182! Grabby Aliens and Leftovers

Do you prefer living in a universe where humanity is a one-snowflake civilization—life exists here on a mote of dust in the outer reaches of the Milky Way—or do you prefer living in a universe that is loud and noisy and populated? And how do you handle leftovers? [34:31] 

This week, Joey and Jess talk about loud and quiet aliens, LaMDA, Santa, unfortunate dinners, waste aversion, and dumplings. They don’t talk about Isaac, Tayler, or Zac. 

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181! Falconry and Lost Arts

What else can happen when we find new uses for lost arts? 

This week, Joey and Jess talk about falconry, Top Gun, sword fighting, peatlands, owls, and mushrooms. They don’t talk about the Black Falcon School of Arms. 

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180! Media Twins

What do we make of the existence of song twins and movie twins today? 

This week, Aaron and Joey talk about the zeitgeist, movie marketing, Timbaland, Beyoncé vs. Azealia Banks, Western musical notes, and Baroque Pop (again). They don’t talk about Laurent and Larry Bourgeois. 

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179! Childhood Media

178! Bagels vs. Donuts and Birthdays

Why it gotta be bagels vs. donuts? And how should we celebrate our birthdays? [25:17] 

This week, Aaron and Jess talk about Sega vs. Nintendo, the L.A. donut scene, the coastal bagel war, birthday themes, the responsibility phases, and cake-flavored foods. Thankfully, they don’t talk about birthday cake bagels. 

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177! Legos and Dumplings

What do you do about the missing Lego piece? And how does this become dumpling? [25:32] 

This week, Aaron and Jess talk about customer service, bike sharing overages, significance imbalance, invisible wisdom, dumpling teamwork, and apprenticeship. They don’t talk about My Squishy Little Dumplings. 

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175! Assembly Theory and Marshmallows

How can we take advantage of Assembly Theory in our lives? And where are the six elemental marshmallows best applied in life? [31:46] 

This week, Joey, Jess, and Aaron talk about corn dogs, Kafka, Homer, brown sugar, extrusion, and Peeps. They don’t talk about that famous DJ fella. 

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174! Askers vs. Guessers and Working Hours

How does one navigate the journey from Ask Culture to Guess Culture, and vice versa? And what are your ideal working hours? [27:50] 

This week, Aaron, Jess, and Joey talk about privacy settings, politeness vs. safety, the Midwest, philosopher hours, exercise, and zoos. They don’t talk about Tears For Fears. 

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173! Chickens, Vacation Pix, and Chaos

Why choose casual chaos? And what is the standard way to frame a vacation photo? [31:50] 

This week, special guest Cara Lohman joins Jess to talk about Super Mario Bros., chickens, selfie bombs, order and structure, people vs. vistas, and chaos theory. They don’t talk about the Cocoa Brovaz. 

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172! Ignorance and Discomfort

Is it healthier to be a little bit more ignorant online? And how do we all build a discomfort diet? [28:26] 

This week, special guest Nora Mestrich joins Joey to talk about TikTok, Twitter, admitting ignorance, dopamine hijacking, ice plunges, and the benefits of pain. They don’t talk about DIIV. 

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171! Lessons Learned

Why is failure the best way to learn a lesson? 

This week, Joey and Jess talk about New York laundry, errant emails, the instant amplitude of the feeling of failure, "Fail fast!," biffing and flop sweat, and overlearning. They don’t talk about Sonic Youth's Washing Machine LP. 

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170! Weirder Inspiration

How can we better tap into inspiration from weirder, wilder places?

This week, Joey and Jess talk about The Office, diverse sourcing, walking away, "do it now," and ... thots. They don’t talk about Chicago. 

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169! Nonsense VC! Cereal Cinematic Universes

Which CCU team should get our backing? 

In the latest installment of Nonsense VC!, Jess pitches Cereal Cinematic Universes to Joey. They talk about Kellogg's vs. General Mills, character strength, biome corners, villains, tummy troubles, and the rampant commingling of ice cream and cereal. They don’t talk about cereal commas. 

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168! Malicious Compliance and Chapsticks

How far can we take malicious compliance? And what happens when a nothing turns into a need? [26:12]

This week, Joey and Jess talk about Florida's "Don't Say Gay" law, rules, Originalism, lip balm, deodorant, and skin care routines. They don’t talk about Judas Priest.

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167! Rock Music and Genetic Identity

How dead is Rock and Roll? And how are we tied to our genetic identity? [28:31]

This week, special guest Harmand Ponder joins Joey and Jess to talk about Tame Impala, Rock subgenres, Baroque Pop, genetics vs. culture, epigenetics, and beaches. They don’t talk about Bette Midler.

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[Reruns] 117! Cognitive Diversity and Office Supplies

How do you think different? And what office supplies do you miss? [45:26]

This week, a rerun from Nonsense past!

Again, Joey, Aaron, and Jess talk about aphantasia, internal monologues, learning styles, pilfering printer paper, binder clips, and ugly cups. They don’t talk about The Mind Palace.

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165! Goblin Mode and Pathologies

Is Goblin Mode a privilege? And how should we feel about pathologizing our behaviors? [27:24]

This week, special guest Ilana Bondell joins Joey and Jess to talk about the versions of Goblin Mode, pandemic nihilism, identity politics, repressing trauma, the western medical industrial complex, and "The Man." They don’t talk about Jareth.

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164! Permeated Nonsense and Youth Culture

Why do we keep doing things that don't make any sense at all? And is youth culture always the same? [24:34]

This week, Jess and Joey talk about Pi Day, songlines, dead reckoning, Billy Joel, the Flynn effect, and the global mean hat size. They don’t talk about the Tau of Pooh.

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163! That Darn Disposability Culture