Topic: Tech Podcasts

A suggestion is made for one of the hosts to lean into a "Tech Grouch" persona to critique modern technology trends like the overuse of the word "quantum" in business media. This persona is envisioned as a way to provide a unique perspective on the "played out" podcasting landscape.

The episode concludes with a preview of "Angry Tech News" by Sir Ryan Bemrose and an end-of-show mix. Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak sign off from the Texas Hill Country and Northern Silicon Valley, reminding listeners to support the show.

Tech podcaster Scott Galloway claimed that owning an iPhone is a signal of a person's worth as a mate, while owning an Android phone suggests a lack of professional success. These comments have been criticized as elitist and representative of a specific Silicon Valley worldview.

An NGO called Tech Against Terrorism, funded by the United Nations, released a report in collaboration with the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) regarding extremist use of podcasts. The research studied 18 podcasts over a 14-year period, claiming that the medium is used to normalize "hateful ideologies" and "anti-government" sentiment. The report highlights the difficulty of monitoring audio content compared to text or video.

The Tech Against Terrorism podcast discusses how the decentralized nature of RSS feeds allows "extremist" creators to bypass the content moderation of platforms like Spotify and Apple. The hosts mock the researchers for only recently discovering that podcasting was designed to be independent of centralized gatekeepers. The ability to "throw a file up" and reach a global audience is described by the NGO as a "subversive" distribution model.

A technical interruption regarding dead keyboard batteries leads to a discussion on professional broadcasting habits. Many professional studios, such as those at Tech TV, traditionally replaced all wireless microphone and device batteries daily regardless of charge level. This practice ensured reliability during live broadcasts but resulted in significant waste, often benefiting employees who took the discarded batteries home.

A discussion about the Pivot podcast winning a Webby Award leads to a tangent about the history of the Webby Awards and its founder. The hosts joke about their own lack of awards, suggesting they deserve a Peabody or a production award for audio engineering. They mock the idea of televised awards for behind-the-scenes staff.

A clip from the Accidental Tech Podcast features developer Marco Arment discussing his hesitation to remove his mask outdoors despite changing local mandates. The hosts acknowledge Arment's contributions to Podcasting 2.0 and the Overcast app while noting their differing views on public health measures.

Darren O'Neill contributed profits from "No Agenda University" merchandise to the show. He also promoted his own podcast, "Grumpy Old Bens," co-hosted with Sir Ryan Bemrose. The show is described as a tech-focused program featuring "two old guys yelling at the cloud," which currently airs on the No Agenda stream.

The 15th anniversary of the "Daily Source Code" podcast was celebrated on August 13, 2019. Reflections on the early days of the medium include anecdotes about the transition from traditional media to independent digital broadcasting. The discussion touches on the evolution of show formats and the longevity of the hosts' careers in the industry.

Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak discuss the logistics of the Scaramucci interview, crediting producer Tom Starkweather for coordinating the segment in New York. They transition to the next interview with Cliff Stoll, an astronomer and early internet pioneer. Dvorak recalls Stoll's previous media work where he frequently advised people to disconnect from their computers and spend time outdoors.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has launched a new podcast, featuring recordings from his travels to Berlin. The hosts review a montage of Zuckerberg's speaking style, noting his frequent use of filler words and his similarity to other public figures like Scott Adams.

Apple reportedly initiated the coordinated removal of Alex Jones by pulling his shows from the iTunes podcast platform at approximately 3:00 a.m. Pacific Time. Other tech companies followed in a "domino effect," leading to accusations of industry collusion and election meddling. Despite the ban, the Infowars mobile app surged to the top of the App Store charts.

The hosts review the listener-submitted artwork for the episode, specifically praising a "cheap laughs" piece featuring a dog with dynamite. They note that the show's unique model of fresh art for every episode helps it rank in the "New and Noteworthy" section of iTunes, often appearing alongside mainstream programs like the Rachel Maddow show.

The hosts critique the frequent use of the phrase "I think" by politicians like Marco Rubio and hosts of "tech horny" podcasts. They argue that this verbal tic undermines authority and leadership, suggesting that experts should state facts directly rather than qualifying them with personal thoughts. They call for a "No Agenda response" to discourage this style of speaking in media.

Adam Curry reflects on his attendance at the Podcast Awards in Las Vegas, noting the absence of scheduled host Dennis Miller. He theorizes that the Daily Tech News Show's victory was fueled by fans supporting Tom Merritt following his departure from the TWiT network. The hosts critique the "People's Choice" voting system, suggesting that bot activity and the daily voting requirement favored more fanatical audiences over their own libertarian-leaning listeners.

Promotion of the 10th anniversary of the Daily Source Code and an appearance on Tom Merritt's show. A producer from Nabone, Indiana, is highlighted for his "NA33" themed car, featuring No Agenda license plates and "Adios Mofo" stickers. The hosts encourage listeners to propagate the formula and support the show via Dvorak.org.

A debate occurs regarding the effectiveness of playing long audio clips at the very end of the podcast. One host argues that these clips cause listeners to log out of the chat room prematurely, potentially hurting donation momentum. The other host defends the practice, citing the quality of the content and the tradition of the show's format.

Plans for a virtual podcasting school involve resurrecting an unfinished book project and bundling it with essential gear like microphones and mixers. The curriculum would focus on practical broadcasting skills, drawing from experiences at the Paul Allen School of Broadcasting and TechTV. The project aims to integrate streaming and hosting services, potentially partnering with existing providers to offer a complete "home kit" for aspiring creators.

In response to a listener request for a tech-only show, the hosts explain why they avoid the format. Dvorak argues that tech news is often repetitive and boring, while Curry notes that he doesn't want to compete with Dvorak's appearances on the TWiT network. The segment ends with Curry discussing his upcoming wedding in Holland and his wife Mickey's fondness for Dvorak.