In a deeply personal episode of the No Agenda Show, co-host Adam Curry paid tribute to the late John C. Dvorak, reflecting on his legacy in tech journalism. Episode 1893, titled 'En Banc,' was recorded from a San Francisco hotel room the day after Dvorak's private memorial. Curry described the service in Oakland, attended by about 70 people, including Sir Mark and Dame Astrid from Tokyo, Void Zero from the Netherlands, and eulogist Marty Higgins. Curry highlighted Dvorak's unique approach to product reviews, noting, "He wrote about how these products sucked because he felt they could be better. That really was a big part of his role in the world." This sentiment underscores Dvorak's lasting influence on technology criticism.
The episode also delivered the show's signature media deconstruction. The hosts examined a D.C. Circuit Appeals Court 2-1 ruling that blocked further construction on President Trump's $400 million White House ballroom, comparing coverage across Fox, ABC, and CBS in the segment known as the 3x3. The court's decision, which stated that "whether or not a massive ballroom should be constructed is for Congress to decide," sparked discussion about judicial and executive powers.
Another major story was the $567 million judgment against Meta in New Mexico over child safety on Facebook and Instagram. The hosts analyzed the implications for social media regulation and corporate responsibility. Additionally, the escalating WNBA controversy was covered after Clay Travis offered $10 million for a game pitting the Las Vegas Aces against a high school boys' team, raising questions about gender and sports competition.
Political topics included Michigan candidate Abdul El-Sayed's Medicaid comments and reporting on his wife's Ann Arbor practice, MindWorks Psychiatry. The hosts also delved into the strange saga of British academic Jason Arday, whose book 'Great and Unfortunate Things' was set to release amid allegations of fabricated credentials. Staten Island activist Scott LoBaido was highlighted for chartering a banner plane over New York City targeting Zohran Mamdani from his hospital bed days after open-heart surgery.
Closing the episode, the show featured ten meetup reports from cities including Albany, Austin, Perth, and Denver, emphasizing the community aspect of the No Agenda listenership. The episode is available now through Podcasting 2.0 apps, continuing the show's tradition of independent, listener-supported journalism.
