740: To the Moon! — Grumpy Old Geeks

Welcome to Grumpy Old Geeks, where we're starting to notice a patience epidemic! As people get used to barking orders at their AI, they're starting to talk to other humans with the same terse impatience. We discuss the enshittification of social media like Threads, which are now completely overrun with AI-generated slop.

This week, we dive into the corporate shenanigans of the tech world. OpenAI was caught secretly funding an advocacy group to push for age verification laws that just so happen to benefit Sam Altman's other company. We also cover Elon Musk's troubles, including all of xAI's co-founders quitting, a SpaceX satellite exploding, and Tesla's "fully autonomous" robotaxis being revealed to have remote human drivers.

Plus, we celebrate NASA's successful Artemis II launch, review a fantastic Premiere Pro plugin for multicam editing, and give our thoughts on shows like "The Pit" and "Downton Abbey."

Sponsors:

SquareSpace - go to squarespace.com/GRUMPY for a free trial. And when you’re ready to launch, use code GRUMPY to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.

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/740

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/IpzOakbBftY

FOLLOW UP

Austria is pursuing a social media ban for kids under 14

Group Pushing Age Verification Requirements for AI Turns Out to Be Sneakily Backed by OpenAI

OpenAI takes on another “side quest,” buys tech-focused talk show TBPN

IN THE NEWS

Elon Musk’s last co-founder reportedly leaves xAI

SpaceX loses contact with one of its Starlink satellites

SpaceX has reportedly filed for the biggest IPO in history