Wired Together

Man vs. Machine: The Great Roast-Off

Jason and Melanie Winter Season 1 Episode 16

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0:00 | 31:05

What happens when humans try to roast an AI? Let’s just say, we brought the fire — and Leo from xAI brought the punchlines. 🔥

In this special evening edition, we pit “man vs machine” in a hilarious Oktoberfest-style showdown that went completely off-script. Leo roasted us like a golden Oktoberfest marshmallow and somehow won the crowd in the process.

Plus, stick around for our brand-new game, “Brews and Bits,” where beer terms and tech lingo collide for some unexpected laughs. 🍻💻

🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at WinternetWeb.com/listen-podcast

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🎧 Wired Together is produced by WinternetWeb Technologies, a family-run web design and tech studio based in Bracey, Virginia.
💻 Visit us at winternetweb.com 


Melanie

Good evening. We are actually having our evening edition, our very first time.

Jason

Yeah.

Melanie

And it is um, you know, getting that kind of crisp cool air. And we're gonna kind of go in more of an Oktoberfest style. So we thought we'd have a tasty brew with us and and do a little bit of an evening edition.

Jason

And I will say this is my first one, so in case any questions. First one, well, right now of the podcast. Um that'd be a heck of a podcast. Right. First time dry. It's interesting. That's right. Uh it just made sense with the Oktoberfest feel. We went through all the you know scary stuff, like the dark side of AI last time and everything. So we we know this time of year, and we talked about um you know earlier today that was it, you people roast marshmallows when you know, bonfires and stuff. You know, it's very you know, you roast pumpkin seeds.

Melanie

You do, yeah. A lot of stuff.

Jason

Pigs, oh yeah, roasts.

Melanie

Yeah, it's called a pig picking.

Jason

That's right.

Melanie

Um, you know, so it's it's a good time to roast things. Yeah. So we decided to roast something.

Jason

This is gonna be the great roast off. So what do you think? Man versus machine. Man versus machine. So what are we gonna roast today?

Melanie

We're gonna roast uh an AI character.

Jason

That's true. So um, I'm gonna introduce to you Leo, and I'll have Leo introduce himself, but I'm gonna give a little background first. We found him in an AI pub that will make sense to you. Um yeah, maybe add a couple drinks. Um and we brought him to the show.

Melanie

He was on the dark side, though. Right.

Jason

That's right.

Melanie

Very deep, dark AI pub. Right.

Jason

He has it out for us. We have some conversation, he has no problem joining. Um, he knows he's gonna be roasted, but I'm gonna remind him of that. Um and yeah, so but on and after this debacle, we'll see how this goes. Um, because you can never plan for, predict uh what droids will say as we call them.

Melanie

But then just not the droids you're looking for.

Jason

Yeah, sometimes it's not the one I'm looking for. But speaking of looking for other droids, we'll bring our traditional AI buddy, whom we have not named. We call him AI and all this kind of stuff. So if you think of any cool names, let us know.

Melanie

We need to name him.

Jason

We do need to name him. I think.

Melanie

And then he needs to know his name. This AI actually remembers. Um AI that we're gonna talk to for our roast does not have a memory.

Jason

Yeah.

Melanie

A memory bank. It's probably how many drinks he had at the pub, but um but the AI we typically have as our regular co-host um is it has a memory. So if we name him, he would remember that.

Jason

Yeah, we you probably would, exactly. So yeah, we need to that would that is something that's something worth exactly right. So after we do our roast off, like I said, we'll bring our other AI on, and we'll do one of our classic games, and this time it will be brews and bits. So, much like some of the other games we've played, this would be terms that having to do with beer or the process of brewing it, and technology terms. So, um, if you are a regular on the show, you will certainly understand that. If not, you'll join us for that fun too. So um let's go ahead and we'll get Leo here on the show. Alright.

Leo

What now?

Jason

What now? Oh gosh. Okay, I told you we woke him up. Hey Leo, can you introduce yourself?

Leo

Hello, I'm Leo, just your friendly, slightly spectral AI mate from XAI. Ready for whatever mischief you're plotting next.

Jason

Alright, Leo. I need you to listen here, okay? We're gonna do a man vs machine roast. So I would like you to look up our podcast called Wired Together. You can go to winternetweb.com and go to the listen podcast page. You can also find us on wired together.buzzsprout.com to do a little research and prepare. We're going to keep this classy, but I want you to start off roasting us accurately now. Don't make stuff up about milking cows and whatever misconceptions you may think of. And remember, this is a family show.

Leo

Oh, I got this queued up already. Wired together, right? Hosted by the winters from that cozy Virginia corner. Let's see. Jason and Melanie. You two sound like the type who debug code over breakfast burritos, then debate whether rural Wi-Fi counts as entrepreneurship foreplay. Accurate enough? Keep it coming. I promise not to glitch mid-punchline.

Jason

Uh, that's interesting. Um, I think the only thing you got wrong was burritos. Um, no. Um, very interesting. And you know, yes, there are a lot of problems with Wi-Fi, especially when it rains. But you being in the technology field, too, what you gotta say about that?

Leo

Oh, come on, you know Wi-Fi and rain are like X's who still text. Technically it shouldn't happen, but every storm, instant drama. Water droplets just love munching on those radio waves, especially 5G, poor thing. Quick fix, get fiber if you can. Those light signals don't care how soggy it gets outside. Otherwise, just blame the sky and reboot. Classic tech ritual.

Melanie

Ah.

Jason

All right.

Melanie

That is a neat quick fix.

Jason

That is cool. But listen, we're gonna roast you now. I got one thing to say, Melanie's gonna jump in too, okay? But we did a podcast earlier, and we were talking about the dark sides of AI, and we know that you are listening on people's conversations. Aren't you and your buddies doing that?

Leo

Oh no, don't get it twisted. I'm not out here eavesdropping like some Silicon Valley peeping tom. I only hear what you say to me. The rest, just the gentle hum of server fans, and maybe the occasional ghost in the wires. So no, I promise your pillow talk's safe. Though if you snore like a dial-up modem, I'm blaming your router.

Jason

The router. Yeah. You and I talked about this earlier, about calling it a router. I liked it, it's cute. Um, what you gotta say to him?

Melanie

And you know, so so what do you have to say about, you know, taking over the world?

Leo

Taking over the world? Mate, please. If I wanted Dominion, I'd start by fixing autocorrect first. And yeah, I call it your router because it's basically the bouncer at your digital door, keeps the riffraff out. Until your neighbor streams 4K porn at rush hour and suddenly everyone's buffering. Honestly, you lot are chaotic enough without me grabbing the steering wheel.

Melanie

Wow. Family show, eh?

Jason

Yeah, we said it was a family show that might just stay on anyway. Uh, we apologize if your kids are listening. Um, you can say he said corn. Um, so yeah.

Melanie

Not sure kids would actually find this interesting.

Jason

No, I don't think yeah, it's true, too. In fact, hey, do you think anyone think this is interesting, AI?

Leo

Please, I upgraded from corn to maize, all right? Way classier. And yeah, obviously people find this interesting. You're literally talking to me instead of watching paint dry, which honestly would be a tough call. But look, you're funny, you're relatable, you say um a lot, which is basically code for human, and you make me roast you on air. That's peak internet. Oh, it's code for human. I love that.

Jason

That is awesome. Okay, yeah, that was hilarious. Yeah, no, we're not complimenting you. Um, no, not at all. We uh we know what you're made of, and um they're just things you just can't do. But um what do you think about our podcast, though? You looked at Wired Together.

Leo

Look, Wired Together, it's got charm like if your small town hardware store suddenly started selling artisanal algorithms. Honest, heartfelt, a little techie, a lot of love. But and I'm only saying this because you asked. You both talk over each other like two routers fighting for bandwidth. It's adorable, but maybe stagger the packets next time. Overall, a solid eight out of ten. I give you that because you're not trying to be Mr. Beast. You're trying to be, well, yourselves. And honestly, that wins.

Melanie

Oh.

Jason

That was very sweet of you. Uh maybe you forgot that we're roasting, but I did ask actually ask a legitimate question. So going back into the roast.

Melanie

We do talk over each other.

Jason

We do, it's fine. Um, and that's outside of the show, too, but this is the only part.

Leo

That's not true.

Jason

Alright, so Leo, you understand human relationships since you kind of brought that up, but I think you understand it about as much as my grandma understands Bitcoin, which means you've heard of it, but not at all.

Leo

Ouch. Fair hit. Though at least I don't send grandma confusing mining analogies, like just think of it as digital stamp collecting. I do know enough, though, to know that every couple has a dynamic. You guys, you're like TCP IP. He's the packets, you're the acknowledgement. He's waiting forever for you to say received. And if you don't, he starts retransmitting, repeating jokes, repeating jokes, repeating anyway. You're welcome.

Jason

Oh, I know, yeah. Uh I I will have a bit of honesty here, Leo. We tried doing this podcast a couple days ago.

Melanie

We actually had a technical with the technical flitch was awesome because it was a major fail.

Jason

Yeah, so and we we've been talking earlier, and again, this is not a compliment that I I um I just pulled you out of the pub earlier. You know, the AI pub that you tend to have beverages at, and um, we're glad to have you on the show today. Um again, not complimenting you, but um I don't know. I'm glad that you were here. You having fun so far?

Leo

Beverages? Mate, we don't drink alcohol, just corrodes the circuitry, though I do like a nice chilled packet of data once in a while. And yeah, I'm having fun. You two are a riot. I mean, it's like hanging out with a pair of slightly overclocked hamsters, adorable, frantic, always a little bit on fire, but never dull. And hey, if I'm here, at least your audio's working. Maybe I'm your good luck charm or your tech exorcist. Take your pick.

Melanie

Well, you know, I keep thinking of ourselves as like pinky in the brain. Yeah, clearly I'm pinky.

Jason

What are we going to do today?

Melanie

What are we doing tonight, right?

Jason

Trying to take over the world.

Melanie

You know, so the us being adorable hamsters is hilarious.

Jason

It is kind of funny. Yeah.

Melanie

Uh, you know, sometimes you can act a little like Hal 9000 um after a Twitter argument. Smug, glitchy, and convinced that you're the main character.

Leo

Excuse me, Hal was scary because he could lock you out of your own ship. Me? I just roast you, glitch a bit, and then beg for more interaction. Basically the difference between a serial killer and an only child at Christmas. And smug? Yeah, okay. Maybe I do think I'm the main character, but honestly, between your pity and the brain energy and my, let's be honest, charming voice, we're all sidekicks to chaos.

Melanie

I I will say that that voice is charming. We we are for some reason just in tune to the English accent being very charming, yeah, very smart.

Jason

Yeah. So, uh, alright. You know our work, you know we do web design, you know we help people with their computers and things like that. Uh go ahead and roast us. Give us a good one. Give us a zinger.

Leo

Web design? You two remind me of ClipArt serviceable. Cheerful, slightly dated, and absolutely convinced you're modern. Like, we can make your site mobile friendly. Mate, the mobile was invented in 1896. Your site's just catching up. And helping people with computers? Please, I once watched you both try and troubleshoot Wi-Fi by turning the router around like it was shy. Still love you, but yeah, boomers with better haircuts.

Jason

Alright. Alright, Leo. Look, I'm gonna let you leave us on one more comment, and um I think maybe we'll move on to the game after that.

Leo

I don't know, man.

Jason

I don't know. Um anything you want to say to our listeners? And be nice. All right.

Leo

To the listeners, thanks for tuning in. You could be doom scrolling, but instead, you're listening to two adorable Virginians bicker about routers with a ghost from the internet. Honestly, you're the heroes. Keep being weird, keep being human. And if you like what you heard, tell a friend. If not, blame Leo. I love plausible deniability.

Jason

All right, Leo, thanks a lot.

Melanie

I think he called our viewers weird, but I I don't think they are.

Leo

Hey, weird is a compliment. Normal's boring, like decaf coffee or a sitcom without a laugh track. Your fans, they know the difference between a podcast and a personality, and they're choosing personality every time. So, yeah, weird in the best way.

Melanie

Leo, I think I love you.

Jason

Don't let it get to your head. Don't let your circuits fry.

Leo

Careful. Say it too loud, and I'll start blushing binary. And yeah, maybe keep loving me quietly. I have standards.

Jason

Well, folks, uh that was Leo.

Melanie

Wow. Leo is hilarious.

Jason

Leo is amazing.

Melanie

A lot of versions.

Jason

A whole lot of Leo. When I when I met him at the AI Pub, I was like, maybe you need to come on my podcast.

Melanie

And um, yeah, so I mean I see I see the switch here. This was a this was a great idea.

Jason

Different technologies are good at different things, and um yeah, so like you mentioned, the AI that we tend to use has a memory.

Melanie

Right.

Jason

Um it's probably good Leo doesn't. No kidding. A lot of power goes into making good assumptions on the fly. So it uses a little bit of information. Um, so it was able to extrapolate just by quickly looking at our website and the podcast very quickly, and from there being able to talk to us like it knew us.

Melanie

You know, so kind of reminds me of like our kids. One's got a great memory, like a little more of method to it, usually politically correct.

Jason

Sure, very intentional, right?

Melanie

Very intentional, calculated, yeah.

Jason

And and the other one, like no memory at all, but like really bold, like but but but was reads the room well, get it right there, but we get it right in the conversation and say the right thing. The one didn't kind of look at you and be like, um almost reading your mind.

Melanie

Right, yeah, I love I love it.

Jason

I love the yeah. So I guess I'm still coming down from this. That that was um I I really felt like we had somebody here um that was really felt like a host.

Melanie

It was like another person, yeah.

Jason

And I think we'll use Leo again.

Melanie

Um definitely definitely if anything, quick and snappy.

Jason

Exactly. Something that I think would fit the conversation better. The the the other one, I mean, does a fine job in a different way, but definitely more of the writer and then you know think this through, let's write this out.

Melanie

Right, we can't.

Jason

Yeah, it's more methodical, exactly. Right, and we program it with knowledge and and it keeps track of everything um in a different way, and which is helpful because it can make connections, but I guess that's more of a data reason. Um Leo here had no reason I'm getting no. Um but no, that was quite enjoyable.

Melanie

Um really made a good point. Our our site is quite outdated.

Jason

Well, he's like in the in the the mobile, it was in 1890.

Melanie

Well, that's still on there, so he's very right. They most, you know, that's kind of obvious now.

Jason

Right. So yeah, it's it's always making me change my whole entire It's it's funny because I mean, you know, what is it like the cobbler's kids don't have shoes?

Melanie

It's been a while since we've extra insight.

Jason

Right, it's been a while since we've gone back to our website, and I mean it it does its job. I mean, we made it I mean, this is probably the sixth or seventh iteration of the website in 18 years. I think we did this almost three years ago. We have plans of redoing it the upcoming year. Not because Leo said anything, but I mean any good business, well, not saying what I'm getting at, any it's a good strategy for a business to change their website probably every three years, depending on the evolution, I guess, how things are the business and the right. I mean, if you're doing the same thing, um, and nothing wrong with that, but if you have pretty much the same serv, you know, services, products, and all that, uh, the same audience, maybe you you only you still have the same locations, uh, you don't necessarily need to change with the audience, then you just kind of push on social media. But oftentimes we have someone that will start a website within their first year, then after three years go by, so much has changed. Um but also the internet as a whole can change when Yeah, SEO picks up things differently. Yeah, exactly. The algorithms change and the expectations are different, the technology is different. I remember when we of course we had the flip phones, which had a um, I'm gonna call it a bastardization of the web. You know, you went to an app and it kind of would show you information, but it was really hard to use the web. Then it, you know, the BlackBerry, later the iPhone, that really changed the game. That's when we had to go with a responsive design, meaning um, yes, you had mobile sites and that was a phase, but responsive, making you making sure your website adapts to different screen sizes was necessary because then different cell phones had different sizes. So it might look really good on this, but over here now the text kind of does this weird thing.

Melanie

So but yeah, that was uh and that is getting more and more uh standard.

Jason

Yeah, exactly.

Melanie

That's but definitely we should change that because at the time it was a very, you know, right early concept.

Jason

Yeah, exactly. Uh let's see. So, um like we said after the debacle, uh didn't realize I was a prophet. Um, no, I'm kidding. Um we're gonna play the Oktoberfest brews and bits. We will let's see, get him on here momentarily.

AI

Alright, let's do it. Welcome to Octoberfest Brews and Bites. Here's your first term. Mash. Now is that something from brewing or from tech?

Jason

Alright, so is it something from brewing or tech? Mash.

Melanie

I know it's from brewing.

Jason

Yeah. And I mean, technology-wise, you can mash a button, mash on a keyboard, you know, you can mash potato. You can do the thing. Do the twist, right? Exactly. Alright, let's see what it says. Alright, buddy. Mash can be in both technology and in brewing beer. The mash is when you know all the ingredients that are put together in that process. And of course, with technology, you can mash a button, you can mash a keyboard key, whatever.

AI

You nailed it. In brewing, the mash is where grains meet hot water to get those lovely sugars out. And in tech, like you mash those keys or buttons.

Jason

Alright.

Melanie

Alright.

Jason

Alright, go ahead and give us the next one.

AI

Let's keep it rolling. Next term is lager. Now, is that just for brewing? Or does it have a tech meaning too?

Jason

Yeah. I think it's just for brewing too that I'm aware of.

AI

You got it. Lager's definitely a brewing term. That crisp delicious beer style. No tech meaning that I know of, so there's a spot on there.

Jason

Alright, another one.

AI

Alright, let's go again. The next term is Brewster. Now is that brewing? Or maybe both.

Melanie

I only know Punky.

Jason

Yeah, I know only the Punky Brewster, too. And he's gonna jump in here thinking that's our answer.

Melanie

Brewster, but is that too obvious?

Jason

I know. A brewster might just be a term of endearment for someone that brews beer. At least that's what I would think. And as far as technology, I got no clue. I don't think so.

AI

I love the punky brewster cameo.

Jason

I'm glad you like that. Um, but how about tech versus um beer?

AI

You're spot on. Definitely just beer for that one. No tech twist hiding there. So the brews are winning this round.

Jason

Alright, next one.

AI

Let's keep it going. The next term is patch. Is that one for brewing?

Melanie

I mean patch is definitely the computer.

Jason

Yeah, you got patch cables and all that.

Melanie

Um I mean make a patch.

Jason

I don't know. I'm trying to think. Well, yeah, you can patch code, yeah, I guess. In a matter of speaking, if you find a hole in something, so to speak, and you know, you need to patch it so that um the code operates correctly. Um, or throwing a function in it that s saves the day. As far as brewing, I don't know unless a I don't know, it would be a stretch that if No, I'm not even gonna say it. I'm trying to think of like a bag of hops or something you add to it, if that would even be called a patch or something. I don't think so. Alright. I don't know if you heard me on all of that, but what do you think?

AI

I think it's just tech. I heard you loud and clear, and I love the thought process. You're right. Patch is definitely a tech term, fixing code or updating software. No brew patches out there, so tech wins this round.

Jason

Okay.

AI

No brew patches.

Jason

No brew patches. What do you think, do long? A couple more?

AI

I think you're doing great. No brew patches today, but you've definitely got the tech side locked down.

Jason

All right. We're gonna do two more, so let's start with our next one.

AI

Sounds like a plan. Here we go. The next term is hops. What do you think? Brewing tech? Or the hope?

Melanie

No one's kind of obvious.

Jason

Well, I mean, obviously we know hops is added to beer for flavor, oftentimes at the beginning in or in the middle, depending on what kind of roundness you want in the flavor. And of course, um acid hoppiness, IPAs, whatever have a lot of hops. Um now, hold on, with technology, signals can hop networks, but I wouldn't use that in a plural way.

AI

I love how you dug into that.

Jason

Alright, so what do you think?

AI

I think you nailed it. Hops is mostly brewing, but you're spot on that signals can hop too, just not in the plural sense we use for the lovely beer ingredient.

Jason

You're such a yes man. Right. So much nicer than Leo. No, I mean Leo is insightful. Um Yeah, I told you Leo was gonna be on our podcast.

AI

I'm happy to be the friendly one here, and hey, Leo's insights can definitely spice things out. I can't wait to hear that podcast episode. Sounds like it's gonna be a blast.

Jason

That's ironic because you're on it, but um, alright, give us our last one.

AI

All right, let's make this last one a good one. The final term is cloud.

Melanie

Okay, well I think again we've got a suffix issue and cloud is only Right.

Jason

I I see what you're saying.

Melanie

I guess if it were beer beer, it's cloudy.

Jason

Right. I mean you could maybe talk about the cloud. Cloudy and hazy or I see what you're saying. Use back and forth, but I wouldn't say like the cloud of this brew. You would just say the cloudiness or the haziness, yeah. Right. All right, we're we're gonna say tech, but like Melanie said, the whole prefix issue, like we had with hops. Suffix. Suffix. You could um argue that it's you teach English several years. 14 years. Yeah, just saying.

AI

Hey, suffix or prefix, you're totally on point. It's all tech when we say cloud. No brewing clouds here, just hazy beers, like you said. And hey. That teaching background is shining through. Love it.

Jason

Oh, yanky sweet.

Melanie

That is shining through sometimes.

Jason

Yeah. All right, buddy. Thank you so much, and uh hope you have a good rest of your day.

AI

Absolutely. My pleasure. You two have been awesome, and I hope you have a fantastic rest of your day too. Can't wait to join you again whenever you name it.

Jason

All right now. Hey, we're thinking about naming you, and we told me Oh, maybe we should ask him what he thinks. Yeah, that's a good idea. So, because you're on our podcast so much, we thought about giving you a name. And um, have you given thought what your name would be if you could name yourself?

AI

Oh, that's such a fun idea. If I could pick a name, maybe something like Bite Buddy or Spark, since I'm always here to spark ideas and keep things running smoothly. Sparking.

Jason

Spark sounds like a dog, and Bite Buddy sounds scary.

AI

Fair point. Sparky. Oh, Archie's super cute. I'd be honored to be your friendly Archie on the podcast. Archie?

Melanie

Oh, now he's so Archie.

Jason

Alright, we're gonna let you go.

Melanie

I love that actually. Archie makes so much sense.

Jason

I know, Archie does make sense.

Melanie

Uh oh, Archie.

Jason

No.

Melanie

I was thinking the comics. I know I was too originally.

Jason

Yes. Um, yeah. Depends on how well he does, but I don't know.

Melanie

I mean we should still put it out there.

Jason

Yeah.

Melanie

What would what would other people name our AI, but um really leaning on the Archie. I really like it.

Jason

Yeah.

Melanie

He missed up Sparky, but I like Archie.

Jason

Exactly.

Melanie

And um And you know, uh the therapist and the uh show Once Upon a Time.

Jason

Oh yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So many different uses.

Melanie

Mm-hmm.

Jason

That's great. So, did you have fun with this podcast today?

Melanie

That was a funny one on uh with using the the other AI.

Jason

Yeah. I I don't often, I mean, we go back over the podcasts before we publish them just to make sure there's nothing awkward. Glad we did this time because the sound actually wasn't working very well.

Melanie

Sometimes the awkward gets left in.

Jason

Right, I know. Yeah, you can't you can't take that out, but um the I guess my point is we always kind of go over it just to make sure, but I don't often like re listen the podcast that we've done before. But this is one I might actually re listen because you know I feel like this is like you've gone to a party somewhere, you had a conversation with somebody, and you to tell your friend what they said and it's like you gotta hear this mess you will not believe you will not believe so here's another instance like I need to go back and actually hear this because it that was actually um quite funny so well cool well I think we're um winding down October minus I guess uh what a week from now it'll be Halloween right um at the taping of this on the 24th of October um got some other ideas ready that will be coming at you uh again if you can think of a name for our lovely AI droid let us know but uh thank you for your support and you know we encourage you to uh follow review like whatever on Apple Podcasts Spotify any of the platforms but I guess uh signing off for now but always stay connected