TMI Show Ep 259: “Everyone Is Turning Japanese”

Is this any way to run an airline? The FAA announces will air travel capacity by 10% in 40 high-volume markets amid the government shutdown beginning tomorrow, prompting airlines to scramble with contingency plans. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy declares the cuts essential for easing stress on unpaid air traffic controllers facing weeks of delays from call-outs. Airlines anticipate phasing in reductions—starting at least 4% on Friday, 5% on Saturday, reaching 10% next week—without an official order or list of affected markets, breeding confusion over ties to staffing levels. Expected Veterans Day travel surges and Midwest weather threats compound the chaos, leaving carriers bracing for disruptions.

Plus:

• Smart Houses Are Out: Homeowners embrace "dumb homes" by ditching smart tech for manual controls amid rising costs, privacy fears, and digital fatigue. Experts note a shift toward analog wellness, with reading nooks surging 48% in listings as buyers seek unplugged spaces.

• Everyone Is Turning Japanese: Japan's foreign residents hit 3.9 million post-COVID, exceeding 10% in 27 municipalities and sparking backlash in a homogenous society. New Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi targets overstays and cultural preservation, yet labor shortages demand immigrants to sustain an aging population.

• Zuck Rips Porn: Adult film producers sue Meta for allegedly torrenting 2,369 videos since 2018 to train AI, seeking $359 million. Meta denies using them for models, blaming personal downloads by employees and calling plaintiffs copyright trolls.