The Frontier

No Agenda's "Producer's Tribute" to John C. Dvorak compiled listener-submitted clips, with Adam Curry noting 80% of selections from Clip Genie (now Podherd) were forgotten, including Dvorak's "tips of the day" since episode 200.

Adam Curry critiqued the Washington Post's "fact-checking" of Donald Trump as "nitpicking," citing their database listing 16,241 "false or misleading claims" that included minor numerical discrepancies and subjective analyses.

John C. Dvorak claimed the "shrink wrap license," making terms of service legally binding upon opening software, originated from Seymour Rubenstein's 1970s vision for pervasive media licensing.

Adam Curry revealed a recurring pattern of 2,000 "ex-DOJ guys," primarily Democrats, signing petitions against Donald Trump; his investigation found the same individuals on a mailing list cropping up every six to nine months.

John C. Dvorak asserted that a 1920s health book suggested vasectomies were used for youthfulness, making faces "puffier" and "softer," a claim he purports to verify by identifying men who have undergone the procedure.

Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak discussed Billboard's report on Ticketmaster's plan for vaccine/testing proof for concerts, which Adam Curry viewed as a "threat mechanism" to encourage vaccination, predicting it would not be implemented due to cost.

An anonymous producer's note suggested that constant media reports of ICU bed shortages are a strategy by hospitals to lobby state health departments for more profitable beds, exploiting "unprecedented times" to bypass existing regulations.

Adam Curry referenced a PubMed abstract from January 2021 by Chinese researchers, indicating that anti-spike S1 egg yolk antibodies showed "significant neutralizing potency" against SARS-CoV-2 in vitro, suggesting a potential prevention tool.

Adam Curry criticized ProPublica journalist Lydia DePillis for an article on the "evilness of podcasting" due to its uncontrolled nature, dismissing her argument that alternative streaming infrastructure is "very difficult" to build. Adam Curry cited podcastindex.org as a viable alternative.

John C. Dvorak described Retsina, a Greek wine, as tasting like turpentine due to tree resin used for sealing jugs in Greco-Roman times, calling it "the worst product in the world" despite its low price.

Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak revisited the 2014 Victoria Nuland phone call, where she discussed installing a new Ukrainian government and dismissively said "Fuck the EU," revealing U.S. efforts to bypass European influence and involve the U.N. to legitimize the process.

Adam Curry exposed an NBC segment featuring JoLynn Kent as an undisclosed "native ad" for credit card benefits, criticizing its use of staged "reenactments" (e.g., a woman's car breakdown) to highlight perks like extended warranties and purchase protection.

Adam Curry recounted purchasing a pig from a Future Farmers of America auction, noting the cost above market price is a charitable tax write-off, supporting the children who raise the animals.

Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak discussed Anna Merlin's book "Republic of Lies," which traces conspiracy theories from fringe sites to Fox News and then directly to the president, suggesting state-backed disinformation aims to create information chaos and make objective truth unknowable.

Kress, a Danish producer, reported that all mink in Denmark were to be culled by November 16 due to five COVID-19 mutations (Cluster 5) jumping from mink to humans, leading to speculation about potential culling of pets. Adam Curry noted vintage mink coats, once valued at $8,000 in 1930, now sell for around $100 on Craigslist.

Adam Curry announced the passing of his podcast co-host John C. Dvorak, declaring July 20th a national holiday in Dvorak's honor and marking episode 1888 of the No Agenda Show as a tribute.

Curry and Dvorak started No Agenda nearly 19 years prior, recording unscripted conversations about news, technology, and life, initially promising no standard broadcast elements but later becoming known for unique jingles and effects.

The podcast was funded by listeners contributing time, talent, and treasure, called 'producers,' and eventually formed an LLC due to IRS confusion over numerous small donations.

Mimi Dvorak revealed John's actual birth year was 1946, not 1952 as commonly reported after a Wired Magazine error and subsequent copying by the New York Times, which Dvorak found amusing and insisted on keeping secret.

Will Hurst, a friend since the 1970s, described Dvorak as a blunt technology reviewer whose opinion could make or break a product, comparing him to Herb Cain, Walt Mossberg, and Kara Swisher combined.

Marty, Dvorak's joke writer, described him as a 'polymath' with an incredible sense of humor and timing, who took wild ideas and made them happen, once orchestrating an $8,500 wine bill for investors at CES 2000.

Dvorak had a unique career advice philosophy: agree with your 'full of crap' supervisors while continuing to do things your own way, as they likely won't notice the difference.

Dvorak was known for his vast wine knowledge, introducing many to Kirkland Bordeaux and consistently recommending wines under $40, though he did select expensive wines for Dana Brunetti's dinners.

Dvorak's diverse past jobs included can inspector and air pollution inspector, leading Mimi to choose a crematorium for his funeral, as he had previously inspected the facility.

Dvorak cultivated a vinegar collection in large jugs, with distinct 'lineages' and 'purebreds,' often turning open wine bottles into new vinegar, a habit his family found annoying.

Andrew Horowitz, Dvorak's co-host on DH Unplugged for 17-18 years, noted Dvorak's poor texting style despite his brilliance, with messages often in all caps and misspelled.

The first DH Unplugged episode aired March 7, 2007, a few months before No Agenda's October 26, 2007 debut; both shows began when Dvorak suggested recording conversations with his co-hosts.

Mimi Dvorak described John's last moments as peaceful, occurring during a normal evening watching TV after he suspected low blood sugar, an impulsive and typical exit for him.

The show received a $5,000 Bitcoin donation from Dame Catherine Crypto Granny of Bangkok, inspired by Dvorak's stories to write her own 'Random Tales from a Hippie Chick.'