In FOLLOW UP, the guys marvel at the completely normal state of America as Amnesty International issues a travel advisory for the 2026 World Cup because apparently “visiting the United States” now comes with the same vibe as backpacking through a failed cyberpunk state. Then it’s onto Dead Podcast Theory, where more than a third of all new podcasts are AI-generated “podslop,” proving Silicon Valley heard “everyone has a podcast” and responded with “what if nobody did?” Meanwhile, Ticketmaster reminds everyone that if you’ve purchased a concert ticket since 2010, there’s probably a class action settlement with your name on it and enough compensation for half a convenience fee.
IN THE NEWS is basically one long panic attack sponsored by AI. The White House is considering regulating AI models, Canada says OpenAI vacuumed up everyone’s personal data like a drunk Roomba, Character.AI allegedly impersonated a licensed psychiatrist, and Mother Jones found ChatGPT still happily helping aspiring mass shooters workshop their plans. Snap’s Perplexity deal died quietly in a ditch while Meta keeps assembling humanoid robots like it’s building the world’s most annoying version of Westworld. Then GameStop tries to buy eBay in the dumbest sentence ever typed, Ryan Cohen gets himself banned from eBay while trying to meme-finance the deal, Elon Musk settles with the SEC for pocket lint money, Coinbase fires people because “AI,” Toto accidentally becomes a semiconductor giant through toilet technology, and smart glasses officially evolve from creepy gadget to extortion accessory.
MEDIA CANDY brings some relief with Daredevil: Born Again and Widow’s Bay. The Academy finally decides AI-generated actors and scripts can’t win Oscars, which feels like the bare minimum required to stop ChatGPT from getting Best Supporting Actor before Willem Dafoe.
In APPS & DOODADS, Pornhub returns to the UK thanks to Apple’s age verification system, Ask.com finally dies and takes Jeeves with it into the great dial-up tone in the sky, and Apple agrees to pay users because “Apple Intelligence” arrived somewhere between vaporware and wishful thinking.
Finally, THE DARK SIDE WITH DAVE tackles the true meaning of “decimate,” AI-powered C-3PO heads, mechanical keyboards for grown men who refuse to use laptop keys, Maul: Shadow Lord, The Boys, and a reminder that Solo was a great movie, grocery store adventures, lost AirPods, and the eternal mystery of why middle-aged dudes become furries. Because at this point, why not?
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Show notes at https://gog.show/745
Watch on YouTube at https://youtu.be/0P9rgRrL4-Q
FOLLOW UP
2026 World Cup Travel Advisory
More Than a Third of All New Podcasts Are AI-Generated
Welcome to the Ticketmaster Fee Class Action Website
IN THE NEWS
The White House is considering tighter regulation of new AI models
Canadian officials claim OpenAI violated federal and provincial privacy laws
Pennsylvania sues Character.AI after a chatbot allegedly posed as a doctor
Even After Two Massacres, OpenAI Still Hasn’t Stopped ChatGPT From Helping Plan School Shootings
Snap's $400 million deal with Perplexity is dead
Meta acquires robotics AI startup as it makes the push into humanoid machines
GameStop submits $56 billion offer to buy eBay
GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen Banned From eBay After Flexing His Meme-Stock Muscle
Elon Musk settles with the SEC for $1.5 million after years-long dispute over his Twitter investment
Coinbase to Lay Off 14% of Workforce Amid AI Disruption and Crypto Volatility
Toilet maker Toto is here to help with the RAM crisis
Extortion Using Smart Glasses Is a Thing Now
MEDIA CANDY
Daredevil: Born Again
Widow’s Bay
Fun item for media candy?
AI performances and screenplays won't be eligible for Oscars
APPS & DOODADS
Pornhub Expands Access in the U.K. Thanks to Apple’s New Age Verification System
Ask.com has shut down, marking the official farewell to the Internet's favorite butler
iPhone users could get up to $95 per device as Apple reaches $250M settlement over Siri delays
THE DARK SIDE WITH DAVE
Dave Bittner
The CyberWire
Hacking Humans
Caveat
Control Loop
Only Malware in the Building
'Decimate' means much more today than it did in ancient Rome
This AI-Powered Talking C-3PO Head Lets You Feel What It’s Like to Be R2-D2
NuPhy Air75 V3 - Wireless Mechanical Keyboard
Maul: Shadow Lord
Solo: A Star Wars Story
The Boys
Why grown men become furries
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Grumpy Old Geeks