Episode #161: 17 September 2025

The episode surveys a mix of tech, politics, and culture. San Francisco approves a phased Waymo pilot at SFO, with testing to public service planned, while advocates point to strong safety data on pedestrians and cyclists. In AI and platforms, ComfyUI raises 17 million to build a creative AI OS, and X reports 500,000 spam account suspensions. \n\nCivil liberties take center stage after the Charlie Kirk killing, with bipartisan pushback against Attorney General Pam Bondi’s talk of prosecuting hate speech, legal questions about compelled speech, and a call to rely on primary sources. The arrest and raids tied to Tor operator Conrad Rockenhaus revive debates on privacy, exit nodes, and law enforcement force. \n\nPolitics and policy threads note Trump’s historically low approval nine months in, claims of donor panic, and mounting criticism of an emerging TikTok deal seen as a concession to Beijing. \n\nCulture and faith surface through Baker Mayfield’s public testimony and a reassessment of Christianity’s role in social norms. Robert Redford’s death prompts tributes and online skirmishes over public mourning. Additional posts skewer cancel culture dynamics and media framing choices, reflecting a broader fight over narrative control across news and social platforms.