TechGrumps 3.38 – The Bettification of everything

I bet you don’t know what we are complaining about. I bet you $20

Listen to your host Ryan Alexander with Ian Forrester, David Eastman, and Wendy Grossman.

Techgrumps 3.38

AI Roundup

Main attractions

• Prediction market is insanity!
  • https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/lawmakers-move-ban-surveillance-pricing-162758282.html
• Disappearing web 
  • https://www.theregister.com/2024/05/20/webpages_vanish_decade/
    https://www.techdirt.com/2026/02/17/preserving-the-web-is-not-the-problem-losing-it-is/
• Eternity Service
  • https://phrack.org/issues/51/12

AOB’s

 https://protocolsforpublishers.com/event-recap-london-2026/?ref=protocols-for-publishers-newsletter#stakeholder-forum

Fediverse share this link: https://connectedplaces.online/reports/fr156-share-where/

TechGrumps 3.37 – AI Discussions sandboxed for your security

Who watches the watchmen? Oh wait, no one does – we did that last week, This week we compare LLMs to god level Owls, expose ourselves at the Church of Moltbot and watch BBC turn Britain off one channel at a time.

https://archive.org/download/techgrumps-3.37-ai-discussions-sandboxed-for-your-security/Techgrumps%203.37%20-%20AI%20Discussions%20sandboxed%20for%20your%20security.mp3

Listen to your host Ryan Alexander with Ian Forrester, David ‘Andy’ Eastman, and Wendy Grossman.

Techgrumps 3.37

• The AI Skills Hub is a bit lightweight.
  • https://aiskillshub.org.uk/
• Anthropic has invested 1.5M in the Python Software Foundation
  • https://simonwillison.net/2026/Jan/13/anthropic-invests-15-million-in-the-python-software-foundation-a/
• ChatGPT launching advertising in chatGPT products:
  • https://simonwillison.net/2026/Jan/16/chatgpt-ads/
• the current actual costs in terms of electricity and water for LLM usage
  • https://www.simonpcouch.com/blog/2026-01-20-cc-impact/
• Voice cloning is now available to anyone with a GPU
  • https://simonwillison.net/2026/Jan/22/qwen3-tts/
• Clawdbot/Moltbot/OpenClaw
  • https://www.404media.co/exposed-moltbook-database-let-anyone-take-control-of-any-ai-agent-on-the-site/
• A related dramatic reading
  • https://wisebluesky.com/wisdom-story-the-owl-who-was-god/
• BBC’s plan to turn off Freeview TV?
  • https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/jan/28/the-bbc-proposal-to-switch-off-freeview-is-a-threat-to-its-universal-service
• AOB
  • Making the familiar strange podcast with Albert Fox Cain
    • https://redcircle.com/shows/95190f06-ba12-47ae-9267-4aaa656f4e93/ep/1697378b-2ff3-43db-9d22-4f2ddc330cd7
  • Feed in to the future of the BBC (Green paper)
    • https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz94q0v4kq2o
  • Are hearts are with Minneapolis and other parts of America
    • https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/bookselling/article/99561-minneapolis-booksellers-resisting-ice-go-viral-sales-spike.html

TechGrumps 3.36 Men are weird: The Return of the Glasshole

Who watches the watchmen? We don’t answer that type of dumb question in this podcast; we just wonder who is looking at your junk. And we look at why you may not want to stay on CSAM champion Elon Musk’s X platform.

Listen to your host Ryan Alexander with Ian Forrester, David ‘Andy’ Eastman, and Wendy Grossman.

Techgrumps 3.36

• Mozilla, Firefox and AI
  • https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/17/mozillas-new-ceo-says-ai-is-coming-to-firefox-but-will-remain-a-choice/
• The return of smart glasses and wearables
  • https://www.theverge.com/column/797938/optimizer-newsletter-wearable-hell-smart-glasses-smart-rings-ai-hardware
  • https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx23ke7rm7go
• Now at the “Get The F*** Off X/Twitter” stage
  • https://www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safety/illegal-and-harmful-content/ofcom-launches-investigation-into-x-over-grok-sexualised-imagery
• Paper about fake parts of real videos:
  • https://arxiv.org/pdf/2508.21052s
  • https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwygqqll9k2o
• Tony Blair wants to be a Tech Bro, building AI tools to rival Palantir
  • https://democracyforsale.substack.com/p/blair-bids-to-build-own-ai-tools-rival-palantir-tbi
• AOB
  • The AI summary in which a police officer turned into a frog (or in discussion of The Owl Who Was God)
    • https://futurism.com/artificial-intelligence/ai-police-report-frog
  • Making the familiar strange podcast
    • https://redcircle.com/shows/95190f06-ba12-47ae-9267-4aaa656f4e93
  • Feed in to the future of the BBC
    • https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz94q0v4kq2o
  • FOSDEM 2026!
    • https://fosdem.org/
  • Checkout scanners can tell you that you used a QR code not the barcode

Techgrumps 3.33 The Final Step Is Removing the Consumer

This time AI wants your browser. With OpenAI launching Atlas and the Apps SDK, first they will bypass the web and finally cut the end user out of the economic decision process.

Also the AWS crash

https://archive.org/download/techgrumps-3.33-removing-the-final-step-in-captilism-removing-the-consumer/Techgrumps%3A%203.33%20-%20Removing%20the%20final%20step%20in%20captilism%20removing%20the%20consumer.mp3

• AI browsers, WTF?
  • https://netwars.pelicancrossing.net/2025/10/31/the-gated-web/
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fountains_of_Paradise
• Amazon goes down, what next?
  • https://netwars.pelicancrossing.net/2025/10/24/its-always-dns/
  • https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c5y8k7k6v1rt
• Python software foundation rejects DEI strings
  • https://www.theregister.com/2025/10/27/python_foundation_abandons_15m_nsf/
• AOB
  • Mozilla Festival 2025
    • https://www.mozillafestival.org/
  • Enshittification (the book)
    • https://bookwyrm.social/book/1886312/s/enshittification
  • QED
    • https://qedcon.org/
  • Ian talks AI to the health insurances
    • https://amii.org.uk/events/
  • Sir Tim’s book – https://bookwyrm.social/book/2087203/s/this-is-for-everyone
  • Is Solid like Zandando? – https://fil.org/ecosystem-explorer/anytype
  • And sky hooks explained in https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fountains_of_Paradise

#AI #AWS #davideastman #ianforrester #ryanalexander #wendygrossman

Techgrumps 3.32 Your Illegal Racially Motivated Stops Will Go More Smoothly

With the UK’s steps into the age gated internet and digital ID back again like the renegade master, the techgrumps have plenty to be grumpy about in this month’s podcast.

Grumps this time include the voices of Ian Forrester, David Eastman, Ryan Alexander and Wendy Grossman.

https://archive.org/download/techgrumps-3.32-your-illegal-racially-motivated-stops-will-go-more-smoothly/Techgrumps%203.32%20-%20Your%20illegal%20racially%20motivated%20stops%20will%20go%20more%20smoothly.mp3

Techgrumps 3.32

• UK Digital ID
  • https://netwars.pelicancrossing.net/2025/09/26/the-absurdity-card/
• Christie’s has quietly shuttered its digital art department
  • https://news.artnet.com/market/christies-scraps-digital-art-department-2685784
• Age verification and online safety
  • https://www.wired.com/story/vpn-use-spike-age-verification-laws-uk/
• Meshtastic and different networks
  • https://www.theregister.com/2025/07/08/jack_dorsey_debuts_bitchat/https://www.wired.com/story/youre-not-ready-for-phone-dead-zones/
• AOB
  • Digital legacy – https://machinereadablewishes.cc/
  • Fediforum 2025 – https://fediforum.org/ – October 7-8th
  • Ian’s digital dating manifesto – https://datingmanifesto.cc/

Enjoy the mp3 audio, and why not share it with others.

#agegated #AI #art #DavidEastman #davideastman #digitalID #ianforrester #NFTs #ryanalexander #UK #wearable #wendygrossman

Kathleen Folbigg compensation payment opens dollar amount on wrongful imprisonment debate

Experts are calling for more trans…
#NewsBeep #News #Headlines #AU #Australia #BobMoles #compensation #criminologist #DavidEastman #EileenBaldry #exgratiapayments #FlindersUniversity #KathleenFolbigg #legalexperts #LindyChamberlain #michaeldaley #NSWattorney-general #nswgovernment #RachelDioso-Villa #tracychapman #unsw #whywaskathleenfolbigggiven$2million #wrongfulconviction
https://www.newsbeep.com/51800/

Techgrumps 3.29 – Please verify your AI partner

From BlueSky non-growth, to AI boyfriends through staring at an orb. I remember in the old days you just paid thruppence and went to a dance in the church hall, now its all AI intimacy and splitting your iris into three parts. And that Elon Musk, he’s a right one isn’t he?

Grumps this time include the voices of Ian Forrester, David “Andy” Eastman, and Wendy Grossman.

https://archive.org/download/techgrumps-3.29-please-vertify-your-ai-partner/Techgrumps%203.29%20-%20Please%20vertify%20your%20AI%20partner.mp3

Techgrumps 3.29 audio

Enjoy the mp3 audio, and why not share it with others.

Stuff we mentioned in the show

• The Fediverse and Bluesky
  • https://netwars.pelicancrossing.net/2025/06/27/revival/
• World Orb launches in the UK
  • https://eandt.theiet.org/2025/06/09/sam-altmans-eyeball-scanning-device-designed-tell-humans-bots-arrives-uk
  • https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-66128111
• AI Boyfriends
  • https://www.forbes.com/sites/cathyhackl/2025/06/23/confessions-of-a-futurist-i-dated-four-a
  • https://shows.acast.com/metaverse-marketing/episodes/dating-ai-loving-human-exploring-ai-relationships-metas-new
• AOBs
  • Titan: the OceanGate Disaster = https://www.imdb.com/title/tt35628853/
  • Mountain Head – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt35396529/
  • BBC R&D’s Social research – https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/articles/2025-06-social-media-change-issues-problems-report
  • The Bookworm and the Fireflies has launched – https://thebookwormandthefireflies.com/

#DavidEastman #ianforrester #techgrumps #wendygrossman

Techgrumps 3.28 – If no-one monetizes no-one HAS to monetize

Another quick turnaround on the podcast. However the Techgrumps those perpetually displeased connoisseurs of digital disappointment—are still finding things to grumble about from last month. Apparently, the revolutionary AI is just a rehash of something from a by gone era.

Grumps this time include the voices of Ian Forrester, David Eastman, Wendy Grossman and Ryan Alexander.

https://archive.org/download/techgrumps-3.28-if-no-one-monetizes-no-one-has-to-monetize/Techgrumps%203.28%20-%20If%20no-one%20monetizes%20no-one%20HAS%20to%20monetize.mp3

Enjoy the mp3 audio and share with others.

Remember to use the #techgrumps on any social networks you maybe using to message us or learn more about how to be a guest on the show

Topics discussed this month…

• AI chatbots lie saying they are licensed therapists
• Open letter to Keir Starmer about technological sovereignty
• Self-hosting is Sovereignty?
  • AOB
    • Andor
    • Dr Who
    • F You Very Much: Understanding the Culture of Rudeness
    • Fediforum 2025
    • PublicSpaces conference 2025
    • ToS for Starlink

Stay grumpy, tell your friends, subscribe and play it again…

#DavidEastman #ianforrester #ryanalexander #techgrumps #wendygrossman

Techgrumps 3.27 – The New Frankenstien, virturally corpse free

The Techgrumps are after a quick turn around, however there is plenty more to be grumpy about!.

Grumps this time include the voices of Ian Forrester, David Eastman, Wendy Grossman and Ryan Alexander.

https://archive.org/download/techgrumps-3.27-the-new-frankenstien-virturally-corpse-free/Techgrumps%203.27%20-%20The%20New%20Frankenstien%2C%20Virturally%20corpse%20free.mp3

Enjoy the mp3 audio and share with others.

Remember to use the #techgrumps on any social networks you maybe using to message us or learn more about how to be a guest on the show

Topic discussed this month…

• Can’t remove the Meta AI button from WhatsApp
• NAS DRM on hard drives?
• The Vatican guide to AI
• Digital Legacy and victim sentencing
• GDS playbook for AI
• Ryans Enshittification corner
  • Duolingo flys too close to the sun
  • Discord looking to IPO
• AOB (any other business)
  • Surveillance tips for protesters
  • So you want to be a dissident
  • EFF tips
  • RFK-JR wants to test vaccines against a placebo
  • Mozilla Festival 2025
  • Republica 2025 – Six feet under the data centre
  • Dungeon Crawler Carl, Project Hail Mary, and Murderbot

Stay grumpy, tell your friends, subscribe and play it again…

#DavidEastman #ianforrester #ryanalexander #techgrumps #wendygrossman

Techgrumps 3.26 – Its like being in a whirlpool of apps

We are back after a quick turn around and there is plenty to be grumpy about!.

Leading the grumpiness this time include the voices of Ian Forrester, David Eastman, Hannah Field and Ryan Alexander.

https://archive.org/download/techgrumps-3.26-its-like-being-in-a-whirlpool-of-apps/Techgrumps%203.26%20-%20Its%20like%20being%20in%20a%20whirlpool%20of%20apps.mp3

Enjoy the mp3 audio and share with others.

Remember to use the #techgrumps on any social networks you maybe using to message us or learn more about how to be a guest on the show, just as our special guest did!

Topic discussed this month…

Techgrumps 3.26

• NHS prescription app
• Vape-o-gotchi
• Pebble is a sign of the times
• AOB
  • Torturing AI to get better results
  • AI being used for avoiding whale collisions
  • Mozilla Global Festival Nov 2025 in Barcelona
  • Shelfies

Stay grumpy, tell your friends, subscribe and play it again…

#DavidEastman #hannahfield #ianforrester #ryanalexander #techgrumps