It's Pretty OK

This week, a discovery that Sean’s stereo speakers are actually older than he is sparks a conversation about reliability, incentives, and the way that global manufacturing has changed. How did we get from “built to last” to “the internet of things,” and how do heirloom companies like Thomas Moser and Patek Philippe figure into the equation?

MUSIC: “Gas Station Food” — the pack a.d.

ADDITIONAL MATERIAL: Introducing the Live Music Jukebox (The Pudding)

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This week, with Max on the road, the gang borrows (co-opts? steals?) a prompt from one of Sean’s group texts and debates the ultimate starting 5 from the Tony Bennett era of Virginia basketball. That’s right, it’s a sportsball one.

MUSIC: “Nice Guys” - Beach Bunny

ADDITIONAL MATERIAL: Samer Recognized A Fart Online (Defector)

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This week, the gang is talking about one of its favorite pastimes: beer. How has your alcohol consumption changed over the last year? And how would it change if you could get free Coors Light (or a similarly cheap beer) for life?

MUSIC: “Beer” - Reel Big Fish

ADDITIONAL MATERIAL: Blame Game EP by Beach Bunny (Bandcamp)

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This week, the gang is all together again, and they’re talking about animated movies and TV shows. Believe it or not, they’re not just for kids anymore — although maybe they never were in the first place? And does that justify Pierce’s attempt to watching nothing but animation for the entire month of January? It probably doesn’t.

MUSIC: “Louie Louie” - Toots and the Maytals

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This week, Max’s yuppy-tacular shopping trip sparks a conversation about modern brands like Allbirds and Warby Parker that have expanded from online-only businesses into brick-and-mortar retail. What are these brands selling you (apart from shoes and glasses, obviously), and how is it different from what, say, L.L. Bean is selling you?

MUSIC: “Heat of the Moment” - Asia

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This week, Pierce talks to Sean and Kevin about a New Yorker article on the rise of Substack, the email newsletter platform that has become one of the preferred homes for writers jumping ship from existing media properties. They discuss what makes a newsletter an enticing proposition for a reader, who is using these platforms to publish content, and whether or not you can get rich on Substack (as their CEO has claimed).

MUSIC: “No Eyed Girl” - Lemon Demon

ADDITIONAL MATERIAL: Is Substack the Media Future We Want? (The New Yorker)

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NOTE: We recorded this episode before the rioting in D.C. on Wednesday.

This week, the gang talks about movies. Well, not just movies, but also the movies. How is stuff like Warner releasing all of its 2021 movies to HBO Max going to affect the world of cinema? And do you even want to go back to a movie theater when it’s safer?

MUSIC: “Romance” - Wild Flag

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This week, Sean is out and the rest of the gang is talking about how to avoid some of the stress of holiday shopping.

MUSIC: “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” - The Beths

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This week, a blog post about how Japanese people keep fit simply by walking sparks a conversation about how we choose where we live and how the way cities are laid out influences that decision.

MUSIC: “My Iron Lung” - Radiohead

ADDITIONAL MATERIAL

I’ve Seen a Future Without Cars, and It’s Amazing (The New York Times)

Lego Version of Hokusai’s Iconic The Great Wave off Kanagawa (Kottke.org)

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When the Max is away, the sports fans will play, and this week, Pierce, Kevin and Sean discuss the reaction to ESPN.com’s pre-NBA Draft profile of top overall pick Anthony Edwards, in which the former Georgia star said that he’s “still not really into” basketball and would ditch the sport to play football if the NFL came calling.

MUSIC: “Living the Dream (Cuttin’ Grass version)” - Sturgill Simpson

ADDITIONAL MATERIAL

The pain and promise of top NBA draft prospect Anthony Edwards (ESPN.com)

Radio Garden (online and in your app store of choice)

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