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TWiT 1094: Rest in Peace, Buzzkill - How John C. Dvorak Changed Tech Journalism Forever
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Tribute to John C. Dvorak: Rest in Peace, Buzzkill
At 19:00 · chapter starts 5:38
Leo learned of Dvorak's death from TWiT forums, where longtime journalist Scott Mace posted the news alongside a photo from Microsoft's 50th anniversary. Dvorak had undergone double bypass surgery in March, and his heart finally gave out. Leo traces Dvorak's remarkable career arc: the 'Inside Track' gossip column at PC Magazine that made irreverence mainstream, the radio show Dvorak on Computers co-hosted with Leo on KNBR starting around 1990, his ZDTV/TechTV Silicon Spin Roundtable, and ultimately the No Agenda Show with Adam Curry. Larry Magid shares a memorable Amsterdam story involving Dvorak, a gin bar, and a legal joint. Devindra remembers reading Dvorak's columns as a teenager and loving his irascibility. Allyn recalls being grilled by Dvorak on his first TWiT appearance about the best SSD. Leo reveals Dvorak appeared on 252 TWiT episodes [1] — Leo Laporte "John Dvorak on 252 TWiT episodes: John C. Dvorak appeared on 252 episodes of This Week in Tech, more than any other guest, starting from ep…" 17:26 — more than anyone else. The assembled panel agrees: there was no one like him.
John C. Dvorak wasn't just a columnist — he was the architect of irreverent tech journalism. He bolded words at random, baited Mac fans for sport, stole mugs from the studio, and appeared on 252 TWiT episodes. Leo reveals Dvorak secretly hid his age for decades; he was 80 when he died.
John C. Dvorak kept his age secret for decades, lying to reporters; his true age of 80 was revealed only upon his death.
Larry Magid credits Dvorak with launching his LA Times career. Leo traces Dvorak's path from radio to ZDTV to podcasting with Adam Curry. Dvorak was 80 — and nobody knew.
John C. Dvorak appeared on 252 episodes of This Week in Tech, more than any other guest, starting from episode 3.
