In this episode of People Stuff, Dan and Michael imagine what it’s like to work for a living by giving some advice to a graduating high school student, reflecting on robots and boredom on the factory line, and speculating on just how true a job advertisement on an oil field…
In this episode of People Stuff, Dan and Michael discuss and/or are informed by: “30 under 30-year sentences: why so many of Forbes’ young heroes face jail” by Arwa Mahdawi https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/apr/06/forbes-30-under-30-tech-finance-prison “Breaching Experiments” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breaching_experiment Studies in Ethnomethodology, by Harold Garfinkel (you may want to bookmark this one; Michael brings it…
Mascots that stick are the weird ones! The famous Gritty proves the point. Why are normal mascots so forgettable? If a team wants to be remembered, they need a mascot that is… different. #mascot #gritty #sports #funny #weird #philadelphiaflyers
Is the modern money supply a ticking time bomb? Many fear currency detached from commodities and inflation’s relentless rise. Will the Federal Reserve maintain control, or is a financial crisis inevitable? "Values don't get too far outta hand." #economics #inflation #federalreserve #finance #moneysupply
Why does money actually have value? Is it really just because “we say so”? This deep dive explores money's classic functions: unit of account, exchange medium, and store of value. Prepare for a mind-bending explanation! #money #economics #value #finance #investing
Why did the gold standard collapse? From the Great Depression to Nixon's Vietnam War debt, see how financial history took a wild turn. ‘This is not a history podcast’—but the implications are huge. #goldstandard #economicHistory #Nixon #GreatDepression #finance #macroeconomics
Can politicians just be normal? One person wonders if those in office need to be attention-seeking all the time. Should they be allowed to ponder ice cream flavors? "It's nice to have a little personality," right? #politics #weirdos #clouds #personality #benign
Letters of recommendation are a broken system? Why does it matter who pulls the levers of power? It might be time to ask if AI should decide med school admissions. A deep dive into the recommendation racket and why 'it's so bad.' #AIinEducation #MedicalSchool #LettersOfRecommendation #HigherEd #AdmissionsProcess
In this episode of People Stuff, Dan and Michael chart the far reaches of our human capacity for delusion by pondering a politician’s social media presence, considering one chef’s ruinous obsession with crypto-currency, and parsing the inter-dimensional potential of some ill-conceived home renovations. The doors are portals, man. If you…
Crypto holders face unique risks! Acting as own bank exposes them to hacks & wrench attacks. Is the freedom worth the threat? Learn the hidden dangers now! #cryptocrash #bitcoin #crypto #DeFi #security
Can cash end vaccine hesitancy? See how a podcast host breaks down strategies to boost vaccination rates with inventive—and potentially lucrative—incentives. Will it work? "Everybody wins because you survive." #vaccineincentives #publichealth #podcastsolutions #vaccinationstrategy #cashincentives
In this episode, Dan and Michael discuss (and/or are informed by): The Paranoid Style in American Politics, by Richard Hofstader (https://harpers.org/archive/1964/11/the-paranoid-style-in-american-politics/) Boba Fett, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boba_Fett Dog the Bounty Hunter, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_the_Bounty_Hunter The Rites of Passage, by Arnold Van Gennep The Ritual Process, by Victor Turner
Navigating societal divides? Discover how etiquette & politics can be powerful alternatives to violence. When fundamental rights clash, understanding the stakes is key. 'Do I have a right to do what I want with my body?' It is important to see the perspective of others. #etiquette #politics #society #conflictResolution #rights…
Is Taco Bell avant-garde or just…Taco Bell? The great American palate is explored! It's a world of sweet, salty, and fatty delights that may not be what one expects. Is it the food equivalent of a doctoral dissertation, or just a unique experience? #AmericanFood #TacoBell #Foodie #FoodReview #TasteTest
Elite universities: are they failing students? From insane selectivity to administrative bloat, it's time to rethink higher education. "A bad grade isn't just...try again. A bad grade is like you're a bad person." #highereducation #university #college #academicfail #elitecollege
Can a cake change a mind? Discover how purity politics and cultural divides shape our perceptions of 'poison' vs. 'medicine.' Is it possible to force a bit of perspective, or is this approach too good to be true? 'Wait, you don't think a cake's going to do it?' #CulturalDivide #PurityPolitics…
Baseball card collectors are now using CAT scans to find valuable cards without even opening the packs! Is a Larry David card really worth thousands? This changes everything! #baseballcards #collectibles #larrydavid #catscan #hobby #rare
How does “deep, deep stupidity” undermine rational thought? Explore Bonhoeffer’s theory that stupidity lacks a 'hard center' like evil, leading to sideways logic and conspiracy theories. Is there a way out of this 'sideways moving' world? #Bonhoeffer #StupidityTheory #CriticalThinking #ConspiracyTheories #Philosophy #Logic
Family reunion drama? A relative's embrace of controversial health views sparks a tough decision. Unvaxxed kids at the gathering could put the little ones at risk, forcing a family to weigh the options. #familydrama #vaccination #health #familyreunion
Dan and Michael ask why CT scans are so popular among baseball card collectors. #collectibles #baseball
In this episode of People Stuff, Dan and Michael discover what “no” really means by examining a disinclination to talk stupid politics, the idiotic cruelty of skipping childhood vaccines, and the misguided fear of Mexican food. If your name is Bartleby, if your condition is humanity’s, or if you would…
In this episode, Dan and Michael discuss: Imagined Communities by Benedict Anderson Understanding Media by Marshall McLuhan Amusing Ourselves to Death by Neil Postman Purity and Danger by Mary Douglas “Techniques of the Body” by Marcel Mauss Outline of a Theory of Practice by Pierre Bourdieu Human Nature and Conduct…
Dan and Michael discuss whether vampirism is normal and wonder if vampirism is compatible with a 9-5 job. #job #clerical
Dan and Michael discuss why oligarchs always think they can make a deal with fascists and why that never works. Of course, we are talking about Trump and Musk. #spacex #starlink #nazis #elections