Just Two Good Old Boys

We never mean any harm!

Episodes

  1. 6h ago

    181 Travel Status Games And What They Cost

    Send us Fan Mail Diesel costs more than gas in places it never used to, and that single fact ripples into shipping, groceries, and basically every price tag you touch. We dig into why the diesel versus crude oil relationship feels “off,” what global refining constraints might be doing, and how energy decisions like coal gasification and cleaner syngas concepts can look brilliant on paper and still fail in the real world. From there we jump hard into tech and AI, because the conversation keeps pointing back to the same question: how do you run modern systems efficiently? IBM’s NorthPole processor is a perfect example, pushing AI inference with on-chip memory and architecture choices that challenge the default “just add GPUs” mindset. We also talk about the weirdly impressive reality of AI-built software, including a slick task manager style app that appears to come from a tiny prompt, plus the uncomfortable side of code provenance and trust. The episode stays informal and wide-ranging: conference travel, vendor dinners, airport parking hacks, and why some of us don’t want vehicles that can be remotely disabled. We also hit Hollywood’s shrinking job market, the idea that managers may be uniquely good at “managing AI,” and a few practical life topics like Proton Mail, Signal, sleep studies, CPAP tradeoffs, GLP-1s, and peptides. If you like candid conversations about cybersecurity culture, AI trends, privacy tools, energy economics, and the messy reality between headlines and real life, this one’s for you. Subscribe so you don’t miss next week, share this with a friend who loves tech and systems talk, and leave a review with your hottest take: are GPUs still the future, or is inference-first hardware about to take over? Support the show Want to hear old episodes? All subscribers have access to the full back catalog of episodes and specials! Just Two Good Old Boys (Just Two Good Old Boys +) Communicate with us directly on x.com by joining the Good Old Boys community!  https://x.com/i/communities/1887018898605641825 Can't donate? Listen to Amy Clare Smith Music  Check out Gene's other podcasts - podcast.sirgene.com and unrelenting.show Read Ben's blog and see product links at namedben.com

  2. Sep 15

    180 Speedrunning And Spying Tech

    Send us Fan Mail A cheap TV, a goofy fishing game, and an AI that rewrites code in under two hours sound like three unrelated stories. They’re not. We follow the same thread through all of them: incentives shape behavior, and the hidden costs show up later, whether that cost is privacy, quality, or resilience. We start with a ridiculous little Steam fishing game that turns into a crash course on speedrunning culture. Watching streamers struggle for hours while a world-record run finishes in minutes forces a real question: when does “smart play” become exploiting broken mechanics, and why do we sometimes prefer watching someone else do the thing we were about to buy? Then we pivot into economics and tech reality. We talk through the Texas Stock Exchange narrative and why big companies might move listings to reduce legal exposure, not just to chase vibes. That leads into workforce incentives, productivity differences we’ve seen firsthand across countries, and the uncomfortable debate around hiring, offshoring, and what AI means for developer jobs. Finally, we land on the privacy and security angle that ties everything together: smart TVs and the modern ad business, what reporting suggests about tracking, and why “smart” home devices can quietly become part of your threat model. If you care about AI coding, software engineering, smart TV privacy, cybersecurity, and the real cost of convenience, you’ll find plenty to argue with us about. Subscribe for more, share this with a friend who loves tech debates, and leave a review with your take: what’s the best tradeoff between convenience and control? Support the show Want to hear old episodes? All subscribers have access to the full back catalog of episodes and specials! Just Two Good Old Boys (Just Two Good Old Boys +) Communicate with us directly on x.com by joining the Good Old Boys community!  https://x.com/i/communities/1887018898605641825 Can't donate? Listen to Amy Clare Smith Music  Check out Gene's other podcasts - podcast.sirgene.com and unrelenting.show Read Ben's blog and see product links at namedben.com

  3. Sep 4

    179 A White House Arcade Meets Water System Security

    Send us Fan Mail A browser pins the CPU, a photoreal shooter makes us rethink what “graphics” even means, and then we stumble into something we did not expect to be discussing on a government domain: Arcade.gov. That whiplash sets the tone. We talk through what’s actually happening with GPUs, DLSS hype, and why the demo footage you see online often comes from absurd hardware setups that don’t match real-world PCs. If you care about PC building, SSD pricing, and the chip shortage cycle, we share a grounded way to think about timing, optimization, and when waiting can save you a lot of money.  Then we shift into policy and incentives: Trump accounts, election procedure headlines, and a longer argument around the H1B visa program and spouse work authorization. Love it or hate it, the system shapes company behavior, and we connect that to a painfully real outsourcing story where costs balloon, accountability disappears, and proprietary source code becomes leverage. If you run a business, manage a tech team, or buy outsourced development, this part is a blunt checklist of what can go wrong and how to reduce the blast radius.  We wrap with cybersecurity and privacy in plain language: Iran cyber threat headlines versus the reality of exposed systems, default passwords, Shodan, and why water utilities and other critical infrastructure need basic security controls before they need buzzwords. We also get into why biometric data breaches are different, plus a detour into NIL money and college football’s accelerating move toward an NFL-style pipeline. Subscribe, share this with a friend who loves tech and current events, and leave a review with the moment where you laughed, cringed, or learned something useful. Support the show Want to hear old episodes? All subscribers have access to the full back catalog of episodes and specials! Just Two Good Old Boys (Just Two Good Old Boys +) Communicate with us directly on x.com by joining the Good Old Boys community!  https://x.com/i/communities/1887018898605641825 Can't donate? Listen to Amy Clare Smith Music  Check out Gene's other podcasts - podcast.sirgene.com and unrelenting.show Read Ben's blog and see product links at namedben.com

  4. Aug 28

    178 How Internet Memes Collide With Real Power

    Send us Fan Mail Google renaming a Great Lake sounds like a throwaway meme until you realize how often “official reality” now flows through platforms, maps, and viral screenshots. We start with the Lake America joke and then follow the thread into something more revealing: the way online narratives can act like soft power, shaping what people expect governments and corporations to do next.  From there we bounce through the week’s whiplash mix of tragedy and culture: the frightening Nepal flood footage and the rush to explain it, the passing of Dolly Parton and what her image meant across decades, and a blunt detour into modern dating uncertainty and sexual health. We talk about the long shadow of AIDS, what PrEP claims to change, and why “risk math” often shifts behavior more than any public health message.  Then we go full geopolitics and infrastructure. Venezuela oil deal rumors turn into a discussion about sovereignty and backlash, and the CIA director’s quick Moscow visit raises the obvious question: what would be so sensitive it can’t be said over a phone line? We also dig into chips, AI demand, SpaceX scaling plans in Louisiana, and the domestic side of power including the ATF hack, gun law wins, and the fast-changing suppressor market.  If you like unfiltered current events, geopolitics, tech industry talk, and hard opinions that connect dots across the news, hit subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show. Support the show Want to hear old episodes? All subscribers have access to the full back catalog of episodes and specials! Just Two Good Old Boys (Just Two Good Old Boys +) Communicate with us directly on x.com by joining the Good Old Boys community!  https://x.com/i/communities/1887018898605641825 Can't donate? Listen to Amy Clare Smith Music  Check out Gene's other podcasts - podcast.sirgene.com and unrelenting.show Read Ben's blog and see product links at namedben.com

  5. Aug 5

    174 Ben's Cooking Episode Summer 2026

    Send us Fan Mail Shrimp and gritsIngredients Grits: 2 Tbsp. beef tallow1 medium shallot, finely chopped (about 1/4 cup)3 cups chicken broth1 cup whole milk1 tsp. kosher salt1/4 tsp. black pepper1 cup uncooked quick-cooking gritsCheddar cheese, shredded (about 1 1/2 cups)1/4 cup heavy whipping creamShrimp: 2 Tbsp. beef tallow1 lb. jumbo raw shrimp (about 16 shrimp), peeled f**k de-veining1/2 tsp. kosher salt1 pack  Andouille sausage1/2 cup finely chopped yellow1/4 cup finely chopped green bell pepper1/4 cup finely chopped celery 1 small tomato, seeded and finely choppedminced garlic to tasteTony’s to taste1/2 tsp. black pepper2 cups chicken broth2 Tbsp. heavy whipping cream2 tsp. fresh lemon juice (from 1 lemon)1 Worcestershire sauce1/2 cup thinly sliced scallionsDirections Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter in a large saucepan over medium-high. Add shallot, and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 2 minutes. Add broth, milk, salt, and pepper to saucepan, and bring to a boil over medium-high. Slowly whisk in grits, and reduce heat to medium. Cook, whisking often, until grits are thickened and tender, about 5 minutes. Remove saucepan from heat; whisk in cheese, cream, and remaining 1 tablespoon butter until smooth. Cover and keep warm. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over high. Add shrimp, and sprinkle with salt; cook, undisturbed, until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Flip shrimp, and cook, undisturbed, until lightly browned but not cooked through, about 1 minute. Transfer to a plate. Reduce heat in skillet to medium-high; add sausage, and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned, about 4 minutes. Stir in onion, bell pepper, and celery; cook, stirring often, until tender and beginning to brown, about 3 minutes. Add tomato, garlic, Cajun seasoning, and black pepper to skillet; cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir broth, cream, lemon juice, and Worcestershire into skillet; cook, stirring occasionally and scraping up browned bits from bottom of skillet, until slightly reduced and thickened, about 10 minutes. Return shrimp to skillet, and coat in sauce; cook until cooked through, about 1 minute. Red Beans and RiceIngredients: Pickled Pork 2 cups water1 cup apple cider vinegar1/4 cup kosher salt6 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed2 tablespoons sugar2 tablespoons yellow mustard seedTabasco to taste3 bay leaf1/4 teaspoon whole black peppercornsIce too cool it down1 1/2 pounds fresh boneless pork butt, cut into cubesTony’s to tasteFor the beans 2 tablespoons Beef Taleo1 pack of Zummos Andouille Sausage halved and sliced1 medium onion, chopped2 medium green bell peppers, chopped3 stalks celery, chopped2 teaspoons kosher salt1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper5 cloves garlic, minced12 ounces pickled pork, cut into 1-inch pieces5 bay leaves1 teaspoon dried thymeTabasco to tasteTony’s to taste2 quarts water1 pound red kidney beans, rinsedPickled Pork Combine all of the ingredients except the ice and the pork in a saucepan set over high heat and bring to a boil. Maintain a simmer for 3 minutes. Remove from the heat, add the ice and stir, enough to cool it down . Put the pork into a 1-gallon zip-top bag and add the cooled pickling liquid. Remove as much air as possible, then seal the bag and place in the refrigerator for 3+ days, turning the bag occasionally.Red Beans and Rice Heat the Beef Taleo in a large  Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the onion, bell pepper, celery, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until the onions and celery are semi-translucent and the bell peppers are tender. Add the garlic and cook until aromatic . Add the pickled pork and Zummos Andouille Sausage, bay leaves, thyme, hot sauce, tony’s, water, and beans to the pot and increase the heat to high. Cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture comes to a boil, approximately 6 to 8 minutes.Decrease the heat to maintain a simmer, cover, and cook for 1 1/2 hours, stirring every 30 minutes. Uncover, increase the heat slightly to maintain a steady simmer and continue to cook until the beans are tender and the sauce is thickened to your liking, another 30 to 40 minutes. If you prefer an even creamier texture, mash some of the beans.Redfish and Shrimp Puttanesca:Ingredients  Approximately 1/2 cup olive oil 1 cup finely chopped onion red and white 8 cloves minced garlic 2 (28-ounce) cans Roma plum tomatoes, broken into pieces, with juice 1 cup tightly packed, pitted, and halved Kalamata olives 2 tablespoons tomato paste 4 tablespoons drained capers 2 tablespoons minced anchovy fillets (about 8 fillets) 1/2 cup fresh chopped oregano and coarsely chopped fresh Italian 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves  dried crushed red pepper flakes Salt as needed 1 pound penne pasta, cooked to al dente 1 pound head on Shrimp (16-24) 1 pound Redfish fillet cut into 1/4” cubes  Bay leaves   Directions  In a large pot heat the olive oil over medium high heat. Add the onion and saute until soft and lightly caramelized. Add the garlic and lightly caramelize. Add the tomatoes and the remaining ingredients except for seafood and simmer until the sauce is thickened and slightly reduced, about 40 minutes. Adjust seasoning, to taste. Add Redfish and allow to cook for 10 min. Add shrimp and allow to cook for 10 min; Add penne pasta to the pan and toss for 1 minute.   Support the show Want to hear old episodes? All subscribers have access to the full back catalog of episodes and specials! Just Two Good Old Boys (Just Two Good Old Boys +) Communicate with us directly on x.com by joining the Good Old Boys community!  https://x.com/i/communities/1887018898605641825 Can't donate? Listen to Amy Clare Smith Music  Check out Gene's other podcasts - podcast.sirgene.com and unrelenting.show Read Ben's blog and see product links at namedben.com

    174 Ben's Cooking Episode Summer 2026
  6. 11/07/2024

    091 BONUS Just Two Good Old Boys Elections Special

    Send us Fan Mail Did the election night in Pennsylvania and the Rust Belt catch everyone off guard, or was it a masterstroke of strategy? We unravel the surprising victory of Trump and the eerie calm that followed in cities like DC and Baltimore, which were braced for chaos. As we ponder over the lack of expected unrest and the implications of these results, our personal stories and firsthand experiences paint a vivid picture of a nation in disbelief and contemplation. The unexpected voter shifts among Hispanic and Black male voters, as well as the Amish and Jewish communities, give us plenty to dissect about what this might mean for the political landscape. Trump's strategic choices, including picking Vance as a running mate, seem to have played a crucial role in his sweeping success. We speculate on the possibility of a future Vance presidency and what that could entail. The conversation also touches on the role of capable leadership in shaping the administration, with names like Elon Musk entering the fray. For some, this election harkens back to the Reagan era, signaling a robust rejection of wokeism. Join us for an engaging discussion that not only revisits the past but also looks ahead at what these results might mean for the future. Support the show Want to hear old episodes? All subscribers have access to the full back catalog of episodes and specials! Just Two Good Old Boys (Just Two Good Old Boys +) Communicate with us directly on x.com by joining the Good Old Boys community!  https://x.com/i/communities/1887018898605641825 Can't donate? Listen to Amy Clare Smith Music  Check out Gene's other podcasts - podcast.sirgene.com and unrelenting.show Read Ben's blog and see product links at namedben.com

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