13 chapters across the catalog
Kevin O'Leary discusses applying private equity "slashing" tactics to government agencies. He specifically targets the FAA, claiming the agency relies on outdated COBOL code from the 1960s that requires significant capital expenditure for modernization.
Elon Musk announces plans to invest heavily in Twitter's video capabilities, including potentially resurrecting Vine. He outlines a roadmap for Blue Verified users to upload 10-minute, 42-minute, and eventually multi-hour HD videos. The hosts discuss the massive server and architecture upgrades required to support such a shift.
Title Upgrades and East Hatchet Ranch Meetup
Dame Carol Ann is upgraded to the Baroness of Southern Colorado and announces a two-day meetup at East Hatchet Ranch in May. The event will include "free-range time" and "non-triggering food," with real goats present for "goat karma." The hosts thank her for her long-term support and her sons for "hitting her in the mouth" with the show.
Bivalent Vaccines, Anthony Fauci Upgrade Terminology
Dr. Anthony Fauci has begun using the term "upgrade" to describe future iterations of COVID-19 vaccines designed to combat variants from South Africa and the UK. He mentioned "bivalent vaccines" that would target both the original strain and new mutants. The hosts compare this terminology to software licensing, suggesting a model of perpetual "updates" for the human body.
Final title upgrades are announced for new Barons and Viscounts. The hosts discuss "Madurodam," a miniature park in The Hague. The episode ends with a story about "Meth Busses" in 1970s Holland and a montage of "Goat Scream" jingles.
Value-for-Value Model, iPhone Layaway and Tour Names
The hosts discuss the "value-for-value" model, comparing the cost of supporting the show to Apple's new iPhone upgrade program. They encourage listeners to be active producers rather than passive consumers. Adam Curry mentions his upcoming tour in an Airstream, which has been nicknamed "The Flying Burrito," though he is seeking a more "sexy" name.
A travel anecdote details how ordering a special gluten-free or vegetarian meal can prevent a passenger from being bumped from overbooked flights. By utilizing the "Sky Priority" check-in lanes and maintaining a friendly rapport with gate agents, a traveler managed to secure a first-class upgrade on a flight to Minneapolis after an original flight to Atlanta was canceled.
Airline Overbooking, Delta Economy Comfort Upgrades
Curry shares an anecdote about a Delta flight where the booking system showed the plane was full, yet many "Economy Comfort" seats remained empty. He describes a confusing interaction with flight attendants who offered him an upgrade but lacked the administrative tools to actually charge him for it.
EBT System Outage, Xerox Software Upgrade Failure
A routine software upgrade by Xerox caused a massive outage of the Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) system, affecting food stamp and SNAP recipients across 17 states including California. Adam Curry suggests the Saturday morning failure might have been a "dry run" or test of public docility during Cybersecurity Awareness Month. The outage left millions unable to purchase groceries until the systems were rebooted hours later.
European Bank Software Glitches and Santander Issues
Major banks in the UK and Spain, including RBS, NatWest, and Santander, have reported significant software glitches following system upgrades. These technical failures have resulted in customers being unable to access accounts or seeing incorrect balances, with errors predominantly favoring the banks. The hosts suggest these "glitches" may be a convenient way for struggling Eurozone banks to manage liquidity.
NatWest Banking Failure, Software Glitch and Stuxnet Speculation
A massive technical failure at NatWest bank in the UK left millions of customers unable to access their funds for several days. While the bank blamed a software upgrade glitch, the hosts speculate it could be a drill for a future bank holiday or the result of a cyberattack similar to Stuxnet or the Flame virus. IT professionals in the audience are invited to submit "essays" explaining the technical feasibility of the bank's official story.
A travel experience on a US Airways Airbus A321 notes the lack of onboard amenities and provides a strategy for securing cheap upgrades. The suggestion involves checking in at premium or first-class self-service desks to access better offers, such as a $15 upgrade, while avoiding long security lines at San Francisco International Airport.
Virgin America Flight Experience and Captain Interactions
A host describes a positive experience on Virgin America flying from San Francisco to Los Angeles, including a $25 first-class upgrade. The segment highlights a new trend where airline captains, including those at JetBlue, walk through the cabin to greet passengers personally before takeoff.
