This is an interview with former hacker Brian Black. Brian is now on the right side of the battle and bringing his skills to to the fight against hackers. He finds the weaknesses in corporate security so that it can be patched.

This was one of my favourite interviews this year. Listening to what Brian has learned and understanding how we can use that knowledge and experience kept me on the edge of my seat.

Once more I want to thank Meter for making this possible. Visit them at meter.com/cst

Some of you may have missed this yesterday as the Google feed didn't catch it. It's a great episode and I want to make sure everyone gets it. I'll be posting another great repeat episode on Saturday Morning.

Jim takes a break for some R&R during the holidays and shares his favorite podcast episodes from the year. He acknowledges that some listeners might have heard these episodes already, while others may find them new. The podcast's production is supported by Meter, a company providing integrated networking solutions. Additionally, support from listeners through the Buy Me a Coffee program has helped sustain the shows and expand their content offerings. Jim thanks Meter and the listeners, wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

00:00 Introduction and Holiday Plans 00:33 Sponsor Acknowledgment 01:08 Support and Growth 01:55 Final Thoughts and Episode Introduction

Over the holidays we are rerunning some of our favourite episodes. This one first aired this summer and was one of my first conversations with the fascinating head of Operation Shamrock.

We'll be back with regular programming on January 5th.

AI Showdown: Gemini vs. ChatGPT – The Great Debate

In this episode, the hosts explore the nuanced differences between Gemini and ChatGPT, likening Gemini to a temporary assistant and ChatGPT to a long-term partner. They delve into the new features of ChatGPT's image generator, showcasing its capabilities with live demos. The discussion broadens into the implications of AI for society, highlighting perspectives from Doomers, Scouts, and Accelerationists. They also touch on the potential of AI to support seniors and those living in isolation, and question the future of AI governance and policy. The episode wraps up with seasonal cheer, encouraging the audience to use AI tools to enhance their holiday experiences.

00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:21 Comparing Gemini and ChatGPT 00:55 Welcome to Project Synapse 01:11 The Challenge of Keeping Up with Fast-Moving Tech 01:53 Personal Anecdotes and AI Experiences 02:20 AI's Role in Daily Life 06:42 The Disappointment with Gemini 3.0 10:22 Mail Synth: A Revolutionary AI Tool 14:04 Security Concerns with AI 19:19 Customizing AI Personas 22:28 ChatGPT's New Image Generator 24:12 Fun with AI-Generated Images 32:17 Local Speaking Engagements and AI Misconceptions 34:12 AI's Benefits for Older Adults 37:05 The Future of AI: Star Trek vs. Star Wars 37:44 Teaching AI Safety and Practical Uses 42:04 Historical Technological Changes and AI 46:05 Global AI Investments and National Interests 50:20 The Role of AI in Society's Future 01:03:55 Holiday Reflections and AI's Everyday Uses

In this episode of Hashtag Trending, host Jim Love discusses Miriam Webster's and Oxford University Press's Words of the Year for 2025, highlighting the impact of low-quality AI-generated content and emotionally provocative posts. The episode also covers the high frequency of near-collisions in low earth orbit, emphasizing risks to satellite operations. Additionally, the podcast details significant stock declines in AI infrastructure companies and the recent patch by Amazon for a critical Kindle vulnerability. The show concludes with reflections on the year's events, personal notes from Jim, and gratitude towards listeners and sponsors like Meter.

00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:20 Word of the Year: Slop and Rage Bait 02:50 Satellite Near Misses and Space Traffic Concerns 05:52 AI Infrastructure Stocks Take a Hit 09:12 Holiday Season Cybersecurity Warnings 10:43 Kindle Vulnerability and Amazon Account Risks 11:56 Year-End Reflections and Thank You 15:28 Closing Remarks and Sponsor Acknowledgment

Near Miss in Space, Starlink Plan Removal, LG TV Controversy & Hacking for Good | Hashtag Trending

In today's episode of Hashtag Trending, host Jim Love discusses a recent close call between a Chinese satellite and a Starlink satellite, Starlink's quiet removal of its $40/month plan, LG TV's controversial update adding Microsoft Copilot as an unremovable app, and Fulu's nonprofit initiative that pays hackers to unlock devices restricted by manufacturers. Sponsored by Meter, this episode also contains news on the potential impacts of these events on technology and user rights.

00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:58 Close Call in Space: Chinese Satellite vs. Starlink 03:05 Starlink's Mysterious $40 Plan Disappears 05:17 LG TVs Get Unwanted Microsoft Copilot 07:14 Fulu: The Right to Repair Movement's New Ally 10:00 Conclusion and Upcoming Schedule

In this episode of Hashtag Trending, host Jim Love covers the latest in AI technology and innovation. OpenAI quietly launched GPT-5.2, focusing on real-world work performance and introducing a new evaluation method, GDPVal. This model significantly outperforms its predecessors and competitors. Meanwhile, Google is enhancing its AI capabilities, embedding AI into creative tools, hardware, and a potentially new operating system, Aluminum. Disney has signed an agreement with OpenAI to use its animated characters for fan-generated content and made a significant investment in the company. Additionally, a Canadian company set a world record in fusion energy, showcasing advancements in the field. The episode concludes with thanks to Meter for their support.

Hashtag Trending would like to thank Meter for their support in bringing you this podcast. Meter delivers a complete networking stack, wired, wireless and cellular in one integrated solution that's built for performance and scale. You can find them at Meter.com/htt

00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:21 OpenAI Launches ChatGPT 5.2 04:21 Google's Gemini Updates 06:59 Disney's Multi-Year Agreement with OpenAI 08:54 Canadian Fusion Energy Breakthrough 09:58 Conclusion and Sponsor Message

Exploring Tech Jeopardy, the Evolution of AI, and Disney's Collaboration with OpenAI

In this episode of Hashtag Trending, the hosts engage in a game of Tech Jeopardy, covering topics such as ransomware, zero trust, and social engineering attacks. They discuss the release of ChatGPT 5.2 and its capabilities, including its impact on various industries and potential security implications. The episode also explores Disney's $1 billion partnership with OpenAI for the use of Disney characters in Sora, touching on the ethical and practical implications of such advancements. The hosts express concerns about the fast-paced development and potential risks associated with AI, emphasizing the need for balancing innovation with safety.

Hashtag Trending would like to thank Meter for their support in bringing you this podcast. Meter delivers a complete networking stack, wired, wireless and cellular in one integrated solution that's built for performance and scale. You can find them at Meter.com/htt

00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:21 Tech Jeopardy Begins 02:16 Daily Double and Programming Trivia 04:11 ChatGPT 5.2 Release Discussion 05:54 Reddit and Social Media Insights 08:34 AI Advancements and Benchmarks 24:16 Security Concerns and AI Impact 32:36 The Rise of Automated Warfare 33:19 AI in Cybersecurity: A Double-Edged Sword 38:04 The Tipping Point of AI Adoption 46:32 Disney and OpenAI: A Billion-Dollar Partnership 49:53 The Future of AI-Driven Entertainment 55:25 AI-Powered Tools Transforming Workflows 01:00:42 The Race for AI Dominance 01:08:48 Concluding Thoughts on AI's Impact

AI Architects, Chatbot Wars, and Workplace Productivity Gaps

In this episode of Hashtag Trending, host Jim Love discusses Time Magazine's controversial 'Architects of AI' cover, revealing the overlooked pioneers behind modern AI. The episode also covers the latest shift in the chatbot race, with Google's Gemini outpacing ChatGPT in growth. Additionally, a report from OpenAI highlights a growing productivity divide in workplaces between AI power users and others. The show delves into the importance of habit, depth of engagement, and the potential benefits of wider AI adoption through training. Plus, a special thanks to Meter for their support. Don't miss this deep dive into the AI landscape!

Hashtag Trending would like to thank Meter for their support in bringing you this podcast. Meter delivers a complete networking stack, wired, wireless and cellular in one integrated solution that's built for performance and scale. You can find them at Meter.com/htt

00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:21 Time Magazine's Architects of AI 02:26 The Fastest Growing Chatbot: Google's Gemini 04:10 OpenAI's Productivity Gap Report 08:01 Conclusion and Sponsor Message