Sorta Sophisticated

But what does gambling have to do with becoming more cultured and curious, Pete?

Not gambling, cricket. I'm going to tell you what cricket has to do with being more cultured and curious because we got to learn to appreciate varying perspectives and values. That's why. We have to want to care to learn about other countries, histories, and traditions.

We have to have at least a modicum of self awareness to know we aren't the only people on this planet that matter. Selfish Americans. Did you know in 1994, when America hosted the FIFA World Cup soccer tournament, just 10 percent of Americans knew it was even happening? In their own country. And today, not only do Americans know about soccer, but 33 percent of Americans who follow the sport describe themselves as avid soccer fans. Avid.

But are they even fans? Because if they were, they'd call themselves football fans.

Did you just say food, football, football fans? Well, they say they're fans. My point is it caught on three decades after soccer's first big American out and cricket is on its way to the world's biggest stage in June, 2024 people.

The United States will jointly with the West Indies host the men's T20 cricket world cup, and around a third of the 55 matches will take place right here. In the United States, the American team as host automatically, automatically qualifies for the tournament. It's first ever top tier competition. And here's hoping it's a freaking coming out party for the Americans.

I mean, it's really the only reason why the U S would ever make it into a cricket tournament.

Real time satellite monitoring shows that so far in 2024, more than 10, 000 wildfires have ripped across over 20, 000 square kilometers of the Amazon across multiple countries. Never has this many fires burned so much of the forest this early in the year, and scientists are worried that the region is getting closer and closer to the tipping point, where widespread degradation, did I say that right?

Degradation and repeated burning of the forest will be essentially unstoppable.

And just last week, Brazil's. Yanomami shaman leader asked the Pope, the freaking Pope, to support President Lula in reversing damage to the Amazon left by previous governments transgressions. Literally last week. Look it up. Google it. So what does the Amazon have to do with becoming more cultured and curious?

Because everything is connected, people. Although we don't have a rainforest here at home, understanding what's going on in our world will help us expand our understanding of our diverse planet and help us become more culturally aware and environmentally conscious citizens. Right now, right now in the heart of the Brazilian Amazon thousands of people are unlawfully invading protected lands because they are struggling to make ends meet for their families and see no other way than cutting down century old forests for resources and profits. An indigenous forest guardian, Marcel Gaisazzara, and indigenous leader, Puir Tembi, are literally standing on the front line of this fight, risking their lives to protect their ancestral lands from these invasions and deforestation..

This is the narrative that is playing out right now, in our lifetime.

Listen, this is the story of We Are Guardians, an award winning documentary about hope amidst an unfolding crisis. Thanks to executive producer Leonardo DiCaprio. We have the ability to explore the human spirit and our collective responsibility to protect the fragile balance of our world, where hope and unity can guide us toward a brighter future for the Amazon and our planet.

 So what does Ben Franklin have to do with being more cultured and curious, you ask? Um, because his life was a beacon of inspiration. As a founding father of the United States, his contributions in shaping the nation were huge people. He drafted part of the Declaration of Independence. But beyond politics, his bulbous brain and multitude of talents in science and literature and innovation make him a timeless figure worth studying.

His curiosity, wisdom, and commitment to self improvement make him the fucking poster child of this podcast, people. People. By understanding Franklin's life, we gain insight into the values of perseverance and civic duty, which I would argue are more important today than staring at our phones. So imagine this, it's December 1776, and Ben Franklin, who's already become world famous for his electrical experiments, embarks on a secret mission to France.

He's 70, man, and he has zero diplomatic training, and he was charged with convincing France's monarchy to underwrite America's experiment in democracy? Why would they even want to help us? With only his charisma to draw from. He's got to basically engineer a Franco American alliance, yeah, no biggie, as the fate of American independence hangs in the balance.

And 255 years later, pop culture is still fascinated with his story. And maybe one of the most unique adaptations was just released on Apple TV not long ago. It's called Franklin, the eight part miniseries, and it has Academy Award winner, Michael Douglas, who takes us on a ride through the world of Benjamin Franklin, who was widely admired as the first U S ambassador to France and the major American figure in the development of positive Franco American relations.

Does it feel like every time you step into a bar or restaurant you enter a world of endless possibilities as rows of meticulously curated liquor bottles beckon to you to explore the artistry of craft cocktails? Are you overwhelmed with the sheer number of choices? Or do you embrace the thrill of discovery as you sip on beautifully crafted cocktails inspired by the latest trends and innovations in mixology?

It seems like we need to say goodbye to our routine drink and hello to a world of vibrant colors, tantalizing aromas, and exquisite flavors. Are you ready to ignite your passion for craft cocktails and awaken your taste buds to a new realm of flavor? Get ready, as we are going to break it down for you, so you won't feel overwhelmed parting with your next 20 bucks to try the newest, trendiest cocktail out there.

 ​I collected the instruments of life around me, that I might infuse a spark of being into the lifeless thing that lay at my feet. It was already one in the morning, the rain pattered dismally against the panes, and my candle was nearly burnt out, when, by the glimmer of a half extinguished light, I saw the dull yellow eye of the creature open.

It breathed hard, and a convulsive motion agitated its limbs. Who doesn't get chills when reading an excerpt from Frankenstein, The Ultimate Masterpiece, where the line between creator and creation blurs, and the true horrors of the human soul are revealed?

The year was 2019. The horse was maximum security, and the race was the famous Kentucky Derby as the thunderous hooves pounded against the track at Churchill Downs, the crowd erupted in a deafening roar. As the horses rounded the final turn, the magnificent thoroughbred surged towards the finish line.

Maximum security pulled ahead with one massive last effort and heaved himself and his jockey across the finish line. But just as the cheers reached a crescendo, the unthinkable happened. The video replay revealed a controversial interference that left the outcome hanging in the balance. With tension soaring and the fate of the race in question, who was crowned the victor of 2019's Kentucky Derby?

 In a series of surveys we Googled to make sure we were credible, we found that 95 percent of people think they possess an appropriate amount of perspective and self awareness, but only 10 to 15 percent truly do. Other than the fact that that math doesn't make any sense at all, that's a startling statistic.

We have a massive disconnect here, people. No wonder our world is so polarized. We're just wired to operate on autopilot, unaware of how we're behaving and why. And combine that with how much more self absorbed we are since social media has exploded in popularity, and we got dynamite. We think all this has really messed with our ability to connect and relate with one another.

The bad news is, 95 percent of us are screwed, so give up now. The good news is, 10 percent of us can be saved.