5 chapters across the catalog
A listener shares how the Netflix algorithm defaults to Japanese audio based on their viewing habits, leading to a discussion on how streaming services profile users. The hosts critique the practice of changing movie cover art to feature minority characters based on the perceived race of the viewer. They argue that these "insulting" assumptions are driven by data purchased from credit card companies and search histories.
Local news reports from the Mondrian South Beach Hotel show redacted body camera footage where audio and video were cut for "privacy reasons." The footage depicts a messy room with drugs and pills scattered about, yet Gillum was allowed to leave without arrest. The hosts question who had the political power to silence the police recordings and protect the identities of the other individuals present.
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.
Medical ethicist Arthur Kaplan predicts that vaccine passports will be mandatory for airlines, hotels, and gyms by late 2021. The hosts identify "Big Tech" (IBM, Microsoft, Amazon) as the "Antichrist" facilitating this system, which will eventually lead to subcutaneous chips for convenience. They warn that the "Excelsior Pass" in New York is just the beginning of a global "freedom paper" system.
The hosts compare the current pandemic response to the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, suggesting this event will permanently reshape societal norms regarding privacy and surveillance. Mention is made of Bill Gates advocating for digital receipts to prove vaccination status. The segment also touches on the "weaponization of humanity" through social pressure to wear face masks in cities like Austin.
