Critical Nonsense

Why hasn’t the FIRE movement taken off? And what's the point of Best Of Lists? [25:45]

This week, Joey, Aaron, and special guest host Kelly talk about retiring early, time as a resource, healthy skepticism, total stock market funds, Beychella, and hispanic literature. They don't talk about Schrödinger's Yanni. Or is it Schrödinger's Laurel?

referencesThe Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE) subreddit.We only scratched the surface of understanding the FIRE movement: the 1998 Trinity Study that kindled the craze, the 1994 Bengen article that inspired Trinity, and an essential primer on the 4% spending rule from VTSAX's own parent, Vanguard.Aaron's go-to budgeting tool, YNAB.A few best-of lists we like: the best innovations, the best photos, and the best of everything.

What do we lose when we lose nostalgia? And what is going to replace the NFL? [17:40]

This week, Aaron and Joey talk about time in different cultures, Finesse, Norman Rockwell, the Kareem Hunt story, culture televised, and ideal NFL alternatives. They don't talk about the power ranking of early 2000s teen films.

referencesThe Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows.Minnie Riperton's Lovin' You in full.The study around how different cultures understand time.Jonathan Haidt's Big Think video.Get your copy of SLIMED: an oral history of Nickelodeon's Golden Age.The TMZ Sports video that did in Kareem Hunt.Evidence that of the top 50 rated shows on television, 37 were NFL games.

What’s the role of deprivation in a time with so much excess? And why are Disney princes so lame? [16:57]

This week, Joey and Aaron talk about fasting, hedonism, the most sinful cities in America, lazy patriarchy, Mr. Mom-ism, and the inevitable queer Disney prince. They don’t talk about how The Beast’s real name is Adam. Beep boop.

referencesThe dopamine fasting video from Joey’s feed of science videos.The hedonic escalator is actually a hedonic treadmill.A 2019 list of America’s Most Sinful Cities (which we misread mid-show, so please take a closer look than us! We highly recommend reading the methodology.)That Wall Street Journal article on the Modern Princess Problem.

This week, a special early episode! Aaron and Joey take on a handful of questions likely to come up over Thanksgiving dinner.

What’s special about board games? And how should we treat our pets? [17:33]

This week, Aaron and Joey talk about hoop rolling, the Settlers of Catan, Sun Tsu, Modern Family, the health benefits of having a dog, and luxury chicken diapers. They don't talk about the hidden advantages of drawing the Split-Level card.

referencesUnderstand why Gloomhaven actually weighs 20 lbs.Thoughts on The Player of Games, by Iain M Banks (spoiler alert)."The Swedish study" on life expectancy and dog ownership.Trends driving pet population growth. More from Global News Wire.Millennials love dogs.

What is mystery in the 21st century? And why are teen soap operas so addictive? [17:30]

This week, Joey and Aaron talk about the observer effect, deep fakes, guts that think, socially acceptable hyperbole, compassion fatigue, and the uncanny valley of drama (which is a thing we might've made up). They don't talk about soaps used by teens.

referencesAdobe's Project Voco: text to voice replacement.See what Heartmath Institute is up to.

For past episodes and more, visit thisisnonsense.com.

This week: Aaron asks Joey about being sexy on Halloween and Joey asks Aaron about the current state of intimacy. With special guest, Katie Sadow.

This week: Joey asks Aaron about how we connect to music and Aaron asks Joey about meaning in work.

For all the songs referenced in the first conversation, we made a playlist of nostalgia, disco, and middle-aged saxophone.The Soul Glo song from Coming to America.

Eric Erikson's stages of psychology.The Outline: Red Dead Redemption 2.

This week: special guest Ilana Bondell asks Joey about the culture around Sports versus Celebrity and Joey asks Ilana about the potential for climate change moonshots.

Canelo Alvarez and the highest paying contract in history: $365M. Lebron's Laker's deal was $153M.

Elon Musk's meltdown: a chronology.Taylor Swift getting out the Tennessee vote.