Topic: Bookstore

Sir Brian the Miserable IT Guy recalls driving John C. Dvorak around Detroit in 2014. He shares an anecdote about Dvorak complaining about a "cheap Nissan Versa" rental car and encouraging Brian to park in a no-parking zone at a rare bookstore, leading to a parking ticket that Dvorak dismissively crumpled up.

A "boots on the ground" report from a college bookstore employee highlights a lack of basic technical literacy among Gen Z students, specifically regarding password resets. The hosts discuss how the shift toward "Sign in with Google" or Apple has removed the need for users to understand underlying account security. They lament the decline of formal computer literacy classes in schools.

During a visit to a bookstore in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, Adam Curry was asked to wear a mask despite the lack of a mandate. He describes the store's inventory as being almost entirely focused on "woke" topics, with a tiny, neglected section for religion. Curry shares an anecdote about an Uber driver's reaction to his critique of New York's cultural climate, concluding that the city has become "corrupt" and unwelcoming to outsiders.

Following Lara Logan's report on Antifa training in Austin, the hosts speculate that the "independent bookstore" mentioned might be Book People. While acknowledging the store is a community-oriented venue that hosts many types of meetings, they suggest it could be the location for the activities Logan described. They invite listeners in Austin to investigate further.

Despite the rise of Amazon and e-readers, the number of independent bookstores in the U.S. has grown every year since 2009. A Harvard Business School professor attributes this "boom" to stores focusing on curated selections and community events like comedy shows. Readers are reportedly returning to physical books to escape the constant notifications and emails associated with digital devices.

Beat poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti, owner of City Lights Bookstore, criticizes the "rapid gentrification" of San Francisco driven by Silicon Valley wealth. On his 96th birthday, Ferlinghetti describes the new tech millionaires as having "bags full of cash and no manners." Online commenters dismiss his views as those of an out-of-touch "fogie."

Beat poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti, owner of City Lights Bookstore, criticized the rapid gentrification of San Francisco driven by the tech boom. On his 96th birthday, Ferlinghetti described the new "dot-com millionaires" as having "bags full of cash and no manners." The hosts discuss the backlash against Ferlinghetti's comments, where tech supporters labeled him a "crank" and a "fogie."

After a recording glitch, the hosts recount a story from a producer named Scott in Ann Arbor. Scott was reportedly fired from a job at an occult bookstore after mentioning he listened to the No Agenda show. The bookstore owner allegedly recognized the show as being hosted by "that guy with the earthquake machine" and terminated Scott two days later.

Sir Mark Dytham and Dame Astrid are credited as Executive Producers for their architectural work on a massive bookstore complex in Daikanyama, Tokyo. The project consists of eight buildings and was attended by the Japanese Prime Minister. The hosts discuss the "karma" associated with the project and the enduring value of physical books.