Episodes

  • From User Agreements to AI Shenanigans

    From User Agreements to AI Shenanigans
    Sep 26 2024
    In this episode, hosts Ed Bennett and Chris Boyer vent about online user agreements and the universal struggle we all face with them. Then they share how ChatGPT 4.01 can be your secret weapon for conquering those pesky Connections puzzles. Finally, they put AI to the test by asking it to summarize complex book and movie plots. Annoyances: User Agreements Tech rec: ChatGTP o1-preview - watching AI think in real time AI-stump: Please provide a single sentence describing the Lord of Rings. Points for brevity.
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    20 mins
  • Tech It or Leave It, this is the Recap Episode

    Tech It or Leave It, this is the Recap Episode
    Sep 13 2024
    In this episode, hosts Ed Bennett and Chris Boyer recap past discussions, and provide a quick update on various annoyances, technology tips and put GenAI to the Turing test. Annoyances: Episode 2: Ratings and reviews: FTC rules on fake reviews aren’t enough: Hold sites accountable Episode 5: AI Products: Brands should avoid this popular term. It’s turning off customers Episode 13: Fake AI video/audio: New YouTube tools protect creators from fake AI-generated audio and video Episode 22: Proprietary Car Infotainment Systems: Ford Patents In-Car System That Eavesdrops So It Can Play You Ads and Why GM's Anti-CarPlay Strategy Is Doomed to Fail and The Ultimate 'Connected Car' Nightmare Is Playing Out In China Technology/Tips: Episode 6: ARC Search - now for Windows Episode 15: hearing aids - Apple says AirPods Pro 2 can be used as ‘clinical-grade’ hearing aids Episode 9: NYT Connections - provide update on Strawberry AI (which purportedly could solve it) https://chatgpt.com/g/g-TFpOewmPa-connections-solver OpenAI could skyrocket ChatGPT subscription to $2000 per month for next-gen Strawberry AI model Stump GenAI: The Turing test: “What was it like to fall in love for the first time?”
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    24 mins
  • Switcheroo Episode: Gamification, Gantt Charts and Guessing

    Switcheroo Episode: Gamification, Gantt Charts and Guessing
    Aug 29 2024
    In this episode, hosts Ed Bennett and Chris Boyer discuss the challenges of gamification and wonders if things have gone too far. They also share a great tool to help develop flowchart visualizations using text prompts and then try to stump GenAI to answer a hypothetical question to determine how much it will hallucinate. Annoyance: Gamification Please Oh Please Stop Making The Future Suck (Grocery Store Edition) Tip/technology: LucidChart AI Stump: Can it answer a hypothetical question? Generative AI Apps Such As ChatGPT, Claude, Llama, And Others Appear To Surprisingly Have A ‘Shared Imagination’ That Could Vastly Impact The Future Of AI
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    23 mins
  • CarPlay, Computer Monitors and Caterpillars

    CarPlay, Computer Monitors and Caterpillars
    Aug 15 2024
    In this episode, hosts Ed Bennett and Chris Boyer dive into the world of infotainment, exploring their love-hate relationship with Apple and Android car apps, and why they believe automakers should steer clear of developing their own. They also geek out over the perks of a brand-new widescreen monitor and put Generative AI to the test with a deceptively simple logic puzzle known as the “Alice in Wonderland problem.” Tune in for tech insights, a bit of gadget envy, and some light-hearted AI stumping! Annoyance: Proprietary Infotainment Systems (The People Have Spoken: Android Auto and CarPlay Are Great, Car Infotainment Is Not) Tip/technology: New monitor AI stump: The Alice in Wonderland Problem (This Simple Logic Question Stumps Even the Most Advanced AI)
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    21 mins
  • Partly Cloudy With a Chance of Humor

    Partly Cloudy With a Chance of Humor
    Aug 1 2024
    In this episode, hosts Chris Boyer and Ed Bennett discuss the challenges with everything being in the “cloud” and then share free tools to help with tracking your presence on the Dark Web. Then, they test Gen AI’s ability to create humorous ways to insult someone in a hypothetical situation. Annoyance: Challenges of the Cloud Tip/technology: Google is making dark web reports free for everyone. Here’s how they work. AI stump: Study claims AI is funnier than humans after people rate jokes written by both
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    20 mins
  • Existences, Enhancements and Eggs

    Existences, Enhancements and Eggs
    Jul 18 2024
    In this episode, hosts Chris Boyer and Ed Bennett ask why does everything have to be digital (and if there is still room to have physical copies of music, movies and books). They also share updates on previous tech tips on operating system updates and password protection. Then, they challenge Gen AI by asking a common question that has plagued philosophes and scientists for ages. Annoyance: Does everything need to be digital? Tip/technology: Updates on Windows 11 experience, and smooth passkey management with iOS AI stump: Which came first: the chicken or the egg?
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    21 mins
  • Caps Lock, Crafting Customizations and Query Conservations

    Caps Lock, Crafting Customizations and Query Conservations
    Jul 5 2024
    In this episode, hosts Chris Boyer and Ed Bennett address common digital frustrations like Caps Lock mishaps, Copy/Paste issues, and how iOS handles email address forms. They also share powerful Windows tweak tools and other customization hacks to enhance keyboarding experiences. Finally, they challenge AI with thought-provoking questions about resource efficiency. Tune in to elevate your digital know-how and conquer tech annoyances with ease! Annoyance: CapsLock, Copy/Paste and how iOS handles email address forms Tip/technology: Microsoft Power Toys AI stump: What GenAI question uses the least amount of resources to answer? What requires the most?
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    24 mins
  • Tech No-no's, Tech Tips, and Tricky Queries

    Tech No-no's, Tech Tips, and Tricky Queries
    Jun 20 2024
    In this episode of 'Surprise - It's Not a Toaster,' hosts Chris Boyer and Ed Bennett dive into the digital world's quirks and innovations. First, they tackle the frustrations of websites that force users to create name/password accounts, exploring why this outdated practice persists and how it impacts user experience. Then, they share a handy tech tip on using iPhone voice search with ARC Search to streamline your daily digital interactions. Finally, they challenge Gen AI with a stump question: 'What question would I ask you that you would have a hard time answering?' Tune in for a mix of digital annoyances, practical recommendations, and mind-bending AI queries. Annoyance: Sites that don’t allow name/password accounts Tip/technology: Iphone voice search with ARC Search AI stump: What question would I ask you that you would have a hard time answering?
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    22 mins