Rationalish

The World Cup is currently being played in Qatar, a country completely undeserving to host the event given that a reported 6,000 migrant workers died to build its stadiums. Also, they criminalized homosexuality. Also, they are terrible at soccer. And yet, here we are with the most important tournament being held in Doha. 

In this episode, we discuss Team USA's performance in the group stage and against Netherlands in the round of 16. We discuss the courage of the Iranian players as they demonstrated solidarity with protesters in Iran. And we speculate about the future of USA soccer as we look ahead to 2026...

What's that? You couldn't wait for Morgan and Eddie to break down the new Martin McDonagh flick? Well you are in luck, mister! And we threw in a littel 'Andor' because it's the best thing to grace the small screen since 'Succession.' 

Morgan and Eddie descend into a civil war of friendship set on a remote Irish island. Will we leave with our hands? Will Morgan want to quit our friendship to focus more on his arty obsessions? It remains to be seen.

At the end of the episode, we chat about the new Star Wars series 'Andor' which can best be described as 'kickass.' It's about the genesis of a rebellion and you need to watch it. 

Qatar is hosting the World Cup next month, human rights abuses be damned. In this episode, we discuss how human atrocities can happen in broad daylight as the Qatari regime bribed their way to hosting the 2022 World Cup. We discuss the term "sportswashing" and how authoritarian governments use a beloved sporting event to promote themselves, attract investors, or bury a negative reputation. 

We cover these two Guardian articles in this episode:

Qatar World Cup accused of imposing ‘chilling’ restrictions on media

Forget ‘sportswashing’: Qatar 2022 is about military might and hard sports power

We're about midway through the Formula 1 season. You must be wondering what's going on. You must be wondering what Morgan and I make of the Red Bull dominance and the Mercedes acquiescence. The Ferrari blunders and the Danny Ric/McLaren situation. Well, we touch on each of these in a crisp 35 minutes. Enjoy.

In 2025, Diablo Canyon Power Plant on the central coast of California is scheduled to go off-line. Have we given up too soon on nuclear energy? We debate the dividends and drawbacks of nuclear power as a means of combatting climate change and kicking that nasty fossil fuel habit once and for all! 

In this episode, we discuss this insightful article by Ivan Penn:

Nuclear Power Gets New Push in U.S., Winning Converts

We also discuss this helpful video from Kurzgesagt - In a Nutshell:

Do we Need Nuclear Energy to Stop Climate Change?

Vietnam vets. German Nihilists. White Russians. Dance quintets. Kidnap. Ransom. Gulf War. The 1998 Coen Brothers' film "The Big Lebowski" has it all. This is one of the greatest American films ever made (but that's just, like, my opinion man). We analyze this absurdly entertaining film through the lens of the Gulf War, which is frequently referenced throughout the film, though often in the background. With this episode, we offer our humble contribution to the burgeoning field of Lebowski Studies (a.k.a. The Dude Studies or TDS). We hope you enjoy.

Fast cars. Big money. International locations. Netflix. No, I am not talking about my personal life, I am talking about the competitive motorsport Formula 1. In this episode, we break down what this sport is and why you should watch it. We talk "Drive to Survive" and discuss all the recent drama. We make predictions and speculate. Join the fun. 

[Read the following sentences in the iconic tone of Twilight Zone narrator Rod Serling]:

Are you aware of the fifth dimension? 

That of imagination? 

The place where 'The Twilight Zone' resides? 

In this episode, we discuss "The Monsters Are Due On Maple Street," an episode from the first season of 'The Twilight Zone,' an episode where aliens invade and need to only cut the lights for a few hours for families on a quiet suburban street to turn into violent factions.

If you had control of the world’s most powerful force, how would you use it? In this literary escapade, Morgan and Eddie discuss Kurt Vonnegut’s short story “Report on the Barnhouse Effect.” It’s a story about a “superweapon with a conscience.” Does it have espionage? Yes it does. Dynamopsychism? You bet. Bored thesis advisors? Sure thing. On this episode we ask the big questions.

Here's a link to the letter Kurt Vonnegut wrote to his family, which is mentioned in the episode:

Vonnegut Letter

Is history linear? Are we making incremental improvements that are bettering humankind? Or are we repeating the same mistakes in an unending cycle? Morgan and Eddie answer all the big questions once and for all in this definitive episode. Listen to these young lads discuss Francis Fukuyama's theory of the "End of History" as well as what the great works of literature have to say on this question. 

Some background that was helpful for the hosts in framing this idea:

History as a linear or a cyclic process : Herodotus, Khaldun and Augustine