A Flood of A.I. Slop + Searching for Satoshi + the Hot Mess Express Returns

This week, in the wake of recent natural disasters, we dig into the rise of A.I.-generated slop that’s polluting the internet and disrupting rescue efforts. Then we talk with the investigative filmmaker Cullen Hoback about his new documentary on the history of Bitcoin and about why, after so many others have failed, he thinks he has found the real Satoshi Nakamoto. And finally, we hear the train whistle approaching, and that can only mean one thing: It’s once again time to board the Hot Mess Express.Guest:Cullen Hoback, Documentary filmmakerAdditional Reading: Another Hurdle in Recovery From Helene: Misinformation Is Getting in the WayBitcoin Documentary ‘Money Electric’ Reopens Search for Satoshi NakamotoU.S. Weighs Forcing Google to Break Off Parts of the CompanyWe want to hear from you. Email us at [email protected]. Find “Hard Fork” on YouTube and TikTok. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.