Podcasts about dumb dumber

Happy Halloween week! We're in full costume mode (Power Ranger, Dumb & Dumber vibes and more) and diving into a wild Monday mix: the reported “Louvre heist,” an interstellar object cruising through our solar system, AI/movie rabbit holes, and whether trick-or-treating is falling off—or just evolving into adult bar crawls. Grab your cafecito and let's get spooky. ☕

Jacob Ward warned us. Back in January 2022, the Oakland-based tech journalist published The Loop, a warning about how AI is creating a world without choices. He even came on this show to warn about AI's threat to humanity. Three years later, we've all caught up with Ward. So where is he now on AI? Moderately vindicated but more pessimistic. His original thesis has proven disturbingly accurate - we're outsourcing decisions to AI at an accelerating pace. But he admits his book's weakest section was “how to fight back,” and he still lacks concrete solutions. His fear has evolved: less worried about robot overlords, he is now more concerned about an “Idiocracy” of AI human serfs. It's a dystopian scenario where humans become so stupid that they won't even be able to appreciate Gore Vidal's quip that “I told you so” are the four most beautiful words in the English language. I couldn't resist asking Anthropic's Claude about Ward's conclusions (not, of course, that I rely on it for anything). “Anecdotal” is how it countered with characteristic coolness. Well Claude wouldn't say that, wouldn't it?1. The “Idiocracy” threat is more immediate than AGI concerns Ward argues we should fear humans becoming cognitively dependent rather than superintelligent machines taking over. He's seeing this now - Berkeley students can't distinguish between reading books and AI summaries.2. AI follows market incentives, not ethical principles Despite early rhetoric about responsible development, Ward observes the industry prioritizing profit over principles. Companies are openly betting on when single-person billion-dollar businesses will emerge, signaling massive job displacement.3. The resistance strategy remains unclear Ward admits his book's weakness was the “how to fight back” section, and he still lacks concrete solutions. The few examples of resistance he cites - like Signal's president protecting user data from training algorithms - require significant financial sacrifice.4. Economic concentration creates systemic risk The massive capital investments (Nvidia's $100 billion into OpenAI) create dangerous loops where AI companies essentially invest in themselves. Ward warns this resembles classic bubble dynamics that could crash the broader economy.5. “Weak perfection” is necessary for human development Ward argues we need friction and inefficiency in our systems to maintain critical thinking skills. AI's promise to eliminate all cognitive work may eliminate the mental exercise that keeps humans intellectually capable.Keen On America is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit keenon.substack.com/subscribe

In another collaboration with The Grit & Script, Christian is joined by Bill Narducci to talk to Bennett Yellin about the fascinating start to his career, co-writing "Dumb & Dumber" with the Farrelly Brothers, theme parks and so much more!

- The household chore that caused one roomie to choke the other..

- A terrifying moment for a woman in the middle of the night..

- A 7 year sinus infection caused by a single fart??

- Woman claims that Michael Jackson is the reason that she's in jail

- The city wouldn't help...so he did it on his own

- What was he wearing that caused him to get fired while in a Zoom meeting?

- Maybe you shouldn't do this challenge while on parole

- He jumped off the bridge, not to harm himself, but because...he was dared??

- We discuss the story of 10 inmates escaping prison and how it happened

- Sometimes when you play stupid games...

- Should this be more of 50/50 split?

- He drove into a bank...twice

- Amazon driver is leaving unexpected packages

- What does Monica have to do with this??

- She didn't buy a first class ticket, but that didn't stop her from getting a first class experience

- How many bridesmaids are too many?

- Good thing Monica never listened to Antoine..

- She hated her results...so she sued??

- She was already getting arrested, but her pet decided to make it worse

- Kids loves suckers, but 70,000 of them??

- A new drink hack at McDonald's

- Man, road rage taken to a whole new level

- He thought he was replacing his stolen car, but nope, he just bought his car back again

- A weight loss instructor has been caught lying about her technique

- Customer received an unwanted gift in her margarita

- Mom tried to turn the party up just a little too much

- Antoine doesn't want to blame the USPS driver

- Who was in the wrong; the mom vs. the restaurant?

- A country law prohibited Usher from feeding cherries at his most recent concert

- Antoine finally found a sport that he wants nothing to do with!

- How hast was a bride going in order to make it to her wedding on it?

- Most random reasons we've cried...

- Customer was up-charged because they complained "too much"

- Evidence that everyone doesn't deserve to be a parent...

- Is this justification for NOT leaving a tip??

- A man convinced over 700 people to come watch him fold fitted sheets??

- Antoine believes that this employee shouldn't be arrested, but instead "Employee of the Month"

- He was just trying to raise money for his church, but did he go too far?

- What could anger someone at a lemonade stand?

- He forgot to plan for an important detail in his attempted robbery plot..

- Hear how one person got revenge on his HOA fining him

- Would you ever try this?

- Well...this is one way to make people focus while driving...

- Why did a couple have to be rushed to the ER?

- How much do they make when they get stranded in space?

- Is it safe to be medicated during your tat?

- She claimed a stranger was being rude, so she decided to get revenge...