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)

18: A Cornucopia of Crazy Making

18: A Cornucopia of Crazy Making

Celebrity weddings, hearty stouts, class clowns ruin it for everyone, private armies, another kickstarter rip-off, Japan rules at crazy, and Kanye West is still a total douchebag. They also discuss the future of making money on the internet. Subscribe to the Grumpy Old Geeks on iTunes and give us a five star rating. You know you want to! Shownotes: John Rzeznik Is Married Jimmy Beaumont & The Skyliners Jason's step-dad comes in at 2:46 Ten Fidy Stone Farking Wheaton w00tstout! University Suspends Online Classes After More Than Half the Students Fail Apple Developer site hack: Turkish security researcher claims responsibility Apple releases status board in reaction to hacked dev portal Monsanto Buys BLACKWATER the largest mercenary army in the world Selfie-Loathing: Instagram is even more depressing than Facebook. Here’s why. Awesome FREE Instagram Exporter The Wayback Machine The Archive Documentary This is not a conspiracy theory Kanye West sells $120 t-shirts: On the Emotional and Literal Value of Bravado. Seriously? Bizarre "Bagel Head" Injections Become Latest Beauty Trend in Japan Heard App IFTTT App NeverWet promo video NeverWet, the viral "magic" spray doesn't work. At all. Behind the scenes at a McDonald's photo shoot Arby's meat on Snopes Who Owns the Future? by Jaron Lanier Flattr See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

29 Heinä 20131h 14min

17: There is no spoon

17: There is no spoon

Philosophizing it up this week the guys talk Seneca and Stoics, creepy homeschooling, in praise of Microsoft (sorta), plagiarism, remixing, and downright thievery. Other topics also include some new and not so new apps, and a silly Facebook story. Subscribe to the Grumpy Old Geeks on iTunes and give us a five star rating. You know you want to! Shownotes: On the Shortness of Life by Seneca Letters from a Stoic by Seneca Goodbye Facebook, Hello Life There is no spoon Connections Academy Mikala's horrible life HomeSchool Reviews Awesome IE VM's for testing from Microsoft Surface RT losses sting in Microsoft's Q4 2013 NextDesk Air NextDesk Treadmill The new Grumpy Old Geeks Website Subscribe to The Weekly Grump Horror-film blogger Spiderbaby caught up in plagiarism row Article Spinning Everything is a Remix Joshua Rewasiewicz REMIX of "Come Together" and "Closer" Why San Francisco sucks part #138 VLC for iOS is Back! How lazy are you? a.k.a. Outbox Mail Earth Class Mail Prius Drivers Suck Facebook, the early years: handing out a master password like candy See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

21 Heinä 20131h 21min

16: Sum Ting Wong

16: Sum Ting Wong

Asiana Fox Faux Pas, the death & ressurection of Hulu, Atari Alums hit the slums, Jobs screwing Apple from beyond the grave, dorky algorithms, DEF CON biting the hand that spies, stalkers delight in new creepy, more crap you can't afford. Subscribe to the Grumpy Old Geeks on iTunes and give us a five star rating. You know you want to! Shownotes: On the Shortness of Life - Kindle Edition San Diego Zoo Safari Park Why you don't rely on interns. The Death of Hulu Owners call off Hulu sale, to inject cash instead Judge In Apple Price-Fixing Trial Used This Video Of Steve Jobs Chatting With Walt Mossberg To Prove Apple's Guilt Seriously?! Prismatic FEDS, WE NEED SOME TIME APART. Hackers convention ask government to stay away over Snowden Secure Ideas will not be presenting at DEF CON this year General Alexander Black Hat Keynote DEF CON 20 Videos Background Check app Intelius Date Check Patrick Smith's Ask the Pilot Touch of Modern The 50 Most Perfectly Timed Photos Ever Quit on 5 by 5 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

14 Heinä 20131h 7min

15: The Boys are Back in Town

15: The Boys are Back in Town

Several thousand miles and a few weeks later Brian and Jason re-unite over the Internet to keep things going. Topics include: overcoming analysis paralysis, the sad demise of Google Reader, app redemptions and the defense of their honor. Subscribe to the Grumpy Old Geeks on iTunes and give us a five star rating. You know you want to! Shownotes: Analysis Paralysis Barry Schwartz: The paradox of choice 3D Food Printing in SPAAAAAAAACE! Patrick Stewart's Moving Words On Domestic Violence RSS Lockdown by Marco Arment Trivie Camera Noir Wool by Hugh Howey Letters from a Stoic by Seneca On the Shortness of Life by Seneca Best productivity blog ever made. Punk Vinyl a.k.a. MXV See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

9 Heinä 201355min

14: Round the World with Felicia Michaels

14: Round the World with Felicia Michaels

This week the guys are joined by renowned comedian and photographer Felicia Michaels and some serious tomfoolery ensues. Subscribe to the Grumpy Old Geeks on iTunes and give us a five star rating. You know you want to! Shownotes: Felicia Michaels Felicia on Twitter Felicia on Instagram Beauty and Da Beast Podcast She said what!?! Podcast Fab Grabs $150M At $1B Valuation (And Is Raising Another $100M+ More) Dead cat bounce Instagram adds video, 15 seconds - 8 more than vine for you long-lasters. Doritos on Vine Round the world "The Devil's Tree" - A horror feature Susanna Lee Peeping Comics Let's Date: fun & easy social dating Bang with Friends Match.com Scammers Top Dating Site 'Plenty of Fish' Announces Big Changes No longer Der Weinerschnitzle Nerve Clayton James Cubitt OK Cupid Snopes Russell Brand shocks tv news anchor Crazy People Crazy People Trailer - Jaguar. For men who'd like handjobs from beautiful women they hardly know. How To Protect Against Laptop Webcam Hacking Kicksend Gabriel Iglesias Stand-up, Stripped-down (Side note: Co-host Jason built this freakin' site!) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

24 Kesä 20131h 17min

13: Upward spiral of innovation

13: Upward spiral of innovation

Dr. David Teter joins the guys this week to talk clean water, nuclear weapons (no shit) and the Edward Snowden debacle among other things. If we disappear it's because of this episode. Subscribe to the Grumpy Old Geeks on iTunes and give us a five star rating. You know you want to! Shownotes: Dr. David Teter Karl Hyde - "The Boy With The Jigsaw Puzzle Fingers" Facebook adds hashtags Facebook kills search ads Google grabs maps app Waze in billion-dollar deal Douchy MySpace Video SOMA Water Kickstarter SOMA Water press release claiming removal of heavy metals and "other contaminants" California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Certified Residential Water Program To Freak or Not To Freak, That Is the Question Executive Order 12333--United States intelligence activities ACLU - FAA FOIA Documents Trust Me, I'm Lying: Confessions of a Media Manipulator Sandia attenuation technology may help resolve arsenic environmental crisis in Bangladesh Sandia arsenic-catchers could help communities supply safer drinking water affordably Arsenic Water Technology Partnership See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

17 Kesä 20131h 10min

12: And now for something completely different

12: And now for something completely different

The gents try a new peppier format and introduce some new segments. Love it or hate it? Let us know at podcast@grumpyoldgeeks.com! Subscribe to the Grumpy Old Geeks in iTunes and give us a five star rating. You know you want to...' Shownotes: Couple who hosted self-help radio show found dead in joint suicide at Brooklyn home Florida woman claims massive Powerball pot, pockets more than $370 million "In the digital economy, we'll soon all be working for free – and I refuse" By Suzanne Moore in The Guardian "Chicago Sun-Times lays off its photo staff" - Chicago Tribune Zosia and Clara Mamet’s Kickstarter meets little support Camera Noir by Pacific Helm LLC NSA Collecting Phone Records for Millions of U.S. Verizon Customers Obama administration defends 'critical' NSA phone records collection The Next HOPE: Privacy is Dead - Get Over It by Steve Rambam Joe Hill NOS4A2: A Novel This is why I'm broke - curated awesomeness The Smart Passive Income Podcast PHP Town Hall Podcast Composer - PHP Package Manager Laravel PHP Framework Suzanne Casamento - Fingerprints Fantasy Dating Mammoth See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

10 Kesä 20131h 6min

11: Social media burnout. Fact or Fiction?

11: Social media burnout. Fact or Fiction?

Jason and Brian discuss social media burnout, the evils of tech support, and a movie review of a hacker classic. Subscribe to the Grumpy Old Geeks in iTunes and give us a five star rating. You know you want to...' Shownotes: Kia Forte Techathlete Games - Jasons day job while on vacation Skinny Puppy Student science experiment finds plants won't grow near Wi-Fi router Tim Ferriss and Sperm Count Michelob Ultra Gazelle How Teens Are Really Using Facebook: It's a 'Social Burden,' Pew Study Finds What Really Happens On A Teen Girl's iPhone Top 15 Most Popular Social Networking Sites Facebook opens up on platform growth, ads, and Parse, reveals 1B stories are being shared daily Hackers Gleaming the Cube Netflix's Sarandos scoffs at stock drop on 'Arrested' reviews Elementary See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

3 Kesä 20131h 9min

Suosittua kategoriassa Politiikka ja uutiset

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