Is gratitude a genuine fuel for the soul, or have we turned "thankfulness" into a public performance for digital dopamine?

In this Thanksgiving edition of The Gen-x-istentialists, Bunny and Scott tackle the "Weight of Gratitude." They dive into why society has trained us to sand down our sense of wonder and why most of us are too vain to admit we actually need people. From Bunny’s "Sith-like" emotional fire to Scott’s "Jedi" stoicism, this episode explores the psychological walls we build—from the childhood nightmare that stopped Scott from dreaming to the mystery of why we stop being sincere in a world that doesn't reward it.

Inside the conversation:

• The Gratitude Paradox: Why Scott feels "uncomfortable" being thanked and why Bunny views gratitude as a high-octane lifestyle rather than a seasonal act.
• The Nestle Crunch Miracle: Bunny recounts the life-changing experience of tasting a miniature candy bar after a decade of "life" getting in the way.
• Wonder as a Gateway Drug: A challenge to spend two minutes studying a flower or a rock to feel your "breath being compressed" by the sheer absurdity of existence.
• Jedi vs. Sith: A breakdown of Stoicism. Is it about repressing emotion like Batman, or utilizing the fire inside to power your logic?
• The Digital Epitaph: Why filmed "altruism" (feeding the homeless for TikTok) is just "slop" for the masses and why a true thank-you doesn't need a megaphone.
• The Gratitude Journal: Bunny reveals his 12-year ritual of private, one-line journals and how they shave the rough edges off a workaday world.
• The Mundane Audit: Why looking at a common guitar cable can trigger a sense of primordial wonder if you actually think about the craftsmanship involved.

Whether you’re currently "fair to midland" or fanning the flames of your inner lantern, this episode is a roadmap for finding your own level in the "hurricane" of life.