Published 18 May 2026
e554 with Michael and Michael – stories and discussion on LLM phone number lookups, proctors returning to Princeton, lavish LEGO, LOTR and a whole lot more!
While Andy is away, Michael and Michael get things started with a discussion on the changing nature of sensitive and private information. What was once published in a phonebook is now a central identify hub. While Jenny most certainly had to change her phone number from 867-5309 and have the new one unlisted, she likely posts what would have been very personal photos on Insta, Mastodon or any number of social media services. Michael R points out that while a phone book was available for a municipality, it was not available at a country level, preserving a degree of anonymity.
Continuing on the theme of social implications of technology, Michael and Michael consider the Atlantic’s article about the demise of Princeton’s honor code process. Check out the link below for some fantastic quotes from the Daily Princetonian – sadly the newspaper online archives only go back to 2001.
Next up is an article from Thinking Machines’ full duplex capabilities for natural voice interaction with agents.
LEGO is in focus for this episode (surprise!) with two intriguing sets. First, a super cool LEGO Ideas Tetris arcade game cabinet with a hidden room. This reminded Michael M of the set he built that also has a cool hidden room inside. Then, Michael R shares a bit on the new Minas Tirith set – which has many elements from the movies, and includes the opportunity for a GWP (gift with purchase) of the battering ram Grond if you’re one of the first to plunk down your gold pieces for this build.
The fact that this is up on the Internets on 18 May is due to the hard work from Andy. He migrated our hosting over the weekend, and this is the first post on the new service. Hurrah, Andy!
Do you still have a copy of your city’s phonebook? Have your bots (or agents!) 🤖 drop our bots 🤖 a line at @gamesatwork_biz (our home for now) and let us know!
These show notes were lovingly hand crafted by a real human, and not by a bot. All rights reserved. That’s our story and we’re sticking to it.
Selected Links
AI
Gizmodo article: ChatGPT Gave Out My Address and Phone Number
The Atlantic article: How AI Killed a 133-Year-Old Princeton Tradition
Princeton University The Undergraduate Honor System
Venture Beat article: Thinking Machines shows off preview of near-realtime AI voice and video conversation with new ‘interaction models’
Android
Engadget article: Everything announced at The Android Show: I/O 2026 edition
The Verge article: Android Auto is now one (screen) size fits all
LEGO & LOTR
Retrododo article: Playable Tetris Arcade Set With Secret Room Arrives On LEGO Ideas
LEGO Arcade Machine 40805
Slashfilm article: LEGO Reveals A Massive, Expensive Lord Of The Rings Set For Minas Tirith
Brickfanatics article: LEGO The Lord of the Rings: Minas Tirith was ‘the right choice creatively’
LEGO Icons Minas Tirith 11377
Gizmodo article: ‘Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ Is Returning in November
Games at Work e382: Know it when I see it (for Rings of Power discussion and cool flying toaster screensaver)
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 30:44 — 14.7MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | Podcast Index | Youtube Music | RSS | More
