Bad Philosophy

Bad Philosophy

Episode 142

"One-Two-Three-Fourlosophy"

Recorded 09-02-13

Bad Philosophers: Stephen Torrence, Kevin Saunders

Let's face it, if you're reading this (and listening to our show), you're likely in pretty good shape as human beings go. You've got access to the Internet, some free time, a computer or smartphone -- all the benefits of Progress. But what about those Others who aren't in such good shape? You'd like them to get where you are, right? And if you do, what's the best way to go about that?

Peter Buffett recently expressed some dissatisfaction with the systems and organizations who dedicate themselves to philanthropic work. Is he right? Kevin and I had some thoughts on his thoughts. Have a listen! And please share your thoughts in the comments.

Bad Philosophy

Episode 141

"Sloppy Sci-Fi"

Recorded 08-20-13

Bad Philosophers: Stephen Torrence, Kevin Saunders, Britton Peele, Tim Poon

In the last couple of decades we've seen "gaming" go from a marginal entertainment medium to a multi-billion-dollar industry. Remarkably though, gaming as a cultural force, a storytelling canvas, and even a means of social cohesion is still evolving and changing right before our eyes. This episode we welcome back gaming journalists Britton Peele and Tim Poon to join me and Kevin on a quest for perspective on where gaming is and where its going (or definitely not going). Enjoy!

This Week's Post-show Song Pimpage

Some Special by Bratmobile

Bad Philosophy

Episode 140

"Let's Make Mayonnaise"

Recorded 07-27-13

Bad Philosophers: Stephen Torrence, Kevin Saunders

In our late-stage consumer capitalist society, weird stuff is starting happen. Haul videos, artisanal coffee mugs, that guy down the street from you who bought a sewing machine and aspires to be the next Levi Strauss. What's up with all of this? Are we entering a new age of craftsmanship? An artisanal renaissance? Or is this just the latest consequence of soulless capitalism? In this episode, Kevin and I discuss a poignant article on the subject, and get quite the hankering for some artisanal mayonnaise. Have a listen!

Show Notes

You Are Not an Artisan - Venkat

Grant Morrison - Wikipedia

Kevin's "Haul" video - YouTube

This Week's Post-show Song Pimpage

"Marty Beller Mask" by They Might Be Giants

Bad Philosophy

Episode 138

"No Longer a Thing"

Recorded 06-08-13

Bad Philosophers: Stephen Torrence, Kevin Saunders, Dr. Mark Webb

Let's be honest, it feels really good to be right, to be correct, to stand on an epistemic foundation and know that no matter what, no one can come along and challenge the rock-solidity of that foundation. But... what if we could be wrong about that? What if we could be wrong about a lot of things? What if we could even be wrong even about these foundations, these necessary truths, these infallible wells of knowledge? Joining me to discuss this philosophical realm, known as fallibilism, is Dr. Mark Webb, all the way from Seville, Spain! Oh, and Kevin, because Kevin. We could be wrong, but we think you'll really love this episode.

What do trees, brains, and pants have in common? Kevin, Stephen, John Elliott, and Matt Epperson explore our complex world through the works of Manuel Lima.

The post Episode 137: Keep Your Pants On, Monkey Brain first appeared on Bad Philosophy.

Bitcoins are back! Or are they? Simon Ponder joins Kevin and Stephen to find out whether they're worth Beliebing in.

The post Episode 136: Please Don't Send Us Cocaine first appeared on Bad Philosophy.

A spectre is looming over the Internet. It is the spectre of… another discussion of Marxism! That’s right, my dear proletariat, this episode we are pleased to tickle your ears with our thoughts on the core concepts of good ol’ Karl himself, courtesy of the wonderful compendium Action Philosophers and this here paper on how those hipster Soviets got the idea for workplace gamification way before it was cool. Our old friend Greg Briley even joined me and Kevin via the magic of Skype. Why, we even stuffed a puppy full of candy for you. Enjoy!

This Week’s Post-Show Song Pimpage:

“A Communist’s Manifesto” by Sabastian VillainyThe post Episode 135: Think Pushers first appeared on Bad Philosophy.

Bad Philosophy

Episode 134

"Hats Off"

Recorded 03-18-13

Bad Philosophers: Kevin Saunders, Stephen Torrence

Bad Philosophy

Episode 132

"Of Television"

Recorded 02-01-13

Bad Philosophers: Stephen Torrence, Kevin Saunders

It's a nice day to start again, folks. The end of January marked the beginning of the first Coursera MOOC purely focused on the venerable phield of philosophy. In this first application of the first week of material (what I meant but forgot to call "Coursera Diaries Part I"), Kevin and I test out Dave Ward's conception of philosophy as "the activity of working out the right way of thinking about the things that matter most to us." Television happens to matter quite a bit to me and Kevin, so we put on our best drinking caps for one of our more intentionally F-isodes in a while. So man the boats, don't touch that dial, and prepare to go meta, it's BF time!

This Week's Post-Show Song Pimpage:

"Kill Your Televion" by God Fodder

Bad Philosophy

Weekly Why 012

"Radiolab is Scared of Poststructuralism"

Recorded 01-29-2012

Bad Philosophers: Kevin Saunders, Stephen Torrence

Okay, granted, it's been a very long time since our last "Weekly Why." They are not weekly, nor do they even strictly deal with explanations, questions, or anything that might involve "why." Even the index number "12" is not entirely accurate (there have been a few discarded potential Weekly Why's since 008, if you're curious). Put simply, the Weekly Why is just our way to share super rabbit trail content that didn't make it into a main episode (and bring up our episode/month* count a little). This time around Kevin had some critical thoughts regarding the very nature of the popular podcast / radio program Radiolab, in particular their unwillingness to dive deep into the issue of truth itself, even when they come face-to-face with it. Have a listen!