AI Is Now Eating Books... Literally | 7.29.26

AI Is Now Eating Books... Literally | 7.29.26

July 29, 2026 Duration: 45:00
Episode 2007 - brought to you by https://patreon.com/hardfactor - Pop the Clutch, Send in the Car and join our community today, with access to bonus pods, Discord chat w/ hosts, trivia nights, and much more. 00:00:00 Timestamps 00:01:00 Wes is officially IN Japan (first Smoking Lounge review), and other headlines 00:07:25 AI companies, at least Anthropic according to lawsuit document, are buying pre-2023 books to literally eat them (to death) into their data training model for LLMs 00:19:48 ECommerce Bytes wins $50 Million from settlement with EBay + Meme News is the BEST 00:22:39 The "DubBot" from the Dublin, Ohio Police force has been shut down less than a year into service after contributing to ZERO arrests or tickets 00:26:48 Kansas Man arrested at public hearing for clapping against data centers + LASER BEAMS 00:33:50 Austin, Texas Pet Store has 2000 gallon fish tank burst randomly 00:37:30 13 year-old caught sharing magic mushroom candy at local YMCA Thank you for listening, we love you all, and most importantly: HAGFD Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Looking for a way to stay informed without the usual doomscrolling dread? Hard Factor is a daily dose of comedic relief that cuts through the noise. Instead of rehashing the same polarizing arguments, hosts Mark, Pat, Wes, and Will filter the day’s headlines through a lens of sharp, satirical wit. This isn't about adding to the outrage; it's about finding the absurd thread in every story and pulling it. New episodes land at midnight Eastern, five days a week, offering a consistent and oddly therapeutic ritual for making sense of a chaotic news cycle. The conversation extends beyond the audio, with full video episodes available and an active community where listeners can engage. Think of it as your secret cheat code for processing current events-you’ll still know what’s happening, but you might just laugh about it. For a different kind of daily briefing, one that prioritizes punchlines over panic, this comedy podcast delivers a uniquely refreshing take.
Language: English Episodes: 50

Hard Factor
Podcast Episodes
Texas Police Force Dissolved for Providing Zero Value| 9.18.26 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:54
Episode 2040 Brought to you by our incredible sponsor: Ethos - Take 10 minutes to get covered today, with life insurance through Ethos. Get your free quote at ETHOS.com/hardfactor 00:00:00 Timestamps 00:02:40 Potential P…
Israel now SEEKING Space Lazers | 9.16.26 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:25
Episode 2038 Brought to you by our incredible sponsor: Ethos - Take 10 minutes to get covered today, with life insurance through Ethos. Get your free quote at ETHOS.com/hardfactor 00:00:00 Timestamps 00:03:30 Ed Sheeran…
Hyrox Champion Soils Herself and Racetrack in Beijing Win | 9.15.26 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:49
Episode 2037 Brought to you by ETHOS - Take 10 minutes to get covered today, with life insurance through Ethos. Get your free quote at https://ethos.com/hardfactor 00:00:00 Timestamps 00:08:44 UK Zoo offers rare "Child P…
Thai Man Caught "Violating" Neighbor's Koi Pond | 9.14.26 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:30
Episode 2036 Brought to you by ETHOS - Take 10 minutes to get covered today, with life insurance through Ethos. Get your free quote at https://ETHOS.com/hardfactor 00:00:00 Timestamps 00:06:11 Thai man caught having sex…
Furry Discrimination At An All-Time High | 9.11.26 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:33
Episode 2035 Brought to you by our incredible sponsor: Ultra Pouches - Don’t sleep on Ultrapouches. New customers get 15% Off with code HARDFACTOR at takeultra.com! 00:00:00 Timestamps 00:03:30 AI football picks 00:08:35…
Bucket of Poop, Hot Enchilades and Blind Man Drives Drunk | 9.910.26 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:40
Episode 2034 Brought to you by our incredible sponsor: Ultra Pouches - Don’t sleep on Ultrapouches. New customers get 15% Off with code HARDFACTOR at takeultra.com! 00:00:00 Timestamps 00:05:25 Blind man in the UK drove…
Will The SEC Expel LSU? | 9.9.26 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:49
Episode 2033 Brought to you by our incredible sponsor: Ultra Pouches - Don’t sleep on Ultrapouches. New customers get 15% Off with code HARDFACTOR at takeultra.com! 00:00:00 Timestamps 00:03:32 Michigan v Western Michiga…
Trump has Brown Hair Now | 9.8.26 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:54
Episode 2032 Brought to you by Ultra Pouches - Don’t sleep on @ultrapouches. New customers get 15% Off with code HARDFACTOR at takeultra.com! #UltraPouches 00:00:00 Timestamps 00:01:00 Happy Birthday Hard Factor Mark!! A…