In Episode 679 of Grumpy Old Geeks, titled "Set Sanity to Zero," Brian and Jason discuss the latest developments in tech, culture, and innovation. The episode opens with a look at Watch Duty, a wildfire-tracking app that has surpassed ChatGPT to take the top spot on the App Store amid California’s wildfire crisis. They also cover local news, including the arrest of an arson suspect in Woodland Hills, CA, and tech entrepreneur Kevin Rose’s home in the Palisades that is making headlines.

The hosts delve into major tech stories that are dominating the news cycle. Former MoviePass CEO Ted Farnsworth pleads guilty to defrauding investors, marking the latest chapter in the infamous saga of the subscription service. Meanwhile, the UK takes bold action with new legislation criminalizing the creation and distribution of sexually explicit deepfakes. Meta finds itself at the center of multiple controversies, from appointing UFC CEO Dana White to its board to removing fact-checkers in favor of community-driven moderation, a decision that sparks backlash and leads to significant user departures from Facebook and Instagram. The darker side of tech is also examined, with reports of Meta Smart Glasses being used in a terror attack and generative AI contributing to a Tesla Cybertruck explosion.

The podcast also explores groundbreaking applications of AI and its potential. An innovative method from a Reddit user for automating 1,000 job applications while asleep catches attention, along with discussions about the Getty Images and Shutterstock merger aimed at addressing AI’s disruption in the stock photography industry. E-commerce trends take center stage, with Salesforce data indicating AI-driven sales growth during the holiday season, despite increasing return rates. The episode also discusses Tesla’s “Actual Smart Summon” crashes currently under federal investigation and OpenAI’s rapid response to a developer creating AI-powered gun turrets.

In conclusion, Brian and Jason provide entertainment and tech recommendations. Their streaming choices include "Silo," "The Traitors UK" Season 3, and "Shrinking," while gaming highlights showcase the Nintendo Switch and "Super Mario Bros. Wonder." They also feature apps like ChowNow and TiVo’s comeback as an OS on Sharp TVs. For book enthusiasts, the "At the Library" segment presents a variety of daily meditations and sci-fi titles. With its rich mix of tech insights, current events, and cultural commentary, Episode 679 is essential listening for anyone interested in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Sponsors:

DeleteMe - Head over to JoinDeleteMe.com/GOG and use the code "GOG" for 20% off.

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

Show notes at https://gog.show/679

FOLLOW UP

Watch Duty

Watch Duty surpasses ChatGPT as top free app on App Store as California fires spread

Kevin Rose Palisades House

Arson suspect arrested in Woodland Hills near Kenneth Fire

IN THE NEWS

MoviePass Ex-CEO Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Investors

New UK law would criminalize creating sexually explicit deepfakes

Meta adds UFC CEO and Trump booster Dana White to its board

Meta Cracks Down on Internal Dissent Against Appointment of UFC’s Dana White to Board

Meta Smart Glasses First Big Cultural Moment Is a Terror Attack

Man who exploded Tesla Cybertruck outside Trump hotel in Las Vegas used generative AI, police say

Man Applies To 1,000 Jobs Using AI While Asleep, Wakes To Surprising Outcomes

Facebook Caught Hosting AI-Powered Hitler

Mark Zuckerberg tells Fox News that Meta will "get rid of fact checkers" in latest appeal to Trump

Google searches for deleting Facebook, Instagram explode after Meta ends fact-checking

Meta’s Fact-Checking Partners Say They Were ‘Blindsided’ by Decision to Axe Them

Feds investigate Tesla’s ‘Actual Smart Summon’ after several crashes

OpenAI Shuts Down Developer Who Made AI-Powered Gun Turret

Getty Images, Shutterstock gear up for AI challenge with $3.7 billion merger

AI-influenced shopping boosts online holiday sales, Salesforce data shows

MEDIA CANDY

Silo

The Traitors UK S3

Dexter Original Sin

Shrinking

Sex Education

The Mayfair Witches

Cunk on Life

Tetris

Please Don't Destroy: The Treasure of Foggy Mountain

APPS & DOODADS

ChowNow

Apple promises software update to address Apple Intelligence notification summary complaints

TiVo OS is coming to the US on Sharp TVs

Nintendo Switch

Super Mario Bros Wonder

AT THE LIBRARY

3zekiel by Peter Cawdron

The Daily Pressfield: A Teaching a Day from the Author of the War of Art by Steven Pressfield

A Calendar of Wisdom: Daily Thoughts to Nourish the Soul by Leo Tolstoy

The Daily Laws: 366 Meditations on Power, Seduction, Mastery, Strategy, and Human Nature by Robert Greene

The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living by Ryan Holiday

365 Tao: Daily Meditations

The Daily Drucker: 366 Days of Insight and Motivation for Getting the Right Things Done by Peter F. Drucker

Around the Year with Emmet Fox: A Book of Daily Readings by Emmet Fox

The Maxwell Daily Reader: 365 Days of Insight to Develop the Leader Within You and Influence Those Around You by John C. Maxwell

The Elements of Humor: The Tools of Comedy that Make You Funnier, Happier, and Better Looking by Scott Dikkers

A Conventional Boy: A Laundry Files Novel (Laundry Files, 13)

The Laundry Files: an updated chronology

THE DARK SIDE WITH DAVE

Dave Bittner

The CyberWire

Hacking Humans

Caveat

Control Loop

Only Malware in the Building

Skeleton Crew

Game of Thrones Star Reportedly Set to Replace Ray Stevenson in Star Wars: Ahsoka Season 2

Siri “unintentionally” recorded private convos; Apple agrees to pay $95M

Flexible Flyer Metal Runner Sled. Steel & Wood Steering Snow Slider

Dave Bittner shares his President Carter story

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.