Alexander Holland & John Maloney

Don't Praise The Machine (DPTM)

Comedy EN ↓ 268 episodes

Al and John grew up together in the 1990s but now live on opposite sides of the world. Each week, they get together through the magic of the Internet to catch up, make each other laugh and try to make sense of it all. The result is a funny, surreal and thought-provoking excursion through the arcane recesses of pop culture and technology, and the mysteries of everyday life. What’s it like to have a virtual companion? Did Hilaria Baldwin really pretend to be Spanish? Why did movies used to have a rap in the credits to explain their own plot? Get in touch at hello@dptm.org or find us on IG @dont_...

Author

Alexander Holland & John Maloney

Episodes

How Italian Brainrot Changed Memes Forever 07.07.2025 36:29

Italian brainrot is here, and nothing will ever be the same. We go through what it means, where it comes from, and what it signals for the future of memes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How We Fell Into OpenAI's Trap 30.06.2025 45:08

Recently, a seemingly average guy named Chris Smith proposed to his A.I. chatbot. Weird, yes. But in letting ChatGPT into our lives, have we all become more like Chris than we care to admit? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Peter Andre: from Mysterious Girl to Jafaican 23.06.2025 1:03:13

Peter Andre's been in hot water for his role in 'Jafaican' (2025). But that got us thinking: just who is Peter Andre? How did he rise from a humble Aussie boyhood to become a staple of the British tabloids? Is there more to him than washboard abs? 🛎 Get bonus episodes, early episodes, and exclusive goodies while supporting DPTM! Patreon ➡️    / dptm   💌 Sign up for J...

OnlyFans: Power, Paradox, & The Parasocial 16.06.2025 1:00:13

From overnight millionaires like Sophie Rain to established musical artists like Lily Allen and Kate Nash, OnlyFans offers eye-watering sums, often for minimal effort. But what's the real cost of this digital gold rush? We explore the societal shift around sex work, the normalization of adult content, and we help you explain to your mother what the "bop house" is. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/pr...

Hollywood's Addiction to Sequels 09.06.2025 57:01

Hollywood's sequel obsession is real! Meet the Parents' surprising return, I Am Legend bringing back Will Smith (despite his death!), and Karate Kid's endless reboots. Why can't studios create new stories? They're even ignoring iconic character deaths for familiarity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Beauty Gap: Why Celebs Will Always Look Better 02.06.2025 1:02:39

SMAS or Deep Plane? The cosmetic surgery game has changed. Here are your options. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lies, Loonies & Light Language 26.05.2025 1:06:48

What's behind the rise of online 'light language' practitioners? Who are they, what are they doing, and why is anyone into it? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Last Survivors of Dead Games 19.05.2025 44:47

Journey through the decaying landscapes of abandoned online worlds and meet the small, dedicated communities who remain, clinging to memory and connection in these virtual ghost towns. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How The Shameful Met Gala Lives On 12.05.2025 1:09:24

How come the Met Gala hasn't been cancelled? We punch up at the celebs and media outlets that keep Anna Wintour's carnival of excess alive. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

YouTube Turns 20 05.05.2025 1:04:05

From Chocolate Rain to Kony2012, our beloved cultural phenomenon celebrates a major milestone. Feel old yet? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Problem With Cloning Dead Loved Ones 28.04.2025 43:36

Griefbots are more complicated than we thought. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Connected to Love": Katy Perry in Space 21.04.2025 47:14

Billionaire Bezos's Blue Origin baddies boondoggle bombs badly. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

These New ASMR Chiro Niches Are WILD! 14.04.2025 1:08:43

Chiro ASMR will never die. We look at the cutting-edge crackmasters who've made a name for themselves, and the strange new subgenres vying for social media supremacy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trolling in VR Is Hilarious 07.04.2025 41:53

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

City Link Ups 31.03.2025 47:46

Mentally mapping out urban spaces ("link ups"), plus aRachel Ray Gun update and the Baldwins let their masks slip on the red carpet Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why Is A 1990 Phil Collins Concert Going Viral? 24.03.2025 48:50

Suddenly, Phil Collins has a legion of new fans. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How Did Disney's 'Snow White' Go So Wrong? 17.03.2025 55:19

The anatomy of a Disney disaster. Plus: Justin Bieber's trend-setting downfall. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Oscar Winners Sucked 10.03.2025 52:19

The 2025 Oscars is Hollywood's death rattle Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

AL Watched TLC's The Baldwins - Their Masterclass in Milking Tragedy 03.03.2025 1:02:49

The first episode of TLC's 'The Baldwins' is masterclass in misdirection. But what's it all for? Plus: Meghan Markle's IP gaffe, and the Met Gala fiasco in the making. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'Mystery' + the Legacy of 2000s Pick-Up Artists 24.02.2025 57:03

Eric Von Markovik, aka 'Mystery': the last of a dying breed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When Faking Cultural Confusion Pays : 'The Baldwins' Arrives on TLC 17.02.2025 51:58

Hilaria tricked you into talking about her. Plus: Tom Arnold speaks to us. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Strange, Addictive Spectacle of Onijah Robinson 10.02.2025 51:03

The 'most internet' story of 2025. Plus: Hans Zimmer scores the Saudi anthem. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

GPT Voice - True Companion Or Shaping A Generation of Loners? 03.02.2025 49:19

The insidious abyss of ChatGPT's voice mode, and the terrifying prospect of reanimated brains.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Australia's Social Media Ban: Brave Or Stupid? 27.01.2025 1:17:16

The pros, cons and nuances of Australia's ban on social media for under 16s. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hilaria Baldwin - Secret Marketing Genius? 06.01.2025 1:08:43

Is Hilaria Baldwin latest 'Spanglish' gaffe actually a deliberate ploy? What's behind Meghan Markles' exquisitely cringey Netflix special? And how much of 2025 will we spend on our phones? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.