AI was supposed to make life easier. So why does it feel like it has just given us 500 more things to worry about?

This week, Mark and Brad talk AI overload, private AI systems, podcast setups, dodgy comedy gigs, politics, and the serious legal questions now starting to appear around ChatGPT and threat reporting.

On this week’s OGNT Podcast, Mark and Brad dive into weed clubs, cannabis vapes, Trudeau, housing chaos, woke politics, viral social media results, DeFi hacks, AI tools like Claude and Perplexity, and the scary-fast pace of tech changing business and life. From Toronto smoke-filled gigs to crypto bets and AI-powered opportunities, this episode is packed with straight-talking opinions, unpredictable stories, and classic OGNT no-BS conversation.

Brad and Mark talk mushrooms, Instagram growth, Substack, AI-driven traffic, online business opportunities, and the changing future of search. It’s a wide-ranging episode covering practical ideas, digital trends, and a few of the bigger questions around AI, ethics, and where smart entrepreneurs should be paying attention next.

Brad and Mark discussed their experiences with various AI tools, particularly Perplexity and Claude. Brad shared how he used Perplexity to optimize his Shopify store and YouTube channel, while Mark talked about his use of Claude for community management and content updates. They also discussed camera equipment, including Brad's new 6K camera and its capabilities for filming vertical videos. The conversation touched on various AI tools and platforms, including Google's Gem, Slack's AI features, and the potential of running LLMs on local devices. They briefly mentioned other topics like Kindle e-readers and video editing software. The conversation ended with updates on their respective projects and plans for the upcoming week.

Brad and Mark caught up on various personal and professional projects. Mark discussed his ongoing work on Real Entrepreneur, including the implementation of new software features like geo-redirections and link shortening tools. He also shared his experience with a recent 18-hour power outage that affected his work and plans to invest in better backup power solutions.

Brad shared his progress with creating Final Cut plugins for generating single-word captions and his experience with Instagram algorithm customization. They discussed the potential for Mark's pigeon racing business to benefit from a tokenized approach, with ideas around using token holder rewards to support pigeon-related expenses.

The conversation also touched on recent AI developments, including the Chloe vs History content creator and Mark's observations about targeted advertising.

AI, Cameras, Chaos & Real Business

Mark and Brad kick things off covering Brad’s latest book release and his “secret” YouTube channel focused on creator tools and gear — which, realistically, won’t stay secret for long.

The conversation quickly moves into AI, with Mark heavily using Claude and comparing it to ChatGPT. His current take is that Claude is more useful for real business workflows, while Brad’s more sceptical — mainly due to the sheer volume of AI-generated content flooding the internet.

That leads into a bigger discussion:

• Brad’s view: AI is going to create massive noise — more bots, more spam, more low-quality content
• Mark’s view: AI is a leverage tool — the right people will use it to massively increase output and efficiency

They land on the idea that AI won’t replace people — but people using AI will outperform those who don’t.

Mark then talks about running AI locally instead of relying on cloud services. He’s exploring low-power Linux machines to host AI agents, with costs gradually dropping but still not trivial. Brad points out the obvious trade-off — high RAM requirements and rising energy usage.

The more practical takeaway is combining AI with human roles. Mark’s looking at hiring a Romanian VA supported by AI to effectively produce the output of multiple staff, while Brad is using AI as a support tool for writing and creative work rather than replacing it.

From there, the conversation drifts (as it does) into gear.

Brad is upgrading to the Panasonic Lumix S5 II, mainly for its 6K open-gate capability, allowing him to shoot once and crop for multiple formats — saving time and increasing content output.

Mark, not to be outdone, is planning to pick up an Insta360 Pro 2 with an Explorer Grip to create more immersive and flexible content.

They also touch on AI-powered editing, music generation, and how tools inside Final Cut are becoming surprisingly powerful — particularly for speeding up production and creating more engaging content.

A few classic OGNT tangents follow, including hologram performances like ABBA Voyage, cancellation culture, and how public perception seems to bend depending on the situation.

Mark then shares some behind-the-scenes reality from building Real Entrepreneur — specifically working on geo-based pricing for memberships, which has turned into a technical headache involving DNS, subdomains, and developer coordination.

Next steps:

• Brad: Test AI video editing workflows and push content on his new channel
• Mark: Finish geo-redirect system, fix DNS issues, and continue building out Real Entrepreneur
• Both: Potentially launch a token next week

Bottom line:

AI is powerful, messy, and evolving fast. Most people will use it badly. A small number will use it very well — and those are the ones likely to win.

And in the middle of it all, it’s just two guys figuring it out in real time… while buying more gear than they probably need.

OGNT Podcast — Episode 4

“Crypto Degens, AI Arguments, and the Birth of More Bad Ideas”

Episode 4 of Old Gits New Tricks was essentially two middle-aged internet veterans trying to figure out whether the future belongs to AI, crypto tokens, or Romanian webcam girls running 24/7 AI clones of themselves.

Spoiler: we didn’t reach a final answer.

The Episode in a Nutshell

Mark and Brad kicked things off talking about the weird and wonderful world of meme tokens — particularly the success of BastardGuy’s TLLT token on the streaming platform Pump.fun.

Brad and Mark discussed Brad's recent viral TikTok video that gained 11 million views, which was shot with new camera lenses and featured a comedic take on space and Mars. They explored the unexpected success of the video and the mixed reactions it received, including both positive engagement and criticism. Brad shared his experience with creating content and the challenges of predicting what will go viral. They also discussed the use of AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Midjourney for content creation and editing, with Brad highlighting the potential of Midjourney for creating cinematic transitions in videos. Mark mentioned his plans to improve his social media presence on TikTok and expressed interest in exploring AI tools further.

The Old Gits Talked About:

Camera Lenses and Video Impact

Brad discussed his recent purchase of new camera lenses, including a 50mm Prime lens with a 1.8 aperture for $500 US and a 24mm lens for $600 Canadian. He shared that a video he shot with the 50mm lens received 11 million views and led to some viewers questioning if it was AI due to its high quality. Brad also mentioned experimenting with different camera angles and jump cuts to maintain viewer engagement, noting that changing his usual scene setup seemed to capture viewers' attention more effectively.

TikTok Spider Video Goes Viral

Brad shared his experience with a viral TikTok video about Martian spiders, which gained 1.4 million likes and 15,000 new followers despite being intended as a joke. The video sparked controversy and accusations of spreading disinformation, though Brad maintained it was meant to be humorous and satirical. Brad noted that the video's success was unexpected, as it was a throwaway content piece created without any specific marketing strategy, leading to discussions about the unpredictable nature of social media algorithms and content virality.

Viral Content and AI Tools

Brad and Mark discussed the challenges and unpredictability of creating content that goes viral, with Brad sharing his experience of transitioning from internet marketing to comedy. They explored the practical uses of a dictation device, with Mark highlighting its utility for creating AI-generated reports on bird breeding status and for recording conversations.

Voice Recording Device Recommendations

Mark and Brad discussed various voice recording devices, with Mark recommending a neck-worn device called Plaude that he finds useful for capturing ideas while driving or walking dogs. Brad expressed skepticism about purchasing such devices, citing past experiences with unused gadgets like a 360-degree camera. Mark also shared his preference for an older office scanner, the Fujitsu ScanSnap, which he uses regularly for handling paperwork related to pedigrees.

AI Tools for Content Creation

Mark and Brad discussed AI tools for creating videos and voices, with Mark considering using HeyGen for course-related content. Brad advised against using AI for voice work, suggesting instead to record content manually to maintain a personal connection with audiences. They briefly touched on the growing popularity of pigeon tokens on Pomfon and Brad's investment in Solana tokens.

Business Launch and Creative Projects

Mark and Brad discussed Mark's upcoming business launch and his interest in setting up a pigeon livestream using his webcams. Brad shared his recent success with a brand deal for a supplement company, which will involve creating a co-branded commercial. They also briefly touched on Brad's creative rut and plans for new projects, including another book.