681: Trough of Disillusionment

681: Trough of Disillusionment

In this episode, Brian and Jason kick things off by highlighting the troubling state of the gaming industry, with 11% of developers laid off in 2024, according to a GDC survey. Meanwhile, Elon Musk finds a new way to perplex us all by admitting he pays people to play video games for him.

They then unpack a whirlwind of news, including Trump’s controversial pardon of Silk Road creator Ross Ulbricht and his ongoing crusade against perceived social media bias. Elon Musk’s antics take center stage as he mocks America’s tech elite, clashes with Trump over the flashy “Stargate” AI project, and battles AI cost concerns as hype begins to wane. On the corporate front, Amazon halts drone deliveries after crashes, Instagram blocks political hashtags, and Neko, a body-scanning startup co-founded by Daniel Ek, secures a whopping $260M at a $1.8B valuation.

In media candy, the hosts revisit the charming chaos of the Lilo & Stitch franchise and dive into music documentaries like Yacht Rock and Echo in the Canyon. And let’s not forget Netflix’s price hikes and yet another mediocre Star Trek installment with Section 31. Dave wraps things up with The Dark Side, covering Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, ham radio tools, and even a shoutout to Morse code. Packed with biting commentary, this episode is a mix of tech absurdity, media nostalgia, and the trademark Grumpy Old Geeks snark!


Sponsors:

Private Internet Access - Go to GOG.Show/vpn and sign up today. For a limited time only, you can get OUR favorite VPN for as little as $2.03 a month.

SetApp - With a single monthly subscription you get 240+ apps for your Mac. Go to SetApp and get started today!!!

1Password - Get a great deal on the only password manager recommended by Grumpy Old Geeks! gog.show/1password

DeleteMe - Head over to JoinDeleteMe.com/GOG and use the code "GOG" for 20% off.


Show notes at https://gog.show/681


FOLLOW UP

Eleven percent of game developers were laid off in 2024, according to GDC survey

Elon Musk Admits to Paying People to Play Video Games for Him


IN THE NEWS

Joe Rogan, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos: Tech Titans, Celebs at Inauguration

Trump Orders Government to Stop ‘Trampling’ Conservatives on Social Media

Silk Road Mastermind Ross Ulbricht Seen Leaving Prison Holding a Small Plant

President Trump Pardons Silk Road Creator Ross Ulbricht After 11 Years in Prison

Elon Musk Plays DOGE Ball—and Hits America’s Geek Squad

Instagram blocked searches for #democrats and other political hashtags

Why You May Automatically Be Following Trump and Vance Now

AI-Generated Junk Science Is a Big Problem on Google Scholar, Research Suggests

What is the ‘Stargate’ AI project?

Trump's $500 Billion AI Deal Includes Funding by UAE Royal Family Linked to Astonishing Number of Scandals, Including Human Torture

Trump Showing Love to Sam Altman Is Clearly Driving Elon Musk Into a Jealous Fury

Satya Nadella says he’s ’good for $80 billion’ after Elon Musk claims Stargate Project doesn’t have the cash

Trump staff ‘furious’ after Musk trashes AI project

AI Hype Is Dropping Off a Cliff While Costs Soar, Experts Warn

Amazon puts its drone deliveries on hold following two crash incidents

‘Neo-Nazi Madness’: Meta’s Top AI Lawyer on Why He Fired the Company

Apple must face suit over alleged policy of underpaying female workers

Amazon to close Quebec facilities, but says it's not because of that new union

Neko, the body-scanning startup co-founded by Spotify's Daniel Ek, snaps up $260M at a $1.8B valuation


MEDIA CANDY

Lilo & Stitch

Lilo & Stitch 2 - Stitch Has a Glitch

Leroy & Stitch

Yacht Rock: A DOCKumentary

The Wrecking Crew!

Echo in the Canyon

Lolla: The Story of Lollapalloza

Netflix plans now cost between $8 and $25 after yet another subscription price hike

Everything to Remember Before Star Trek: Section 31

Section 31 Is a Mediocre Action Movie, and an Even Worse Star Trek One

Fail Better with David Duchovny - Catching Up with Gillian Anderson

James Cameron: Special Video Message at the SCSP AI+Robotics Summit


APPS & DOODADS

Introducing Operator

Developer Creates Infinite Maze That Traps AI Training Bots

Best Cooking Equipment for Meal Kits (2025), Tested and Reviewed

Trump Executive Order Generator


AT THE LIBRARY

The Breakthrough Effect by Douglas E. Richards

Not Till We Are Lost (Bobiverse Book 5) by Dennis E. Taylor


THE DARK SIDE WITH DAVE

Dave Bittner

The CyberWire

Hacking Humans

Caveat

Control Loop

Only Malware in the Building

Star Wars: Skeleton Crew

Ham Radio Prep

Ham Study

GLAARG

GGMorse

Morse Code - I Love You

Parks on the Air ® (POTA)

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jaksot(730)

57: Time, Ain't On My Side

57: Time, Ain't On My Side

In this special bitchfest episode the guys talk about time, the Internets warping of said time, and how there is no such thing as a sharing economy. Show notes: http://grumpyoldgeeks.com/57 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

9 Touko 201455min

56: Some Things in this Podcast are True

56: Some Things in this Podcast are True

Jason discusses his plans to join the Russian mafia. Brian rants about Facebook's new algorithm. Both guys talk about how programming sucks and is melting our brains. Self-driving cars are going to be needed because of aforementioned brain drain. Show Notes: http://grumpyoldgeeks.com/56 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

2 Touko 20141h 35min

55: Premium Providers of Negative Value

55: Premium Providers of Negative Value

Jason cuts back on the caffeine after his Cornholio impersonation in episode 54. The guys talk home ownership vs. being a technomad. Some iOS battery fixes, software updates and books we love, and the general nerdery you love, as always. Show notes at http://grumpyoldgeeks.com/55   See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

25 Huhti 20141h 14min

54: Belfie Marketing Secrets of the Rich and Famous

54: Belfie Marketing Secrets of the Rich and Famous

This week Jason breaks free of the hell of MediaTemple, Brian gets furnished, Jason gets caffeinated with a dirty apparatus, Brian talks cool ways to get badass signed books, Jason discovers the app of his dreams, as well as nightmares. And belfies! Show notes at http://grumpyoldgeeks.com/54 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

18 Huhti 20141h 21min

53: You've Got Red on You

53: You've Got Red on You

Friend of the show Jay Goldman joins us from NYC to talk about Facebook shenanigans and his new book "The Decoded Company." Jason has one of his patented epiphanies about how tech is cooler than ever but the people making it just aren't. Show notes at: http://grumpyoldgeeks.com/53 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

11 Huhti 20141h 49min

52: Money is the Fruit of Sin

52: Money is the Fruit of Sin

We're joined again by Dr. David Teter to talk about douchebaggery in the government and silliness in the private sector. Brian and Jason agree to agree about Wil Wheaton only after disagreeing vehemently. Many new apps and stuff like that. Show notes at http://grumpyoldgeeks.com/52 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

4 Huhti 20141h 52min

51: Conscious Ungrumping

51: Conscious Ungrumping

It's the one year anniversary of Grumpy Old Geeks! Jason's off his meds, literally and Brian is having mid-life buyers remorse. This leads to a classic grump fest like we used to do while everything we love is ripped from us, as usual. http://grumpyoldgeeks.com/51 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

28 Maalis 20141h 5min

50: Over the Hill

50: Over the Hill

Brian has officially joined the middle-class and hates his life! Between his contractors banging around and Jason's neighbors fleet of lawn mowers it was a miracle we got this thing done. Please enjoy episode 50 where we did nothing at all to celebrate!   Show notes at http://grumpyoldgeeks.com/50 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

21 Maalis 20141h 7min

Suosittua kategoriassa Politiikka ja uutiset

rss-ootsa-kuullut-tasta
aikalisa
tervo-halme
ootsa-kuullut-tasta-2
politiikan-puskaradio
viisupodi
otetaan-yhdet
et-sa-noin-voi-sanoo-esittaa
rss-podme-livebox
linda-maria
rss-vaalirankkurit-podcast
politbyroo
the-ulkopolitist
rss-hyvaa-huomenta-bryssel
rss-kuka-mina-olen
rss-raha-talous-ja-politiikka
aihe
rss-pallo-keskelle-2
rss-lets-talk-about-hair
rss-mina-ukkola