Episode 53

Date: December 22, 2025

Episode 53 Summary:

• Bud notes
• German family in Hawaii took pictures Maddow https://www.rachelmaddow.com/rachel-maddow-presents-ultra/
• Excerpt from stolen focus, it's going to consume the time of the users and waste a bunch of humanity's time https://www.wired.com/story/technology-unintended-consequences/
• BIG CONCERN schools are reading critically but not at length. JUST READ IT https://eric.ed.gov/?ff1=eduHigh+Schools&id=ED642060
• Undeployed essay on the past/future of education
• Hank Green Textile Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4dYGdjgsz8
• Bring back the blimp. Airship across the Atlantic, the A. S. Humanity. Bringing people together. Soaring higher than the clouds and almost as high as our dreams.
• Would you do your homework for your country? https://youtu.be/1cmCueTZz1A
• AI Summary
• In the podcast conversation, Bud and Mike delve into the recent acquisition of TikTok, elaborating on the implications and underlying concerns with nuanced insights. Bud begins by discussing the recent purchase of TikTok, mentioning Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX as the new partial owners, with ByteDance retaining some ownership. The conversation leads to questions about the national security implications of this ownership structure, particularly concerning data privacy and control. Mike argues that while the ownership changes, the core issues regarding data and its usage remain pertinent, highlighting concerns over TikTok's data collection practices and the potential misuse of personal information.
• The discussion transitions to the broader impact of algorithms and unregulated information flow, where Mike underscores how misinformation and propaganda can be significant concerns for national security and societal cohesion. He parses out the complexities of data use, touching on potential war scenarios where such information could be weaponized. Bud reciprocates by expressing skepticism about personal data usefulness to foreign powers, prompting Mike to provide concrete examples of how seemingly innocuous data could be strategically valuable.
• The dialogue further navigates the cultural implications of digital platforms like TikTok on cognitive development and academic standards. Bud laments society's drift towards consuming short-form videos, which he believes detrimentally alters brain function and diminishes academic rigor. Mike concurs, spotlighting a Seattle Times article showing a troubling trend of diminishing literary engagement in schools, thereby reducing students' ability to think critically and grasp complex narratives.
• As the discussion unfolds, Mike suggests potential solutions, advocating for increased academic excellence and vocational training paths similar to those in Germany. He emphasizes that fostering a system where education is more than rote memorization and evolves to critically engage students could counteract the effects of algorithm-driven content and short-form media consumption. Both Bud and Mike explore the idea of rewarding academic achievements differently, possibly through financial incentives, to motivate students to invest in their education and future.
• Finally, the podcast sparks a philosophical dialogue on the balance between regulation and free speech, especially concerning algorithms that drive social media platforms. Mike argues that while these platforms are private enterprises, there's a societal interest in ensuring that algorithms do not amplify harmful content. The conversation ends with a reflective consideration of how to tame these digital leviathans for the greater good, weighing the societal benefits of regulation against potential constraints on free expression.

Videos referenced:

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