster and its role in music discovery during the late 1990s. It is argued that more CDs were sold during the Napster era because users used the platform to sample new bands. The current state of streaming services like Spotify is criticized for allegedly stealing from artists and ruining the original spirit of internet sharing.
The sudden decline in high-profile RIAA lawsuits against individual music pirates is attributed to industry insiders holding significant stock in Spotify. The strategy has shifted from litigation to building the valuation of streaming platforms for a massive IPO. Major labels are accused of prioritizing platform growth over fair compensation for artists and composers.
London 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony, Dystopian Symbolism
John C. Dvorak analyzes the London 2012 Olympics opening ceremony, describing it as a "dystopian" display that ignored the British monarchy in favor of "dancing bankers" and the National Health Service. He interprets the performance—which included a stunt double of the Queen jumping from a plane—as a subconscious admission of the British Empire's decline and surrender to financial interests.
National Endowment for the Arts, TV Service Propaganda
A leaked memo and press releases from the Entertainment Industry Foundation reveal a coordinated effort to insert themes of "national service" into over 60 network television shows. This initiative, supported by the Obama administration and the NEA, focuses on education, health, and energy. The hosts view this as a form of state-sponsored media indoctrination.
Serve.gov, Mandatory Volunteerism and Corporate Influence
The launch of Serve.gov and the Corporation for National and Community Service signals a move toward mandatory volunteerism for American citizens. The board of directors includes representatives from the pharmaceutical and energy industries, suggesting a deep tie between government initiatives and big business. Critics argue these programs are designed to habituate the public, particularly children, to working for the state without compensation.
