In a special episode of the No Agenda Show, co-host Adam Curry paid tribute to the late John C. Dvorak, reflecting on his profound impact on technology journalism. The episode, titled 'En Banc,' was recorded from a San Francisco hotel room the day after Dvorak's private memorial, with fill-in hosts Darren O'Neill and Larry Bleidner joining remotely. Curry described the memorial service in Oakland, attended by about 70 people, including international guests like Sir Mark and Dame Astrid from Tokyo, Void Zero from the Netherlands, and Eric the Shill from South Dakota. Eulogist Marty Higgins honored Dvorak's career, and Curry shared a personal insight: '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. And I really came to appreciate that hearing that yesterday.'
The episode also delved into the media deconstruction that has made No Agenda a staple for listeners. A D.C. Circuit Appeals Court 2-1 ruling blocked further construction on President Trump's $400 million White House ballroom, with judges stating that 'whether or not a massive ballroom should be constructed is for Congress to decide.' The hosts compared coverage across Fox, ABC, and CBS in their signature 3x3 segment, showcasing how different outlets framed the decision.
Another major topic was a $567 million judgment against Meta over child safety on Facebook and Instagram, a case that could have wide-reaching implications for social media platforms and their responsibility to protect minors. The hosts also discussed the escalating WNBA controversy after Clay Travis offered $10 million for a game pitting the Las Vegas Aces against a high school boys' team, sparking debate about gender and sports. Additionally, they covered Michigan candidate Abdul El-Sayed's Medicaid comments, alongside reporting on his wife's Ann Arbor practice, MindWorks Psychiatry.
In a bizarre twist, the hosts unpacked the story of British academic Jason Arday, whose Simon and Schuster book 'Great and Unfortunate Things' is set to release amid allegations of fabricated credentials. The episode also highlighted Staten Island activist Scott LoBaido, who chartered a banner plane over New York City targeting Zohran Mamdani from his hospital bed after open-heart surgery.
The show closed with meetup reports from ten locations, including Albany, Austin, Perth, Hamilton, Wilmington, Sonoma, Denver, Snohomish, Memphis, and Central New Jersey, demonstrating the global reach of the No Agenda community.
This episode underscores the legacy of John C. Dvorak, whose critical eye and dedication to holding products and media accountable left a lasting mark on tech journalism. It also continues the show's tradition of providing independent, skeptical analysis of the forces shaping our world.
