RSVP for Chicago Digg Meetup! https://app.getriver.io/beta/events/digg-human-captcha-chicago-irl-meetup-sc1

In this week’s Diggnation:
Kevin and Alex drink a mysterious brain fuel that tastes like chemical warfare, get roasted by OpenAI’s video model (bald caps included), and pitch a LAN party for aging nerds. They also question if computer science degrees still matter, fantasize about neurotech that forces you to work out, and ask the most pressing question of our time: what if Instagram was just... Instagram again? Oh, and there's a legit HIV prevention breakthrough hiding in there, too.

Sponsors

ZBiotics
Get 15% off your first order at zbiotics.com/DIGG with code DIGG at checkout.

Square
Learn how your business can grow at square.com/go/DIGG

Claude (by Anthropic)
Get 50% off your first three months of Claude Pro at claude.ai/DIGG

DeleteMe
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Monarch Money
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Chapter Markers

00:00 Intro
03:01 The Shirtening Cometh + When Digg Collabed with Nike
06:06 Happy Birthday, Now Here’s a Deep Cut About Early Digg
07:42 Kevin’s Pro Phone Era and Apple’s Unhinged Glass UI
10:13 Tron Eris, Fake Beer, and Probiotics for Grown-Up Drinkers
14:15 Sora 2 Balds Kevin, Internet Debates If It’s an Upgrade
17:18 Deepfakes, Surrogates, and the Death of “That’s Clearly Fake”
21:31 Brain Zaps for Gym Motivation: Welcome to the Neurotech Era
26:11 Huawei Shrinks AI, Your GPU Fan Starts Screaming
28:36 Local AI Models, No Cloud, No Corporate Listening Devices
34:10 Sponsored by Square: Tap to Pay, Stay for the Data
35:56 Claude 4.5 Fixes Code, GPT-5 Throws Vibes and Errors
41:20 Why Build Apps When AI Can Just Read Your Mind
42:44 Kevin Gives Away Free App Ideas, Again
45:46 “Old Man Weekend”: LAN Parties, Diner Coffee, No Wi-Fi Allowed
52:13 Sponsor Break: Delete Yourself, Then Budget Wisely
54:12 The $40 HIV Shot That Could Change Everything
56:30 Herpes, Stats, and the Stigma Nobody Wants to Talk About
1:02:14 Instagram, But Worse: Where Photos Go to Die
1:07:07 Windowless Jet, Giant Screens, and One Extremely Texas Grill

Broadcasting from Kevin’s new ADU bunker (goodbye Neuehouse, we barely knew you), Kevin and Alex are back with 80-ish minutes of tech, pranks, and philosophical spirals. From Apple’s latest brain-implants-that-go-in-your-ears to a Samsung fridge trying to sell you stuff while chilling your oat milk, it’s a full spectrum ride through what the internet's doing to us—sometimes with our permission, sometimes with ads. Also: AI fails, mystery stereo tubes, and a German slug with strong prank energy. 

🧪 ZBiotics
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Anthropic / Claude
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LMNT
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DeleteMe
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Chapter Markers
0:00:00 – Cold open
0:00:39 – Officially episode 20, welcome to the chaos.  
0:01:03 – Kevin lost an office, gained a backyard studio.  
0:02:24 – Studio tour features incense, Buddha, and a suspiciously nice stereo.  
0:04:33 – Phones are ruining mindfulness and wrecking millennial intestines.  
0:06:03 – Political engagement exists mostly to keep you angry.  
0:09:16 – Alex pitches viral videos about artisanal charcoal.  
0:11:05 – Kevin reviews face lasers, Alex reviews earbuds.  
0:13:41 – ZBiotics wants to save your liver from you.  
0:16:09 – Thanks San Francisco, next stop Chicago.  
0:18:57 – AirPods Pro 3: now with live translation and pulse checks.  
0:21:06 – An impromptu hearing test roasts the hosts’ ears.  
0:22:27 – Apple keynotes should be heckled MST3K-style.  
0:23:16 – Kevin hates phone cases, Alex chooses peach.  
0:26:24 – MagSafe wallets meet crypto credit cards.  
0:27:43 – Kevin turns credit points into a Japan trip.  
0:30:16 – Apple pretends to avoid AI, then demos AI.  
0:35:57 – Rumors fly about touchscreen Macs and chip envy.  
0:37:54 – Claude AI shows off its straight-A student energy.  
0:40:48 – LMNT: electrolytes, but Navy Seal-approved.  
0:43:29 – Meta glasses want to record your entire existence.  
0:47:37 – Tech companies now monetize the in-between moments.  
0:51:10 – Zuckerberg’s AI kitchen demo burns the recipe.  
0:55:25 – Samsung fridges now idle as ad billboards.  
1:01:47 – Kevin asks if the internet can still be fun.  
1:09:05 – Diggnation is officially everywhere now.  
1:09:57 – Monarch Money: couples’ therapy disguised as budgeting.  
1:12:36 – DeleteMe erases your data from shady corners of the web.  
1:14:20 – A German slug pranks neighbors by ringing doorbells.  
1:16:28 – Childhood pranks involved eggs, TP, and fire bags.  
1:18:48 – Kids now bond over lag screens instead of bike rides.  
1:20:26 – Wrapping up with meetups, studio thanks, and goodbyes.

Diggnation Episode 19 is part tech dispatch, part suburban diary. Kevin and Alex open with updates on sobriety, lawn mowing, and a Linux laptop built from scratch. Then it's into smart home experiments, including security cameras that yell at people a little too enthusiastically.

Digg news includes app store approvals, invite rollouts, a bot-thwarting system called the Human Captcha Project, and new plans for user-led communities. They also drop "Digg Daily," an AI-powered news podcast you can call by phone like it's 2006 again.

Other highlights include a Chinese EV promising 1000 miles per charge, some soul-searching about Tesla, a look at Polymarket’s ethical gray zones, and Chipotle being delivered by drone. Add in complaints about LA transit, the surprise return of CDs, and Google’s Pixel 10 flexing real-time translation.

DeleteMe
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Chapter Markers
00:00:00 - Diggnation begins. You chose to press play.
00:01:22 - Kevin’s sober. Alex fought a spider.
00:03:08 - Lawns were mowed. Childhoods resurfaced.
00:05:14 - Kevin builds a Framework laptop. Linux approves.
00:08:19 - Security cameras now yell at people.
00:15:15 - Digg app gets approved. Embeds are live.
00:16:36 - Human Captcha Project launches. Your way into Digg.
00:17:36 - Users pitch ideas. Communities expand.
00:21:42 - Homemade beef jerky enters the chat.
00:23:20 - Digg Daily becomes a phone-in podcast.
00:29:30 - A Chinese EV promises 1000 miles.
00:38:07 - Sponsor: Delete Me. For digital vanishing acts.
00:42:08 - Prediction markets meet ethics. It's complicated.
00:54:45 - Chipotle delivery by drone is real.
00:59:43 - LA transit vs. DC. Everyone loses.
01:03:39 - Sponsor: Square. Business gets infrastructure.
01:05:21 - Sponsor: Element. Electrolytes want attention.
01:08:01 - CDs return. Audiophiles feel seen.
01:17:26 - Kids once entertained themselves. Wild.
01:21:30 - Pixel 10 does real-time translation.
01:28:46 - Pixel Watch and Apple Watch square off.
01:30:59 - Closing remarks. You made it.

This week on Diggnation: Kevin discovers a squatter secretly living in a staged LA home during a house tour, Alex tries to explain time dilation without having a full existential meltdown, and the team breaks down what actually happened at Digg’s first real-world community meetup. We’re talking mind blanking, deep meditation states that register as sleep, and why your brain sometimes just stops working for a bit. Plus: rollable laptops, modular microLED home theaters, ChatGPT’s 700 million users, and why we’re finally moving the Digg app out of TestFlight and into the App Store for real.

0:00:00 – Set flipped, drinks poured, chaos begins anew
0:07:06 – Found: one squatter, one closet, zero warning
0:10:28 – LA meetup: skeeball, tequila, surprisingly deep convos
0:12:09 – Groundbreakers now handing out keys to the castle
0:13:44 – TestFlight is dead; long live the public app
0:15:41 – Your brain sometimes goes full blank on purpose
0:17:55 – Kevin meditated so hard his ring thought he died
0:23:44 – Time isn’t real and Einstein broke everyone’s brain
0:26:27 – Laptops now roll up like scrolls, because of course
0:34:50 – ChatGPT hits 700M users, including your mom
0:36:54 – Claude, Gemini, Perplexity: the AI hunger games begin
0:58:03 – Kevin vs. boa constrictor: a wildly confident mismatch

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🧑‍🤝‍🧑 People Mentioned:
Justin (Digg's CEO)
Mau (Diggnation Producer)
Will Harlan (winemaker)
Neil deGrasse Tyson
Chris Hutchins (points/miles guy)

🧑‍💻 Users Mentioned:
@michde – Why does your mind go blank?
@sabbah – Zoo Asks People To Donate Their Healthy Pets As Food For Its Captive Predators
@linux – Defrag 98: Entertainment from My Youth Complete with Sounds

🛠️ Products & Brands Mentioned:
Z-biotics
Oura Ring
World of Warcraft
Lenovo Thinkbook Plus Gen 6
MicroLED displays
ChatGPT
Claude
Gemini (Google Ultra)
Perplexity
Square
Monarch Money
Ubiquiti
Amazon
Google Opal
American Express
Figma
Nvidia
Stripe
SpaceX
Wix
TikTok
Mac
NVR
C Drive
TestFlight
App Store
Google Play Store
OLED displays
Pixel 10
Apple Intelligence

Kevin’s 82 days sober. Alex has a new audio toy. And Grok AI thinks “Hitler” is still trending (yikes). This week on Diggnation, we unpack Bitcoin conspiracies, Commodore nostalgia, and why Americans have forgotten how to party. Also: Nanoblocks, nude bowling, and a startup so weird Google only bought the humans. It’s retro futurism, digital privacy, and a kitchen remodel.

Merch store is open! swag.digg.com

⏱️ Timestamps:
00:00 Intro and Welcome  
01:13 Justin, CEO of Digg.com Joins  
03:04 Kevin's Sobriety Update and "Hooch" Mention  
04:08 Kevin's Nanoblocks Hobby  
08:10 Alex's Kitchen Remodel and Wine Cellar  
11:32 Lossless Audio Streaming with Wiim Ultra  
16:53 Digg.com Merchandise & Dark Mode Launch  
19:28 Digg.com Desktop Beta & Community Feedback  
23:56 Bitcoin Hits All-Time High  
25:15 Satoshi Wallet Movement & China Conspiracy  
31:58 Bitcoin Holding Strategy & Dollar-Cost Averaging  
39:49 Commodore 64 Relaunch & Retro Futurism  
41:44 First Computer Memories  
46:59 Childhood Pranks & 900 Numbers  
50:54 Reviving Old Tech Companies (Claude AI Ideas)  
52:41 Grok AI Controversy: Returns "Hitler"  
57:38 AI, Misinformation, and Source Truth  
1:01:04 Re-testing Grok: "Universe Seeker of Truth"  
1:03:59 Why AI Defaults to "Bad" / Human Entitlement  
1:14:49 Americans Don't Party Enough & "Netflix and Chill"  
1:19:11 Call to Action: Throw More Parties  
1:27:05 Windsurf Acquisition by Google & Cognition  
1:30:37 The Value of Individual AI Talent & Non-Competes  
1:32:55 Nude Bowling & Nudism Discussion  

Polycade Marquee – Want to see your custom Polycade marquee featured on the show? Submit a still image or short video (MP4, 1920x360 resolution, 30fps).
Public Diggnation Assets: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1k7ZxENxqQl0TLqGwusbsRPS3wkY5PFk0?usp=drive_link

Sponsors:

ZBiotics – Pre-alcohol probiotic engineered by real scientists: https://zbiotics.com/digg

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📰 Top Stories:  
• Bitcoin hits $122K, Satoshi wallet stirs conspiracy: www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-14/bitcoin-hits-record-high-of-120-000-as-bullish-momentum-builds  
• Commodore 64 relaunches with retro flair: www.commodore.net  
• Grok AI slammed for “Hitler” surname bug: x.com/goodside/status/1944266538191622624  
• Americans party 50% less since 2003: reason.com/2025/07/11/americans-dont-party-enough-heres-how-to-change-that  
• Google buys Windsurf team, not company (no link)  
• Nude bowling event goes “Balls Out” in PA: www.pennlive.com/news/2025/07/want-to-bowl-in-the-nude-in-pennsylvania-theres-an-event-coming-up-just-for-you.html

👤 People Mentioned:
/Alex Albrecht – Host of Diggnation  
/Kevin Rose – Host of Diggnation  
Justin – CEO of Digg 
Will Harlan – Provided wine for the show  
Johnny – Opened "Curated" wine shop on La Brea  
Allison – Alex’s G4 friend, works at Curated  
Elon Musk – Associated with Grok AI and Tesla integration  
Satoshi – Creator of Bitcoin, linked to wallet movement  
Ron Burgundy – Referenced during nude bowling chat  
Lt. Joe Cable – Musical role Alex played in college  
Cory Feldman & Cory Haim – Mentioned in voicemail ad reference  
Jesus – Referenced during AI religion discussion  
Joseph Smith – Referenced in AI conversation  
Dan Trachtenberg – Director of *Prey*, TRS alum  
Zuck (Mark Zuckerberg) – Mentioned in AI talent acquisition  
/Mau (Mauricio Balvanera) – Producer of Diggnation and Director of Audio & Media Experiences at Digg  

🛍️ Products Mentioned:
Bitcoin – Cryptocurrency hitting all-time high  
Commodore 64 – Classic computer relaunch  
Grok AI – AI chatbot model with QA issues  
Windsurf – Coding IDE acquired for talent  
Claude – AI model referenced in comparison  
OpenAI – AI company mentioned in QA contrast  
Perplexity – AI search/chat tool  
Gemini – Google’s AI model  
Tesla – Car company potentially integrating Grok  
Wiim Ultra – Lossless streaming audio device  
Apple 2e – Alex’s first computer  
IBM PS/1 – Kevin’s first computer  
Microsoft Flight Simulator  
Rock Band – Game Kevin played with friends  
Polycade – Retro arcade gaming cabinet  
Nanoblocks – Kevin’s mini block-building hobby  
Duplo / Mega Blocks – Referenced humorously  
Sonos – Audio system in Alex's home  
Tailwind – CSS framework for dark mode  
MLS records – Real estate data discussed  
Netflix – Referenced in “Netflix and chill” bit  
Google – Acquired Windsurf’s team  
Cognition – Bought Windsurf’s remaining IP  

In this episode, the Digg CEO drops by to give a private demo of the iOS app that may or may not change your scrolling habits forever. We also dive into reports that Apple’s been sniffing around Perplexity in a possible bid to stay in the AI race it forgot to enter. Kevin opens up about launching his new podcast *Less Than One*, sobriety milestones, and post-fire clarity. Alex reveals the kitchen remodel purgatory he’s barely survived. Plus: autofocus glasses that might kill bifocals, a whole tangent on local LLMs, and a brief appearance from Jeffrey Dahmer’s hypothetical smart speaker voice. It’s a lot. It’s Diggnation.

Polycade Marquee – Want to see your custom Polycade marquee featured on the show? Submit a still image or short video (MP4, 1920x360 resolution, 30fps). Submission details and upload info are available at the bottom of the show notes.
Public Diggnation Assets: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1k7ZxENxqQl0TLqGwusbsRPS3wkY5PFk0?usp=drive_link

Sponsors:

NordVPN – Secure your internet and hide your IP. Get an exclusive discount on a 2-year plan plus 4 bonus months free, risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee.  
https://NordVPN.com/digg

LMNT – Zero-sugar electrolyte mix for healthy hydration. Get a free 8-count Sample Pack with any purchase.  
https://drinklmnt.com/digg

DeleteMe – Privacy protection that removes your personal info from hundreds of data brokers. Get 20% off with code DIGG at checkout.  
https://joindeleteme.com/DIGG

Wix – Build your own website fast with AI tools or over 2,000 customizable templates.  
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00:00 - Episode Introduction & Welcome  
00:53 - Kevin’s Sobriety Journey  
03:33 - New Podcast “Less Than One” & Minimalism Deep Dive  
07:27 - Kitchen Remodel Woes & Swedish Death Cleaning  
09:16 - Unify Gear Talk & Justin's Summer of Skin  
10:59 - Listener Shoutouts
18:08 - Apple Reportedly Eyes Perplexity AI Acquisition  
25:31 - Offline LLMs, Elevenlabs, and DIY Voice Assistants  
30:31 - Autofocus Glasses That Might Kill Bifocals  
43:16 - Tesla FSD in Austin vs. Waymo in the Real World  
58:25 - Nvidia Invests in TerraPower: Nuclear Energy Gets a Boost  
1:04:02 - Molten Salt & Kinetic Energy Storage: Nerding Out  
1:06:09 - Digg iOS Alpha App Demo + What “Gems” Are  
1:17:36 - Digg Alpha Tour: TLDRs, AI Summaries & Scroll-Worthy Features  
1:24:50 - Final Thoughts, Wrap-Up & Shirt Talk

People Mentioned:

Alex Albrecht – Co-host of Diggnation  
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Albrecht

Kevin Rose – Co-host of Diggnation, host of *Less Than One* podcast  
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Rose

Justin Mezzell – CEO of Digg, led the private iOS alpha demo  
https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mezzell/

Mauricio Balvanera – Diggnation producer and Digg Director of Video and Audio Experiences  
https://www.linkedin.com/in/maubrowncow/

Jason Fried – Co-founder of 37signals/Basecamp, first guest on *Less Than One*  
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-fried/

Jason DeFillippo – Podcast producer/editor (Grumpy Old Geeks, Art of Charm)  
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jpdefillippo/

Sam Altman – CEO of OpenAI  
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Altman

Elon Musk – CEO of Tesla, discussed in Tesla FSD segment  
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elon_Musk

Bill Gates – Chairman of TerraPower, mentioned for nuclear energy investments  
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates

Arnold Schwarzenegger – Cited as a humorous AI voice example  
https://www.linkedin.com/in/arnoldschwarzenegger/

Products & Technologies Mentioned:

Less Than One Podcast – Kevin Rose’s new audio-only show  
https://lessthanone.show

Polycade Arcade Machine – modern plug-and-play arcade cabinet  
https://polycade.com

Unify Products – in-wall speakers and amps used as Sonos alternative  
https://store.ui.com 

Autodesk Fusion 360 – CAD software used for 3D printing custom components  
https://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/

Perplexity AI – AI-powered search engine and research tool  
https://perplexity.ai

Amazon Alexa – voice assistant used for smart home control  
https://www.amazon.com/alexa

Apple Intelligence & Siri – discussed in context of underwhelming AI rollout  
https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2024/06/introducing-apple-intelligence/

OpenAI – referenced in AI competition and hiring  
https://openai.com

Claude by Anthropic – AI chatbot alternative to GPT models  
https://claude.ai

Eleven Labs – AI voice cloning from short audio clips  
https://elevenlabs.io

Waymo – Alphabet’s self-driving car division  
https://waymo.com

BMW i4 – electric vehicle mentioned during troubleshooting segment  
https://www.bmwusa.com/vehicles/all-electric/i4.html

Google Gemini – AI-enhanced search used for tech help  
https://gemini.google.com

TerraPower – nuclear energy company backed by Bill Gates  
https://www.terrapower.com

New Scale Power – developer of small modular nuclear reactors  
https://nuscalepower.com

Kevin’s 41 days sober and glowing, Alex voices a Viking, and AI is still deeply weird. This week, Kevin tries Google's "Flow" video tool, which turns your prompt into something between an ad and a fever dream. Alex talks loop group voice work on Predator: Killer of Killers, and Kevin explains why Eleven Labs’ new AI is scarily good at conversations. Also: red-tinted contact lenses that might give you night vision, Builders AI getting caught with 700 human coders, and a hot take on residuals from the streaming wars. Alex's kitchen remodel is still chaos, Kevin's skin is allegedly better, and yes, Apple is skipping straight to iOS 26. Because of course they are.

⏱️ Timestamps:
 00:00 Intro and Welcome
 01:43 Kevin Discusses Recent Travel (NYC)
 02:22 Sober Life Update (41 Days), Physical Effects Discussed
 06:32 Diggnation 20th Anniversary Mention (July 1st)
 07:41 Alex's New Mac Laptop Purchase (M4 Pro)
 13:03 Alex Tries Mascot Harlan Wine
 14:16 Kevin Shares Google's Flow AI Video Generation Experiments
 24:30 Watching the "Plastic Baby" AI Video
 28:00 Discussion of Flow Features (Continuity, Extending Scenes)
 29:20 Alex Reveals He is In Predator: Killer of Killers
 38:17 Streaming Royalties, SAG/AFTRA, and AI Impact
 0:50:54 Apple's Reported Jump to iOS 26
 0:55:41 Kevin Shows His New iPhone and Hard Graft Sleeve
 0:59:45 Reflections on Aging, Time, and Pet Toaster
 1:01:04 Antarctica Trip for Kevin's 50th?
 1:03:19 Builder.AI Exposed for Using Human Engineers
 1:06:53 Satirical Builder.AI AI Video
 1:09:34 Bitcoin and Crypto Bro Kidnapping Story
 1:13:17 11 Labs Conversational AI 2.0 Demo
 1:23:18 Infrared Contact Lenses Development
 1:27:05 Apple AirPods Hearing Aid Feature
 1:28:22 Attempting Mouse Contact Lens AI Video
 1:32:25 Closing Remarks, Continued Sobriety Reflections

📦 Sponsors:
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Vuori – 20% off your first order of ridiculously comfortable clothes: https://vuori.com/DIGG
LMNT – Zero-sugar electrolyte mix. Free sample pack with any purchase: https://drinklmnt.com/digg
ZBiotics – Pre-alcohol probiotic engineered by real scientists: https://zbiotics.com/digg
Monarch Money – Personal finance app that helps you manage your budget without judgment: https://monarchmoney.com/

📰 Top Stories:
 Builders AI bankruptcy: https://www.theregister.com/2025/05/20/builders_ai_real_people/
 Flow AI demo: https://ai.googleblog.com/2025/05/introducing-flow-google-video-generation
 Infrared contact lens tech: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/night-vision-contact-lenses-infrared
 Eleven Labs Conversational AI 2.0: https://elevenlabs.io/blog/conversational-ai-update
 Apple skips to iOS 26: https://www.macrumors.com/2025/05/15/apple-ios26-2026-plan/

👤 People Mentioned:
 Alex Albrecht – / alalbrecht
 Kevin Rose – / kevinrose
 Dan Trachtenberg – https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1502434/
 Will Harlan – / willharlan
 Alexis Ohanian – https://www.776.com/team/alexis-ohanian
 Mauricio Balvanera – / maubrowncow
 Heather (Alex’s wife) – still hates AirDrop
 Betty White – timeless icon
 Wim Hof – https://www.wimhofmethod.com/
 Tim Ferriss – https://tim.blog/

🛍️ Products Mentioned:
 Flow (Google AI tool) – https://ai.google/tools/flow/
 Eleven Labs – https://elevenlabs.io/
 Unreal Engine – https://www.unrealengine.com/
 MacBook Pro Max – https://www.apple.com/macbook-pro/
 Mascot Harlan wine – https://www.harlanestate.com/mascot
 Builder.AI – https://www.builder.ai/
 AirPods Pro – https://amzn.to/3ZakGJV
 Snapchat – https://www.snapchat.com/
 FaceTime – https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204380
 Kore Shorts (Vuori) – https://vuori.com/products/kore-short
 Hard Graft – https://www.hardgraft.com/
 Costco – https://www.costco.com/
 Twitter – https://twitter.com/
 Bitcoin – https://bitcoin.org/

🎧 Follow Diggnation:
Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/diggnation-rebooted/id1766027468
Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/0bzwpvUwHNLiGqlcTCBKJZ
Instagram –   https://www.instagram.com/thediggnation  

Kevin’s 15 days into sobriety, Alex is resin-printing door parts, and the Digg mobile app is quietly becoming a real thing.
This week, AI is either your creative assistant or the reason you need a new career—depending on how you feel about Marvel using bots for its opening credits.
Jayci Hayes joins with tales of heli-repelling wildfires, building GameCrib, working with Twitch in its early days, and launching a bottled margarita brand designed to protect citrus from UV light.
Also: Alex automates his home with Home Assistant (bye Echo), Apple finally loses its grip on in-app payments, and listener Graz emails in to offer custom Diggnation knives.
It’s a caffeine-fueled episode with actual emotional depth and at least one sincere conversation about electrolytes.

⏱️ Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
02:15 Kevin hits 15 days sober, skips red wine and Jack
07:19 Mascot wine list opens to listeners
08:41 Graz offers custom chef’s knives
10:46 Gemini AI codes games, Bolt builds apps
13:53 Kevin hits NYC, Alex sees plays
15:23 Sponsor: NordVPN
17:50 Made In Grill
20:59 Starlink camping + Amazon satellites
22:59 Digg app update + $115K raised
26:33 AI friends? Still weird
33:03 Reddit fights persuasive bots
39:33 Kevin goes all in on Home Assistant
41:48 Sponsor: LMNT
44:54 Guest: Jayci Hayes—fires, Twitch, margaritas
50:55 Runway AI makes an animated pilot
51:57 Will AI replace creatives?
1:03:04 Whoop 5.0 features + sleep guilt
1:11:27 Alex prints a custom spacer
1:19:06 Apple loses in-app payment fight

📦 Sponsors:
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📰 Top Stories:
Reddit tightens AI bot rules: https://techcrunch.com/2025/05/06/reddit-will-tighten-verification-to-keep-out-human-like-ai-bots
Runway launches AI pilot: https://variety.com/2025/artisans/news/runway-ai-studio-animated-pilot-mars-siv-1236381403
Whoop 5.0 release: https://www.theverge.com/news/661773/whoop-5-news-price-specs-battery
Apple ruling on in-app payments: https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2025-05-02/ruling-apple-app-store-epic-games
Made In’s new grill: https://madeincookware.com/collections/grill-pans-and-griddles

👤 People Mentioned:
Alex Albrecht – https://www.linkedin.com/in/alalbrecht/
Kevin Rose – https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinrose
Justin Mezzell – https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mezzell/
Mau Balvanera – https://www.linkedin.com/in/maubrowncow/
Will Harlan – https://www.linkedin.com/in/willharlan
John Graziano – https://grazmakes.com/about
Mike Mazer – https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikemaser/
Jayci Hayes – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaci-hays-5174a6/
Theo Vaughn – https://www.theovon.com/
Mark Zuckerberg – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Zuckerberg

🛍️ Products Mentioned:
Barebones Pulaski Axe - https://amzn.to/4iX08fj
Made In Grill – https://madeincookware.com/collections/grill-pans-and-griddles
Home Assistant – https://www.home-assistant.io/
Echo Devices – https://amzn.to/3ZakGJV
Eleven Labs – https://elevenlabs.io/
Plex – https://www.plex.tv/
Apple Watch – https://amzn.to/3YJNadz
Aura Ring – https://amzn.to/437ikNb
Whoop 5.0 – https://amzn.to/43dJi5O
Runway AI – https://runwayml.com/
Fusion 360 – https://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360
Formlabs – https://formlabs.com/
Disney+ – https://www.disneyplus.com/
Secret Invasion – https://www.disneyplus.com/browse/entity-4cfe6313-7f5e-4544-af84-d31bf718f65a
Photoshop – https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop.html
Kindle – https://amzn.to/3GPDnfP
Crucial Conversations – https://amzn.to/42Sz3VI

🎧 Follow Diggnation:
Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/diggnation-rebooted/id1766027468
Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/0bzwpvUwHNLiGqlcTCBKJZ
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/thediggnation

We’re not saying nostalgia hits harder with a cocktail in hand. But it helps. Dr. Tiki and Lala from Tiki Bar TV join Alex and Kevin for a tropical-tinged episode full of old internet tales, new tech obsessions, and the slow unraveling of Alex's appendix-related trauma.

They sip Mascot wine, wrestle with home automation setups, and revisit the chaotic brilliance of the early web. Plus: robot horses, maple syrup whiskey, and the most ethical lottery heist ever attempted.

0:00 Intro
0:02 Mascot Wine & Tony Hawk memories – Fancy juice, legendary guests
0:05 Emergency Appendix Removal – Everything is fine, no one panic
0:09 Home Automation – Kevin gifts Alex cursed smart gear
0:14 Emails: Anxiety & Claustrophobia – Meditation, vodka, or both
0:22 Sponsor: Vuori – Soft clothes for hard emotional spirals
0:32 Lottery Hack – They did the math. It paid off.
0:39 Sponsor: LMNT – Electrolytes for the hungover and hopeful
0:43 Kawasaki’s Robot Horse – Childhood dreams, now rideable
0:44 Nintendo Switch 2 – New console, same impulse buy
0:47 Sponsor: Delete Me – Because your data is not vibing
0:49 Guest Segment: Jeff & Lala – The Tiki Bar TV reunion you didn’t know you needed
0:56 Mixology Interlude – Drinks. Weird ones. Made live.
1:01 Mixology Interlude continued – Still shaking things up
1:20 Wrap-up – Tiger count confirmed. French toast pending

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📢 Top Stories

Tiki Bar TV returns (kind of)
https://www.tikibartv.com

Home automation via Unifi
https://community.ui.com/stories/UniFi-Enhancing-the-household-through-automation-wireless-and-wired-access/d438fb9d-f4f7-4b2f-bfcd-d7e812855c6e

Nintendo Switch 2 preorders
https://www.nintendo.com/us/whatsnew/nintendo-maintains-nintendo-switch-2-pricing-retail-pre-orders-to-begin-april-24-in-u-s

Texas Lottery heist (the legal kind)
https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/these-guys-spent-25-million-to-win-the-lottery-they-almost-did/

Robot horses exist now, apparently
https://www.cnet.com/tech/rideable-horse-robot-viral-video-the-real-story-behind-it/

🎧 Listen and Follow
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0bzwpvU
Instagram: @thediggnation

Alex and Kevin recount their tequila-fueled live show in Austin, complete with backstage chaos, crowd energy, and at least one emotional moment that may or may not have involved crying. They officially unveil the relaunch of Digg.com and introduce “Groundbreakers,” a community for early users to help shape the platform’s future. The episode also dives into tech topics like the upcoming GTA game, advancements in AI and local models, and the 23andMe data breach. Rounding things out, Alex goes deep on a startup reinventing helicopter flight with fly-by-wire tech, because of course he does.

00:00 Introduction – Alex and Kevin try explaining the show. Again.
01:19 Studio Location – Live(ish) from Digg Hollywood. Setup crew gets their flowers.
02:18 Austin & Live Shows – Alex survives Austin. Kevin did not.
11:08 Digg.com Reboot – The site lives. Again. Also: secret society vibes incoming.
18:09 Groundbreakers Details – Early access, badges, and archival good deeds. Cloaks not included.
19:40 Sponsor: DeleteMe – Your data’s out there. DeleteMe would like to go get it back.
21:57 Skyryse Cockpit – Helicopter flies itself. Alex ascends.
26:11 General Aviation Complexity – Planes: still confusing. Skyryse: less so.
37:06 AI Guesses Kevin – Kevin asks ChatGPT who he is. Regrets follow.
51:19 Sponsor: LMNT – Electrolytes with a no-sugar, lots-of-branding flavor.
51:38 GTA 6 Delays – No one wants to release near the boss level.
1:00:40 DeepSeek V3 & OpenAI Images – AI on Mac Studio makes weird art. Blame the prompt.
1:07:30 Localized AI & Billy Bass – Singing fish meets custom AI. Chaos sings back.
1:10:35 23andMe Data Breach – Your DNA’s been socialized. Might wanna export.
1:22:36 Limitless AI Wearable – A gadget that transcribes your entire life. Why not.
1:35:16 Wrap-up & Groundbreakers – Sponsors thanked. Groundbreakers plugged. Internet fades to black.

📢 Top Stories
DeleteMe's approach to removing personal information from data broker sites
https://www.deleteme.com/how-deleteme-com-searches-and-deletes-personal-information-from-the-internet-and-dark-web/

SXSW updates and Digg.com information
https://www.sxsw.com/news/  
https://digg.com/

"Who Am I" AI search capabilities
https://www.perplexity.ai/

LMNT Zero Sugar Electrolyte Drink Mix and its partnership with Team USA Olympic Weightlifting
https://drinklmnt.com/SQUEEZE

DeepSeek-V3 performance on Mac Studio
https://hyperight.com/deepseek-v3-0324-the-first-open-source-ai-to-beat-non-reasoning-models/

Impact of GTA6 release on other game publishers' release schedules
https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2025/03/26/as-the-gta-6-meteor-looms-publishers-are-fleeing-the-impact-zone/

Sale of DNA data by 23andMe during bankruptcy
https://customercare.23andme.com/hc/en-us/articles/30805135934615-Questions-related-to-23andMe-s-Chapter-11-Filing

3D printed and factory-built homes addressing the housing crisis
https://www.enterprise-tocsin.com/housing-crisis-spurs-alternatives-building-homes-3d-printing-walls-made-hemp-0

GPT-4o System Card and OpenAI's stance on generating images of adult public figures
https://openai.com/index/gpt-4o-system-card/

🎧 Listen and Follow
Catch more episodes and join the conversation on our official channels:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0bzwpvU
Instagram: /thediggnation