The 404 Podcast 465: Where the television will not be revolutionized
We've been accused (and mostly guilty) of saying a lot of heinous things on The 404, but we refuse to just rest on our laurels and accept these recent allegations of AGEISM. The accusation actually comes at a good time for the show, since the majority of the episodes this week have dealt with censorship, video game ratings, parental responsibility, and childhood development--why not throw ageism into the mix?
We intercepted a Call-From-The-Public from a 50-year-old man who jokingly accused us of being ageist, and we're not! The fact that Wilson appears to be 48 but is actually only 25 should be enough, right? I guess it doesn't help that the first story of the day is about Martin Cooper, the inventor of the cell phone, who thinks that modern handsets are just "too complicated."
Cooper is a former Motorola engineer who's credited with inventing the handheld cellphone back in 1973. He isn't too happy about the current state of mobile handsets and actually imagines a future with "a number of specialist devices that focus on one thing that will improve our lives." Um, Mr. Cooper--we understand that it's been awhile since you were in the mix, but certain things have come to light...maybe we should start here.
After giving a brief rundown of each of our cell phone histories, we segue into the latest iPhone app to hit the streets, and big surprise, it's based on the wildly popular Girls Gone Wild series.
The GGW iPhone game is basically just a photo library of the starlets you see on the GGW TV show, but the game is a "test of resistance." In other words, the app asks you random trivia questions while attempting to distract you with 80 pictures of beautiful women in "warm weather clothing." Since this is the iPhone App Store, don't download the game expecting to see nudity, although it has been given a 17+ rating for suggestive themes.
Plenty more stories to get to, including a very awkward voice mail in Calls From the Public, and more details about Tony Hawk's appearance Monday, November 16. Have a great Wednesday, everyone!
EPISODE 465
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Justin Yu covers desktop computers, printers, and peripherals for CNET. When he's not scouring eBay for useless ephemera or eating hot dogs for breakfast, he spends his time making fun of Internet culture every morning on The 404 podcast. E-mail Justin.
Wilson Tang is an associate producer for CNET TV. He's a part-time artist and filmmaker and has written and directed several films. He likes long walks on the beach and girls.
Jeff Bakalar is an editor for CNET Reviews, getting all the dirt on the gaming industry. After spending a few years in the world of film production, he has settled down and currently lives in New Jersey. He's an avid writer, gamer, and full-time pessimist.
Justin Yu can be found tinkering with printers and other peripherals for CNET, when he's not adjusting his headphones, riding his bike, or eating hot dogs for breakfast.
the generally older ps3 audience uses chatting for strategy and some more respectful trash talking, while the xbox crowd is littered with young teens who's insecurities have driven them to shout racial slurs and make sexist comments largely for no other reason than because it's what everyone else seems to be doing and they want to fit in.
do i think that most of these people are actually racist, sexist, violent, etc. outside of xbox live? no. i think they are the same curious and insecure teens that we were when we signed into aol and snuck into chat rooms when our parents weren't around.
but since i prefer to actually enjoy the games i have to pay $60 for, i have completely switched over to the ps3 for every online game i can. i was reluctant in the early days but now there are now plenty of people to play with, and i don't have to deal with the crap.
jeff, i definitely advise that you give the playstation network a try and you will be absolutely amazed at the difference.
there all geeks!
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by brandonsadkins
November 23, 2009 10:30 PM PST
- wow, wilson. you took the show into way uncomfortable territory. it was uncomfortable to even listen to you.
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(5 Comments)i'm not listening to the 404 to hear you guys share the first time you saw nudity with your family. i don't need to know that. even for humor.