7 chapters across the catalog
Gas Prices, Grassroots Outreach, Vaccine Database
The Biden administration is accused of viewing high gas prices as a "feature, not a bug." The discussion returns to the "confrontational" nature of sending government workers door-to-door to sign people up for vaccines. While officials claim there is no federal database to track vaccination status, critics remain skeptical of the privacy implications of these "public education" pushes.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio is criticized for shutting down specific zip codes in Brooklyn, primarily targeting Orthodox Jewish communities. Protesters in these areas have been seen burning masks in response to what they perceive as discriminatory enforcement. The hosts question the logic of zip-code-based lockdowns, noting that residents can easily cross street boundaries into unaffected areas.
MailChimp Spam, US Postal Service General Delivery Test
Dvorak reports receiving suspicious emails from MailChimp, leading to a discussion about the history of the US Postal Service. The hosts decide to test the "General Delivery" system by having Dvorak send a letter to Adam Curry at a general Austin post office address.
Zip Code Marketing and Modern Targeting Tactics
Brad Parscale refuted claims that the Trump campaign targeted voters based on zip codes to suppress minority turnout, calling the tactic "two generations old." He explained that modern digital marketing focuses on individual interests and likelihood to vote rather than broad geographic or racial demographics. The discussion highlighted a disconnect between traditional media's understanding of marketing and current digital practices.
Dutch Postcode Lottery and Peer Pressure Mechanics
The Dutch "Postcode Loterij" is analyzed as a highly effective gambling system driven by extreme peer pressure. In this model, entire neighborhoods win prizes based on their zip code, meaning those who do not play must watch their neighbors receive large checks. The hosts suggest this "Gitmo Nation" style of lottery could be a solution for the U.S. postal system's financial issues.
Code Word Austin, 787 Dreamliner and Terrorist Staging
The hosts speculate that the repeated mention of "Austin" in North Korean propaganda is a code word rather than a literal target. They explore potential links to the Boeing 787 Dreamliner (matching Austin's 787 area code) and the possibility of a staged EMP or "boom" event to justify new security technology. The movie "Olympus Has Fallen" is cited as part of the cultural conditioning for such an event.
The Dutch Postcode Lottery is analyzed as a high-pressure social system where prizes are awarded based on residential zip codes. Neighbors who do not participate face extreme social pressure when their street wins, as celebrities deliver large checks to those who paid while "losers" watch from behind closed curtains.
