9 chapters across the catalog
Retail CEOs warn of a "kink in every link" of the supply chain, with container costs rising from $2,000 to over $20,000. The hosts predict that the unvaccinated will be used as a scapegoat for "breaking Christmas" when shelves are empty. They note that the logistics nightmare is being used to pressure workers back into the labor force under the guise of saving the holiday season.
The hosts draw a parallel between the "lie" of Santa Claus and the "lie" of vaccine mandates, noting that once the illusion is broken, it cannot be restored. They discuss how modern children track their gifts in Amazon baskets, removing the mystery of the holiday. They argue that if consumers "literally can't spend" this year, it will have a massive ripple effect on layoffs and downsizing in 2022.
The hosts predict a spike in the crime rate as people are stopped from eating and providing for their families. They link Amazon's new "garage delivery" service to an anticipation of increased package theft and "anarchy." They characterize the people pushing these policies as being in a "state of hypnosis," behaving worse than Scrooge or the Grinch.
The conversation turns to modern surveillance, specifically the Ring doorbell network and its integration with local police departments. The hosts argue that Amazon uses "native ads" disguised as news stories about crime to scare people into installing cameras. They also discuss reports of the Spotify app draining iPhone batteries due to excessive background data processing, suggesting that users are being mined for data to shape their behavior.
Mo Fax provides advice to a parent whose child was called "racist" during a school game, suggesting they explain the difference between a real racist and a simple question. The hosts also discuss the "Malcolm X" (X) donation tier and a listener's observation that the new Amazon HQ is shaped like a double helix. They reiterate the importance of the "Value for Value" model in maintaining their independence.
The concept of algorithmic bias is explored through examples of technology failing to serve non-white users, such as Nikon cameras misidentifying Asian eyes as blinking and Google Photos mislabeling Black people. The discussion posits that while mathematics itself is neutral, the humans who program and feed data into AI systems introduce their own biases. These technological failures are contrasted with the companies' public support for social justice causes.
The hosts read notes from various executive producers, including a critique of a Pfizer commercial that uses the emotional hook of a pregnancy announcement to encourage COVID-19 vaccination. Another donor mentions canceling their Amazon Prime account to support independent media like *Mo Facts* and *No Agenda*. The segment includes lighthearted banter about the hosts eventually meeting in person, likened to the end of the movie *Die Hard*.
The hosts discuss the decision by Amazon and Microsoft to pause the sale of facial recognition software to police. They argue this is "virtue signaling" because the software is currently useless due to widespread mask-wearing. The segment explores the psychological effect of masks, comparing the behavior of rioters to the anonymity of Halloween.
While many sectors struggle, industries like video conferencing (Zoom), gaming, and grocery delivery (Amazon Fresh) are seeing significant growth. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin suggests household spending surges may offset travel industry losses. The hosts predict the potential decline of food delivery services like DoorDash and Uber Eats due to hygiene concerns, while Adam Curry warns against over-sanitizing, citing George Carlin's philosophy on the immune system needing "practice."
