Fellow conspiracy realist. We, like the rest of the world, have our eyes on the recent assassination attempt of former US President Donald Trump on July thirteenth, twenty twenty four, as we recorded this strange news program before that incident occurred. We are releasing a special full episode on the event, which will be published this week. Thank you for your time. Be safe and stay tuned.

Fellow conspiracy realist. We, like the rest of the world, have our eyes on the recent assassination attempt of former US President Donald Trump on July thirteenth, twenty twenty four, as we recorded this strange news program before that incident occurred. We are releasing a special full episode on the event, which will be published this week. Thank you for your time. Be safe and stay tuned.

From UFOs to psychic powers and government conspiracies. History is riddled with unexplained events. You can turn back now or learn this stuff they don't want you to know. A production of iHeartRadio.

From UFOs to psychic powers and government conspiracies. History is riddled with unexplained events. You can turn back now or learn this stuff they don't want you to know. A production of iHeartRadio.

Hello, welcome back to the show. My name's Matt, my name is Noel.

Hello, welcome back to the show. My name's Matt, my name is Noel.

They call me Ben.

They call me Ben.

We're joined as always with our superproducer Alexis, code named Doc Holliday Jackson. Most importantly, you are You are here. That makes this the stuff they don't want you to know. It is almost birthday season here at how Here it's stuff they'll want you to know. As we heard all headlong toward August and the news isn't stopping. Taco Bell has a retirement home. Just off air. We're talking about some big changes in Greece, and a lot of people are smuggling animals in their pants. That's hot again now.

We're joined as always with our superproducer Alexis, code named Doc Holliday Jackson. Most importantly, you are You are here. That makes this the stuff they don't want you to know. It is almost birthday season here at how Here it's stuff they'll want you to know. As we heard all headlong toward August and the news isn't stopping. Taco Bell has a retirement home. Just off air. We're talking about some big changes in Greece, and a lot of people are smuggling animals in their pants. That's hot again now.

And they're apparently also happy to see us. Yeah.

And they're apparently also happy to see us. Yeah.

Well, there's one great case with a guy named Matt Pancake real name, stop it, real name. You can see him on YouTube getting caught in a leopard onesie asleep on a bench after he broke into a pet store and tried to smuggle a bunch of hamsters out in his onesies for sex stuff a.

Well, there's one great case with a guy named Matt Pancake real name, stop it, real name. You can see him on YouTube getting caught in a leopard onesie asleep on a bench after he broke into a pet store and tried to smuggle a bunch of hamsters out in his onesies for sex stuff a.

You know what, I'm wondering if it was it could have been floated out there.

You know what, I'm wondering if it was it could have been floated out there.

You tell us, folks, maybe there is an entirely wholesome, indeed noble reason that you would need to put on an animal ones and throw a bunch of hamsters.

You tell us, folks, maybe there is an entirely wholesome, indeed noble reason that you would need to put on an animal ones and throw a bunch of hamsters.

And maybe he just really identifies with the animal kingdom and he was trying to liberate his people.

And maybe he just really identifies with the animal kingdom and he was trying to liberate his people.

You know.

You know.

But I will say, we were watching the video that you've found Ben on that topic with Alexis code named Doc Holliday, and Alexis pointed out that the police were being quite fast and loose and rough with this fellow without thinking anything about the imperiled lives of the hamsters contained with him.

But I will say, we were watching the video that you've found Ben on that topic with Alexis code named Doc Holliday, and Alexis pointed out that the police were being quite fast and loose and rough with this fellow without thinking anything about the imperiled lives of the hamsters contained with him.

That leopard onesie.

That leopard onesie.

Assumptions are dangerous and doc. Yes, agreed, you made an excellent point. Also, shout out to the guy who got caught with a hundred live serpents in his pants when he conspired to smuggle them out of Hong Kong. There's some great pictures there are.

Assumptions are dangerous and doc. Yes, agreed, you made an excellent point. Also, shout out to the guy who got caught with a hundred live serpents in his pants when he conspired to smuggle them out of Hong Kong. There's some great pictures there are.

We talking babies, we're talking quote.

We talking babies, we're talking quote.

If you go to the Guardian you will see that the way the way the authorities describe it. When he was caught trying to smuggle these from Hong Kong into Shenzhen was upon inspection, customs officers discovered that the pockets of the trousers the passenger was wearing we're packed with six canvas drawstring bags and sealed with tape. Once opened, each bag was found to contain living snakes in all kinds of shapes, sizes and colors.

If you go to the Guardian you will see that the way the way the authorities describe it. When he was caught trying to smuggle these from Hong Kong into Shenzhen was upon inspection, customs officers discovered that the pockets of the trousers the passenger was wearing we're packed with six canvas drawstring bags and sealed with tape. Once opened, each bag was found to contain living snakes in all kinds of shapes, sizes and colors.

Wow. True coalition of certitudes.

Wow. True coalition of certitudes.

Of that should be political slogan, Our coalition of the unwilling you already have right, Yeah, basically Jesus.

Of that should be political slogan, Our coalition of the unwilling you already have right, Yeah, basically Jesus.

So, before we move into the news, do you guys want to talk a little bit about Greece's bold new six day work week.

So, before we move into the news, do you guys want to talk a little bit about Greece's bold new six day work week.

Sure, it feels like a weird move in the midst of you know, a lot of new work from home things new, Uh, get the job done. Get it done right, But we as a company aren't going to tell you, you know, how many hours you got to put in. Just make sure you're doing what we're paying you to do.

Sure, it feels like a weird move in the midst of you know, a lot of new work from home things new, Uh, get the job done. Get it done right, But we as a company aren't going to tell you, you know, how many hours you got to put in. Just make sure you're doing what we're paying you to do.

And just a lot of chatter, and I mean understandably and rightfully so, around workers' rights and the idea of a separation between work life balance and all of that stuff. It does seem like an odd pr move at the very least. And I was questioning, like, is this because their economies in trouble, and Matt you pointed out it's quite the contrary.

And just a lot of chatter, and I mean understandably and rightfully so, around workers' rights and the idea of a separation between work life balance and all of that stuff. It does seem like an odd pr move at the very least. And I was questioning, like, is this because their economies in trouble, and Matt you pointed out it's quite the contrary.

Right, well, at least according to the Prime Minister, right, who is kind of repping the move, saying, yeah, this is a good idea, guys, this initiative was necessary, the Prime Minister says, because quote the twin perils of a shrinking population and a shortage of skilled workers. So the thought here is instead of having a forty hour work week as a standard for many workers, you would have a forty eight hour work week. But well, if there are a bunch of other things they're saying, they're also saying a lot of workers at least in Greece, and one of the reasons this was done is because they're working overtime hours and not getting paid. They're not being compensated correctly for those overtime hours. They're working as a necessity.

Right, well, at least according to the Prime Minister, right, who is kind of repping the move, saying, yeah, this is a good idea, guys, this initiative was necessary, the Prime Minister says, because quote the twin perils of a shrinking population and a shortage of skilled workers. So the thought here is instead of having a forty hour work week as a standard for many workers, you would have a forty eight hour work week. But well, if there are a bunch of other things they're saying, they're also saying a lot of workers at least in Greece, and one of the reasons this was done is because they're working overtime hours and not getting paid. They're not being compensated correctly for those overtime hours. They're working as a necessity.

So this is putting the workers first, is the arlement.

So this is putting the workers first, is the arlement.

That's look, Greece already has an historically, it has the longest average work week of the entirety of the European Union. So it's kind of codifying what is already happening and making sure that people get that overtime pay. And if you work in a job where you do have to you have an assigned number of hours and you do have to go over that, you know that overtime is a huge deal. So on paper, in theory, this is not a conspiratorial thing. It's the right move. But I will add that for many, many years, Greece has had this sort of cultural understanding that a lot of people don't pay taxes or report things specifically, and there's still a big cash economy there. So it's going to be very interesting to see how this works, especially with the global contrast to so many other entities, state level or private industry who are dialing back their work week, you know, famously trying things like a four day work week.

That's look, Greece already has an historically, it has the longest average work week of the entirety of the European Union. So it's kind of codifying what is already happening and making sure that people get that overtime pay. And if you work in a job where you do have to you have an assigned number of hours and you do have to go over that, you know that overtime is a huge deal. So on paper, in theory, this is not a conspiratorial thing. It's the right move. But I will add that for many, many years, Greece has had this sort of cultural understanding that a lot of people don't pay taxes or report things specifically, and there's still a big cash economy there. So it's going to be very interesting to see how this works, especially with the global contrast to so many other entities, state level or private industry who are dialing back their work week, you know, famously trying things like a four day work week.

It's so weird to me because it does it feels like an opposite move of what they're saying it is because apparently it's only going to apply to private businesses that provide quote, round the clock services, So that's not like your service industry, hospitality, that kind of stuff. Necessarily, that's not round the clock services. And it feels as though if there are these companies that if let's say you've got an individual worker who works forty hours a week, then if you need that person to work another eight hours, you're going to pay them time and a half. Now the company only has to pay them time right for your standard, your standard going wage. So in the end it's saving companies money, right, but it's making the workers work more probably what they were going to work with over time anyway, but now they're going to get paid less.

It's so weird to me because it does it feels like an opposite move of what they're saying it is because apparently it's only going to apply to private businesses that provide quote, round the clock services, So that's not like your service industry, hospitality, that kind of stuff. Necessarily, that's not round the clock services. And it feels as though if there are these companies that if let's say you've got an individual worker who works forty hours a week, then if you need that person to work another eight hours, you're going to pay them time and a half. Now the company only has to pay them time right for your standard, your standard going wage. So in the end it's saving companies money, right, but it's making the workers work more probably what they were going to work with over time anyway, but now they're going to get paid less.

Well.

Well.

Also, yeah, wherever you live, I would be very skeptical when you hear a politician describe something as growth oriented, because the economy is not necessarily the people. But also I didn't know this. In twenty twenty two, the average Greek employee across industry worked one thousand, eight hundred and eighty six hours per year. That's higher than the US average, which is one eight hundred and eleven. And the US already has a reputation of people being overworked, you know, and not getting some basic benefits like PTO or vacation.

Also, yeah, wherever you live, I would be very skeptical when you hear a politician describe something as growth oriented, because the economy is not necessarily the people. But also I didn't know this. In twenty twenty two, the average Greek employee across industry worked one thousand, eight hundred and eighty six hours per year. That's higher than the US average, which is one eight hundred and eleven. And the US already has a reputation of people being overworked, you know, and not getting some basic benefits like PTO or vacation.

Oh yeah, no, absolutely, guys. There's an added thing here that I didn't realize, and I think I already misspoke because of this new information I'm getting from the Guardian. It says under the extended working week, staff and select industries and manufacturing facilities will have the option of working in additional two hours per day, right, So that would add up or an extra eight hour shift, and they would be rewarded during that time period with a top up fee of forty added to the daily wage. So they are still making over time overtime. Yes, it's great, you're right there. They are just kind of codifying it in the way business functions now.

Oh yeah, no, absolutely, guys. There's an added thing here that I didn't realize, and I think I already misspoke because of this new information I'm getting from the Guardian. It says under the extended working week, staff and select industries and manufacturing facilities will have the option of working in additional two hours per day, right, So that would add up or an extra eight hour shift, and they would be rewarded during that time period with a top up fee of forty added to the daily wage. So they are still making over time overtime. Yes, it's great, you're right there. They are just kind of codifying it in the way business functions now.

And if you're if you're a Greek national, or if you reside in Greece, let us know what the vibe is on the ground, let us know the lay of the land, and perhaps most importantly, please assure us that we can still have access to euros. That's not a washed joke and whatsoever.

And if you're if you're a Greek national, or if you reside in Greece, let us know what the vibe is on the ground, let us know the lay of the land, and perhaps most importantly, please assure us that we can still have access to euros. That's not a washed joke and whatsoever.

Yeah, I love a euro knocking on.

Yeah, I love a euro knocking on.

Every year when it comes around to get that euro. I think euros should be for all year round.

Every year when it comes around to get that euro. I think euros should be for all year round.

And then, of course not the only thing in cuisine that Greece is known and for. They have the plethora of incredible offerings. But it is a delightful sandwich.

And then, of course not the only thing in cuisine that Greece is known and for. They have the plethora of incredible offerings. But it is a delightful sandwich.

The civilization, this civilization, let's not get into a couple of things, a couple other things in addition to the Euro. So we'll give them their flowers there. And no matter where you live, this is one of our first big stories. No matter where you live in this wide world, no matter what you do for fun or for work, you need to check your passwords right now, Alexis, can we get like a weird breaking news faith perfect?

The civilization, this civilization, let's not get into a couple of things, a couple other things in addition to the Euro. So we'll give them their flowers there. And no matter where you live, this is one of our first big stories. No matter where you live in this wide world, no matter what you do for fun or for work, you need to check your passwords right now, Alexis, can we get like a weird breaking news faith perfect?

Yes, all right, let's.

Yes, all right, let's.

Go to cyber news and rock You twenty twenty four all one word. Cyber news researchers recently discovered the largest password hack in known history. We're talking ten billion different passwords and it came through a file called Rocky two zero two four dot txt text file and was posted by a someone calling themselves Obamacare on July fourth. This this person has this entity or this representative of this group has already shared employee databases from law firms, leaks from online casinos, even student applications for colleges. Like, whatever they're doing, they're they're doing very well. And we were talking about this in a text thread we use sometimes we're not recording. We're also talking about it a little bit off air. But Noel, you in particular clock something that Doc. I think we both noticed too, and maybe you as well met that there has been an escalation of scam attempts, phishing attempts, phone calls. I've got I've got one story, not to make a personal story, but this is something that involves us. We may have mentioned it, but we haven't done it on the air. Our pattern familias of how stuff works. Absolute brilliant guy named Marshall Brain. Yes that's his real name, He's mister Brain. A while back, right around not two too long ago, received the text message from someone identified themselves as Marshall Brain, mentioning me by name or by the name I use here and asking me for stuff. And so, Matt, you'll recall I texted you saying recognize the number. And I think we both kind of got cracking real quick on the weekend right to figure out if this is the real brain.

Go to cyber news and rock You twenty twenty four all one word. Cyber news researchers recently discovered the largest password hack in known history. We're talking ten billion different passwords and it came through a file called Rocky two zero two four dot txt text file and was posted by a someone calling themselves Obamacare on July fourth. This this person has this entity or this representative of this group has already shared employee databases from law firms, leaks from online casinos, even student applications for colleges. Like, whatever they're doing, they're they're doing very well. And we were talking about this in a text thread we use sometimes we're not recording. We're also talking about it a little bit off air. But Noel, you in particular clock something that Doc. I think we both noticed too, and maybe you as well met that there has been an escalation of scam attempts, phishing attempts, phone calls. I've got I've got one story, not to make a personal story, but this is something that involves us. We may have mentioned it, but we haven't done it on the air. Our pattern familias of how stuff works. Absolute brilliant guy named Marshall Brain. Yes that's his real name, He's mister Brain. A while back, right around not two too long ago, received the text message from someone identified themselves as Marshall Brain, mentioning me by name or by the name I use here and asking me for stuff. And so, Matt, you'll recall I texted you saying recognize the number. And I think we both kind of got cracking real quick on the weekend right to figure out if this is the real brain.

Oh yeah, I texted him, uh and I called him, left a voicemail and uh, yes, I guess it was him. I don't know. He didn't mention that in particular, but the same number is his.

Oh yeah, I texted him, uh and I called him, left a voicemail and uh, yes, I guess it was him. I don't know. He didn't mention that in particular, but the same number is his.

I emailed him because the text I got was from a different number than the one that we have for him. And then he wrote, ball, I have to send you guys the email to He wrote back a very nice email, gave us all the shout out. Confirmed it wasn't him, But it was odd the specificity.

I emailed him because the text I got was from a different number than the one that we have for him. And then he wrote, ball, I have to send you guys the email to He wrote back a very nice email, gave us all the shout out. Confirmed it wasn't him, But it was odd the specificity.

Oh it wasn't that.

Oh it wasn't that.

Him, tipped. It was not him. Oh, it was not him.

Him, tipped. It was not him. Oh, it was not him.

It was someone who knew enough information to use these two names together and to probably try to get something. And that's just you know, that's just a microcosmic example, right, Like I think we were saying off air, we've all been receiving some kind of wackado glad handing attempts online.

It was someone who knew enough information to use these two names together and to probably try to get something. And that's just you know, that's just a microcosmic example, right, Like I think we were saying off air, we've all been receiving some kind of wackado glad handing attempts online.

Right mm hmm.

Right mm hmm.

By the way, just really quickly, Marshall. Marshall reports that he is quote here in his super secret fortress of solitude, and his plans to save the world should come to fruition any day now.

By the way, just really quickly, Marshall. Marshall reports that he is quote here in his super secret fortress of solitude, and his plans to save the world should come to fruition any day now.

I was just saying, for my part, I have received notifications through Apple through my iPhone a couple of times over the last year or so that my data was part of an identified breach and.

I was just saying, for my part, I have received notifications through Apple through my iPhone a couple of times over the last year or so that my data was part of an identified breach and.

That I should change my passwords.

That I should change my passwords.

And I don't know if anyone else has noticed that feature in the iPhone, but it is apparently a thing. I guess they get wind of this stuff and they send you these notifications or if it's like a setting you have to.

And I don't know if anyone else has noticed that feature in the iPhone, but it is apparently a thing. I guess they get wind of this stuff and they send you these notifications or if it's like a setting you have to.

Turn on or off.

Turn on or off.

But you know, I've certainly now been the best steward of my passwords over the years. I have a couple that I use, and I switched them around and changed digits and add a few things on the end. But at the end of the day, I ultimately will get to a place where I've forgotten what I changed the password to, and then I have to change it again, and then if I'm not careful, I'll you know, rense and repeat. But I have gotten more into using two factor authentication, and a lot of times, you know, a breacher or someone who's really trying to do you wrong needs some other way. They can't just have your password, They need access to your email.

But you know, I've certainly now been the best steward of my passwords over the years. I have a couple that I use, and I switched them around and changed digits and add a few things on the end. But at the end of the day, I ultimately will get to a place where I've forgotten what I changed the password to, and then I have to change it again, and then if I'm not careful, I'll you know, rense and repeat. But I have gotten more into using two factor authentication, and a lot of times, you know, a breacher or someone who's really trying to do you wrong needs some other way. They can't just have your password, They need access to your email.

If they're getting your banking stuff.

If they're getting your banking stuff.

If you have two factor, then you'll get something via email or via text. So it's not unless they control all of those, you know, those accounts. Can they actually really really really do you dirty? Not to say let your guard down, don't worry, You're fine, but I would say look.

If you have two factor, then you'll get something via email or via text. So it's not unless they control all of those, you know, those accounts. Can they actually really really really do you dirty? Not to say let your guard down, don't worry, You're fine, but I would say look.

Into any form of two factor authentication.

Into any form of two factor authentication.

But what I was wondering is, like, do these because I've seen just a massive uptick in this particular type of scam call that I'd never heard before, where it's like comes from all over the country, different numbers, and it's saying that it's a loan company needing to confirm some data for the loan that I applied for, and it's happened multiple times, And at first I was freaked out, like did somebody apply for a loan in my name?

But what I was wondering is, like, do these because I've seen just a massive uptick in this particular type of scam call that I'd never heard before, where it's like comes from all over the country, different numbers, and it's saying that it's a loan company needing to confirm some data for the loan that I applied for, and it's happened multiple times, And at first I was freaked out, like did somebody apply for a loan in my name?

But no, it turns out it's a pretty common scam.

But no, it turns out it's a pretty common scam.

And I just have to wonder if with these data leaks, in addition to passwords, they must also be getting other information. The phone numbers are probably attached to some of these if you're you know, entering it for maybe political campaigns or forgetting text notifications or whatever. And it's kind of wonder how the folks that are capitalizing on these breaches are using this information. And if this uptick and scams you know via text message and phone calls has anything to do with those.

And I just have to wonder if with these data leaks, in addition to passwords, they must also be getting other information. The phone numbers are probably attached to some of these if you're you know, entering it for maybe political campaigns or forgetting text notifications or whatever. And it's kind of wonder how the folks that are capitalizing on these breaches are using this information. And if this uptick and scams you know via text message and phone calls has anything to do with those.

You really don't need a ton of information. You need a startlingly sparse set of data points to be able to pull some financial shenanigans, to do things like credit stuffing, or to do things like you know, opening opening certain types of loans, or it's it's easier than it sounds to compromise someone's identity. And going back to our story, rock You twenty twenty four did not come out of the blue. Please check out this story, folks. It comes on the heels of things like the Rock You twenty twenty one compilation. Before just a few days ago, Rock You twenty twenty one was the largest single password breach collection in history. So whoever is doing this is not only keeping up with their previous iterations, but they're escalating. They're getting better. And no matter how secure we may feel we are, no matter how much security hygiene we practice, now is the time to go in and change your passwords. One thing that might be concerned that I don't see a ton of confirmation or conversation about here, even in some software forums, is the idea of compromising campaign databases, right, because those calls escalate really quickly around election season, and you know, election season here in the US is basically lobsterfest. It never ends, it's always going on. So that is to your point, that's a almost at a great resource. That is a very powerful resource for bad faith actors because they can scoop up some information about you, cross ref to a couple of other databases, and then boom, you get a very specific text that does seem like it could be legit because they know your name, they know where you live, they might have known some things you were doing earlier. It's ethics aside. It's it's a pretty brilliant operation. At this point. It can be a little disturbing for people because all the advice you're getting from the experts and from the armchair folks alike is just turn on you know, MFA multi factor authentication, reset all your passwords, you know, even if you think they haven't been associated with this leak. But again, ten billion more passwords than there are people on the planet, so the odds of you getting hit are very much much and zero yeah, it's just someone you know getting hit or or I wouldn't even say hit compromised in this leak. Are virtually certain it's probably one of us recording this evening or one of us listening to the show tonight.

You really don't need a ton of information. You need a startlingly sparse set of data points to be able to pull some financial shenanigans, to do things like credit stuffing, or to do things like you know, opening opening certain types of loans, or it's it's easier than it sounds to compromise someone's identity. And going back to our story, rock You twenty twenty four did not come out of the blue. Please check out this story, folks. It comes on the heels of things like the Rock You twenty twenty one compilation. Before just a few days ago, Rock You twenty twenty one was the largest single password breach collection in history. So whoever is doing this is not only keeping up with their previous iterations, but they're escalating. They're getting better. And no matter how secure we may feel we are, no matter how much security hygiene we practice, now is the time to go in and change your passwords. One thing that might be concerned that I don't see a ton of confirmation or conversation about here, even in some software forums, is the idea of compromising campaign databases, right, because those calls escalate really quickly around election season, and you know, election season here in the US is basically lobsterfest. It never ends, it's always going on. So that is to your point, that's a almost at a great resource. That is a very powerful resource for bad faith actors because they can scoop up some information about you, cross ref to a couple of other databases, and then boom, you get a very specific text that does seem like it could be legit because they know your name, they know where you live, they might have known some things you were doing earlier. It's ethics aside. It's it's a pretty brilliant operation. At this point. It can be a little disturbing for people because all the advice you're getting from the experts and from the armchair folks alike is just turn on you know, MFA multi factor authentication, reset all your passwords, you know, even if you think they haven't been associated with this leak. But again, ten billion more passwords than there are people on the planet, so the odds of you getting hit are very much much and zero yeah, it's just someone you know getting hit or or I wouldn't even say hit compromised in this leak. Are virtually certain it's probably one of us recording this evening or one of us listening to the show tonight.

I got my LifeLock alerts specifically when this gut released.

I got my LifeLock alerts specifically when this gut released.

Oh yeah, you still have the LifeLock mm hm. Back around to the phone number thing too.

Oh yeah, you still have the LifeLock mm hm. Back around to the phone number thing too.

I've been using What's App for a while, which is tied to a phone number, and I hadn't logged onto it for a while. But then a friend of mine was saying, like, oh, I'm kind of trying to move all my text communications to WhatsApp because he uses an Android and as we know, there's some weird exclusionary stuff that involves, you know, the way Apple treats Android users, and it really is kind of obnoxious. So I totally get it, and I was fully game, and I went to log into my WhatsApp and I got a notification saying my account had been suspended due to suspicious activity. But I hadn't used it in months and months and months, and I very quickly just fill out a little form and said, I don't know what this is about I have no idea what could have happened. YadA, YadA, YadA, and they reinstated it very quickly. But I know there are lots of WhatsApp scams, and I have to believe that somebody fished my account, use my phone number and tried to use it to run some scams when I wasn't logged in because it was a dormant account.

I've been using What's App for a while, which is tied to a phone number, and I hadn't logged onto it for a while. But then a friend of mine was saying, like, oh, I'm kind of trying to move all my text communications to WhatsApp because he uses an Android and as we know, there's some weird exclusionary stuff that involves, you know, the way Apple treats Android users, and it really is kind of obnoxious. So I totally get it, and I was fully game, and I went to log into my WhatsApp and I got a notification saying my account had been suspended due to suspicious activity. But I hadn't used it in months and months and months, and I very quickly just fill out a little form and said, I don't know what this is about I have no idea what could have happened. YadA, YadA, YadA, and they reinstated it very quickly. But I know there are lots of WhatsApp scams, and I have to believe that somebody fished my account, use my phone number and tried to use it to run some scams when I wasn't logged in because it was a dormant account.

Yeah, dormant accounts. The empty parking spaces right are already pretty cozy for bad faith actors. If you were one of the many, many people who has a Facebook account that you never bother to use, then you probably want to check in on that bad boy too, because those can very easily be spoofed. I mean, it happens with what celebrities or public figures on Instagram all the time. They get spoofed. It's a good thing to keep an eye out for. And really the purpose of this story it's too recent for us to have a ton of fallout for this or to know what the actionable consequences will be. But it's more a clarion call. You know, it's a true it's a true thing, and it might feel boring to change passwords, but it's way cooler to be a bord for a moment than to have thousands of dollars stolen from you.

Yeah, dormant accounts. The empty parking spaces right are already pretty cozy for bad faith actors. If you were one of the many, many people who has a Facebook account that you never bother to use, then you probably want to check in on that bad boy too, because those can very easily be spoofed. I mean, it happens with what celebrities or public figures on Instagram all the time. They get spoofed. It's a good thing to keep an eye out for. And really the purpose of this story it's too recent for us to have a ton of fallout for this or to know what the actionable consequences will be. But it's more a clarion call. You know, it's a true it's a true thing, and it might feel boring to change passwords, but it's way cooler to be a bord for a moment than to have thousands of dollars stolen from you.

And do you have a question though, like, it's at a certain point if everyone in the world's passwords have been leaked and literally like everyone is compromised, are there no protections in place? Like if everyone's being scammed? Like, isn't there is there like a ceiling for this stuff. It just seems outrageous for it to be that huge, that that maximalist of a leak, for it for you to be able to target like everybody. But I guess you know, once you get the information, then you weed through it and figure out who's the most vulnerable and who's like the weakest in the herd technologically speaking, right.

And do you have a question though, like, it's at a certain point if everyone in the world's passwords have been leaked and literally like everyone is compromised, are there no protections in place? Like if everyone's being scammed? Like, isn't there is there like a ceiling for this stuff. It just seems outrageous for it to be that huge, that that maximalist of a leak, for it for you to be able to target like everybody. But I guess you know, once you get the information, then you weed through it and figure out who's the most vulnerable and who's like the weakest in the herd technologically speaking, right.

Right, or who is the most high value target?

Right, or who is the most high value target?

So yeah, yeah, that's a good point.

So yeah, yeah, that's a good point.

So this this brings us to another thing is there's a cricket industry game going on here too, because if you are someone who wants to remove privacy from the Internet or someone who wants to remove anonymity, this is a great argument to do so, such that the ultimate password in the scenario you're describing their noel would be biometric data even onto retinal scans or fingerprints will work anymore DNA stuff like that. It's enough to make you think, and I know we've got to keep this one short. It's enough to make you think maybe maybe society overall, the way we're doing it is kind of overrated. Maybe we should just retire to that new Taco Bell retirement home.

So this this brings us to another thing is there's a cricket industry game going on here too, because if you are someone who wants to remove privacy from the Internet or someone who wants to remove anonymity, this is a great argument to do so, such that the ultimate password in the scenario you're describing their noel would be biometric data even onto retinal scans or fingerprints will work anymore DNA stuff like that. It's enough to make you think, and I know we've got to keep this one short. It's enough to make you think maybe maybe society overall, the way we're doing it is kind of overrated. Maybe we should just retire to that new Taco Bell retirement home.

Can you tell me more about this mean?

Can you tell me more about this mean?

What does this mean?

What does this mean?

Is it like the Taco Bell cantina where they serve margarita's but they also have like beds?

Is it like the Taco Bell cantina where they serve margarita's but they also have like beds?

Like what is the Taco Bell retirement though?

Like what is the Taco Bell retirement though?

Is it for people who are too far gone and just enjoy Taco Bell for the rest of your life while you got it kind of thing.

Is it for people who are too far gone and just enjoy Taco Bell for the rest of your life while you got it kind of thing.

It's similar to uh so I was talking with the Daily Zeyitegeist guys about this.

It's similar to uh so I was talking with the Daily Zeyitegeist guys about this.

Well back, It's.

Well back, It's.

Similar to other come up branded retirement homes like the Disney ones.

Similar to other come up branded retirement homes like the Disney ones.

Really confusing.

Really confusing.

But if you would like to call off the rat race and live a life of case Ada fueled luxury, then look no further than that cantinas, where, according to Taco Bell, everyone can live like a retiree. As comes from Fox eleven out of La Shout Out to you guys. They say, this is a quote luxurious experience that will offer senior inspired recreation and cross generational activities. Early morning golf, tea times, afternoon aerobics, pickleball matches, and it's let's see, it is reserved for Taco Bell Rewards members. So you got you already have to be kind of Taco Bell premium, you know, the one percent of Taco Bell. I don't know how tough it is to join the Rewards club.

But if you would like to call off the rat race and live a life of case Ada fueled luxury, then look no further than that cantinas, where, according to Taco Bell, everyone can live like a retiree. As comes from Fox eleven out of La Shout Out to you guys. They say, this is a quote luxurious experience that will offer senior inspired recreation and cross generational activities. Early morning golf, tea times, afternoon aerobics, pickleball matches, and it's let's see, it is reserved for Taco Bell Rewards members. So you got you already have to be kind of Taco Bell premium, you know, the one percent of Taco Bell. I don't know how tough it is to join the Rewards club.

There.

There.

You can get a day pass if you're not ready to jump all the way in, and it starts in just six days. They start selling access to the cantinas. As we record now it's July tenth. So if you are like millions of Americans I'm sure, just champion at the bit to live your Taco Bell life, then get thee to a Taco Bell on July sixteenth, or download their app and just make sure you know you get a good password. We're going to pause for a word from our sponsors, and we'll be back with more strange news.

You can get a day pass if you're not ready to jump all the way in, and it starts in just six days. They start selling access to the cantinas. As we record now it's July tenth. So if you are like millions of Americans I'm sure, just champion at the bit to live your Taco Bell life, then get thee to a Taco Bell on July sixteenth, or download their app and just make sure you know you get a good password. We're going to pause for a word from our sponsors, and we'll be back with more strange news.

And we're back with more strange news.

And we're back with more strange news.

Gonna do two sort of teching news stories out of the Asian continent. One is sort of absurd, and one is both absurd and a little bit sad and potentially portentous of things to come when it comes to our robot friends and potential overlords. But first, there was recently a gubernatorial election in Tokyo. The results of that have determined Eureko Kowiki one amidst a crazy cavalcade of opposition, And that's sort of where the story comes from in Tokyo. Been, I know that you've spent some time over there, and you may have been there at some point during election season, but a big part of the election cycle in Tokyo are these like physical ad spaces that are sort of temporarily put up during elections that are like little squares that are kind of like these grids of squares. They are billboards on the ground that are put up, and you can rent these squares for something like one hundred and twenty five dollars a day.

Gonna do two sort of teching news stories out of the Asian continent. One is sort of absurd, and one is both absurd and a little bit sad and potentially portentous of things to come when it comes to our robot friends and potential overlords. But first, there was recently a gubernatorial election in Tokyo. The results of that have determined Eureko Kowiki one amidst a crazy cavalcade of opposition, And that's sort of where the story comes from in Tokyo. Been, I know that you've spent some time over there, and you may have been there at some point during election season, but a big part of the election cycle in Tokyo are these like physical ad spaces that are sort of temporarily put up during elections that are like little squares that are kind of like these grids of squares. They are billboards on the ground that are put up, and you can rent these squares for something like one hundred and twenty five dollars a day.

And because of this new sort of.

And because of this new sort of.

Conservative group that has been running aggressively in the city, they apparently rented out a ton of these And I don't know if they're just trying to create subterfuge or create a situation where it's like a distraction or spoken mirrors from the Real series candidates to kind of you know, throw a wrench in the works, basically would rent them out to anyone who would pay them for their pre rent spaces, and that has resulted or had resulted in some pretty wacky and outrageous little political ads, including ads for like pornographic material sex shops. There was even an AI mayor candidate, and this was of course a gobernatorial race running on a platform of using artificial intelligence to run the government.

Conservative group that has been running aggressively in the city, they apparently rented out a ton of these And I don't know if they're just trying to create subterfuge or create a situation where it's like a distraction or spoken mirrors from the Real series candidates to kind of you know, throw a wrench in the works, basically would rent them out to anyone who would pay them for their pre rent spaces, and that has resulted or had resulted in some pretty wacky and outrageous little political ads, including ads for like pornographic material sex shops. There was even an AI mayor candidate, and this was of course a gobernatorial race running on a platform of using artificial intelligence to run the government.

A guy running on a golf platform.

A guy running on a golf platform.

Where he apparently a big part of and this is also there are videos associated with these, not in the squares but online, and in the little clip or in the little square, he's kind of showing him practicing his golf swing, and you know, pictures of pets, pictures of kickboxers, you know, all kinds of you know, lurid poses. And the thing is, in Japan, the law has been that anybody running for office can pretty much say anything they want as long as it's not inherently libelists or slanderous, or as long as they're not supporting another candidate, which is interesting, but I guess makes sense that we would maybe like put it exactly like that over here, because the implication you wouldn't really be running if you were going to be supporting another candidate unless you lose, you know, a potential bid for a nomination, then you, you know, put your support behind a certain candidate, you endorse them or whatever. But this new hiccup has been specifically caused by this political party that has been renting out these spaces kind of creating a bit of a bizarro kind of show that a lot of citizens of Tokyo have commented they find distasteful. It's a little bit embarrassing, you know, it doesn't really cast their city in a particularly flattering light. So I don't know if you guys have any thoughts about that or as it relates to our political process over here.

Where he apparently a big part of and this is also there are videos associated with these, not in the squares but online, and in the little clip or in the little square, he's kind of showing him practicing his golf swing, and you know, pictures of pets, pictures of kickboxers, you know, all kinds of you know, lurid poses. And the thing is, in Japan, the law has been that anybody running for office can pretty much say anything they want as long as it's not inherently libelists or slanderous, or as long as they're not supporting another candidate, which is interesting, but I guess makes sense that we would maybe like put it exactly like that over here, because the implication you wouldn't really be running if you were going to be supporting another candidate unless you lose, you know, a potential bid for a nomination, then you, you know, put your support behind a certain candidate, you endorse them or whatever. But this new hiccup has been specifically caused by this political party that has been renting out these spaces kind of creating a bit of a bizarro kind of show that a lot of citizens of Tokyo have commented they find distasteful. It's a little bit embarrassing, you know, it doesn't really cast their city in a particularly flattering light. So I don't know if you guys have any thoughts about that or as it relates to our political process over here.

Is hit worse? Is it better? I mean, it.

Is hit worse? Is it better? I mean, it.

Almost seems a little bit lighthearted and lower stakes than what we're seeing over here in terms of some of the gnarly kind of hate.

Almost seems a little bit lighthearted and lower stakes than what we're seeing over here in terms of some of the gnarly kind of hate.

Filled, baiting kind of cam pains.

Filled, baiting kind of cam pains.

That we see in political ads, not to mention with Citizens United and the ability of corporations to give unlimitedly, you know, to these types of campaigns.

That we see in political ads, not to mention with Citizens United and the ability of corporations to give unlimitedly, you know, to these types of campaigns.

Yeah, I see what you're saying.

Yeah, I see what you're saying.

Yeah, the Shenanigans are kind of evenly distributed around the world, for better or worse. And this is fascinating to me because Tokyo has such a huge impact on the rest of Japan right the world. Yeah, yeah, very much, and culturally as well. And there are still, you know, they're definitely far right forces in Japan. There are some active extremists in Hokkaido. Okinawa is going through some turbulent times right now because yet again US service members were committing some pretty heinous sex crimes and assaults. This the idea what you're saying, like the lightheartedness of this particular instance, I would agree with that. It is if anything, it is kind of embarrassing to the residents of Tokyo. And you see those those quotes from various you know, person on the street interviews with different media outlets. There was one I saw in uh infox by my Yumi noteap there was an office worker in Tokyo and just said, uh, mainly message that they feel this is embarrassing when outsiders, non Japanese visitors see what's happening and said quote, I see many foreign visitors passed by these billboards and they must wonder what's going on. As a voter, I think it's outrageous and disrespectful to the other candidates we're seriously competing. But you know, we get that in the UK, we get that in the US. Somebody runs as like, quote unquote a joke candidate. I love Buckethead. Remember Buckethead?

Yeah, the Shenanigans are kind of evenly distributed around the world, for better or worse. And this is fascinating to me because Tokyo has such a huge impact on the rest of Japan right the world. Yeah, yeah, very much, and culturally as well. And there are still, you know, they're definitely far right forces in Japan. There are some active extremists in Hokkaido. Okinawa is going through some turbulent times right now because yet again US service members were committing some pretty heinous sex crimes and assaults. This the idea what you're saying, like the lightheartedness of this particular instance, I would agree with that. It is if anything, it is kind of embarrassing to the residents of Tokyo. And you see those those quotes from various you know, person on the street interviews with different media outlets. There was one I saw in uh infox by my Yumi noteap there was an office worker in Tokyo and just said, uh, mainly message that they feel this is embarrassing when outsiders, non Japanese visitors see what's happening and said quote, I see many foreign visitors passed by these billboards and they must wonder what's going on. As a voter, I think it's outrageous and disrespectful to the other candidates we're seriously competing. But you know, we get that in the UK, we get that in the US. Somebody runs as like, quote unquote a joke candidate. I love Buckethead. Remember Buckethead?

Of course, yeah, you can shred too. Are you talking about the same guy? The bucket had the plays of the guitar. Maybe I'm not just trying to replace slash that's right, as in fact go by Buckehead as well.

Of course, yeah, you can shred too. Are you talking about the same guy? The bucket had the plays of the guitar. Maybe I'm not just trying to replace slash that's right, as in fact go by Buckehead as well.

I could see the confusion there.

I could see the confusion there.

But yeah, apparently this emerging Conservative Party is what the AP describes them as. And I've dug a little deeper and a lot of things that are, you know, in Japanese and I haven't really I don't know exactly what the name of the of the party is. But they apparently were even encouraging folks who weren't candidates to rent these spaces, and a lot of it ended up just being like vying for attention. And the leader of this Conservative Party, a guy with the name of Takashi Tachibana, said we have to be whackyer.

But yeah, apparently this emerging Conservative Party is what the AP describes them as. And I've dug a little deeper and a lot of things that are, you know, in Japanese and I haven't really I don't know exactly what the name of the of the party is. But they apparently were even encouraging folks who weren't candidates to rent these spaces, and a lot of it ended up just being like vying for attention. And the leader of this Conservative Party, a guy with the name of Takashi Tachibana, said we have to be whackyer.

We don't get media attention.

We don't get media attention.

And the AP also spoke to a professor at Nihan University by the name of Ryosuke Nishida, who is a political experts and media specialist, and said the point is to make it moral and outrageous actions. The reason why some people find these performances amusing is because they think their objections are not taken into consideration by politicians and existing parties or reflected in their politics. And I did see a YouTube video of an American. I believe he didn't have an accent. He seemed like an American living in Tokyo, seems to have been living there for.

And the AP also spoke to a professor at Nihan University by the name of Ryosuke Nishida, who is a political experts and media specialist, and said the point is to make it moral and outrageous actions. The reason why some people find these performances amusing is because they think their objections are not taken into consideration by politicians and existing parties or reflected in their politics. And I did see a YouTube video of an American. I believe he didn't have an accent. He seemed like an American living in Tokyo, seems to have been living there for.

A long time.

A long time.

And he did point out that, you know, much like over here in other parts of the world, there is a perception of significant corruption in Japanese politics. So this is almost the thumbing of the nose at the system that many perceive as being broken.

And he did point out that, you know, much like over here in other parts of the world, there is a perception of significant corruption in Japanese politics. So this is almost the thumbing of the nose at the system that many perceive as being broken.

Yeah, but just to be clear, these billboards are meant to show the actual candidates they could vote for, that's right, and they are being just changed in these weird ways, misused, misused, But ultimately there is this the only way people learn about candidates or is this just like traditionally.

Yeah, but just to be clear, these billboards are meant to show the actual candidates they could vote for, that's right, and they are being just changed in these weird ways, misused, misused, But ultimately there is this the only way people learn about candidates or is this just like traditionally.

It's a popular way and again, Ben, I would defer to you with your time there. But it is a cultural thing, these squares, these grids of squares that are put up seasonally. It is something that people have come to expect because I believe online campaigning wasn't even really much of a thing until relatively recently because of some laws.

It's a popular way and again, Ben, I would defer to you with your time there. But it is a cultural thing, these squares, these grids of squares that are put up seasonally. It is something that people have come to expect because I believe online campaigning wasn't even really much of a thing until relatively recently because of some laws.

Yeah, Japan, as anybody who's been there or spend time there knows, Japan is far far into the future in some things like toilet technology and frankly food, but also seems to weirdly lag behind in some innovations right like fax machines are still very common, just because that is the normalized, expected way to do things. And so to the question about the paths of or the opportunities to learn more about a candidate as a voter in Tokyo or Japan, surely there are write in listeners let us know conspiracy, iHeartRadio dot com. Surely there are people who are maybe less tech savvy, or maybe they're older people, and they've just associated this platform in particular as their way to get a quick summation of the can you know, And people just like over here typically are going to vote with the party they already identified with in previous elections. It's kind of rare for folks to break ranks due to the tribalism, so I would say it's important there are other ways to learn about it, right and with you can just see how many candidates are in these kind of races, so they're not just racing for public approval, they're also fighting tooth and nail to get any sort of media coverage, and past a certain point, it's like the old Hollywood rule, does bad or good coverage matter? That Matt much is the main thing just getting your name and your face out there.

Yeah, Japan, as anybody who's been there or spend time there knows, Japan is far far into the future in some things like toilet technology and frankly food, but also seems to weirdly lag behind in some innovations right like fax machines are still very common, just because that is the normalized, expected way to do things. And so to the question about the paths of or the opportunities to learn more about a candidate as a voter in Tokyo or Japan, surely there are write in listeners let us know conspiracy, iHeartRadio dot com. Surely there are people who are maybe less tech savvy, or maybe they're older people, and they've just associated this platform in particular as their way to get a quick summation of the can you know, And people just like over here typically are going to vote with the party they already identified with in previous elections. It's kind of rare for folks to break ranks due to the tribalism, so I would say it's important there are other ways to learn about it, right and with you can just see how many candidates are in these kind of races, so they're not just racing for public approval, they're also fighting tooth and nail to get any sort of media coverage, and past a certain point, it's like the old Hollywood rule, does bad or good coverage matter? That Matt much is the main thing just getting your name and your face out there.

I think that's absolutely right.

I think that's absolutely right.

And apparently like some of these entire billboards, of which there are tens of thousands, by the way, throughout the city of Tokyo, where they'll rent the same same square. You know, it'll be the same ad in an entire grid of by the way, forty eight squares in these. And it's sort of like if you go to New York, where there'll be walls around construction sites where it is legal to post bills, and then there's the ones that say post no bills. This is kind of like that, like it's sort of built into the urban landscape. Of the city, and apparently all of this is perfectly legal because of that lag that Ben's talking about, which I do find interesting. Japan does seem to be a play a country of conundrums, of sort of you know, what's the word I'm looking for, like contradictions, right like where it's like, you know, yes, they are so ahead of the curve on so many things, but there are some things like this that just don't quite catch up to the times, and there are people out there seemingly exploiting them.

And apparently like some of these entire billboards, of which there are tens of thousands, by the way, throughout the city of Tokyo, where they'll rent the same same square. You know, it'll be the same ad in an entire grid of by the way, forty eight squares in these. And it's sort of like if you go to New York, where there'll be walls around construction sites where it is legal to post bills, and then there's the ones that say post no bills. This is kind of like that, like it's sort of built into the urban landscape. Of the city, and apparently all of this is perfectly legal because of that lag that Ben's talking about, which I do find interesting. Japan does seem to be a play a country of conundrums, of sort of you know, what's the word I'm looking for, like contradictions, right like where it's like, you know, yes, they are so ahead of the curve on so many things, but there are some things like this that just don't quite catch up to the times, and there are people out there seemingly exploiting them.

And to be fair, you know, this country's not not some kind of paragon of perfection, which is a redundant phrase. Like everything we just said about Japan can in some ways be applied to the US right very far ahead in some things and cartoonishly behind in some others. And it just depends on where you live and what gets normalized.

And to be fair, you know, this country's not not some kind of paragon of perfection, which is a redundant phrase. Like everything we just said about Japan can in some ways be applied to the US right very far ahead in some things and cartoonishly behind in some others. And it just depends on where you live and what gets normalized.

Well, speaking of what gets normalized, And I think we can give this quick. I actually didn't think that this one was going to generate quite as more much conversation as it did, but I'm glad it did.

Well, speaking of what gets normalized, And I think we can give this quick. I actually didn't think that this one was going to generate quite as more much conversation as it did, but I'm glad it did.

I think these were all really valid and interesting points.

I think these were all really valid and interesting points.

Apparently, South Korea has for some time had the densest robot population in the entire world, and.

Apparently, South Korea has for some time had the densest robot population in the entire world, and.

That is something that I was unaware of.

That is something that I was unaware of.

You if you're lucky enough to be anywhere near Buford Highway here in Atlanta, where there's some amazing cuisine and some restaurants that you might not find in places other than a Asia, you will notice that there are a lot of spots that have these serving robots that will bring.

You if you're lucky enough to be anywhere near Buford Highway here in Atlanta, where there's some amazing cuisine and some restaurants that you might not find in places other than a Asia, you will notice that there are a lot of spots that have these serving robots that will bring.

You your trays and bring you your drinks, etc.

You your trays and bring you your drinks, etc.

There's like a pretty popular rotating, revolving sushi restaurant called Kura I believe, and they have these little serving robots, and they are starting to become a little more popular. In cities like New York or Los Angeles, well you'll be walking around and see like a food delivery robot. But in South Korea they've been doing this for a very long time. And that also applies apparently to civil service, where there are robots that are helping with admin type tasks and sort of interacting with office workers. And in South Korea, in a place called Gome City, there has been what is being reported as the first robot suicide. And I have to just go ahead and caveat this upfront. I really do think this is quite hyperbolic and in many ways just sort of an entry into a conversation about what it means to be human and what it means to humanize robots, and what it means for artificial intelligence to simulate human emotions, because you know, people get bummed out, and isn't the idea of a robot that like, they're like all the good things about humans, but they're sort of impervious to some of the bad. But as we know with like things like chatbots becoming racist when you train them on the internet, they take all that stuff into and there is a question as to whether or not this robot was feeling overwhelmed and overworked like many of the probably other folks was working alongside so the robots worked for the Goomy City Council. Was found at the foot of a two meter long staircase, where, according to some reports, including one from tech report dot com, it threw itself down. I did sorry, I think describing the idea of a robot throwing itself dead so dramatic and really click paity and like good for a headline, but I don't know if I buy it. It was known as the Robot Supervisor, worked normal shift hours like everybody else, even had its own employee card and was very accustomed or programmed, I guess, to operate the elevators.

There's like a pretty popular rotating, revolving sushi restaurant called Kura I believe, and they have these little serving robots, and they are starting to become a little more popular. In cities like New York or Los Angeles, well you'll be walking around and see like a food delivery robot. But in South Korea they've been doing this for a very long time. And that also applies apparently to civil service, where there are robots that are helping with admin type tasks and sort of interacting with office workers. And in South Korea, in a place called Gome City, there has been what is being reported as the first robot suicide. And I have to just go ahead and caveat this upfront. I really do think this is quite hyperbolic and in many ways just sort of an entry into a conversation about what it means to be human and what it means to humanize robots, and what it means for artificial intelligence to simulate human emotions, because you know, people get bummed out, and isn't the idea of a robot that like, they're like all the good things about humans, but they're sort of impervious to some of the bad. But as we know with like things like chatbots becoming racist when you train them on the internet, they take all that stuff into and there is a question as to whether or not this robot was feeling overwhelmed and overworked like many of the probably other folks was working alongside so the robots worked for the Goomy City Council. Was found at the foot of a two meter long staircase, where, according to some reports, including one from tech report dot com, it threw itself down. I did sorry, I think describing the idea of a robot throwing itself dead so dramatic and really click paity and like good for a headline, but I don't know if I buy it. It was known as the Robot Supervisor, worked normal shift hours like everybody else, even had its own employee card and was very accustomed or programmed, I guess, to operate the elevators.

And that's true.

And that's true.

I think we've all been traveling together and maybe seen these in hotels occasionally where they do get off the elevator. They use the elevator, they've got something where they can either extend like an R two D two little finger and poke the button or whatever. But they do get on and on elevators. And according to this Tech Report article by Chrishy Chowdry, the reason for the suicide is not yet been determined, but the broken pieces have been taken away.

I think we've all been traveling together and maybe seen these in hotels occasionally where they do get off the elevator. They use the elevator, they've got something where they can either extend like an R two D two little finger and poke the button or whatever. But they do get on and on elevators. And according to this Tech Report article by Chrishy Chowdry, the reason for the suicide is not yet been determined, but the broken pieces have been taken away.

In order to help determine the cause.

In order to help determine the cause.

So it's weird though, because it's not exactly a crime scene, I mean, but it does seem, you know, the anthropomorphization of robots really comes into play, especially in the way it's being described. And that's really the gist of it, guys. It was manufactured by a company out of California called Bear Robotics, and it began its work back in twenty twenty three. And all this writing about the robot's suicide I think is really overblown, borderline I responsible in some ways.

So it's weird though, because it's not exactly a crime scene, I mean, but it does seem, you know, the anthropomorphization of robots really comes into play, especially in the way it's being described. And that's really the gist of it, guys. It was manufactured by a company out of California called Bear Robotics, and it began its work back in twenty twenty three. And all this writing about the robot's suicide I think is really overblown, borderline I responsible in some ways.

I don't know.

I don't know.

Maybe that's me being a little too alarmist about it, but what do you guys think. I know we're near in the end of the segment, but I just want to quick I think this is worth a quick chat and then maybe bring it back up for another episode, maybe on robot servants, you know, or on the anthromorphization of technology.

Maybe that's me being a little too alarmist about it, but what do you guys think. I know we're near in the end of the segment, but I just want to quick I think this is worth a quick chat and then maybe bring it back up for another episode, maybe on robot servants, you know, or on the anthromorphization of technology.

To me, it sounds like we need to get some robot doors, kind of like doggy doors, you know, or like the little fences that you'll put up on a staircase. She install one of those, or a bunch of those, like.

To me, it sounds like we need to get some robot doors, kind of like doggy doors, you know, or like the little fences that you'll put up on a staircase. She install one of those, or a bunch of those, like.

Those those curve fences they put on bridges to keep humans from throwing themselves off.

Those those curve fences they put on bridges to keep humans from throwing themselves off.

No, no, I'm joking. I know, I'm totally joking.

No, no, I'm joking. I know, I'm totally joking.

Look, I don't know anything about this manufacturer, this specific robot, but it feels to me like it was some kind of error, right it wastant spinning in a circle, then went off the thing.

Look, I don't know anything about this manufacturer, this specific robot, but it feels to me like it was some kind of error, right it wastant spinning in a circle, then went off the thing.

So the deepend Matt the deep end enough.

So the deepend Matt the deep end enough.

I just finished this game with my son called Stray on PlayStation. This game about a cat in a city full of robots, and it's very very cool. I would recommend everybody plays it, but just this way we apply our thinking.

I just finished this game with my son called Stray on PlayStation. This game about a cat in a city full of robots, and it's very very cool. I would recommend everybody plays it, but just this way we apply our thinking.

To the robots.

To the robots.

I think that's you're right on that that's what's happening here.

I think that's you're right on that that's what's happening here.

Any last thoughts from you, Ben before we move on.

Any last thoughts from you, Ben before we move on.

Yeah, but I'll save them for an episode with robot servants. You know, like you said, they're quite prevalent in the more develop parts of Asia. I've had some very weird run ins, the kind of things that leave you a little paranoid. But I'm sure everything's fine.

Yeah, but I'll save them for an episode with robot servants. You know, like you said, they're quite prevalent in the more develop parts of Asia. I've had some very weird run ins, the kind of things that leave you a little paranoid. But I'm sure everything's fine.

Probably so and again I joke that, you know, our robot servants slash overlords. But it is the thing that we're like trying to train these things to be as human as possible without the inconvenient parts of being human. A big conversation around AI is that there comes a point where there's this this sort of I don't know, critical mass point where you can't filter out the things that you're you're training it with human stuff. It's gonna get the human parts as well, and then eventually it might just take over and start writing its code itself.

Probably so and again I joke that, you know, our robot servants slash overlords. But it is the thing that we're like trying to train these things to be as human as possible without the inconvenient parts of being human. A big conversation around AI is that there comes a point where there's this this sort of I don't know, critical mass point where you can't filter out the things that you're you're training it with human stuff. It's gonna get the human parts as well, and then eventually it might just take over and start writing its code itself.

But I don't know.

But I don't know.

I'm glad that you're into that idea, Ben, I think that'll be really really cool to talk about big picture, what does the future of robot assistance, AI assistance, all of that stuff I think could be bundled into a great episode.

I'm glad that you're into that idea, Ben, I think that'll be really really cool to talk about big picture, what does the future of robot assistance, AI assistance, all of that stuff I think could be bundled into a great episode.

Well, let's take a quick pause.

Well, let's take a quick pause.

Here, here a word from our robot overlord, our sponsors, and then we'll be right back with another piece of strange news.

Here, here a word from our robot overlord, our sponsors, and then we'll be right back with another piece of strange news.

And we've returned. Guys, how much do we all love driving? We're big driving enthusiasts, right.

And we've returned. Guys, how much do we all love driving? We're big driving enthusiasts, right.

Don't love it on the regular in traffic and just for like functional and purposes. But out on an open road type situation, I had rented kind of a souped up, cooler.

Don't love it on the regular in traffic and just for like functional and purposes. But out on an open road type situation, I had rented kind of a souped up, cooler.

Car than I normally possess. That was awesome.

Car than I normally possess. That was awesome.

I live for that, but like, yeah, in Atlanta driving kind of sucks because of you know, the traffic, and a lot of it.

I live for that, but like, yeah, in Atlanta driving kind of sucks because of you know, the traffic, and a lot of it.

Isn't driving at all, it's just sitting there.

Isn't driving at all, it's just sitting there.

I love it for a number of personal reasons related to, of course, one of the first shows I did with this network car stuff, but also depending on the kind of situations you're in, it's a it can be a much more dependable way to transport yourself or things as opposed to cargo ship or as opposed to flight, you know, because getting caught without wheels when you're at the mercy of a rental place or an airport and inclement weather. It's never an ideal situation. So for many, many reasons, I think there's a poetry to the open road and the idea of vehicles here in the US. Obviously it's not great that the majority of people living here are forced to depend upon those vehicles. But they're just cool. They're just so cool, man.

I love it for a number of personal reasons related to, of course, one of the first shows I did with this network car stuff, but also depending on the kind of situations you're in, it's a it can be a much more dependable way to transport yourself or things as opposed to cargo ship or as opposed to flight, you know, because getting caught without wheels when you're at the mercy of a rental place or an airport and inclement weather. It's never an ideal situation. So for many, many reasons, I think there's a poetry to the open road and the idea of vehicles here in the US. Obviously it's not great that the majority of people living here are forced to depend upon those vehicles. But they're just cool. They're just so cool, man.

Yeah, cars are the best. Driving is one of my favorite things to do on the planet. And you know, as you're saying, especially if you're at the mercy of you know, public transportation, no matter how good it is, right, no matter what state you live in, what country you live in, using public transit, you're using somebody else's schedule, right, you are hoping everything is going to work functionally. With a car, if it's yours and you're driving it, you get to get wherever you're going basically as fast as you want to get there or can get there, And you get to choose your own destiny. Right, you can decide to go somewhere else if you want to. There's a great freedom of a personal vehicle like a car, truck, or an suv, even a motorcycle, any of that stuff. Well, some of that personal freedom that car vehicles represent is getting taken away guys in the EU, in the European Union as well as in Northern Ireland at least to some extent, and we're about to talk about it. As of July seventh, that is the Sunday before we are recording this on July tenth, all new vehicles, all new cars sold in the European Union and Northern Ireland must have quote a range of technical safety features fitted as standard, including an intelligent speed assistance which is also known as a speed limitter. Now what does that mean a lot of newer vehicles, including the camera I'm currently driving it, which is a twenty twenty one model, they have things on them that will alert you that you are potentially probably going over the posted speed limit on a road. How does it do that? Well, in the vehicle I'm driving, there is a little speed limit sign that shows up on your heads up display in the or it's not really heads up display, it's on your dashboard, but it shows you what the posted speed limit is on that road, right next to how fast you're going on your spinometer. And in my vehicle at least it just lets you know, with a color coding if you're going green like under the speed limit, yellow right at that speed limit, or red you're above the speed limit, buddy, And that's all my vehicle does. It just lets me know that I am doing this.