718: Net Unhelpful

This week, Guest Host Donovan Adkisson joins Jason DeFilippo to wade through the usual tech chaos; California is attempting to regulate the inevitable AI companion chatbots, which is timely, considering ChatGPT is about to launch erotica (with age verification, natch). Turns out, most of the world is less stoked about our algorithmic future than Silicon Valley is. Speaking of chaos, Elon Musk’s Boring Company racked up nearly 800 environmental violations in Vegas, and his Starlink satellites are burning up the atmosphere, validating the Kessler Syndrome predictions (and ruining backyard astronomy). On the ground, Georgia Tech is deploying drone first responders, ensuring campus security is instantly airborne, while the UK's Online Safety Act slapped 4chan with a hefty fine. We also mourn a Crypto Kingpin who met his end in a Lamborghini following a market crash. Finally, beware that "perfect" house listing, as the owner likely used AI to virtually enhance that curb appeal.

It seems even the guy who coined the term "Vibe Coding" admits that relying on AI for complex software is "Net Unhelpful," proving that humans still have to do the heavy lifting—a fact Uber might ignore, as they plan to pay drivers to train AI between rides. Speaking of dumb human stunts, some genius launched the "World's First Waymo DDoS" by summoning 50 robotaxis to a dead end. On the entertainment side, it's time to binge Gen V before Season 5 of The Boys drops; also, why did Apple rename Apple TV+ to Apple TV? The guys also discuss the eternal cultural resonance of Idiocracy and the perfection of Galaxy Quest (and its fantastic documentary, Never Surrender). On the work front, Jason switched back to Things 3 because life is too short for ugly software, even as Windows 10's impending end-of-life threatens to create an e-waste disaster. Also, Wi-Fi 8 is coming soon, because the recently ratified Wi-Fi 7 just wasn't cutting it.

Finally, the Grumpy Old Geeks wish a happy birthday to friends of the show and offer remembrance for the recently deceased, including screen icon Diane Keaton and KISS founding member Ace Frehley (though, honestly, no one here watched KISS Meets the Phantom of the Park). Tune in next time, and always remember to check out Anonymous: Real Stories of Alcoholism, Addiction, and Recovery; and go get some of that GOG Merch... when it becomes available.

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Show notes at https://gog.show/718

FOLLOW UP

Guest Host: Donovan Adkisson

California becomes first state to regulate AI companion chatbots

ChatGPT erotica coming soon with age verification, CEO says

International Polling Shows Fear of AI Across the World

IN THE NEWS

Georgia Tech’s drone first responder program cuts emergency response time to 90 seconds or less

Crypto Kingpin Turns Up Dead in Lamborghini After Market Crash

Concerns grow after spate of social media posts showing SpaceX Starlink satellites burning in the sky — we are currently seeing a ‘couple of satellite re-entries a day,’ says respected astrophysicist

4chan fined $26K for refusing to assess risks under UK Online Safety Act

Elon Musk’s Boring Company Accused of Nearly 800 Environmental Violations on Las Vegas Project

That perfect-looking house for sale may have an owner using AI to virtually enhance the listing

Even the Inventor of 'Vibe Coding' Says Vibe Coding Can't Cut It

Man Launches “World’s First Waymo DDoS” by Ordering 50 Robotaxis to Dead End Street

MEDIA CANDY

GEN V

Apple’s streaming service gets harder to tell apart from its streaming app, box

The Celebrity Traitors

The Fortune Hotel

Idiocracy

Never Surrender: A Galaxy Quest Documentary

The Missi & Brooke Show

Anonymous - Real Stories of Alcoholism, Addiction, and Recovery

Minecraft Movie 2 Release

APPS & DOODADS

Things 3

TP-Link confirms successful Wi-Fi 8 trials — next-gen wireless standard to usher in advances in reliability and latency

The End of Windows 10 Support Is an E-Waste Disaster in the Making

CLOSING SHOUT-OUTS

Diane Keaton dead at age 79

Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park

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