Topic: Robot Calls

A host describes a technical glitch in automated robot calls where saying "hang up" causes the system to reset or disconnect. This leads to a discussion of the "pig butchering" scam, a long-term crypto fraud often initiated via "wrong number" text messages. Scammers build rapport with victims over months before convincing them to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency exchanges.

Telemarketing robot calls are becoming more sophisticated, now using "boiler room" background noise to simulate a real office environment. The discussion touches on the "Uncanny Valley" effect and the difficulty of integrating IBM's Watson AI into practical business applications despite heavy marketing.

The NYPD officer involved in pepper-spraying Occupy Wall Street protesters is identified as Anthony "Tony" Bologna. The segment also covers the NPR Ombudsman's defense of the network's lack of protest coverage and an interruption by a telemarketing robot call.