John unpacks the seismic changes shaping Seattle's tech sector, examining massive layoffs, plummeting city revenue, and the ripple effects across local businesses. He dives into the latest open source security breach with the Shai-Hulud npm malware, and offers reflections on the long legacy of GEM in modern GUIs. The episode also explores Linux's new security direction, the implications of Windows 10’s end-of-life on e-waste, ground-breaking research on microplastics, and the broader crossroads of law, environment, and technology. Tune in for thought-provoking perspectives on how innovation, risk, and sustainability intertwine in today’s tech landscape.