When philanthropist, business magnate and political activist David Koch passed away, the media scrambled to address his legacy - but what is that legacy, exactly? Join Ben and Matt as they explore the life of David Koch, and the bizarre, insidious ways the political engine he helped create still welds enormous influence on the U.S. after his demise.
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!
Our first live show! Mike tells Sarah about Janet Jackson, the 2004 Super Bowl Halftime show and the 9/16ths of a second that destroyed her career. Digressions include Puff Daddy, Jessica Simpson and Edward James Olmos. Like all positive developments regarding this show, performing live is something we feel weird about and so we spent the first few minutes talking about it!
In which the canonical greatest innovation of modern life turns out to be a result of uneven toaster technology, and John builds the worst soapbox racer of all time. Certificate #50925.
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.
Everyone loves a good heist film -- but how accurate are they? Join Ben and Matt as they delve into the stories of modern history's biggest heists, actual criminal conspiracies carried out across the world to steal millions of dollars' worth of loot. Who got caught? Who got shot? Perhaps most importantly... who got away free, and where might they be living today?
All aboard the endless train of symbolism. We'll be passing through, but not making stops in: locomotive dad jokes, environmental injustice, Plato's Republic, Social Contact Theory, revolutionary change, and various flavors or dooooom! If you can't follow the train of thought, it's cause the podcast is a closed system and we can only be as coherent as the sci-fi vehicle that we're currently hurtling along in. This one goes all over the map and the endings a bit abrupt, because just doing meta-meta-analysis isn't good enough, you've gotta meta-match on pacing too. Really though, we've got a lot of train cars worth of wtf left to go, so grab some kronole and get huffing.
Recent appearances: Aaron had a great time talking to skeptics in the pub. We'll have the audio and video out soon. If you're a skeptic and you've got a pub nearby you should invite us over!
CONTENT PREVIEW: Snowpiercer and Social Contact Theory
In this episode, Sam and Rivers are at Disgraceland Studios (Carter is late but he eventually shows up) with the absolutely hilarious and delightful Courtney Peterson. This episode starts off in classic Goods from the Woods fashion; all about Lunchables, generic soda, and the Insane Clown Posse. Then, Courtney tells us all about her passion for the truly bizarre TV show 'Big Brother'. We talk all about the end-of-history feeling we get from 'Celebrity Big Brother' and reality TV broadly. Is this the fall of civilization? Listen to find out! Follow Courtney on Instagram @CatWingCourt! Follow the show on Twitter @TheGoodsPod. Rivers is @RiversLangley Sam is @SlamHarter Carter is @CarterGlascock Dr. Pat is @PM_Reilly Mr. Goodnight is @SepulvedaCowboy Pick up a Goods from the Woods t-shirt at: http://prowrestlingtees.com/TheGoodsPod
**UPDATE: since this episode was first released, J.K. Rowling has said and written some deeply transphobic sentiments and for this, Alie no longer stans nor supports her. So in listening to this episode, let's marvel at the -ologist herself and her love of Chemistry and remember that feminism is intersectional and trans women are women, and trans folks are welcome and beloved in the Ologies universe.**
PART 2: Your questions answered by Dr. Rebecca Lai, as a continuation of last week's foundational episode.
Accio: ALL YOUR DREAMS COMING TRUE. Whether you've never read the Harry Potter series -- or you have dogeared copies on your nightstand -- there's something for everyone in this 2-part episode dissecting the science of the spells in J.K. Rowling's books. Electrochemist and professor Dr. Rebecca Lai is a devoted fan who teaches a university course called "A Muggle’s Guide to Harry Potter’s Chemistry." Alie travels to her lab at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to chat about disappearing ink, gold nanoparticles, ancient alchemy, spells that burn your enemy's eyes, others that protect you from the elements, how writing a novel is like a scientific experiment and how to keep going in the face of stumbling blocks.
**Bonus: I managed not to swear, so you can listen with the kiddos in your life.
In which a German church organ perform a John Cage composition so slowly that the concert will last 639 years, and Ken has an opinion on who the horniest characters are in Middle-earth. Certificate #24524.
