In a poignant episode of the No Agenda Show, co-host Adam Curry honored the legacy of the late John C. Dvorak, a pioneering tech journalist, during the August 9, 2026, broadcast titled 'En Banc.' Curry, calling from a San Francisco hotel room the day after Dvorak's private memorial, was joined by fill-in hosts Darren O'Neill and Larry Bleidner. The episode served as both a tribute and a typical media deconstruction, balancing personal remembrance with the show's signature analysis of current events.
Curry shared heartfelt reflections on Dvorak's impact, recalling the memorial service in Oakland attended by about 70 people, including Sir Mark and Dame Astrid from Tokyo, Void Zero from the Netherlands, and eulogist Marty Higgins. Curry emphasized Dvorak's unique approach to tech criticism: "He wrote about how these products sucked because he felt they could be better. That really was a big part of his role in the world. And I really came to appreciate that hearing that yesterday." This perspective highlighted Dvorak's commitment to holding tech companies accountable, a ethos that resonated throughout his career.
The episode also delved into several major news stories, starting with a D.C. Circuit Appeals Court 2-1 ruling that blocked further construction on President Trump's $400 million White House ballroom. The hosts compared coverage across Fox, ABC, and CBS in their signature 3x3 segment, noting the court's decision that "whether or not a massive ballroom should be constructed is for Congress to decide." The term 'en banc' was dissected, providing context for the legal process.
Another significant topic was the $567 million judgment against Meta in New Mexico over child safety on Facebook and Instagram. The hosts analyzed the implications for social media companies and their responsibility to protect minors, a recurring concern in the digital age.
The escalating WNBA controversy also took center stage, following Clay Travis's offer of $10 million for a game pitting the Las Vegas Aces against a high school boys' team. The discussion touched on gender dynamics in sports and the broader cultural debates surrounding transgender athletes.
Additionally, the episode covered Michigan candidate Abdul El-Sayed's Medicaid comments, alongside reporting on his wife's Ann Arbor practice, MindWorks Psychiatry. The hosts also explored the strange saga of British academic Jason Arday, whose book 'Great and Unfortunate Things' was set to drop August 11 amid allegations of fabricated credentials, and highlighted Staten Island activist Scott LoBaido, who chartered a banner plane over New York City targeting Zohran Mamdani from his hospital bed after open-heart surgery.
The show closed with meetup reports from ten cities, including Albany, Austin, and Denver, underscoring the podcast's community engagement. Episode 1893 is available now on all podcast platforms, and listeners are encouraged to use a Podcasting 2.0 app for enhanced features.
