Oct. 6, 2025

Dan and Michael go to Therapy

Dan and Michael go to Therapy

In this episode, Dan and Michael explore the limits of psychology, the decline of social gatherings among young Americans, and the role of alcohol as a social lubricant. They discuss the rise of chatbot therapy and its implications for self-reflection, as well as the complexities of fandom and the nature of suffering in sports. The conversation also delves into the historical roots of therapy in shamanism and the politics of sports fandom, ultimately questioning the future of therapy and psychology in a rapidly changing society.

In this episode, we mention and/or are influenced by the following:

An article on the decline of partying: https://www.derekthompson.org/p/the-death-of-partying-in-the-usaand?

Beastie Boys -- You Gotta Fight For Your Right To Party https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBShN8qT4lk

Karen V. Hansen -- "A Very Social Time: Crafting Community in Antebellum New England." University of California Press, 1994.

Claude Levi-Strauss "The Effectiveness of Symbols"