Be Good People.

Can great tools turn into dangerous systems? Can what we create and build up for the good of society turn on us without us even noticing? We continue the discussion on the question of "can it get too big?" as we discuss Google, Facebook and the new Documentary on Netflix called "The Social Dilemma".

Can a corporation get so big that we need to break it up to protect the American people? Does money and power corrupt all? We get into it this week! We talk Apple and we talk Liberty University this week. Spoiler alert - it isn't positive.

We are wrapping up our look at "Why We're Polarized" by Ezra Klein. This is a great book for our time looking at where our current political climate came from. We have discussed all kinds of issues and disruptions we have seen in politics since the beginning of our country and this week we start to look at what corrections we can be a part of. The political process is not a problem in need of a solution, it is a process in need of corrections. We are lucky to have a system built to withstand errors and always open to corrections. Will you join with us in this conversation?

We are in the 9th & 10th chapter this week. Pick up the book and join with us. It isn't a long read, but it definitely is a deep dive. If you would like to see all the discussions we have had on this book so far, check out the series on our Youtube page called "Why We're Polarized".

How do you identify? Idahoan? Tennesseean? American? Chicago-ite? Our identities have shifted from being more local before the civil war to being more national after (especially around WW1). This has made huge changes in how much we value the presidential office - but also how we engage (or if we engage) in politics.  We are in the 8th chapter this week. Pick up the book and join with us. It isn't a long read, but it definitely is a deep dive. If you would like to see all the discussions we have had on this book so far, check out the series on our Youtube page called "Why We're Polarized".

We continue our discussion surrounding Ezra Klein's "Why We're Polarized". This discussion has been a good one looking at the history of US Politics and this week we join Ezra in looking at where we are now. Two political parties, harshly polarized - not interested in listening to the middle. How do we continue to operate when the center of American politics is disappearing?

Pick up the book and join with us. It isn't a long read, but it definitely is a deep dive. If you would like to see all the discussions we have had on this book so far, check out the series on our Youtube page called "Why We're Polarized".

“Mainstream media” is a word that gets thrown around alot these days. This week, we’re asking if we’re the ones actually making it what it is. We’re tackling that question by taking a look at how we consume our political news as entertainment, and if there is a balance of being well informed without being polarized.

This book is great for us - Curtis doesn't always feel at home in the Democratic Party and Luke doesn't always feel welcome in Republican Circles. So - how do we interact in a beneficial way when the way the world is divided doesn't line up with who we are? We plan on spending a few weeks in the book, if you are able - pick up a copy and read along with us.

This week is a little bit different. We are AUDIO ONLY over at begoodpeople.podbean.com We have included a clip of our last Patrons Zoom where we talk a little about JFK and how he might be perceived in our current political state. This book is great for us - Curtis doesn't always feel at home in the Democratic Party and Luke doesn't always feel welcome in Republican Circles. So - how do we interact in a beneficial way when the way the world is divided doesn't line up with who we are? We plan on spending a few weeks in the book, if you are able - pick up a copy and read along with us.

Typically, most people use information as a tool to make good decisions. Are we doing that with our politics, or are we using the tools we have to explain away information that would otherwise change our minds. In other words... "People are smart, but crowds are dumb." We're discussing that issue on this week's episode, and would love your input! This book is great for us - Curtis doesn't always feel at home in the Democratic Party and Luke doesn't always feel welcome in Republican Circles. So - how do we interact in a beneficial way when the way the world is divided doesn't line up with who we are? We plan on spending a few weeks in the book, if you are able - pick up a copy and read along with us. 

Identity politics. A word we all have a definition for, a word that is in every political conversation. Are we taking the time to understand how the other side is using it? Can we come closer to an understanding while admitting we’re not fully there yet? We’re continuing our talk about polarization by asking the questions, “What identities are we giving power to?” and “What identities are we putting on others?” This book is great for us - Curtis doesn't always feel at home in the Democratic Party and Luke doesn't always feel welcome in Republican Circles. So - how do we interact in a beneficial way when the way the world is divided doesn't line up with who we are? We plan on spending a few weeks in the book, if you are able - pick up a copy and read along with us. This week our discussion takes us into the third chapter.

Do we get to the society we want by attacking things we hate or championing things we love? If winning the argument is the end goal, what do we have when we compromise everything we have to win? We look at chapter three this week of Ezra Klein's book "Why we're polarized." We talk about team sports and winning at any cost. These strategies may not be the best as we try to build a society for all. Jump in with us as we look at how American politics has changed from one team trying to do their best to build a society to two teams trying to make each other take the "L". This book is great for us - Curtis doesn't always feel at home in the Democratic Party and Luke doesn't always feel welcome in Republican Circles. So - how do we interact in a beneficial way when the way the world is divided doesn't line up with who we are? We plan on spending a few weeks in the book, if you are able - pick up a copy and read along with us. This week our discussion takes us into the third chapter.