683: There IS a Spoon!
Elon Musk’s growing control over government tech sparks chaos, with DOGE employees facing restrictions, USAID crumbling, and U.S. officials warning of legal issues, while AI developments surge—Amazon bets $100 billion on AI, the EU bans high-risk systems, and Google lifts its ban on AI weapons. In entertainment, The Devil May Cry anime’s wild theme song stands out, Buffy eyes a reboot with Sarah Michelle Gellar, and AI controversially helps The Beatles win a Grammy. Meanwhile, cybersecurity updates cover ransomware payment refusals, Disney’s elite club drama, and tracking yourself through in-app ads, with a final shout-out to Snap’s CEO for wildfire recovery efforts and SoberOutfitters for supporting sobriety.
This week, Jason and Brian dive into the chaos surrounding Elon Musk’s growing influence in government tech, with young engineers playing key roles in his takeover. DOGE employees are being ordered off Slack, USAID is crumbling, and Musk’s war with U.S. officials rages on. Meanwhile, AI takes center stage with the EU banning high-risk systems, DeepSeek’s security concerns, and Amazon throwing down $100 billion on AI advancements. Big Tech moves are equally absurd—Google is now open to AI-powered weapons, Meta might scrap risky AI models, and Tesla is struggling in Europe thanks to Elon’s latest blunders. Meanwhile, states are rushing to pour taxpayer money into so-called “strategic cryptocurrency reserves.”
In entertainment, The Devil May Cry anime’s ridiculous theme song is a standout, Mythic Quest returns, and Beast Games looks promising. AI controversially helped The Beatles score a Grammy, and Denis Villeneuve is making Dune 3 because, well, fans demanded it. Over in reboot land, Sarah Michelle Gellar may return for a Buffy revival on Hulu with Chloé Zhao at the helm, while Neil Gaiman finds himself in serious legal trouble. Gadget fans get a look at the Anker Zolo charger, a Google search trick to dodge AI summaries, and Apple’s latest social feature. Also, say goodbye to Apple’s AR glasses before they even had a chance to shine.
Dave Bittner joins The Dark Side segment with updates on cybersecurity, including a wave of ransomware payment refusals and the Andersons’ infamous eviction from Disneyland’s most exclusive club. Pirates in China, Disney park music, and tracking yourself via in-app ads round out the discussion. Closing out the show, a shout-out to Snap’s CEO for supporting LA wildfire recovery and a nod to SoberOutfitters for keeping things clean. Buckle up—it’s another wild ride with the Grumpy Old Geeks!
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Show notes at https://gog.show/683
IN THE NEWS
The Young, Inexperienced Engineers Aiding Elon Musk's Government Takeover
Musk, Trump Prosecutor Targeting People Who Divulge Identities of DOGE Staff
One of Elon Musk's DOGE Kids Just Had an Explosive Screaming Tantrum
DOGE Engineer Resigns After Being Linked to Extremely Racist Tweets
Government Tech Workers Forced to Defend Projects to Random Elon Musk Bros
U.S. government officials privately warn Musk’s blitz appears illegal
Elon Musk’s Enemy, USAID, Was Investigating Starlink’s Contracts in Ukraine
USAID Workforce Slashed From 10,000 to Under 300 as Elon Musk’s DOGE Decimates Agency
Government agency removes spoon emoji from work platform amid protests
Deadline for Trump's federal worker buyout proposal temporarily blocked by judge
US judge blocks Trump buyout program as 60,000 sign up to quit
States Are Racing to Throw Taxpayers' Money Into "Strategic Cryptocurrency Reserves"
AI systems with 'unacceptable risk' are now banned in the EU
DeepSeek iOS app sends data unencrypted to ByteDance-controlled servers
Researchers created an open rival to OpenAI’s o1 ‘reasoning’ model for under $50
Amazon doubles down on AI with a massive $100B spending plan for 2025
Workday lays off 1,750 employees, citing demand for AI
Lyft uses Anthropic's Claude chatbot to handle user complaints
Tesla Sales in Europe Plummet Amidst Elon’s Stupid Meddling
Tesla sees German car sales plunge in January
Volkswagen is unveiling a $21,000 entry-level EV in March
Volkswagon - The 2025 ID. Buzz electric bus
One of Big Tech’s Angriest Critics Explains the Problem
Google Lifts Self-Imposed Ban on Using AI for Weapons and Surveillance
Meta says it may stop development of AI systems it deems too risky
Sonos lays off 200 ahead of rumored set-top box release
Andreessen Horowitz Defends Hiring Subway Vigilante Who Became Right-Wing Hero
MEDIA CANDY
The Devil May Cry Show’s Intro Song Is So Stupidly Glorious
AI won The Beatles a Grammy 55 years after they broke up
Denis Villeneuve Is Making Dune 3 Next Because You Want It
APPS & DOODADS
Add F*cking to Your Google Searches to Neutralize AI Summaries
Apple reportedly gives up on its AR video glasses project
Apple Invites Is a New Way to Remind Friends to Celebrate You
THE DARK SIDE WITH DAVE
A Lot of People Just Refused to Make Ransomware Payments in 2024: Report
The Andersons were kicked out of Disneyland’s most exclusive club. They would not go willingly.
Disney Plus: Behind the Attraction
DIsneyland: Music Around the Parks
Everyone knows your location: tracking myself down through in-app ads
CLOSING SHOUT-OUTS
Snap CEO helps launch LA wildfire recovery program
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