Topic: Tech Reporting

A critique of modern journalism argues that the professionalization of the industry through institutions like the Columbia Journalism School has degraded reporting quality. In the past, reporters gained expertise through specific beats like police reporting or by holding relevant licenses, such as pilot licenses for aviation writers. The current system is described as prioritizing narrative over technical knowledge.

Erica, an unvaccinated MRI technician from Pennsylvania, shares her personal experience with severe menstrual irregularities after working around vaccinated colleagues. She claims her doctor had no explanation for the sudden change. The hosts use this as a counterpoint to the "Fact Check Friday" segment played earlier in the show.

The Wall Street Journal reports that the construction of Healthcare.gov cost $840 million, a figure the hosts find ridiculous for a website. They critique the "pathetic" state of tech reporting and return to their "bromance" with AP reporter Matt Lee, praising his snide questioning of State Department officials like Jen Psaki.

The hosts conclude the episode by mentioning upcoming projects, including the Tech 5 Report website and the "Cage Match" show notes. They plan to discuss CDI (Compact Disc Interactive) in a future episode and sign off from the Curry Condo.

Modern news reporting has shifted toward headlines and opinion due to the lack of cost-effectiveness in deep investigative journalism. Journalism schools are criticized for producing generalists rather than beat reporters with specialized knowledge, leading to poor technical coverage in Silicon Valley. This lack of expertise results in the promotion of "vaporware" and speculative tech stories that lack substance or immediate availability.