Punching Upwards

PU 43: The Vehicle Kill Switch Law

Dissecting Biden’s 2021 law that will require cars in the US to monitor drivers and to turn themselves off if the AI thinks the driver is impaired. Is it coming in 2027? Is it even feasible at all? Punching Upwards, Episode 43 for 5 July 2026 Topics: Technology [https://punchingupwards.substack.com/t/technology]/ Privacy [https://punchingupwards.substack.com/t/privacy] 🦉 No AI Content [https://punchingupwards.substack.com/p/no-ai-content] 📢 Podcast RSS Feed [https://fab.industries/podcast.rss] Credits Thanks to Michael Mullan-Jensen, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Vlad A Gouf, Fadi Mansour, Bennet Piater, Eric, Sir Galteran and joeydd for supporting this podcast financially and therefore making it possible for me to produce it! See Also * Punching Upwards 9: Your Bus is Controlled by China [https://punchingupwards.substack.com/p/pu-9-your-bus-is-controlled-by-china] Sources * WTF Is The “Automobile Kill Switch” Congress Is Pushing [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cycw5MX0DrA], The Young Turks, 3 May 2026 * Greg Gutfeld: Obama’s “Cash for Clunkers” destroyed affordable cars [https://www.foxnews.com/video/6399759600112]], Fox News, 30 June 2026 * H.R. 3684 / Public Law 117-58: Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act [https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/3684/text] (Statute at Large 135), 117th Congress (2021-2022) * 49 U.S. Code § 30111 – Standards [https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/49/30111], Cornell Law School * Mandatory Cameras in New Cars by 2027: What the Law Actually Says [https://www.wcshipping.com/blog/mandatory-cameras-in-new-cars-by-2027-what-the-law-actually-says], West Coast Shipping, 1 May 2026 * Report to Congress: Advanced Impaired Driving Prevention Technology [https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/2026-03/Report-to-Congress-Advanced-Impaired-Driving-Prevention-Technology.pdf], NHTSA, February 2026 * Federal Regulators Tell Congress Advanced Impaired Driving Detection Technology Isn’t Ready Yet [https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a70769064/nhtsa-to-congress-advanced-impaired-driving-detection-technology-not-ready/], Road & Track, 17 March 2026 * NHTSA Finalizes Key Safety Rule to Reduce Crashes and Save Lives [https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/nhtsa-finalizes-key-safety-rule-reduce-crashes-and-save-lives], U.S. Department of Transportation, 29 April 2024 * H.R. 1137: No Kill Switch in Cars Act [https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1137/text], 119th Congress (2025-2026) * John James co-sponsors legislation to kill the vehicle “kill switch” mandate [https://james.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1294], Congressman John James (press release), 28 April 2026 * “Kill Switch” for Cars Approved by House Republicans [https://www.newsweek.com/kill-switch-cars-approved-house-republicans-full-list-11406341], Newsweek, 23 January 2026 * H.R. 7148 / Public Law 119-75: Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026 [https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/7148/text] (Statute at Large 140), 119th Congress (2025-2026) * David Marcus: Why I’ll take my clunker over any new car with a government kill switch [https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/david-marcus-why-ill-take-my-clunker-over-any-new-car-government-kill-switch], Fox News, 29 April 2026 * “Kill switch” law means your next car could be watching you [https://eu.usatoday.com/story/opinion/columnist/2026/06/01/drunk-driving-prevention-law-privacy-surveillance/90295034007/], USA Today, 1 June 2026 * New Federal Rule Could Turn Every 2027 Car Into a Driver Surveillance System – What This Means for Drivers [https://autos.yahoo.com/policy-and-environment/articles/federal-rule-could-turn-every-130900301.html], Yahoo Autos, 21 May 2026 * Federal Surveillance Tech Becomes Mandatory in New Cars by 2027 [https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/federal-surveillance-tech-becomes-mandatory-161321992.html], Yahoo News, 9 March 2026 H.R. 3684 / Public Law 117-58, 117th Congress (2021-2022)Statute at Large 135, pp. 831: SEC. 24220. ADVANCED IMPAIRED DRIVING TECHNOLOGY. (a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds that— (1) alcohol-impaired driving fatalities represent approximately 1⁄3 of all highway fatalities in the United States each year; (2) in 2019, there were 10,142 alcohol-impaired driving fatalities in the United States involving drivers with a blood alcohol concentration level of .08 or higher, and 68 percent of the crashes that resulted in those fatalities involved a driver with a blood alcohol concentration level of .15 or higher; (3) the estimated economic cost for alcohol-impaired driving in 2010 was $44,000,000,000; (4) according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, advanced drunk and impaired driving prevention technology can prevent more than 9,400 alcohol-impaired driving fatalities annually; and (5) to ensure the prevention of alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, advanced drunk and impaired driving prevention technology must be standard equipment in all new passenger motor vehicles. (b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: (1) ADVANCED DRUNK AND IMPAIRED DRIVING PREVENTION TECHNOLOGY.—The term “advanced drunk and impaired driving prevention technology” means a system that— (A) can— (i) passively monitor the performance of a driver of a motor vehicle to accurately identify whether that driver may be impaired; and (ii) prevent or limit motor vehicle operation if an impairment is detected; (B) can— (i) passively and accurately detect whether the blood alcohol concentration of a driver of a motor vehicle is equal to or greater than the blood alcohol concentration described in section 163(a) of title 23, United States Code; and (ii) prevent or limit motor vehicle operation if a blood alcohol concentration above the legal limit is detected; or (C) is a combination of systems described in subparagraphs (A) and (B). (2) NEW.—The term “new”, with respect to a passenger motor vehicle, means that the passenger motor vehicle— (A) is a new vehicle (as defined in section 37.3 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation)); and (B) has not been purchased for purposes other than resale. (3) PASSENGER MOTOR VEHICLE.—The term “passenger motor vehicle” has the meaning given the term in section 32101 of title 49, United States Code. (4) SECRETARY.—The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Transportation, acting through the Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (c) ADVANCED DRUNK AND IMPAIRED DRIVING PREVENTION TECHNOLOGY SAFETY STANDARD.—Subject to subsection (e) and not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue a final rule prescribing a Federal motor vehicle safety standard under section 30111 of title 49, United States Code, that requires passenger motor vehicles manufactured after the effective date of that standard to be equipped with advanced drunk and impaired driving prevention technology. (d) REQUIREMENT.—To allow sufficient time for manufacturer compliance, the compliance date of the rule issued under subsection (c) shall be not earlier than 2 years and not more than 3 years after the date on which that rule is issued. (e) TIMING.—If the Secretary determines that the Federal motor vehicle safety standard required under subsection (c) cannot meet the requirements and considerations described in subsections (a) and (b) of section 30111 of title 49, United States Code, by the applicable date, the Secretary— (1) may extend the time period to such date as the Secretary determines to be necessary, but not later than the date that is 3 years after the date described in subsection (c); (2) shall, not later than the date described in subsection (c) and not less frequently than annually thereafter until the date on which the rule under that subsection is issued, submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives a report describing, as of the date of submission of the report— (A) the reasons for not prescribing a Federal motor vehicle safety standard under section 30111 of title 49, United States Code, that requires advanced drunk and impaired driving prevention technology in all new passenger motor vehicles; (B) the deployment of advanced drunk and impaired driving prevention technology in vehicles; (C) any information relating to the ability of vehicle manufacturers to include advanced drunk and impaired driving prevention technology in new passenger motor vehicles; and (D) an anticipated timeline for prescribing the Federal motor vehicle safety standard described in subsection (c); and (3) if the Federal motor vehicle safety standard required by subsection (c) has not been finalized by the date that is 10 years after the date of enactment of this Act, shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representative a report describing— (A) the reasons why the Federal motor vehicle safety standard has not been finalized; (B) the barriers to finalizing the Federal motor vehicle safety standard; and (C) recommendations to Congress to facilitate the Federal motor vehicle safety standard. The theme music for the podcast is a track called Fight or Fall by Def Lev. Find out more about the show at fab.industries/podcast [https://fab.industries/podcast] — new media, new rules! Get full access to Punching Upwards at punchingupwards.substack.com/subscribe [https://punchingupwards.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

PU 42: Why Podcasts Matter

In this somewhat different episode, I explain my passion for podcasting, try to give an overview of what constitutes a podcast (technically and in spirit) and argue why the medium is worth protecting. Punching Upwards, Episode 42 for 28 June 2026 Topics: Technology [https://punchingupwards.substack.com/t/technology]/ Free Speech [https://punchingupwards.substack.com/t/free-speech] 🦉 No AI Content [https://punchingupwards.substack.com/p/no-ai-content] 📢 Podcast RSS Feed [https://fab.industries/podcast.rss] Credits Thanks to Michael Mullan-Jensen, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Vlad A Gouf, Fadi Mansour, Bennet Piater, Eric and Sir Galteran for supporting this podcast financially and therefore making it possible for me to produce it! See Also * Punching Upwards 12: No Such Thing as Free Speech in Germany [https://punchingupwards.substack.com/p/pu-12-no-such-thing-as-free-speech] Sources * 20 Years of Podcasting [https://fab.industries/blog/article/2026/20-years-of-podcasting], fab.industries, 26 June 2026 * Steve Jobs in 2005 at D3 [https://allaboutstevejobs.com/videos/misc/d3_conference_2005], All Things D Conference, 22 May 2005 The theme music for the podcast is a track called Fight or Fall by Def Lev. Find out more about the show at fab.industries/podcast [https://fab.industries/podcast] — new media, new rules! Get full access to Punching Upwards at punchingupwards.substack.com/subscribe [https://punchingupwards.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

PU 41: The Iran Peace Deal

An analysis of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between the US and Iran. What does it mean for the future of world politics and how has it been reported on in the media? Punching Upwards, Episode 41 for 21 June 2026 Topics: Politics [https://punchingupwards.substack.com/t/politics]/ War in Iran [https://punchingupwards.substack.com/t/war-in-iran] 🦉 No AI Content [https://punchingupwards.substack.com/p/no-ai-content] 📢 Podcast RSS Feed [https://fab.industries/podcast.rss] Credits Thanks to Michael Mullan-Jensen, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Vlad A Gouf, Fadi Mansour, Bennet Piater, Eric and Sir Galteran for supporting this podcast financially and therefore making it possible for me to produce it! See Also * Punching Upwards 36: Dire Straits of Hormuz [https://punchingupwards.substack.com/p/pu-36-dire-straits-of-hormuz] * Punching Upwards 35: The Horror of Computerised War [https://punchingupwards.substack.com/p/pu-35-the-horror-of-computerised] * Punching Upwards 30: Aviation and the War in Iran [https://punchingupwards.substack.com/p/pu-30-aviation-and-the-war-in-iran] * Punching Upwards 26: Trump Falls Into the Smart Bomb Trap [https://punchingupwards.substack.com/p/pu-26-trump-falls-into-the-smart] Sources * Early details on U.S.-Iran deal announced by Trump [https://www.cbsnews.com/video/early-details-on-us-iran-deal-announced-by-trump/], CBS News, 15 June 2026 * Takeaways from Trump news conference on Iran deal [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jg11AL-hTl4], CBS News, 17 June 2026 * “Humiliation”: Trump’s Iran deal ignites backlash from Dems AND MAGA over “surrender” [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnIONk43LMs], MS NOW, 18 June 2026 * Iran’s ballistic missiles not mentioned in agreement but Trump says they ‘have to have some’ [https://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/video/iran-s-ballistic-missiles-not-mentioned-in-agreement-but-trump-says-they-have-to-have-some-265266245753], NBC News, 17 June 2026 * Trump says there are “no limits” to his power after Iran war [https://x.com/axios/status/2067744300088045702], Axios, 19 June 2026 * Trump says U.S.-Iran deal “complete” after months of negotiations [https://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/trump-says-u-s-iran-deal-complete-after-months-of-negotiations-265077317667], NBC News, 15 June 2026 * Gulf recalibrates as Iran emerges intact from war [https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/gulf-recalibrates-iran-emerges-intact-war-2026-06-15/], Reuters, 15 June 2026 * Iran, Israel voice caveats on deal ahead of expected signing ceremony [https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/iran-war-us-trump-peace-deal-agreed-israel/], CBS News, 16 June 2026 * US, Iran sign preliminary Hormuz deal ahead of formal ceremony [https://www.scmp.com/news/us/article/3357210/trump-vance-electronically-sign-peace-memorandum-iran-us-officials-say], South China Morning Post, 16 June 2026 * Trump and Iran reach tentative deal to end war, reopen Hormuz [https://www.nbcnews.com/world/iran/live-blog/live-updates-trump-iran-deal-end-war-reopen-hormuz-markets-israel-rcna350076], NBC News, 15 June 2026 * Donald Trump’s 12-point peace plan with Iran unveiled - including no concrete nuclear promise [https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/us-news/us-iran-peace-deal-nuclear-37306197], The Mirror, 17 June 2026 * What do we know about the US-Iran peace deal – and what questions remain? [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/15/us-iran-peace-deal-terms-details-conditions-explained-what-do-we-know-hormuz-lebanon-israel-nuclear], The Guardian, 15 June 2026 * What’s in – and what’s not in – the US-Iran peace deal [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/15/analysis-us-iran-peace-deal-shipping-sanctions-relief-nuclear-talks-ballistic-missiles], The Guardian, 15 June 2026 * Read the 14-point memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran [https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2026/06/17/read-the-14-point-memorandum-of-understanding-between-the-united-states-and-iran/], Military Times, 17 June 2026 * US and Iranian presidents sign deal aiming to end war [https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crr8z4z2er9o]. The BBC, 18 June 2026 * World reacts to US-Iran deal to extend ceasefire, reopen Strait of Hormuz [https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/6/18/world-reacts-to-us-iran-deal-to-extend-ceasefire-begin-negotations], Al Jazeera, 18 June 2026 * Israel will not withdraw from southern Lebanon until security restored, Netanyahu vows [https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-899856], The Jerusalem Post, 18 June 2026 * Senate Republicans raise alarm over Trump’s deal with Iran [https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5929430-trump-iran-deal-republican-backlash/], The Hill, 18 June 2026 * The Iran war Trump can’t politically escape [https://www.dailysabah.com/opinion/op-ed/the-iran-war-trump-cant-politically-escape], Daily Sabah, 18 June 2026 * Trump took “sledgehammer” to security council before Iran war: ex-admin officials [https://www.alternet.org/trump-iran-war-nsc/], AlterNet, 17 June 2026 * “Worst foreign policy blunder in decades”: Republicans turn on Trump over Iran deal [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/donald-trump-iran-deal-republicans-war-b2998118.html], The Independent, 18 June 2026 * Trump’s MoU with Iran draws backlash from some Republicans [https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/6/18/trumps-iran-framework-draws-backlash-from-some-republicans], Al Jazeera, 18 June 2026 * MAGA hawk mutiny deepens Trump’s isolation on Iran [https://www.axios.com/2026/06/17/trump-maga-iran-divide], Axios, 17 June 2026 * MAGA Erupts in Fury as Full Text of Trump’s Iran Deal Is Revealed [https://newrepublic.com/post/212016/maga-pissed-full-text-trump-iran-deal]. The New Republic, 17 June 2026 * Israel and Hezbollah agree to ceasefire, US official confirms [https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cy9r022nqz9t], The BBC, 19 June 2026 * Trump Declares There Are “No Limits” to His Power [https://newrepublic.com/post/212085/trump-declares-no-limits-power], The New Republic, 19 June 2026 * Iran to Waive Hormuz Fees During 60-Day Window, Plans to Impose Charges Thereafter [https://www.outlookindia.com/international/iran-to-waive-hormuz-fees-during-60-day-window-plans-to-impose-charges-thereafter], Outlook India, 19 June 2026 * Netanyahu scheming to blow Trump’s Iran deal: report [https://www.alternet.org/trump-netanyahu-iran-maga/], AlterNet, 19 June 2026 * Why the Planned US-Iran Peace Meeting in Switzerland Fell Apart [https://english.pravda.ru/news/world/167082-merz-ukraine-peace/], Pravda Online, 19 June 2026 * As deal takes force, Trump says “it’s okay” for Iran to have some ballistic missiles [https://www.timesofisrael.com/as-deal-takes-force-trump-says-its-okay-for-iran-to-have-some-ballistic-missiles/], The Times of Israel, 18 June 2026 * US-Iran nuclear talks stall over Lebanon before they begin [https://www.stripes.com/theaters/middle_east/2026-06-19/iran-us-talks-delayed-lebanon-22017416.html], Stars and Stripes, 19 June 2026 * Iran-US war latest: Trump envoy heads to Switzerland for talks as deal under threat after Israel airstrikes [https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/middle-east/iran-us-war-live-trump-strait-of-hormuz-deal-ceasefire-b2999541.html], The Independent, 20 June 2026 * Donald Trump signs the MOU in Versailles [https://x.com/Scavino47/status/2067388433945760235], tweet by Dan Scavino, 18 June 2026 The Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran (Full Text) Paragraph 1 The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran and their allies in the current war, by signing this MOU, declare the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon, and undertake from now on not to initiate any war or any military operations against each other, and to refrain from the threat or use of force against each other, and ensuring the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Lebanon. The final deal will confirm the permanent termination of the war on all fronts, including in Lebanon, and other provisions of this paragraph. Paragraph 2 The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran undertake to respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and to refrain from interfering in each other’s internal affairs. Paragraph 3 The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran commit to negotiating and achieving the final deal in maximum 60 days, extendable with mutual consent. Paragraph 4 Immediately upon the signing of this MOU, the United States of America will begin the removal of its naval blockade, and any disturbances or impediments against the Islamic Republic of Iran, and will fully end the naval blockade within 30 days. During this period, the traffic of vessels will be in proportion to the numbers of prewar traffic being restored by the Islamic Republic of Iran. The United States of America further undertakes to remove its forces from the proximity of the Islamic Republic of Iran within 30 days after the final deal. Paragraph 5 Upon the signing of this MOU, the Islamic Republic of Iran will make arrangements, using its best efforts, for the safe passage of commercial vessels, with no charge for 60 days only, from the Persian Gulf to the Sea of Oman and vice versa. The traffic of commercial vessels will immediately start, and considering the needs for removing the technical and military obstacles, and demining by the Islamic Republic of Iran, will be instated within 30 days. The Islamic Republic of Iran will conduct dialogue with the Sultanate of Oman to define the future administration and maritime services in the Strait of Hormuz in discussion with other Persian Gulf littoral states in line with the applicable international law and the sovereign rights of coastal states of the Strait of Hormuz. Paragraph 6 The United States of America undertakes with regional partners to develop a definitive, mutually agreed plan with at least USD 300 billion for the reconstruction and economic development of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The mechanism for the implementation of this plan will be finalized as part of a final deal within 60 days. All required licenses, waivers, and permissions needed for the relevant financial transactions will be granted by the United States of America. Paragraph 7 The United States of America undertakes to terminate all types of sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran, including the United Nations Security Council resolutions. IAEA Board of Governors resolutions, and all unilateral US sanctions, primary and secondary, in an agreed upon schedule as part of the final deal. The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America acknowledge the critical importance of the sanctions termination issue above mentioned, and expressed their intentions to immediately address these issues in the negotiations in order to achieve mutual agreement on them. Paragraph 8 The Islamic Republic of Iran reaffirms that it shall not procure or develop nuclear weapons. The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran have agreed to resolve the disposition of stockpile enriched material pursuant to a mechanism that will be mutually agreed upon in accordance with the schedule mentioned in paragraph seven with the minimum methodology to be down-blending on site under the supervision of the IAEA. The two parties also agreed to discuss the issue of enrichment and other mutually agreed matters related to the Islamic Republic of Iran’s nuclear needs, based on a satisfactory framework being agreed upon in the final deal. The final deal will confirm the provisions of this paragraph. The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran acknowledge the critical importance of the nuclear issues above mentioned, and express their intention to immediately address these issues in the negotiations in order to achieve mutual agreement on them. Paragraph 9 Pending the final deal, the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran agree to maintain the status quo. The Islamic Republic of Iran will maintain the current status quo of its nuclear program, and the United States of America will not impose any new sanctions and will not deploy additional forces in the region. Paragraph 10 The United States of America undertakes that immediately upon the signing of this MOU and until the termination of sanctions, U.S. Department of Treasury will issue waivers for the export of Iranian crude oil, petroleum products, and derivatives, and all associated services, including banking transactions, insurances, transportation, etc. Paragraph 11 The United States of America undertakes to make fully available for use the frozen or restricted funds and assets of the Islamic Republic of Iran upon the implementation of this MOU. The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran will mutually agree on the procedures related to the release of these funds during negotiations. Such funds, whether obtaining the original account or transfer, shall be made fully usable for payment to any ultimate beneficiary designated by the Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The United States of America undertakes to issue all necessary licenses and authorizations accordingly. Paragraph 12 The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran agree that an executive mechanism will be established to monitor the successful implementation of this MOU and the future compliance of the final deal. Paragraph 13 After signing this MOU, and subject to the beginning of the implementation of paragraphs 1, 4, 5, 10, and 11 of this MOU, and the continuing implementation of these measures, the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran will start negotiations regarding the final deal exclusively on the other paragraphs. Paragraph 14 The final deal will be endorsed by a binding UNSC resolution. The theme music for the podcast is a track called Fight or Fall by Def Lev. Find out more about the show at fab.industries/podcast [https://fab.industries/podcast] — new media, new rules! Get full access to Punching Upwards at punchingupwards.substack.com/subscribe [https://punchingupwards.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

PU 40: The First Trillionaire

The company pulling off the most successful IPO in the history of stock exchanges, SpaceX, is losing money hand over fist. And its promised future money-maker, data centres in space, is a pipe dream. Punching Upwards, Episode 40 for 14 June 2026 Topics: Technology [https://punchingupwards.substack.com/t/technology]/ Artificial Intelligence [https://punchingupwards.substack.com/t/artificial-intelligence] 🦉 No AI Content [https://punchingupwards.substack.com/p/no-ai-content] 📢 Podcast RSS Feed [https://fab.industries/podcast.rss] Credits Thanks to Michael Mullan-Jensen, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Vlad A Gouf, Fadi Mansour, Bennet Piater, Eric and Sir Galteran for supporting this podcast financially and therefore making it possible for me to produce it! See Also * Punching Upwards 34: Scam Altman [https://punchingupwards.substack.com/p/pu-34-scam-altman] * Punching Upwards 27: LLMs Are a Dead-End [https://punchingupwards.substack.com/p/pu-27-llms-are-a-dead-end] Sources * Musk’s SpaceX Goes Public: What Makes This IPO Different [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfM57vU0_Jk], The Wall Street Journal, 12 June 2026 * SpaceX is now a public company valued for its AI potential, so what comes next? [https://arstechnica.com/space/2026/06/spacex-is-now-a-public-company-valued-for-its-ai-potential-so-what-comes-next/], Ars Technica, 13 June 2026 * SpaceX (Space Exploration Technologies Corp, SPCX) trading on the NASDAQ [https://www.google.com/finance/beta/quote/SPCX:NASDAQ], Google Finance * SpaceX Opens At $150—Surging 20% After Largest IPO Ever [https://www.forbes.com/sites/tylerroush/2026/06/12/spacex-opens-at-150-surging-17-after-largest-ipo-ever-live-updates/], Forbes, 12 June 2026 * SpaceX’s I.P.O. Could Turn 4,400 Employees Into Millionaires [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/10/technology/spacex-ipo-employee-millionaires.html], The New York Times, 10 June 2026 * Rocket Man: The otherworldly ambitions of Elon Musk [https://www.mercurynews.com/2014/04/10/2014-rocket-man-the-otherworldly-ambitions-of-elon-musk/], The Mercury News, 10 April 2014 * Meet the Musks: who’s who in Elon’s extended family? [https://www.theguardian.com/technology/shortcuts/2018/feb/21/meet-elon-musk-family], The Guardian, 21 February 2018 * How Elon Musk made his money – from emeralds to SpaceX and Tesla [https://www.independent.co.uk/space/elon-musk-made-money-rich-b2212599.html], The Independent, 28 October 2022 * Apollo’s Portable Life Support System [https://apollojournals.org/alsj/LM15_Portable_Life_Support_System_ppP1-5.pdf], Hamilton Standard, undated The theme music for the podcast is a track called Fight or Fall by Def Lev. Find out more about the show at fab.industries/podcast [https://fab.industries/podcast] — new media, new rules! Get full access to Punching Upwards at punchingupwards.substack.com/subscribe [https://punchingupwards.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

PU 39: The Dead Internet Theory Was Right

Are humans on the internet being pushed out by bots? Is this a lunatic fringe conspiracy theory or does Cory Doctorow’s thesis of enshittification accurately describe what is happening? Punching Upwards, Episode 39 for 7 June 2026 Topics: Technology [https://punchingupwards.substack.com/t/technology]/ Artificial Intelligence [https://punchingupwards.substack.com/t/artificial-intelligence] 🦉 No AI Content [https://punchingupwards.substack.com/p/no-ai-content] 📢 Podcast RSS Feed [https://fab.industries/podcast.rss] Credits Thanks to Michael Mullan-Jensen, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Vlad A Gouf, Fadi Mansour, Bennet Piater, Eric and Sir Galteran for supporting this podcast financially and therefore making it possible for me to produce it! See Also * Punching Upwards 22: Moltbook Madness [https://punchingupwards.substack.com/p/pu-22-moltbook-madness] Sources * Tweet by Matthew Prince [https://x.com/eastdakota/status/2062212701414187452], 3 June 2026 * Bots Now Outnumber Humans Online And The Internet Was Never Built For This [https://www.forbes.com/sites/josipamajic/2026/06/04/bots-now-outnumber-humans-online-and-the-internet-was-never-built-for-this/], Forbes, 4 June 2026 * Bot web traffic has overtaken human web traffic, data shows [https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/bot-web-traffic-overtaken-human-web-traffic-data-shows-rcna348522], NBC News, 5 June 2026 * AI Agents Now Generate More Web Traffic Than Humans [https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/its-official-agentic-bots-surf-the-web-more-than-real-people-do/], CNET, 4 June 2026 * Cloudflare CEO says bot internet traffic has overtaken humans [https://sea.mashable.com/tech/48717/cloudflare-ceo-says-bot-internet-traffic-has-overtaken-humans], Mashable, 5 June 2026 * AI and bots have officially taken over the internet, report finds [https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/26/ai-bots-humans-internet.html], CNBC, 26 March 2026 * The 2026 State of AI Traffic & Cyberthreat Benchmark Report [https://www.humansecurity.com/wp-content/uploads/HUMAN_Report_2026-State-of-AI-Traffic-and-Cyberthreat-Benchmark.pdf], Human Security, undated * “Bots have now passed human traffic online,” Cloudflare boss laments — says agentic traffic wasn’t expected to eclipse real people until next year [https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/artificial-intelligence/bots-have-now-passed-human-traffic-online-cloudflare-boss-laments-says-agentic-traffic-wasnt-expected-to-eclipse-real-people-until-next-year], Tom’s Hardware, 4 June 2026 * Bots are taking over the internet and AI users are to blame [https://www.theregister.com/software/2026/02/04/ai-bot-traffic-closing-in-on-human-web-visits-study-finds/4921090], The Register, 4 February 2026 * More Articles Are Now Created by AI Than Humans [https://graphite.io/five-percent/more-articles-are-now-created-by-ai-than-humans] / AI Now Writes as Many Online Articles as Humans [https://graphite.io/five-percent/ai-now-writes-as-many-online-articles-as-humans-do], Five Percent, 15 May 2026 * How dead is the internet? [https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w3ct6vyt], BBC World Service, 17 May 2025 * Social Quitting [https://doctorow.medium.com/social-quitting-1ce85b67b456], Corey Doctorow, 15 November 2022 * Enshittification:Why Everything Suddenly Got Worse and What To Do About It [https://www.versobooks.com/products/3341-enshittification], Corey Doctorow, 2025 * The Age of Enshittification [https://www.newyorker.com/culture/infinite-scroll/the-age-of-enshittification], The New Yorker, 1 October 2025 The theme music for the podcast is a track called Fight or Fall by Def Lev. Find out more about the show at fab.industries/podcast [https://fab.industries/podcast] — new media, new rules! Get full access to Punching Upwards at punchingupwards.substack.com/subscribe [https://punchingupwards.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]