Critical Nonsense

How does one be a neighbor? And when are we old? [18:56]

This week, Joey and Aaron talk about segways, friendship, moving in, being old longer, feeling old younger, and Boston Dynamics' Spot. They don't talk about the sheer quantity of fence types we missed: electric, wrought iron, pool, chickenwire, garden, vinyl panel, the list goes on.

references

Vox on Housing and Adult Friendship.

See the headless dog robot for yourself.

NYTimes: being "The Elder" and the retreat for dealing with becoming old.

When should we "cancel" an artist? And how long should we put up with the negatives of social media? [18:57]

This week, Aaron and Joey talk about Michael Jackson, redirecting royalties, Picasso, Facebook moderators, flat-earthers, and internet librarians. They don't talk about how "cancelling" by this use has not yet made it into Merriam Webster.

references

Clips from Leaving Neverland (and presumably, much more to come on the internet).

What Do We Do with the Art of Monstrous Men? Claire Dederer on the Paris Review.

The Verge on Facebook content moderators.

r/eyebleach for your eyebleaching needs.

What makes a generation "soft"? And what makes something luxurious? [18:36]

This week: Joey and Jess and special guest commentator Camille talk about adversity, erring on the side of caution against abuse, NBA contracts, fine leather goods, stopping time, and instagram-worthy icecream. They don't talk about the technical cut-off year for being "Millennials."

references

That original HuffPost article on Amy Klobuchar.

Another plug for Jonathan Haidt and his book The Coddling of the American Mind.

Whom does the gig economy benefit?

This week, Joey and Aaron talk about the privilege of flexibility, benefits, and big a$$ spears. They don't talk about the extremely dark past of ears on belts.

references

Claudia Goldin's Harvard study on the pay gap.

What are the new rules of attribution in the age of the internet? And when will smart homes be smart enough? [17:47]

This week, Joey and Aaron talk about the creative commons, remix culture, /r/ Showerthoughts, Janet, Hue lights, and the Guster meow mix. They don't talk about how /r/ Showerthoughts might just as well be another name for our show.

references

What makes baking special? And what could happen now that sports betting is (mostly) legal? [22:22]

This week, Aaron and Joey talk about anxiety, chemistry, grandmas, predictive markets, Sir Francis Galton, and Mary Berry. They don't talk about which of Mary, Merry, and Marry sound the same.

references

The Atlantic on anxiety-baking.

More on prediction markets.

Predict it.

Wiki's bio on Sir Francis Galton.

Why is it so hard to take professional risks? And what will happen to the horror genre?? [23:11]

This week, Joey and special guest host Osei talk about 'Oumuamua, tenure, risks and happiness, UFOs, the Golden Record, and Black Mirror. They don't talk about their up/down votes on Bandersnatch.

references

The scoop on 'Oumuamua.

NPR: The story of NASA engineer Bob Ebeling and the space shuttle challenger.

What's to come in 2019?

This week, a special top of the year episode! Aaron, Joey, and Jess talk about their wild prognostications, involving Trump-era art, provenance in retail, the next fad diet, the next Facebook, brand values, and unicorns. They don't talk about what kind of animal Gritty is.

referencesThe Fiji water PR stunt that began with the Golden Globes.Pew on Americans and Facebook as of 2018.The Gillette ad: "The Best Men Can Be."Vice on Japan's mascot game.Chairs and Facebook.