Topic: Tweets

The absence of a "quote tweet" feature on Mastodon sparks a debate, with some activists claiming the lack of "call and response" functionality is exclusionary. Journalists like Taylor Lorenz and Jeff Jarvis argue that quote tweets are essential for providing context, while critics suggest the feature is primarily used for "dunking" or online harassment.

Professor Jeff Jarvis and Dr. Jonathan Flowers led a discussion regarding the migration of journalists from Twitter to Mastodon. Dr. Flowers argued that the lack of a "quote tweet" function on Mastodon is inherently racist because it prevents "call and response" culture prevalent in Black Twitter. Critics of this view suggested that the open-source nature of the platform allows any group to fork the code and add desired features themselves.

A Mayo Clinic study found that individuals with natural immunity from a previous infection are better protected against breakthrough hospitalizations than those who are only vaccinated. Despite this, high-profile figures like Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Jen Psaki continue to post nearly identical "scam tweets" after testing positive, thanking their vaccines and boosters for preventing serious illness. The hosts characterize this as a coordinated propaganda effort to maintain vaccine uptake.

Senator John Kennedy grilled Justice Department nominee Hampton Dellinger over past tweets in which Dellinger labeled Republican men as misogynistic. Kennedy questioned whether Dellinger could be non-partisan given his public statements regarding abortion and the GOP. The exchange highlighted the risks of "social network due diligence" for political nominees facing Senate confirmation.

Comedian Kevin Hart steps down as host of the Oscars following a public outcry over homophobic tweets posted between 2009 and 2011. A segment of his past stand-up routine regarding his fear of his son being gay is played to provide context for the controversy. Hart apologized for his "insensitive words" but chose to withdraw to avoid being a distraction.

The hosts sign off, noting the late arrival of the "Zephyr" and the lack of a presidential notification. The show concludes with a soundbite mix featuring Trump's "big brain" comments, the "one beer" rally routine, and various clips from the Kavanaugh hearings.

Stephen Knath requests a jingle for "Bona the Syrian tweet girl." Joshua Gertsen is knighted as Sir Mind Over Matter, noting that listening to both No Agenda and The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe keeps his analytical skills sharp. The hosts decide to extend the 10th-anniversary "two-for-one" donation offer for one additional week.

President Trump launched a ten-tweet "storm" regarding healthcare and the Russia investigation following the White House staff overhaul. Reports suggest Sean Spicer resigned to avoid having "too many cooks in the kitchen" as the administration faces increasing scrutiny from Special Counsel Robert Mueller.

The mix resumes with a focus on the Zika virus and the $1.9 billion in funding requested to fight it. It features Barack Obama's "okie-doke" rhetoric and mocks the alarmism surrounding babies born with microcephaly.

CNN commentator Anna Navarro delivers a viral rant criticizing President Trump's disparaging tweets about Mika Brzezinski. Navarro calls the president's behavior "disgusting" and "shameful," urging Republicans to stop enabling what she describes as immature and unstable conduct from the Commander in Chief.

MSNBC and other media outlets criticized Donald Trump for referring to the New York City explosion as a "bomb" before official confirmation was released. The hosts discuss the lack of nuance in Twitter communications and the media's negative reaction to Trump's immediate assessment of the situation.

The White House hired Jason Goldman, a former Google and Twitter executive, as the engagement director to manage digital outreach. This unit reportedly sends pre-programmed tweets to celebrities regarding issues like gun violence to influence public opinion. The preamble to the State of the Union address involved significant coordination between the administration and major media networks.

A Law & Order: SVU clip introduces the concept of "creep tweets," where neighborhood watch groups use Twitter to track sexual predators. The hosts suggest this is another form of media conditioning to encourage citizen surveillance and vigilante behavior, fitting the "See Something, Say Something" theme.

A faulty universal iPhone charger purchased at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport caused a device to malfunction, resulting in the phone sending automated, unintelligible tweets throughout the night. The "DG iPod 1505" charger, manufactured in China, reportedly generated "dirty electricity" that interfered with the touch screen and disabled the alarm clock. The incident highlights the risks of using low-quality, third-party electronic accessories.

"Google" and "Tweet" are named words of the year, but the hosts focus on the "Dracula Sneeze"—the act of sneezing into one's elbow. They suspect the term is a media hoax or a manufactured phrase, as they have never heard it used in common parlance. The segment mocks news anchors for reporting on the term without questioning its validity or origin.