In this week’s “we told you so” edition, we kick things off with the latest AI faceplant—go ahead, Google “Is it 2025?” and try not to spit coffee on your keyboard. Meanwhile, over at Meta, Zuckerberg’s brilliant idea to loosen content moderation has, shocker, led to more harassment and violent content. Elsewhere in tech dystopia: Texas is trying to ground all minors off social media, Germany wants to slap a 10% tax on Silicon Valley, and Anthropic is handing out free search powers and a board seat to Netflix’s Reed Hastings. Because nothing says “trusted AI governance” like a guy who greenlit Love Is Blind . But wait, crypto bros are having their own John Wick arc: a luxury townhouse, a missing wallet, and possibly an NYPD detective tangled in a real-life “crypto millionaire torture” flick. As if that isn’t enough, Trump Media is fundraising to buy $2.5B in Bitcoin—and DJT stock promptly nosedived. Also feuding this week: Marjorie Taylor Greene vs. Grok, because nothing screams Christian values like rageposting at Elon’s AI. And speaking of Elon, he’s now in bed with Telegram to the tune of $300 million, which we’re sure won’t be a disinformation factory. MEDIA CANDY is stacked: from the Murderbot diaries to a My Dinner with Andre rewatch, and yes, the Wheel of Time got axed after 3 seasons. Apps? Opera Neon is a UI fever dream, Starling Home Hub adds more smarts to your house, and WhatsApp finally arrives on iPad—welcome to 2016. In THE DARK SIDE, Dave Bittner brings the latest digital dirt, including the CIA’s bonkers Star Wars fan site op. And if you’re hitting the library, grab The AI Con or something more romantic—like Love, Sex and the Alien Apocalypse . Just be careful if you read that on public transit. 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/699 FOLLOW UP Don't Google "Is it 2025?" unless you want to laugh at the state of AI IN THE NEWS Facebook sees rise in violent content and harassment after policy changes What we know about the NYC crypto kidnapping and torture case Manhattan Crypto Kidnapping and Torture Case: What We Know NYPD detective on Adams' security detail may be tied to crypto millionaire torture case: Sources Judge denies bail to crypto investor charged with kidnapping and torturing man in posh NYC townhouse Trump Media Raises Money to Buy $2.5 Billion in Bitcoin Trump administration ramps up push as crypto ally DJT shares drop after Trump Media announces bitcoin raise - CNBC Texas is getting ready to ban social media for anyone under 18 Texas enacts age-verification law for app stores Germany is considering a 10 percent digital service tax on US tech giants EU regulators are investigating Pornhub and three other sites Anthropic brings web search to free Claude users Reed Hastings appointed to Anthropic's board of directors Anthropic appoints Netflix Chairman Reed Hastings to board - CNBC Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings joins Anthropic's board | TechCrunch RFK Jr.’s ‘Make America Healthy Again’ Report Cites Fake Studies Marjorie Taylor Greene feuds with AI bot over her Christian cred Telegram CEO announces $300 million partnership with Elon Musk's xAI and Grok MEDIA CANDY Murderbot Long Way Home Lilo and Stitch Martha ‘The Wheel Of Time’ Canceled By Prime Video After 3 Seasons Billy Joel Cancels Concerts Due to Brain Disorder My Dinner with Andre Grumpy Old Geeks Information on RocketReach Schmactors with James Marsters, Mark Devine, and Jason DeFillippo APPS & DOODADS Opera Neon Apple Reportedly Says ‘Screw It’ and Jumps From iOS 19 to iOS 26 Starling Home Hub WhatsApp finally launches an official version for iPads AT THE LIBRARY The Essential Terry Pratchett Good Omens TV Companion Misprint The AI Con: How to Fight Big Tech’s Hype and Create the Future We Want By: Emily M. Bender, Alex Hanna Love, Sex and the Alien Apocalypse (First Contact) by Peter Cawdron THE DARK SIDE WITH DAVE Dave Bittner The CyberWire Hacking Humans Caveat Control Loop Only Malware in the Building The CIA Secretly Ran a Star Wars Fan Site LIVE: Kermit the Frog gives commencement speech at University of Maryland Billy Joel - I've Loved These Days (Audio) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
