Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Snarkiness

Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Snarkiness

By libertysnarkNews
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Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Snarkiness episodes

  • Trial by Tweet and Stand Up Comedy
    Aaron and Jenn discuss the recent trials and tribulations of the tweets made some time ago by Kyler Murray and Kevin Hart that have all of a sudden taken over the news cycle because people seem to have nothing better to do. Jenn discusses the inherently transgressive (or perhaps not) nature of art and comedy. Both Aaron and Jenn go over some of their favorite comedians, including John Mulaney, Rhod Gilbert, Burt Kreischer, and Dave Chapelle. Aaron discusses the inherent dangers of “woke culture,” and how it’s a fragile group identity that can only exist by finding others to punish. Also mentioned are Churchill, The Golden Compass series, Neil Patrick Harris, and David Mamet.
    Jonathan Haidt, “The Age of Outrage” - https://www.city-journal.org/html/age-outrage-15608.html
    Michael McCullough, “The Myth of Moral Outrage” - https://www.humansandnature.org/mind-morality-michael-mccullough
    Lindsey Ellis’s video essay on transgressive humor and Mel Brooks - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62cPPSyoQkE
    Comedian Tom Segura’s interview on “Hot Ones” where he discusses his thoughts on comedy - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIfUsQRyymU
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    44 min
  • Happy Holidays! There’s No War on Xmas!
    Aaron and Jason discuss the myth of the “War on Christmas,” and make the case for why it’s a case of manufactured outrage. Jason goes over the historical origins of Christmas in America and how the holiday as we know it is largely a post-WWII invention. Both Aaron and Jason riff a bit on commercialism, touching on the famed “Starbucks Christmas Cups” controversy. Aaron then discusses the psychology of moral panics and the “persecution of privilege” which both speak to the way the so-called “War on Christmas” operates. So as the season of holidays begin for many of us, enjoy time with family and friends, enjoy whatever fried, roasted, or baked goods you desire, and remember that your enjoyment should not in any way be impacted by what other people do.
    A report on the Virginia Christmas Pageant as well as President Trump’s focus on Christmas: https://www.breitbart.com/faith/2018/11/30/virginia-school-bans-christmas-carols-mentioning-jesus/?fbclid=IwAR3IxX11p3yUdVSvgNqBsQIYtlqgthqoDIl2-uFBDAVOEucOcMD0vuRg3gg
    The Daily Wire’s moral panic-esque take on “Happy Holidays”: https://www.dailywire.com/news/38871/bois-happy-holidays-not-about-inclusion-its-about-paul-bois?fbclid=IwAR0xwbBcHIUrZyflmkJUMzHRRFi13bvD4OUUkc_UFuthhRcLqziZP7XNxU8
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    34 min
  • Criminal Justice Reform and a Family Get-Together

    As the holiday season begins, what better way to celebrate than with family? In that spirit, Austin and Aaron host an episode with Aaron’s Dad, Dr. Jeffrey Pomerantz, a corrections physician of 23 years, to discuss ongoing criminal justice reform efforts, jury nullification, and the sheer problem of the number of laws we have. Aaron talks about the psychology of plea bargains, Austin goes over the problems of permanent felony records and human rights, and Jeff brings up the issues with private prisons. Also discussed are the legal perils of bird feathers, how clinging to philosophers can lose you the argument, and some scary facts about juries. 


    Some articles on the First Step Act: https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/page/ct-perspec-page-trump-kushner-mitch-mcconnell-kim-kardashian-jeff-sessions-1121-20181119-story,amp.html 

    https://www.cnbc.com/2018/11/14/trump-criminal-justice-reform-legislation-the-right-thing-to-do.html 

    https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/14/us/politics/prison-sentencing-trump.html 


    An article from FEE on the Koch Brothers and their free-market efforts at criminal justice reform: https://fee.org/articles/when-the-redemptive-power-of-work-meets-criminal-justice-reform/ 


    Mark Godsey’s “Blind Injustice”: https://www.amazon.com/Blind-Injustice-Prosecutor-Psychology-Convictions/dp/0520287959

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    42 min
  • Women, Aggression, Shame, and Boxed Wine
    Happy Thanksgiving Week! Jenn and Aaron return with a new guest, Maddie Collins, to discuss a recent article alleging that women who do not support the progressive agenda are bigoted. Jenn discusses how her encounters with the works of Russell Kirk and William F. Buckley Junior during her Master’s thesis formed her political views, regardless of what gender norms might or might not dictate. Maddie discusses how identity politics play into the dialogues about gender and political involvement, as well as bringing up the insanity of the “quiver full” movement and the notion of “debt free virgins without tattoos.” Aaron brings up the role of relational aggression, and how both sides of the political spectrum use it against women who don’t conform to ideological norms. Finally, all three of them discuss the vast problems that the Libertarian party and movement both possess with regards to women, as well as positively representing themselves to the world at large.
    Moira Donegan’s article in the Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/nov/09/white-women-vote-republican-why?fbclid=IwAR1KDa7t4RR8fKwfmiCYArxPRfm0I3C1yL5A3GWTJNJfOHJJ9r5SntdkeUY
    Neil Gaiman’s poem “The Mushroom Hunters”: https://wearestardust.myshopify.com/blogs/news/may-inspiration-the-mushroom-hunters-a-poem-by-neil-gaiman
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    42 min
  • Gun Control: "Common Sense" or Prejudice?
    Austin and Aaron take on some of the latest anti-gun legislation from New York and Washington State. Austin discusses some misconceptions that both sides hold about the legal rights surrounding firearms. Both Austin and Aaron take issue with the term "common sense gun control," and Aaron connects popular attitudes to firearms to both construal level theory and classic psychological theories of racism and prejudice.
    Some background on New York's proposed social-media-based gun control: https://www.newsweek.com/lawmakers-propose-hate-speech-social-media-checks-gun-purchases-1200746
    Aaron on construal level theory and anti-gun activism: https://fee.org/articles/social-psychology-suggests-march-for-our-lives-is-unlikely-to-change-anything-here-s-why/
    Nancy Pelosi on why "common sense" gun control will be a major issue for the new House of Representatives: https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/nov/9/nancy-pelosi-common-sense-gun-control-priority-dem/
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    43 min
  • Immigration, Anchor Babies, and Executive Orders
    Happy/Horrific Election Day! In the wake of the immigration-fueled hysteria, and President Trump's hurling gasoline on that fire with his promise of overriding the 14th Amendment via executive order, psychology, history, and the law come together for our first triple-header episode! Aaron lays out some of the psychology underlying the immigration debate, Jason provides a historical overview of America's troubled past with immigration, and Austin takes on "Mr. Facts and Logic" himself, Ben Shapiro, arguing that there is simply no reasonable case against the 14th Amendment's applicability to all immigrants, regardless of their legal status. The trio then address remarks made by a representative of their alma mater, Hillsdale college, before reflecting on what the current state of the immigration debate means for the future of this country and its inhabitants.
    Ben Shapiro's case for why the 14th Amendment doesn't apply: https://www.dailywire.com/news/37761/can-trump-end-birthright-citizenship-executive-ben-shapiro?fbclid=IwAR3qcRi7Lz1mRpDOo2koyBHiYoB3PIaUxwVjUoZANLnX8fiEuro0akwSOOc
    The paper Austin references explaining why, based on previous jurisprudence, President Trump's Executive Order is dead in the water: https://www.gibsondunn.com/wp-content/uploads/documents/publications/Ho-DefiningAmerican.pdf
    Michael Anton's opinion piece defending President Trump's rhetoric: https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2018/11/01/framers-never-wanted-birthright-citizenship/1831577002/?fbclid=IwAR2dFRk2bwREtHHe5Iscsl_e317evO9GKTcxHRZwGXbdnYxbQsidhet-xCk
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    45 min
  • Princesses, Harry Potter, and Parenting
    Aaron and Jenn Shadle discuss Kristen Bell and Kiera Knightley’s controversial views on letting their kids watch Disney Princess movies. Jenn gives her views on why censorship is a bad thing, and why it harms the point of storytelling and art in general, while Aaron discusses psychological research from the University of Oklahoma which shows just how important fantasy, and literature in general, is to our development and function as human beings. Both Aaron and Jenn discuss parental rights within a liberty-oriented viewpoint, Aaron reveals his passionate dislike of Veggietales, and Jenn discusses her ongoing par asocial relationship with Nancy Drew.
    The article that started all the kerfuffle: https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/allthemoms/2018/09/20/keira-knightley-banned-cinderella-little-mermaid-her-daughter/1369088002/
    Dr. Jennifer Barnes’s Ted Talk on fiction and par asocial relationships: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22yoaiLYb7M&t=912s
    A brief overview of the psychological model of parenting styles discussed in the episode: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/thinking-about-kids/201409/authoritative-versus-authoritarian-parenting-style
    Kristen Bell explains her remarks on why she wants to be careful what her kids watch: https://www.aceshowbiz.com/news/view/00127648.html
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    41 min
  • Political Tribalism and Tribulation - A Historical Perspective
    Jason and Aaron discuss the recent "rise" in political tribalism pointed out by many across the political spectrum. Though many say it's only getting worse as the midterm elections loom closer, Jason explains why, from a historical perspective, this is nothing new in American politics, giving several examples of far worse elections and rhetoric than that seen in 2016 and 2018, while Aaron gives a brief psychological perspective of why civility seems absent from political discourse.
    Senator Ben Sasse gives an interview about his views on tribalism: https://www.msnbc.com/morning-joe/watch/sen-ben-sasse-takes-on-tribalism-and-loneliness-in-book-1345279043996?v=raila&
    Sebastian Junger's book "Tribe": https://www.amazon.com/Tribe-Homecoming-Belonging-Sebastian-Junger/dp/1455566381?SubscriptionId=AKIAILSHYYTFIVPWUY6Q&tag=duckduckgo-d-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=1455566381
    Two of Aaron's articles, the first discussing the differing worldviews and definitions behind political discourse, and the second discussing guilt and shame in political rhetoric:
    https://fee.org/articles/the-ideology-behind-so-what-you-re-saying-is/
    https://fee.org/articles/rising-above-shame-based-identity-politics/
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    44 min
  • Facebook, Free Speech, and Frikkin' Frogs!
    Aaron and Austin discuss the recent purge of facebook pages, many of them liberty-oriented, which supposedly occurred to "protect our democracy." Austin discusses the underlying jurisprudence of free speech, including the history of the Supreme Court decisions relating to it, while Aaron relates the current debates over what should and shouldn't be considered "free" speech to honor ideology and psychological authoritarianism. Austin gives a fascinatingly complimentary look into the existence of "fighting words" as a legal precedent, Aaron points out how both sides violate their supposed ideologies in restricting free speech, and examples range from Alex Jones to Joe McCarthy to once again breaking Godwin's law.
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    41 min
  • Telltale Games, Gompers, and Robber Barons
    The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, Batman, and…. John D. Rockefeller? Guest host Jason Klicker joins Aaron as they discuss the recent controversy around Telltale Game Studios, including their unceremonious firing of almost all of their employees. In the course of this discussion, Jason and Aaron cover the corporate illusion of invulnerability, a brief overview of some of the lesser-known history of unions in America, some often-ignored facts about the infamous “robber barons,” and Aaron’s shameless shilling of Assassin’s Creed.
    An overview of the Telltale incident : https://www.theverge.com/platform/amp/2018/10/4/17934166/telltale-games-studio-closed-layoffs-end-the-walking-dead
    Edmund Opitz (one of both Aaron and Tyler’s favorite authors) on the Robber Barons and the union age: https://fee.org/articles/the-robber-barons-and-the-real-gilded-age/
    Dr. Burt Folsom on Robber Barons: https://fee.org/articles/how-the-myth-of-the-robber-barons-began-and-why-it-persists/
    Lawrence Reed on Rockefeller’s Standard Oil: https://fee.org/articles/witch-hunting-for-robber-barons-the-standard-oil-story/
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    54 min

About Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Snarkiness

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An interdisciplinary team of millennials discuss politics and pop culture, all without taking themselves too seriously! From psychology to history to political philosophy to movie reviews, tune in…