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!


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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)

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Avsnitt(730)

34: Sexbots, money, and honey

34: Sexbots, money, and honey

In this episode of Grumpy Old Geeks we talk the dystopian future of The Circle, what are they smoking at Snapchat, anti-rape clothing, sleep tips, working tips, business tips, just the tips. It's a humdinger!   Please visit http://grumpyoldgeeks.com/34 for the show notes for this episode. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

17 Nov 20131h 49min

33: Within one decimal point of FU

33: Within one decimal point of FU

This week our show sounds like an homage to Edward R. Murrow's reports from the London Blitz. Brian explores the pubs and sweet shops of Jolly Old and has a run in with the Royals. Jason requires caffeine but opts for a morning Miller to liven things up.   Please visit http://grumpyoldgeeks.com/33 for the show notes for this episode. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

9 Nov 20131h 28min

32: Big butts, statistics, and hot sauce!

32: Big butts, statistics, and hot sauce!

Happy Halloween from the geeks! Our first Halloween episode is very long and extremely salty. Definitely NOT for the puritanical. Hot sauce. Big butts. Facebook riddles. Stupid nerds. Smart writers. Nefarious employees. Inept government. More!   Please visit http://grumpyoldgeeks.com/32 for the show notes for this episode. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

3 Nov 20131h 53min

31: Godzilla, Wyoming, and Apple. Oh My!

31: Godzilla, Wyoming, and Apple. Oh My!

Apple released a bunch of new goodies. Japan needs to lay the hell off with their "science". What the hell is up with Wyoming? The fastest week in security news ever and a bunch of other stuff we usually do.   Please visit http://grumpyoldgeeks.com/31 for the show notes for this episode. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

26 Okt 20131h 27min

30: The American Dream 2.0

30: The American Dream 2.0

Jason tempts the fate of the Pod Gods and gets smote upside the head. The American Dream is a fallacy. Scaling back can lead to a happier and healthier life. Kickstarters, podcasts, and books we actually like! And we visit the happiest place on Earth.   Please visit http://grumpyoldgeeks.com/30 for the show notes for this episode. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

19 Okt 20131h 25min

29: Coin Ops & Sweat Shops

29: Coin Ops & Sweat Shops

Mike Vinikour joins GOG this week for a fascinating talk about the dirty underbelly of how video games are really made and interesting career paths. Audio gets wonky for a few minutes at the end but it fixes fast so power through!   Please visit http://grumpyoldgeeks.com/29 for the show notes for this episode. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

12 Okt 201355min

28: Hitmen & Hookers

28: Hitmen & Hookers

In a world where the government has collapsed, journalism is a ghost, and people really use the word "twerk"... Two grumpy geeks take to the Internet to bring you their weekly dose of fart jokes and gravitas.   Please visit http://grumpyoldgeeks.com/28 for the show notes for this episode. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

5 Okt 20131h 20min

27: By-products of a Lifestyle Obsession

27: By-products of a Lifestyle Obsession

Meandering through the twists and turns of this weeks news and events the guys hit on many absurdities and curiosities until ending up somewhere completely unexpected.   Please visit http://grumpyoldgeeks.com/27 for the show notes for this episode. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

29 Sep 20131h 18min

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