Artificial intelligence is evolving faster than any technology in human history, leaving governments and the general public scrambling to figure out how to deal with it. Although current AI-generated images can't even get hands right, the technology will soon be able to create photos, text, video and audio that not even the trained eye will be able to detect as fake. What are the consequences of AI, and how much should companies be held accountable for how the technology is used?

(0:00:00) - Intro (update on Olympic athlete episode, August is the worst month)

(0:16:25) - Sounds of the Week:

• Twitter announces lawsuit against advertisers
• Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch worries about Americans 'caught by surprise' by unreasonable laws

(0:42:40) - Artificial intelligence

Songs:

"More Than Machines" by Bush

"Naked in Front of the Computer" by Faith No More

"Virtual Insanity" by Jamiroquai

Notes:

• Freakonomics podcast: Here’s Why You’re Not an Elite Athlete (0:03:25)
• The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe Episode #995 (0:05:30)
• How older athletes powered up and transformed women's gymnastics (0:06:00)
• A History of the Average Age in Women’s Gymnastics (0:07:20)
• Elon Musk’s X sues advertisers over alleged ‘massive advertiser boycott’ after Twitter takeover (0:20:00)
• Elon Musk says ‘civil war is inevitable’ as UK rocked by far-right riots (0:21:15)
• EU warns X over illegal content risks — Musk replies with Tropic Thunder insult meme (0:21:24)
• Boxing Olympic Gold Medallist Imane Khelif Files Complaint Against X Over “Moral Harassment” (0:21:46)
• Teen wearing 'neo-Nazi' bulletproof vest stabs 5 in live-streamed attack near mosque: officials (0:22:00)
• Unilever comments during House Committee on the Judiciary hearing (0:24:05)
• Global Alliance for Responsible Media announces it is discontinuing its activities (0:24:35)
• Elon Musk’s financial woes at X have Tesla bulls fearing he will liquidate more stock (0:25:20)
• Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., introduces DEFIANCE Act (0:43:00)
• AI-generated image of real-life Beavis and Butthead (0:48:15)
• The YouTube channel of Beavis singing 90s alt-rock songs no longer exists, probably due to copyright infringement. However, there are now at least two websites where you can create your own AI-generated Beavis cover songs, which you can find here and here. (0:50:35)
• X’s chatbot can now generate AI images (0:51:45)
• Supreme Court strikes down Chevron, curtailing power of federal agencies (0:57:00)
• AI already uses as much energy as a small country (1:03:10)
• Rick Beato's YouTube channel where he interviews the producers, engineers and other behind-the-scenes geniuses of the music industry (1:08:15)
• GoodContent AI text generator and Grammarly's AI text generator (1:09:00)

The summer Olympics are underway! Every four years, the world comes together in unity for more than two weeks as countries show off their elite athletes who compete in more than 300 events in more than 30 sports. How does one become an Olympian? Child exploitation. This week, the gang explores the idea that becoming a professional athlete in the 21st century requires sacrificing your childhood, a socially acceptable phenomena that is not present in other areas of life (e.g. academia) in modern-day Western culture and society.

(0:00:00) - Intro (Update to Episode 20 SCOTUS topic, Crazy Facebook Republican Militia Guy is back)

(0:20:35) - Sounds of the Week:

• Trump questions Kamala Harris’ race during appearance at a gathering of Black journalists
• Satanic Temple fighting for representation in schools

(0:38:52) - Elite athleticism and child exploitation

Songs:

"The Bronze" by Queens of the Stone Age

"Silver" by Echo & the Bunnymen

"Gold" by Spandau Ballet

Notes:

• Biden decries ‘extremism’ on Supreme Court, details plan for term limits, ethics code for justices (0:03:55)
• Supreme Court Ethics: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (0:06:12)
• In an attempt to reverse the Supreme Court’s immunity decision, Schumer introduces the No Kings Act (0:06:55)
• TikTok frog suit palate cleanser (0:16:10)
• Donald Trump falsely suggests Kamala Harris misled voters about her race (0:23:20)
• Donald Trump was invited to the National Association of Black Journalists convention every year from 2016 through 2020, one NABJ member told The Hollywood Reporter (0:25:10)
• Full Donald Trump interview with National Association of Black Journalists panel (0:26:40)
• Trump Speaks at Black Conservative Federation Gala (0:27:15)
• Florida Senate bill 1044, which allows school districts to establish volunteer programs for chaplains to address mental health (0:28:45)
• Pulitzer Prize-winning story about Scientology's presence in Clearwater, Fla. (0:33:50)
• The Larry Nassar documentary Meredith talks about is Netflix's "Athlete A" (0:41:00)
• List of multiple Olympic medalists (0:55:25)
• List of 2024 Olympic skateboarders (0:57:40)

Former President Donald Trump was centimeters away from death after a failed assassination attempt during his campaign rally in Butler, Pa. In the immediate aftermath, there were calls for unity and to turn the down the temperature in the political environment ... that never happened. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden appears to have little chance in winning the election and refuses to end his bid for a second term despite growing support from voters and Democrat leaders to do so. Needless to say, the 2024 presidential campaign is a clusterf***. The gang discusses how the assassination attempt may reshape the election and comes up with a winning solution for the Democratic party.

0:00:00 - Intro (a call for unity with the National Anthem, Jay is unemployed)

0:16:14 - Attempted assassination of Donald Trump

0:46:10 - President Joe Biden's bid for reelection

Songs:

"Hit Me With Your Best Shot" by Pat Benatar

"Hey Man Nice Shot" by Filter

"Bullet in the Head" by Rage Against the Machine

Notes:

• Ingrid Andress sings the National Anthem at the MLB All-Star Game (0:03:50)
• Ingrid Andress claims she was drunk (0:06:10)
• Fergie's 2020 NBA All-Star Game National Anthem (0:07:00)
• Carl Lewis sings the National Anthem (0:07:30)
• Gunman’s Phone Had Details About Both Trump and Biden, F.B.I. Officials Say (0:19:40)
• What we know about would-be Trump assassin Thomas Matthew Crooks (0:20:40)
• Did the Trump gunman make a donation to Democrats? Here's what the records show. (0:21:00)
• Jay claims the vast majority of Americans do not fall in line with Republican policies. Data on that claim are mixed. A 2018 poll (from a progressive think tank) revealed broad support for certain progressive policies. A 2019 CNBC poll revealed wide support for certain progressive programs. Ten years ago, two researchers published a paper suggesting that although Democrat policies are more popular, Republican ideology is more unified. However, a more recent Gallup poll conducted last October revealed that certain Republican policies are winning. There is no data supporting claims that a supermajority of Americans support Democrat policies (in general) over Republican policies.
• A great article about the attempted assassination of Donald Trump and conspiracy theories in general (0:28:30)
• Rep. Mike Collins, R-Ga., tweet blaming Joe Biden for assassination attempt, followed by another tweet blaming the media. (0:32:30)
• Rep. Marjorie Taylore Greene, R-Ga., tweets conspiracy theory blaming the left.
• Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla, tweets claim extra security was denied by Departmet of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas (0:32:30)
  • Shortly after the podcast was record, The Washington Post published a story about the Secret Service denying requests for more security at Trump events in the two years leading up to the assassination attempt.
• Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, and Republican vice president nominee tweet directly links President Joe Biden's campaign to assassination attempt.
• Widow of man killed at Trump rally in Pennsylvania says she declined to speak with Biden (0:34:35)
• Elon Musk endorses Donald Trump for president (0:37:00)
• Trump’s classified documents case dismissed over Jack Smith appointment (0:37:50)
• Justice Clarence Thomas sets the stage to dismiss Trump's classified documents case in Georgia in his 9-page concurring statement in the Supreme Court's presidential immunity case (0:38:30)
• Nearly two-thirds of Democrats want Biden to withdraw, new AP-NORC poll finds (0:48:55)
• FiveThirtyEight 2024 national presidential polls (1:01:53)
• 2024 presidential election polls by state (1:02:30)

The United States Supreme Court just concluded its latest term, and it was a doozy. Although a decision giving the president broad immunity from criminal prosecution took the spotlight, other decisions from the conservative majority sent shockwaves through the legal community, including stripping power from federal agencies and giving that power to the courts. The gang breaks down how the Supreme Court has gone from nearly 250 years of stabilizing the country to devolving into another tool for a political faction marred by corruption and starving for more power.

0:00:00 - Intro (Meredith breaks diet for America, Ty's adventure in DEEP rural Missouri, Pride Month update, Project 2025 update)

0:15:10 - Sounds of the Week:

• The New Norm Show
• Hawk tuah!

0:32:09 - Supreme Court of the United States

Songs:

"I Fought the Law" by The Clash

"Tear the Fascists Down" by Woody Guthrie

"If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next" by Manic Street Preachers

Notes:

• Humansville, Mo. (0:04:00)
• Every MLB team except one celebrated Pride (0:09:00)
• Trump disavows Heritage Foundation's Project 2025, despite MAGA ties (0:11:00)
• Hailey Welch, aka the 'Hawk Tuah girl,' learns firsthand what it means to go viral (0:27:15)
• First 2024 presidential debate (0:32:55)
• Supreme Court rules ex-presidents have broad immunity (0:33:20)
• Here’s What the Court’s Chevron Ruling Could Mean in Everyday Terms (0:37:20)
• Chevron doctrine, explained (0:37:20)
• The Supreme Court rules for a North Dakota truck stop in a new blow to federal regulators (0:39:15)
• Corner Post case, explained (0:39:15)
• Trump’s Second Term: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (0:43:30)
• Sotomayor’s dissent: A president should not be a ‘king above the law’ (1:01:55)

June is almost over, so let's talk about Pride Month and Juneteenth. This month is supposed to be a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community while also setting aside a day to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States. Ironically, it's also a month where racism and homophobia is cranked to 11. The gang - three straight, white people - discuss why the LGBTQ+ community is still a triggering topic for millions of Americans and how a vocal minority is shaping government policy.

0:00:00 - Intro (Jay quit his job and getting out of Missouri, Ty learned how to fix stuff, Meredith is addicted to cold plunges)

0:15:05 - Sounds of the Week:

• Man vs. Bear
• Missouri Secretary of State candidate's Juneteenth post

0:37:00 - Pride Month in 2024

Songs:

"Hell Bent for Leather" by Judas Priest

"Losing My Religion" by R.E.M.

"Rebel Rebel" by David Bowie

Notes:

• Meredith talks about cold plunges. Since this is a new trend, there is little research on the subject. Early research suggests some benefits to cold plunges. However, the research is preliminary and far from conclusive. Read more about cold plunges: Link 1, Link 2, Link 3, Link 4, Link 5, Link 6 (0:09:55)
• In case your confused about what Juneteenth is all about, check out this Smithsonian Magazine article. (0:24:40)
• Reggie Jackson on Facing Racism in Alabama (0:25:30)
• Valentina Gomez's bizarre "weak and gay" campaign video about Pride Month (0:28:30)
• Missouri Secretary of State election, 2024 (0:28:50)
• Kansas City Royals' Pride Month Facebook post (0:37:17)
• Jon Stewart Smashes the Myth of Corporate Morality in Pride, BLM, and Beyond (0:38:40)
• A simple Pride Month explainer, including the Stonewall Uprising of 1969 and presidential recognition beginning in 1999.
• Gallup's historical LGBTQ+ rights poll showing increasing acceptance over last few decades (0:45:05)
• Here’s How Americans Really Feel About LGBTQ Issues (0:45:05)
• A Florida law blocking treatment for transgender children is thrown out by a federal judge (0:47:20)
• Missouri appeals court sides with transgender student in bathroom, locker room discrimination case (0:47:20)

In this emotional SOTW episode, Meredith and Ty talk Jay through his grief as he mourns the death of his dog, Floyd. Going through his first significant loss, Jay is trying to come to terms with losing his best friend of 10 years. In addition to giving Jay a much-needed therapy session, the gang talks about grief and death in general and how they each deal with it.

0:00 - Intro (Meredith officiated a wedding, the Great Dollar Store Houdini)

21:43 - Sounds of the Week:

• Veteran who sacrificed his savings to pay for son's college calls student loan forgiveness a 'bitter pill'
• Harrison Butker's commencement speech

53:30 - Grieving the loss of Floyd

Songs:

"Comfortably Numb" by Pink Floyd

"Say Hello 2 Heaven" by Temple of the Dog

"Wish You Were Here" by Pink Floyd

Notes:

• ‘We got another one’: Woman says man ejaculated on her back inside Dollar Tree store that saw 3 assaults over 4 days (0:08:05)
• M.R. v. Dollar Tree Stores, Inc. (0:09:50)
• Definition of "Houdini" (0:13:52)
• Supreme Court strikes down Biden student-loan forgiveness program (0:22:25)
  • Actual SCOTUS opinion
• The Biden-Harris Administration’s Student Debt Relief Plan Explained (0:28:53)
• Tavia Hunt's Instagram post (0:35:25)
• Patrick Mahomes interview about Butker from February 2024 (0:37:26)
• Peyton Manning's comments on kicker Mike Vanderjagt (0:38:25)
• Patrick Mahomes responds to teammate Harrison Butker's controversial graduation speech (0:38:46)
• Missouri AG demanding accountability after Kansas City’s tweet on Harrison Butker (0:39:35)
• City fires employee who made social media post about Harrison Butker (0:40:00)
• Ty said that current Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey is running for Missouri governor in November. He is not. Bailey was appointed to the AG position in 2022 after then-AG Eric Schmitt was elected to the U.S. Senate. However, Bailey is running for a full term as AG in November. Ty confused Bailey with the current Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, who is running for Missouri governor. (0:40:30)
• George Carlin on pets (0:58:50)

Meredith's parents are approaching their final years of life. Ironically, that is causing her an existential crisis. How does one tell a parent it is time to relinquish control of their life and have someone else care for them? Who provides that care? What kind of care is necessary? The gang explores these questions and turns them inward by looking into the future and discussing what they may expect when the final grains of sand in Father Time's hourglass start to reach the bottom.

0:00 - Intro (TikTok update, Israel/Palestine conflict update, Meredith is officiating a wedding, Jay's new tattoo, Jay living vicariously through his son)

13:50 - Sounds of the Week:

• Jerry Seinfeld on comedy in 2024
• Kristi Noem: Dog Killer

40:17 - Caring for aging parents

Songs:

"Old Man" by Neil Young

"Time" by Pink Floyd

"Cats in the Cradle" by Ugly Kid Joe

Notes:

• TikTok is suing the federal government (0:01:30)
• Biden says US won’t supply weapons for Israel to attack Rafah, in warning to ally (0:03:00)
• US says Israel’s use of US arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete (0:03:00)
• Israel’s war on Gaza: All to know about the truce proposal Hamas agreed to (0:03:00)
• What we can learn from 4 schools that have reached agreements with Gaza protesters (0:03:45)
• Pro-Palestinian protesters are backed by a surprising source: Biden’s biggest donors (0:04:45)
• Trump VP contender Kristi Noem writes of killing dog – and goat – in new book (0:25:28)
• I Asked South Dakota Dog Trainers About Kristi Noem (25:28)
• Most boomers want to stay in their own homes as they get older (0:54:40)
• Boomers are not moving out of their big homes. Here’s why (0:54:40)
• Millions of seniors struggle to afford housing — and it's about to get a lot worse (0:54:40)
• Status of State Medicaid Expansion Decisions: Interactive Map (0:55:55)

Athlete, actor and probably, mosty likely double murderer O.J. Simpson died of cancer at the age of 76 on April 10. Named the trial of the century, Simpson's murder trial ended up being much more than a pop culture phenomenon. Rather, it further exposed racial discrimination within law enforcement agencies while also showcasing a deep racial divide within American society still present in the 1990s. Giving The Juice one more hour in the spotlight, Ty, Jay and Meredith discuss the O.J. Simpson trial's effects on Americans, ranging from race relations to setting unrealistic expectations for jurors in future trials.

0:00 - Intro (family events are a drag/blast, the great corndog debate, Dungeons & Dragons is now cool, Stephen King books vs. movies)

22:24 - Sounds of the Week:

• Former anti-Trump GOP governor bends the knee
• Dave Ramsey vs. younger generations

47:30 - The O.J. Simpson murder trial

Songs:

"Regulate" by Warren G (ft. Nate Dogg)

"Shine" by Collective Soul

"The Sign" by Ace of Base

Notes:

• Dave Ramsey's National Study of Millionaires (mentioned during second Sounds of the Week entry)
• Millionaire Goes Homeless As A Social Experiment With The Goal Of Making $1 Million In 12 Months (mentioned during second Sounds of the Week)
• O.J. murder case put race in America on trial
• What if O.J.’s Trial Happened Now?
• Is It Forensics or Is It Junk Science?
• The Impact of False or Misleading Forensic Evidence on Wrongful Convictions
• How a Dubious Forensic Science Spread Like a Virus

Kansas Citians recently voted against renewing a sales tax that would be used to renovate the Kansas City Chiefs stadium (Arrowhead) and to build a brand new stadium for the Kansas City Royals in the downtown area. The halfbaked plans for a downtown stadium left a bad taste in voters' mouths. Meanwhile, executives for both teams threatened to leave if they didn't get taxpayer money, causing a standoff between two billionaires and local taxpayers. Meredith, Ty and Jay dive into the final vote and what it means for sports teams looking for corporate welfare.

0:00 - Intro (Tattoos are expensive, Jay's dog is dying, Ty's dog won't STFU)

21:36 - Sounds of the Week:

• Conservatives losing their shit on Easter Sunday
• DEI and the Baltimore bridge collapse

48:07 - Sports teams and corporate welfare

Songs:

"Eat the Rich" by Aerosmith

"Limo Wreck" by Soundgarden

"Five To One" by The Doors

Notes:

• The Blood Type Diet: An Evidence-Based Review (mentioned by Meredith during Sounds of the Week)
  • Diet not working? Maybe its not your type
  • Theory behind popular blood-type diet debunked
• Definition of "gaslighting" (mentioned during first Sounds of the Week entry)
• Date of Easter explained (mentioned during first Sounds of the Week entry)
• Elected officials tweeting about DEI and Baltimore bridge collapse here and here (mentioned during second Sounds of the Week entry)
• Missouri attorney general is accused of racial bias for pinning a student fight on diversity program (mentioned during second Sounds of the Week entry)
• Marjorie Taylor Greene's tweet about earthquakes, solar eclipses and signs from God (mentioned during second Sounds of the Week entry)
• 'No more Jackson County for sure': Wife of Royals owner reacts to election results
• Kansas City fans claim power back by rejecting Chiefs and Royals stadium tax
• KC Tenants leader says 'regressive' tax ask from billionaire owners motivated opposition
• Royals change stadium plan to keep Oak Street open to traffic, but fate of businesses is uncertain

The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed a bill that will ban TikTok in the United States if its China-based owner, ByteDance, doesn't sell within six months, a move supported by and spearheaded by President Joe Biden. Although the bill has garnered broad bipartisan support, public support may be a bit different. Ty, Jay and Meredith discuss the merits of the bill (or the lack thereof), how it reeks of McCarthyism and government censorship, and ask an important question: Why doesn't the U.S. have privacy laws regulating all tech companies?

0:00 - Intro ("vacation" time, Jay's shitter's full)

14:02 - Sounds of the Week:

• Dallas Seavey wins record 6th Iditarod race
• 'Oppenheimer' Wins Best Picture

35:57 - TikTok ban

Songs:

"Startin' Up A Posse" by Anthrax

"Books Are Burning" by XTC

"Fuck The FCC" by Eric Idle and John Du Prez

Notes:

• Tom Brokaw (Dana Carvey) Pre-Tapes - Saturday Night Live (2:12)
• Dallas Seavey wins 6th Iditarod championship, most ever in the world’s most famous sled dog race (first Sounds of the Week entry)
• Iditarod rules (gutting rule is Rule 34)
• A moose attack, an injured dog, an improper gutting: drama at Alaska’s Iditarod, explained (18:50 - Answers Meredith and Jay's questions about the Iditarod gutting rule. Spoiler alert: It ties to Alaskan state hunting laws)
• 2024 Academy Awards winners (second Sounds of the Week entry)
• Elon Musk tweet about Academy Awards (29:57)
• H.R.7521 - Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act (bill to ban TikTok)
• House Passes Bill to Force TikTok Sale From Chinese Owner or Ban the App
• Internet privacy laws revealed - how your personal information is protected online (44:00 - mention of lack of federal laws regulating online privacy)
• Antitrust: Commission fines Google €2.42 billion for abusing dominance as search engine by giving illegal advantage to own comparison shopping service - Factsheet (44:27)
• TikTok and Douyin Explained (46:12 - research debunking many claims about TikTok privacy, censorship and connection with Chinese government)
• About Form W-8 BEN, Certificate of Foreign Status of Beneficial Owner for United States Tax Withholding and Reporting (Individuals) (49:55 - mentioned by Jay when talking about bad tax advice on TikTok)
• Watch: Marjorie Taylor Greene voices opposition to TikTok bill (55:15)
• Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tweet against TikTok ban (55:15)
• Web searches for VPNs swell 400% in Texas as Pornhub blocks access (1:02:34)
• What the hell is wrong with TikTok?
• Are progressive politics the real reason why US lawmakers are spooked by Tiktok?
• TikTok creators warn of economic impact if app sees ban, call it a vital space for the marginalized