7 chapters across the catalog
CEOs of major retail suppliers report unprecedented delays and cost increases in the global supply chain, with shipping container prices jumping from $2,000 to over $20,000. The hosts predict that the government and media will blame the "unvaccinated" for "breaking Christmas" if shelves are empty. They highlight that the logistics nightmare is a combination of labor shortages and increased consumer spending.
Amazon's new service that allows delivery drivers to place packages inside a customer's garage is discussed as a response to rising package theft. The hosts argue that when the government stops people from working and eating, an increase in crime and anarchy is inevitable. They suggest that these "convenience" services are actually measures to mitigate the chaos caused by failing social policies.
The Ring doorbell network, licensed to police departments nationwide, provides a continuous view of American streets, driven by consumer fear of package theft. The hosts also discuss how apps like Spotify mine user data and drain battery life through intensive background processing. They argue that this constant data mining is used not just for advertising, but to "shape" society by controlling what people watch, hear, and believe through algorithms.
The hosts conclude the second donation segment, thanking producers for their "X" (Malcolm X) donations and "magic number" contributions. They discuss Amazon's new "Helix" building in Virginia and its potential connection to the company's expansion into healthcare and DNA services. The segment reinforces the "Value for Value" model as the only way to keep the show independent and "uncancellable."
An exploration of how human bias is programmed into artificial intelligence, leading to "algorithmic bias." Examples cited include Nikon cameras failing to recognize Asian faces and Google Photos misidentifying Black people. Mo points out the irony of tech companies funding anti-racism museums while their own products exhibit technical flaws that are often labeled as systemic racism.
The hosts discuss the decision by tech giants to pause facial recognition sales to police, suggesting it was a practical move because masks made the technology useless. They argue that wearing masks psychologically emboldens people to commit crimes, comparing the atmosphere to the anonymity of Halloween.
As travel and hospitality industries suffer, other sectors like video conferencing (Zoom), gaming, and online grocery delivery (Amazon Fresh, Ocado) are seeing record growth. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin is cited regarding how the surge in household spending may partially offset losses in the airline and cruise sectors.
