TheModernMoron podcast

Welcome to The REAL episode 63 of The Modern Moron.

Only a Moron would screw up a simple numerical sequence… But I did and as if ANYONE cares what number episode this is. Seriously.

My guest is my OP my old radio partner and I go back a few weeks for this interview as a lot of stuff has happened lately in case you haven't noticed.

We take a break from the Corona virus and discuss a show on, surprise, Netflix. It's a documentary series that really isn't presented as a traditional documentary but as more of a reality show as my partner points out. The show is called "100 Humans". From sexual psyches to bathroom habits, including which way the toilet paper hangs, to pain vs. pleasure this show looks at modern day human behavior as we interact… Or rather how we used to interact BP… before the pandemic.

This brings up a fascinating psychological concept known as the Dunning-Kruger Effect which I had never heard of. We almost sound intelligent in this episode, thanks to my guest.

The Dunning-Kruger Effect is a cognitive bias in which people with low ability at a task overestimate their own ability. It is related to the cognitive bias of illusory superiority and comes from the inability of people to recognize their lack of ability. Without the self-awareness of metacognition, people cannot objectively evaluate their competence or incompetence.[1]

Hmm… can you think of anyone… who might be victim… of the Dunning-Kruger Effect.

I can't think of anyone.

CLOSE

Who in the world would run for any public office who didn't suffer from from the Dunning-Kruger Effect. It really flies in the face of any sense of humility doesn't it?

The definition I gave at the open was from Wikipedia and this is from Psychology Today:

The concept is based on a 1999 paper by Cornell University psychologists David Dunning and Justin Kruger. The pair tested participants on their logic, grammar, and sense of humor, and found that those who performed in the bottom quartile rated their skills far above average. For example, those in the 12th percentile self-rated their expertise to be, on average, in the 62nd percentile.

The researchers attributed the trend to a problem of metacognition—the ability to analyze one's own thoughts or performance. "Those with limited knowledge in a domain suffer a dual burden: Not only do they reach mistaken conclusions and make regrettable errors, but their incompetence robs them of the ability to realize it," they wrote.

Seriously, aside from our president we may need to rename this podcast the Dunning Kruger Hour. "Condemnation Without Investigation", justified anger, Self Righteous Indignation, Criticize things you don't' know about… that's what this program is all about!

Wherever you are I hope you're staying safe and at a safe distance, you're keeping your spirits up and crafting your own fun and expressive face masks. And… we'll see you next time on the modern moron.

Dunning–Kruger effect - Wikipedia

Dunning-Kruger Effect - Psychology Today

Welcome to another episode of the Modern Moron… when we last visited our hero, The Senator he suggested a conspiracy that Bill Gates was behind the Corona virus and that Bill Gates "hates" donald trump. Both statements made with ZERO qualifications or facts.

But we do talk about Bill and Melinda Gates, the work they do for their foundation and that either of them would make a fine president. Well, aside from our current president because I think we all can agree that he belongs in a category by himself. How about on an island by himself as well? Just him… and maybe a mirror. That's all he gets.

We talk about a great documentary on Netflix called "Inside Bill's Brain" and it covers some of the enormous issues the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is tackling and how Bill consumes and processes huge amounts of information. It's like he IS a computer and not just making computer software.

Then the Senator brings up another documentary series on Netflix and we can't remember the name of it. It's called "Explained" in case you are interested.

Also keep this in mind, right before we started this session, which he flaked on initially, he asked if he could have some dinner and pour himself a cocktail. I said pour the cocktail and eat dinner afterward, knowing I'd get results from a cocktail on an empty stomach. Well I did and you'll notice it just after the 11 minute mark, when he asks me what I'm doing tomorrow… as if any of us have plans other than to stay at home. The moron really starts bubbling to the surface. Then at the end I referred to him, as I often do, as a republican. Usually he'll say he's an Independent, and I get all excited because that means I can use my Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. We'll I get that and a whole lot more because that cocktail kicks in. He goes ballistic about his hatred for both parties. A sentiment I agree with, but you'll hear it and I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoyed provoking it.

It's Inside The Mind of Bill Gates and the Out of His Mind Senator on the Modern Moron…

OPEN

Welcome to another episode of the Modern Moron as the Senator Returns in rare form…

A lot of cursing in this episod which will be in two parts… first off The Senator flakes on me and by now we both know this is no surprise, but what does surprise me is his cavalier attitude about the whole thing or it's as if it's not his fault that he doesn't communicate. I had to nag him and chew him out and his final text to me was "I'd love to eat first, pour myself a cocktail and then we do it, if not I'll do it now and eat later." So, I pounced on that opportunity and said, "Make the cocktail and let's go", know that if I got a cocktail in the knucklehead with no dinner, there would be dividends later in the conversation. More on that later.

We open with the Senator unable to configure his computer… again… so that he can use the higher quality microphone, that I purchased for him to use.

From there we move on to the corona virus, which he even makes the naming of the virus about him, that it should be called the Chinese Flu and we'll get into why, not that it makes any sense. We talk about the non existence of sports in our lives,

We get into the stimulus package that has been passed by congress and bipartisan partisanship, or is it partisan bipartisanship, I can never get that straight. Neither can politicians.

We go over how big your check might be in the mail and the backbiting that went on to get it passed.

Then I bring up a TED talk Bill Gates gave in 2015 about how we're not ready for the Pandemic we're experiencing right now. There's a link to that Ted Talk at the bottom of the screen. This somehow leads the Senator to say something stupid but I think I'm the stupid one for thinking he's serious and we leav it there.

I do hope this gives you a break from the crazy treadmill we are all on these days… and thanks for listening to the Modern Moron...

CLOSE

I have to clarify or rather backtrack something I said regarding what we were defining as Pork Barrel appropriations. An improvement to the Kennedy Center when I think about it could and would be a stimulus to the economy in the way of employing contractors and other workers and that would be a good thing. But I think the idea behind this particular stimulus package as in "the spirit of the law" which I hear all the time now, is to get dollars into our citizens hands who need it as quickly as possible. An earmark for a project like that would take years for the money to get into the hands of the people who need it most. The project creation and project management and the bidding process and the vetting and the awarding of contracts… again, years and a lot of potential for those contract dollars to grease the hands of politicians and political donors and I think you get where I'm going with this. I'm all for improving the Kennedy Center but this is about getting money to people who need it for food and shelter because of this pandemic. Millions have been laid off and the claims for unemployment are at record numbers beyond the Great Depression. So, let's fix the Kennedy Center another time.

AS far as the checks going out, the Senator was correct… the payments would start phasing out for individuals with adjusted gross incomes of more than $75,000. The amount would then be reduced by $5 for every additional $100 of adjusted gross income, and those making more than $99,000 would not receive anything.

And what I said about not receiving a check personally and that that was fair and correct was a bit moronic and short sighted. Sure it's fine for me… it's just me and a half a kid. But I'm sure there are families with 3 or 4 kids, maybe more and perhaps parents living at home, so $75K doesn't go as far for them as it does for me. Plus I'm a cheap bastard who lives on top ramen and toast, so that does play in my favor.

Next time we'll see what the hell the Senator means by his Bill Gates conspiracy theory and remember that cocktail I let him have without dinner? Yeah, that starts to kick in. Again, this is not the place to go for accurate or correct information on the Coronavirus, or on anything now that I think about it. Why would you come to this program for real anything. Current issues; Moron opinions… that's what we do. See you next time.

The next outbreak? We're not ready | Bill Gates - YouTube

Inside Bill's Brain - Netflix

Hey Moron lovers that I'm making it through this quarantine with… I have to tell you though life is not that different for this moron as I'm kind of a hermit to start with so I'm more concerned about you than I am me.

In this episode we wrap up our upbeat conversation with my friend Susan Yeagley who again, plays Jessica Wick on NBC's Parks and Recreation, except my daughter tells me your supposed to say Parks and Rec, not "Recreation" because non one says that.

Susan and I do some catching up and she has really been through some stuff called life including a hysterectomy that she rattles off like she's reading a grocery list. And her attitude is so positive that she insists that us folks over 50 have our best years ahead of us. Yes, you have the right podcast, we just aren't normally so optimistic.

After I chat with Susan I'll catch you up on a couple of gems from our President slash Surgeon General who is ready to open America for business in his words "very soon"... I hate it when he gets so far into the weeds with details like that.

You know every time I think I'm done with an episode lately, something new happens regarding the pandemic and I wanted to let you know that while I will continue to try and find humor in this craziness, it has also become personal for me. I've found out that two friends in Los Angeles do indeed have the virus. One is extremely i'll and has been told that unless he can't breath he shouldn't bother coming to the hospital. Can you imagine that? I'm told he is very weak, he does have someone caring for him and he is under 50, not that that is any guarantee of anything. My other friend is a mother of two teenagers and she has gone to the hospital because she is having trouble breathing. Who knows how long it will take for her to be admitted and there's no way to determine if she will get a ventilator, don't know who decides that. And this brings up the additional frustration, which is an understatement of being able to communicate with loved ones once she gets into a hospital. She'll be quarantined and the hospitals are so busy that it's very difficult to communicate once they're in. But again, don't take my word for this, it's just my limited experience so far. Until next time… thanks for listening.

Welcome to another episode of the Modern Moron!

Have I got a treat for you during these otherwise tough and troubling times, an optimist to my pessimism, a glass half full to my flask half empty, a yin to my Moronic and yang. Speaking of Yang, I miss Andrew Yang. Remember when we had a democratic primary going on with a historic diversity of candidates that dwindled down to two old white guys?.... Ah, those were simpler times.

My guest! My guest!

My guest is a long time friend Susan Yeagley form my days in L.A. with the Groundlings Theater. We were in the Sunday Company together which is kind of like comedy boot for stretches of 6 months at a time. It's pretty much a 24/7 affair, rewarding and emotionally brutal at the same time. And I'll speak for all Sunday company alumni in saying that regardless of the outcome I don't know of many people who regret the experience.

I'm really digressing today. Maybe it's Cabin fever.

Susan and I cover a lot of ground… so I've decided to break it up into two parts… mainly so I can get you to come back for another episode.

We're going to talk about the corona virus and the self quarantine of course, we also talk about ways to cope…. Like therapeutic plate smashing and ax throwing…

Not only do we talk about Covid-19 we will learn from Susan about the Self Quarantine Covid-15 which you're definitely going to want to hear about.

She tells us what it's like to grow up in Nashville, Tennessee and not be able to sing. Apparently that's a given, that you'll sing and play 5 different instruments.

I said this last week and I'll say it again that this is NOT a place to go for advice or information about this pandemic and I guarantee you that we will try to make light of this situation so, this is not the podcast for you if you are sensitive about the corona virus as a topic. I do wonder if stores are selling much Corona beer these days. It's definitely a temporary solution.

You probably have seen Susan play her character Jessica Wicks on NBC's Parks and Recreation. which you can still catch on Netflix AND Hulu. What a great show to binge watch while you're stuck in the house.

Lot's of good vibes and tips from Susan Yeagely, and we hint at the possibility of her running for public office… It's a Modern Moron exclusive and as always, thank you for listening.

Let me start by saying this is not a place to go for news and information about the corona virus… at least not for information that is accurate in ANY way. But I think you know that already. I will also say that it is inevitable that I will make attempts at humor regarding this astounding global situation. That's the way I cope, if your way of coping is to be deadly serious or to panic then this is not the program for you. Remember I said attempt humor, I didn't say anything about actually being funny.

In today's episode we make a surprise call to the Senator on a Friday… the Friday the 13th actually when it seemed to this moron that everything, especially schools and public events began to shut down for extended periods although it was a few days after the NBA suspended it's season indefinitely and other sporting events had begun to follow suit including the NCAA basketball tournament known as March Madness. This year we have a different version of that.

Speaking of sports and to give you something that is NOT corona related, last week the US Women's National team won the "2020 She Believes" tournament for I think the 3rd time?

Not only did it end up being one of the last live sporting events before everything changed, the story lies in the women's protest against U.S. Soccer Federation. The Women's team has filed a gender discrimination lawsuit against the Federation for equal pay to the US Men's team.

Now, the men's team is… not good to put it mildly. The men's team couldn't even get invited to the last world cup.

The Women's team was invited to the last women's world cup… and they won… again. Not only have they won back to back World Cup Titles, they have won 4 of the last 8 world cups. Yeah, Half going back to 1991.

Here's the best part, and this is from a local CBS affiliate in Texas, although the story cites the Associated Press in regards to the "She Believes Tournament" in Texas which is a prep tournament for this coming Summer Olympics "if they are even held at this point"

The increasingly bitter dispute between the American women's national soccer team and the U.S. Soccer Federation spilled onto the field Wednesday night when players wore their warm-up jerseys inside out in a protest before their 3-1 victory over Japan.

Players filed a gender discrimination suit against the USSF last year, a case scheduled for trial starting May 5 in federal court in Los Angeles. The USSF submitted legal papers this week claiming that the women are less skilled and have less-demanding roles than the men on its national team.

By wearing their jerseys inside out for the national anthems and team photo, players hid the USSF crest on the jerseys but allowed the four stars — one for each World Cup title — to be visible.

I picked a tournament, that being Wimbledon to see what's up with their prize money and what I found was that they have been splitting the same prize money equally since 2007. As of 2019, all four of tennis' Grand Slams award equal prize money to the men's and women's champions. True, tennis is not a team sport, but we're talking about money, right?

Look, if it's about money… the women's soccer games generate more revenue than the men's soccer games ... it's about attracting eyeballs and putting asses in the seats. If you had the US men and women's soccer teams play equivalent opponents on the same day, I'm watching the women. They've establish a successful, winning brand. Hell, the men's team can't even get invited to the world cup, let alone win 4 out of the last 8 world cups.

Don't get me wrong, I still think I'm sexist, and you might argue that when I said the men's team couldn't even get invited to the last world cup you might say, "that's how much tougher Men's soccer is compared to women's soccer." Well, you may be right. I don't know enough to make that kind of a judgement other than to say I think it's BS. But again, it usually boils down to money and the women's team generates more revenue than the men's team so… ya know… suck it.

So… my phone call with the Senator… It was recorded Friday as a number of School Districts were closing down for 2 to 3 weeks and the weekend was starting to look like a not very social weekend. Oh, and I didn't tell the senator I was recording the call at first. I made sure I had his approval before publishing it and I have to say, The Senator is a trooper when it comes to opening his Komono and letting out otherwise private information which you will hear him reveal right before I tell him I'm recording the call.

Yes, we obviously talk all things Corona, that television studio audiences for late night shows and in some cases entire productions have been shut down. In true moron fashion, neither of us can remember the names of any actors or celebrities like Conan O'brien's sidekick Andy Richter. Can't think of his name. Then I remember Andy Richter's name while the Senator is trying to remember a city in Italy and then he jumps to Ramadan and we can't remember what country Mecca is in. It's like two separate conversations are going on and it's exactly why this show has the word Moron in it. You'll see.

Our discussion of late night sidekicks takes me down a rabbit hole and I include an old clip of the Tonight Show from 1977 where Johnny Carson is talking with an inebriated Ed McMahon who apparently had one too many before the show. Please remember the great comedic looks Johnny would give to the camera that were perfectly timed and I like to believe they were inspired by Jack Benny. How's that for a Boomer reference?

There's a brief discussion about a mutual friend's son who is in college and doing quite well in his university's drama department. Then, we get some inside information into the world of finance from the Senator as he does keep up on the stock market and particularly interest rates. "He reads a lot" as he puts it.

Then towards the end, surprise, we get in an argument when the senator tells me his knowledge of music and fashion are "on the cutting edge." I'm afraid I have to call bullshit on that one and I take him to task… on both music and fashion. And you know who he wants to talk about in the world of fashion? Ralph Lauren. Please… tell me how Ralph Lauren is on the cutting edge of fashion in 2020. The Senator is a moron and that is why he should be a mainstay of this program and it's why I love him.

Also, this is a recording of a phone call and the quality of the audio reflects that. I'm not crazy about that but it might make it easier to get guests for this thing. Feel free to let us know by going to TheModernMoron.com and reaching out. You can also feel free to click subscribe and share and all that other stuff I never remember to beg for.

So it's a semi-viral hodge-podge with a peppering of personal hygiene practices on the Modern Moron and as always, thank you for listening.

Ed McMahon Appears Drunk on Johnny Carson's Tonight Show 1977 - YouTube

2020 She Believes Cup - Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIFA_Women%27s_World_Cup

WBNX CBS Texas affiliate on women's soccer protest

Welcome to a part two of the Modern Moron… this one is nice and concise. Much better than having one long one right?

So… when we last left our favorite moron, our hero, that being the senator.he was on a long winded jag about his trip to New York, his Sunday walk through Harlem and a tour of Teddy Roosevelt's childhood home and that he interrupts the docent giving the tour to correct them about a photograph known as the boy in the window where two little boys are watching President Lincoln's funeral procession. The two boys are a very young Teddy Roosevelt and his brother.

He yammers on about Teddy Roosevelt being a sickly child and then I try to wrap things up quickly because he's in catch-up mode with work from being on vacation two weeks ago. I tell him we can catch up on my vacation another time including my fancy game night with celebrities and he blows his stack. To be honest, I enjoyed it.

How is it you may ask, and rightly so, do the Senator and I stay friends in any way? I pretty much give him a lot of verbal abuse and he responds by being for the most part unreliable at least as it pertains to this podcast. I think one of the main reasons is that he doesn't really care what I think about him. At least that's what he would say. Some would say he cares very much about what other people think about him.

The Modern Moron has not addressed the current situation with the Corona Virus and all this Moron can do is observe it and it's similarities to any other piece of viral information:

• First, there's the actual virus itself and it's actual spread.
• Second, there are THREE other viruses. There is the viral information, the viral MIS-information and viral DIS-information.
• • The difference between MIS-information and DIS-information to me (a moron) is INTENT. MIS-information and the MIS-informed, simply got the information wrong and spread it around. It could be as simple as exaggeration. The exaggeration gets exaggerated and so on and so on and the next thing you know you have an imaginary viral pandemic that got that way due to overzealous story tellers.
  • DIS-information is the intentional spread of incorrect information, usually with an ulterior motive in mind. For example, some people think our president is saying that the Corona Virus is not as bad as the media is making it seem, that he is not at all concerned. That's an over-simplification but You could view this as:
  • • a) this is TRUE and CORRECT - the liberal media is trying to make him look bad like they always do and they'll do anything to destroy him. OR...
    • b) Trump is INCORRECT and he himself is spreading false information, which would be DIS-information about the severity of the virus. He is trying to protect his presidency, was and is denying information about the virus to keep the economy and the stock markets from tanking even further. He is not relying on medical health experts because they are not telling him what he wants to hear.
  • So there's Mis-Information, DIS-information and which all falls under the umbrella of Viral information itself. Some say this is a phenomenon of the internet and especially social media. I think it's been around forever in the form of gossip. People gossip, they exaggerate especially to make themselves look better and their enemies or frenemies look worse. Been going on forever. Also referred to as propaganda defined as: "the spreading of ideas, information, or rumor for the purpose of helping or injuring an institution, a cause, or a person."

So viral information has been around forever in communities, it's just that the community has gotten much bigger; global in fact.

Back to the Corona Virus…

We have a clip from our Dear Leader regarding his closing of borders…

It seems like information about the virus can be just as unpredictable as the virus itself, unless of course your a democrat in which case the virus is out of hand. Or if you're a republican then the severity of the virus is a hoax purported by the left wing media. See? Clear as mud.

My point is, as with all things, don't trust one source for your news, political or otherwise. Go to experts in the field where you are concerned and find those who you trust.

That's it for this modern moron… we'll see you next time. Have great day evening or week and don't forget to wash your hands and hydrate. Can't do enough of either one of those.

So much I have to tell you and update you on. My guest is the Senator who I managed to get on the line for a few minutes. Both of us were on vacation last week. I believe I told you I was taking my daughter on a surprise trip to Disneyland. I also got incredibly lucky and was invited to a game night at an old friend's super beautiful home in "the palisades" as they call it down in L.A. for those of you who have not heard of The Palisades, it's VERY generally located between Beverly Hills and Malibu, so yeah, a pretty fancy area. This game night ended up including some pretty hugely famous people, at least in my opinion, and we're talking some emmy and academy award winning entertainers, for realzies.

Now… the Senator knew I somehow snuck into this really cool evening while at the same time he was on his trip to see his daughter in New York. So… which vacation do you think we ended up talking about? If you're a savvy Moron and Modern Moron listener who knows anything about the senator, you know what we talk about.

He hints at having a big credit card bill from going to New York and I hint at that thinking maybe he'll remember I've just taken my daughter to Disneyland where I'm sure you know a credit card can be put to its limits. But curiously the senator was only interested in his trip. Very strange.

I promise to tell you about my surreal evening in the Palisades at some point if you're interested but for this episode we will be trying to calm down the senator as he tires to catch up on work while he was in New York to see his daughter, the Broadway Production of Beetlejuice, going on a tour of Teddy Roosevelt's childhood home, where he interrupts the tour guide to correct them on facts about Roosevelt, and we will discuss his desire to start practicing Tai Chi, which he somehow thinks is related to Chai Tea… but I think he was messing with me on that one and I think he got me. Because no Moron would mix up Tai Chi and Chai tea or think they were related. I refuse to believe that. What's more believable is that I am such a moron that I fell for his joke.

Either way, we'll hear about vacations and Tai Chi Chai Tea on … The Modern Moron… thanks for listening.

Monty Python - Not Dead Yet Scene

OPEN

Welcome to another episode of the Modern Moron… also a note that there will be no episode next week as I am going on "vacation". Taking my daughter to Disneyland and that's going to be fun. It'll be fun or we'll die trying to make it fun.

My guest, and I use the term "guest" loosely, is the Senator as he graces us with his presence for the first time in 2020. And what's The one thing he wants to talk about? The presidential race? China? Coronavirus? Hong Kong? No… He wants to talk about his colonoscopy. And he somehow thinks you're interested in seeing photos of his colonoscopy.

We have to go all the way back to Christmas for him to tell us about him passing out at the Christmas eve mass at his church and then he tries to wish us all happy new year as if we care. I think he really thinks you want to know his every move. I'm not going to tell him that you care even less than I do.

I also have to confess that I really have a potty mouth in this episode and I tried … or our producers tried to catch them all. I go on a rant about politicians in general and I apologize in advance for saying I would gouge out Nancy Pelosi's eyes if she says she prays for the president one more time. So inappropriate but I left it in there because when she says that stuff it's really so passive aggressive and condescending and if she really wants to pray for something she might try praying for the strength and patience to go speak to him one more time. She drives me as crazy as our president does.

So it's Roller Coasters and Colonoscopy's on this episode of the Modern Moron! Thank you for listening!

https://www.congressionalbaseball.org/

OPEN

Welcome to another episode of the Modern Moron… also a note that there will be no episode next week as I am going on "vacation". Taking my daughter to Disneyland and that's going to be fun. It'll be fun or we'll die trying to make it fun.

My guest, and I use the term "guest" loosely, is the Senator as he graces us with his presence for the first time in 2020. And what's The one thing he wants to talk about? The presidential race? China? Coronavirus? Hong Kong? No… He wants to talk about his colonoscopy. And he somehow thinks you're interested in seeing photos of his colonoscopy.

We have to go all the way back to Christmas for him to tell us about him passing out at the Christmas eve mass at his church and then he tries to wish us all happy new year as if we care. I think he really thinks you want to know his every move. I'm not going to tell him that you care even less than I do.

I also have to confess that I really have a potty mouth in this episode and I tried … or our producers tried to catch them all. I go on a rant about politicians in general and I apologize in advance for saying I would gouge out Nancy Pelosi's eyes if she says she prays for the president one more time. So inappropriate but I left it in there because when she says that stuff it's really so passive aggressive and condescending and if she really wants to pray for something she might try praying for the strength and patience to go speak to him one more time. She drives me as crazy as our president does.

So it's Roller Coasters and Colonoscopy's on this episode of the Modern Moron! Thank you for listening!

https://www.congressionalbaseball.org/