It's time for a listener question episode! First we start with a discussion on the "Ok Boomer" meme, and social media more generally. Then we've got questions about Warren's debate answers, abortion being safe legal and rare, Tulsi Gabbard, and more!
Serious Inquiries Only - SIO216: The NYT Polling Panic
Recent polling done by the New York Times has many liberals very worried about the 2020 election. Despite being so unpopular, Trump is polling well against the major Democratic rivals in 6 key states that the NYT polled. Jamie and I discuss the polling and why we should or should not be freaked out, and the implications this has on running more to the center or to the left.
Serious Inquiries Only - SIO215: The Case of Rep. Katie Hill
Representative Katie Hill's story contains the intersection of so many issues - revenge porn, sexism, double standards, consent, #metoo, sexual and relationship ethics, and more. Jamie and I give the breakdown and give our opinions on whether or not she should have resigned.
Serious Inquiries Only - SIO214: Ok WTF is with Tulsi Gabbard?
Jamie and I embark on a Tulsi Gabbard deep dive! We've struggled trying to figure out what her deal is, and then the Hillary Clinton story blew up, so we figured it would be a great time to do a deep dive and try to answer the question of.... WTF. Is she an asset for Russia? Is she a secret Republican? Is she a progressive? Find out what we dug up!
Here are some key sources. I read a lot for this but many sources were redundant. The main two would be Jacobin and Daily Kos.
Serious Inquiries Only - SIO213: Democratic Debate No. 43
Jamie and I watched the latest Democratic Primary Debate so that you don't have to. Unless you want to. We've got opinions! Come listen and let us know what you think!
Serious Inquiries Only - SIO212: A Joker Review
Jamie and I watched Joker, so you don't have to! Unless you still want to, that's fine. The movie has generated a lot of buzz and think pieces, with people worried that it would inspire white terrorism. On the other end, though, some people think it is an absolutely brilliant movie. So where do we come down? Listen and find out!
Serious Inquiries Only - SIO211: Listener Questions, with Jamie!
It's a great time to stay on top of some listener mail! But first, a new segment, "Feminist Yells at News!" Jamie talks about Brett Kavanaugh's latest victim complex, and Hillary Clinton opening up in recent interviews. After that, it's listener questions! Topics include: supporting local news organizations vs. national news organizations; comedians feeling like they can't do comedy because of the PC left; is it useful to have conservatives like Ross Douthat in the NYT opinion section; are we strawmanning the Yang UBI arguments?
After that, we've got an excellent bonus 30 minutes for patrons! We talk about needing meaning in life, Jamie answers criticism on her Biden comments, and then we talk about which are our favorite musicals! (and not so favorite...)
Serious Inquiries Only - SIO210: The Case of David Silverman
Former President of American Atheists, David Silverman, has been on an attempted comeback tour. He has done some interviews, including with noted sexual harasser of British PMs, Carl Benjamin. It's one thing if Silverman wanted to try to seek forgiveness and start over, but he seems to be completely re-writing history and is also adopting MRA talking points in the process. Jamie and I are here to set the record straight as to what he was accused of, and argue that his victim-narrative is quite bogus.
Sources: American Atheists Statement; BuzzFeed Article; WaPo Article.
Serious Inquiries Only - SIO209: More Listener Questions!
I'm here with an old fashioned solo-pod, since there are so many more good listener questions to answer! Topics are: more non-binary folks respond to ContraPoints, racism, cancel culture, the real dark web, bubbles, and atheists still associating with certain problematic atheists. Hope you enjoy the bonus episode!
Serious Inquiries Only - SIO208: Kavanaugh, Weinstein, and Listener Qs with Jamie
Jamie and I start off with a bit of a '#metoo in the news' update. There were new allegations against Kavanaugh that were revealed in a truly bizarre way by the New York Times, and there was also a devastation episode of the NYT Daily Podcast that talked about Gloria Allred and her daughter Lisa Bloom, and the work Lisa did to defend Harvey Weinstein and discredit his accusers. After that, we've got some voicemail and email on Yang and UBI. Finally, we discuss an email about white guilt and dealing with relative privilege in our society.