675: Your Own Personal Jesus

In this episode of Grumpy Old Geeks, we dive into the wild, wacky, and often worrying world of tech, media, and everything in between. From a Swiss church using AI to preach the gospel to OpenAI facing a copyright conundrum, and a DNA testing company ghosting its customers, the news is packed with surprises. We also explore Neuralink’s Canadian trials, bizarre domain drama between Alex Jones and The Onion, and why Google might be forced to part ways with Chrome. Plus, a study reveals Tesla’s troubling accident stats, and Germany investigates an undersea sabotage.

On the media front, we break down The Old Man, The Day of the Jackal, and Ken Burns’ deep dive into Leonardo da Vinci. Catch teasers for How to Train Your Dragon and The Studio, while Apple TV+ and streaming giants reshuffle strategies. In the gaming and cinema crossover universe, the Minecraft Movie and Silo Season 2 are making waves.

We also geek out over Perplexity’s new shopping tool, Bluesky’s rise to 21 million users, and the evolving quirks of Threads and X. Meanwhile, Ghosts by Peter Cawdron lands on our reading list, and Dave Bittner brings the dark side of cybersecurity into focus, including reverse-engineered iPhone hacks and Graykey’s tech secrets.

In closing, we pay tribute to Thomas E. Kurtz, co-creator of BASIC, and share some lighthearted shout-outs to the schmactors of the world. Tune in for all the grump and geek you love!

Sponsors:

HelloFresh - Get 10 FREE meals at HelloFresh.com/freegog

1Password Extended Access Management - Check it out at 1Password.com/grumpyoldgeeks. Secure every sign-in for every app on every device.

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/675

IN THE NEWS

Deus in machina: Swiss church installs AI-powered Jesus

There’s No Longer Any Doubt That Hollywood Writing Is Powering AI

OpenAI accidentally deleted potential evidence in NY Times copyright lawsuit

DNA testing company vanishes along with its customers' genetic data

Neuralink gets approval to start human trials in Canada

The Weirdest Domains Alex Jones Has to Give to The Onion

DOJ: Google must sell Chrome to end monopoly

Trump Admin Reportedly Wants to Unleash Driverless Cars on America

Study Finds Tesla Has Higher Rate of Fatal Accidents Than Any Other Car

Germany says cut undersea data cables were sabotaged

Anyone Can Buy Data Tracking US Soldiers and Spies to Nuclear Vaults and Brothels in Germany

Microsoft is building wooden data centers to slash carbon emissions

MEDIA CANDY

Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyso