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In this episode Micah proposes that all major releases of movies, games, books, and other forms of media should have a coordinate release. K Sera and Phil have questions.   Phil's after thoughts: I find it way more amusing than I should that in this episode we are wondering why don't these multi-billion dollar companies actually coordinate their marketing plan better?! To me it's super obvious that they should, the fact that they could 'synergize' and sell movies, games, books, comics, and all of that franchise material and transmute it into gold should be a driving incentivizer for these massive companies. Of course the point that I am trying to make is that if it was easy, it would have already been done.   The issue is that products that require creative inputs (such as a great story, or fantastic artwork, or wonderful world building) is way more difficult compared to non-creative (but functional) products such as ball-bearings and industrial level grease (both which are fascinating, mind you, but again NOT CREATIVE). I make this comparison because with "industrial goods" there is a very well defined specific output with tolerances, dimensions to measure, and performances that are readily checked and ensured that they meet the "voice of the customer" (and in terms of industrial customers, it's pretty clear that it is either good enough or not).   Obviously this is not the case with creative works. We don't know if a book (or game, or movie) will sell well or not. I laugh when some non-gaming executive shouts out nonsense about "what the gamers want" while their 100 million dollar budget produces a mediocre and semi-passable game (while indie games that are much closer to the pulse of the customer understand that we don't want a "paint by numbers" experience, we want something that is fun, unique, challenging, thought provoking, exciting, adventurous, and of course in all different varying degrees of it as well!).   Why am I talking in circles? Because the fact is we don't know what makes something "a hit" yet. And until we know, we cannot coordinate a massive campaign only for it to turn into a flop. Disney's Starwars comes to mind, but there are so many other franchises that either spring up out of nowhere (many of which are Japanese) and some that are just a flash in a pan (I don't think anyone talks about that Fall Guys game anymore).   Plus, to me, the fact that a giant corporate machine would just pump out a massive coordinated effort to merchandize another soulless product reminds me of some sad slop (or gruel) that the industry insists for us to consume. Perhaps I am turning into a hipster when I want experiences that feel more independent and outside the firm grasps of shareholders and dollar signs. I think this (among the other complexities of Art and Finance) make it a losing proposition to have a Franchise Synergy to the level that is so obviously not done. Maybe in the future our mathematical models can predict with great certainty which next "hot" thing will pop up (and then for the devouring masses to demand more and more of it), but until then the entire premise is too risky. To put it simply, it is better to diversify and then back up winners then to "put all your eggs into one basket while also counting your chickens before they hatch."   Alright, that's it for today. I hope you enjoy the episode and I'll send another message for the next one (when I can review it).     First, I stand corrected. One Piece isn't the longest manga. That apparently is Golgo 13, with over 200 published volumes. Wow! Who has that kinda time?? Also, bless the creators who share their stories with the world for our entertainment.  Now, I have opinions about marketing sorcery, and I have a lot of respect for how hard that job is. I also have no actual interest in it - as a job or a subject, really… I'm with you, Concerned Ape. You could make a franchise out of Stardew Valley (cozy farming sims a

In this episode Phil suggests that we are all bloopers (and that is OK). Micah and K Sera discuss this and other things. Show notes: Bloopers!   K Sera's after thoughts: So, I’m disappointed that we spent so much time talking about appearance, and that bloopers were conflated as being ‘flaws’. It just kills me a little that appearance ranks so high when assigning value to people and consumables. It does factor in, of course, but I wish it wasn’t so heavy of an influence in our lives. I find value in bloopers. Actual blooper reels at the end of a story or episode of something are often entertaining. I love them. Keep them and share them. They are technically mistakes, but someone found them funny or novel and decided to share that with consumers. They aren’t actually flaws, but curated failures with value stemming from experience. Life creates bloopers all the time. DNA mutations pop up within species giving useful and highly adaptive traits a chance of being passed down to the next generation. DNA bloopers facilitate evolution. We all come from bloopers. Also, Micah, let people finish their thoughts. ಠ_ಠ

Micah discusses the Supreme Court and the need to reform it. Phil will agree to anything. K Sera discusses the finer points.   Show notes: N/A   K Sera's afterthoughts: My pun at the top of the episode was excellent. Best part of the show imho.   [Insert energetic and passionate thoughts about the main topic here] Oh no. Where did those go?   I did enjoy our later chit chat about the lies Phil tells his children, and Micah simping for Bill Watterson.   The "Genie" I was referring to near the end was this Genie (not her actual name). I took an Anthropology class in college and her tragic story was required reading. She experienced extreme neglect, abuse and isolation. Reader's discretion is advised.

K Sera discusses that some portion of exams should be open. Micah and Phil discuss the corner cases.    Note: Phil is in charge of the release dates of the podcast, and he messed up the order! This is episode 122, it should have released before the Pizza one!   Show notes: N/A   K Sera's after thoughts: My opinions haven’t changed. I think memory retention is a skill, of course, but so is researching and organizing data. I think most people in most situations don’t need to know a fact or statistic off the cuff. Why can’t we have at least some exams that reflect that?    How likely is it that the average person will ever need to recall the exact date Simone Biles won her first gold medal? How many people would need to know the exact chemical structure of olive oil? Sure, some people might need to know these facts, but do they need to have them memorized for a sudden pop quiz from their boss or the public? Probably not. I think it is more likely that they will research and compile the information and then report or use that information as needed.   Micah’s example of needing to know history by rote is kind of ridiculous. “You know it or you don’t,” he says. Really? History is history. It’s a record of things that happened. Unless you are a professor giving a lecture or you are on a trivia game show, it’s pretty unlikely you will need to know hyper specific historical facts in the moment. And if you don’t know it, go look it up! Cross check with various sources!   Other subjects have higher consequences for mistakes and hard deadlines. It is actually vital for a surgeon to both understand and effectively communicate accurate information in the moment. Memorizing equipment names and knowing human anatomy can be a matter of life and death.   There also might be instances where you will want to have certain information memorized for emergency situations. What to do in an earthquake. Where to take shelter during a tornado vs. a hurricane. Basic survival information might be worth memorizing if you ever find yourself stranded without your phone or an internet connection. So, I stand by my initial premise. It is obvious to me that some exams should be open book/open notes.   Phill's after thoughts: I took my Midterm last week that had "2 pages of printed/handwritten notes" for the exam. I did achieve my minimum target grade (I only need C's to get reimbursed for the schooling from work). Honestly, it was nice not having to remember every single little formula, but I think that it also (for me) served as a crutch, because the exam is timed so it really does "slow things down" if you can't do things by heart. Basically, it's a balance between "how much can you learn things by heart" and "how much can you save time from needless studying/drilling" and I think that cheat sheets serve a good balance, but if there wasn't a cheat sheet available, I'd have devoted way more time in really mastering the problem sets. Basically I got a C (worth 20% of my grade) and I am not too happy but also not too unhappy about it.   I think that the homework, labs, and projects are meant to be the "open-book and cooperative" portion of the learnings. The exam has more of a "performance" flavor to it, where it quizzes on an individual level if they are understanding the fundamental concepts. When we first recorded this episode, I hadn't started my return to college classes yet, and so my hot take on the subject was from almost 20 years ago. Now, after revisiting the academic exams in a more recent timescale, I think exams are meant to be the "bare minimum a person should know on an individual basis per the fundamentals of this subject" and that may require a closed book and timed (with cheat sheets) test. That is assuming that the other parts of the class are really about the "learning of the subject" and not just busy-work/fluff material.   In corporate land, it would be crazy to not look at ref

In this episode, Micah and K Sera and Phil go off the rails.   Shownotes: N/A   K Sera's after thoughts: On this week’s episode, we all wish we were as cool as that one guy Phil witnessed at a parade.    We then proceed to go off the rails. I don’t even know where the train is going. Topic? What topic? Who's she? Never heard of her.   Here, Phil, let me Google that 'how to blanket stitch' for you. I hope you finish your blanket. Please show it off when it's done!    

In this episode we discuss foreign justice and the obvious precautions a traveller must take. Or is it obvious? Show notes: N/A   K Sera's after thoughts: My feelings about this haven't really changed much. I still think in general, if you are visiting someone else's home, you do your best to abide by their rules. It gets complicated, however, when moral philosophies conflict. I suppose, for more complicated incidents, it comes down to negotiations. Or a fight. I don't know.   And maybe… maybe there are places I just won't plan to visit. Ever.

Phil talks way too much on his multiple stages of a business proposal. Micah and K Sera asks what the end game is all about.   Show Notes: N/A   K Sera's after thoughts: Once again, I am fascinated (and mildly horrified?) by the different ways we think. I like this real/fake company idea. It is interesting to think we could set up this elaborate scheme to move people out into corporate-land with real experience, postgrad. All with the goal of getting everyone a good job so we can all get on with living a comfortable life. I really don’t think this is a new idea, however. In fact, I’m pretty sure this is a very old idea, but it’s wearing a mustache and carrying an official “llc” status instead of, say, wearing a mitre and carrying a rosary; or wearing a badge and carrying a government sanctioned weapon; or wearing an American flag lapel pin and voting on government bills. They’re really all just weird fraternity-hybrids. They all exist with the idea that forming an in-group will allow its members to collect power in one form or another so their members can more easily achieve their end goal - usually more power/influence. I still like it, though. It’s better than letting people continue to flounder in the dumb cycle of: I want a job. But I need experience to get the job. But I need the job to get the experience. So how do I get the experience without the job?? Debt?   The answer is debt. Or just giving up on getting the job.    OR. Sign up with PGE, llc and we’ll set you up with everything you need to gain experience to qualify for the job you want. We only ask that you remember us when you are making six figures and help our other members find their dream jobs as well.   … we could make a religion out of this!

K Sera discusses how homes are a fascinating mental reflection of its inhabitants. Micah and Phil proceed to make it into a gameshow.   Show notes: N/A   K Sera's after thoughts: “Cue doots” lmao And, ok, but I also secretly like “psychouse” because it sounds like “psychos” - but that probably wouldn’t go over well. It also feels like a different show, like a deep dive into the homes of notorious serial killers? I don’t have much else to add except that I would still watch the heck out of this reality game show, and this was a fun episode.    

Micah asks if we should reinstate the Fairness Doctrine. The conversation evolves into creating an entire town to rehab those that have been addicted to extreme partisan news and social media.   Show notes: Fairness Doctrine   K Sera's after thoughts: This was an interesting thought experiment. Unrealistic, but kind of fun to consider how it might work (or not work).     It was also interesting to listen to our different assumptions about what would happen in this experimental rehab town. (Which sounds more like a concentration camp the more I reflect on this episode, but let’s pretend we are able to provide truly comfortable if modest dwellings for these fictional people who are definitely volunteering for this experience.)    Our perspectives and judgements about humanity as a whole was a brief look into our own psychology. For example, in this experimental town, I suggested that no music or books from the world outside be allowed. The folks in the town could create their own works, potentially, but no influences from outside the bubble, and nothing written down on paper or in permanence. This reflects how I view present and past media and pop-culture, and how strongly I believe these things are reflected in human behavior, including my own. It also reflects that I value creativity and believe that creative pursuits can heal a mind. Lastly, it reflects my views on permanence. I am not someone that highly values legacy or immortality in the memory of human existence.   This was fairly divergent from both Phil’s and Micah’s contributions on how this town could exist. I think both Phil and Micah value legacy and historical precedents more than I do. Not to say I think these things are unimportant. I do believe history is important and we should absolutely remember and learn from our mistakes. But in a town designed as an isolated rehab from political media radicalization, I think the absence of these pop-culture reminders of the world outside would do better to heal and separate a radicalized mind from triggering thoughts.   While I believe it is sometimes good to reflect on the past, clinging desperately to past hurts and refusing to let go will only stand in the way of healing.   All that said, I think listening to this thought experiment was more enlightening about the three of us as people rather than anything meaningful about how to correct radical indoctrination.     Phil's after thoughts (in response to K Sera's): I would like to elaborate my point a little bit more (and by the way, i did the majority of the talking in this episode and the fact that I need EVEN MORE TIME to discuss is a bit "extra" of me (facepalm)).   First, I love your take on the thought-exercise. I didn't realize that by removing existing books and music that the volunteers will have to develop and create their own culture. I like this viewpoint because (in my belief) the reason why we have so many problems is because the philosophy that is inserted (via social media and traditional news) is toxic AND ingrained in their past mindset. For the residents of this fictional town, the incentive to create their own works of culture may be the effort needed to break from the old mentality.   As for Micah's view, I think he is drawing from his collegiate education and his experiences from living in a very small town. To him, I can see how the culture will start to become tribal very quickly (and perhaps suffocatingly so). The future in this simulation would be very dark if his predictions were to come true, and I do believe that he has more of a balance in this thinking (both academically and personally) to reach this conclusion. The authoritarianism makes me very uncomfortable, even in the premise of a town-size premise of a rehab center.   My thinking: I realize just how flawed my thinking is now after reading your afterthoughts and understanding the premise of this question. For example, originally I was

Phil asks if gyms are unhealthy. K Sera dislikes gyms. Micah discusses the gym of life (mixed zoning laws, civil engineering, the detriment of suburbs, and more). Note: This episode was originally recorded in the Summer of 2022, one year prior to the publishing.   Show Notes: N/A   K Sera's after thoughts: Welp.   Yeah, gyms are not for me. I'd rather be outside. Or just sitting. For me, exercise for the sake of exercising just doesn't give me that rush of dopamine. I love going for walks and being out in nature (so long as the flies and bees stay the heck away).   I do think gyms have the potential to be sacred spaces. For the folks who want a dedicated and safe place to go to move and strengthen their body, a gym can be great. You pay for access to special equipment to use for whatever strengthening goals you may have. So long as everyone is polite, sanitary and they pick up after themselves, gyms are awesome. There is a lot of potential for active community activities and forming health-focused social groups.   Most of my experiences with gyms have been of boredom and disgust, however. I don't personally like being around a bunch of sweaty people. I don't like the smell. I don't like being stuck inside, moving my body on a stationary piece of equipment with unchanging scenery. I definitely don't want to pay membership dollars for any of that, either. But that's me. I don't have to like it. These spaces are not built for me. Gyms are for the people who want to use them ... and can pay to use them. (Let's not forget capitalism!)   I also just really dislike the obsession people have about weight loss. If exercising brings you joy, do it. If you are doing it to justify eating brownies and ice cream, or because you think you're supposed to, or because someone else thinks you need to "be healthy" - whatever the fuck that means - then maybe have another think about the why of it. There is this constant conversation about weight and health that I'm just... kind of tired of having. I don't care if I'm thin. I don't care if you are either. Granted, I'm also not trying to attract a partner, either, so maybe my lizard-self is creeping in again.    There's so much unsaid meanness and shame surrounding the conversation of diet and exercise. It's obsessive and mentally unhealthy. It's frustrating to listen to people I know talk about how little they ate that day, or how their clothes aren't fitting right, or how embarrassed they are to not be a supermodel. It's okay to want to look nice. It's normal to want others to look at you with admiration or appreciation. It's also normal to want to be able to move easily and be strong enough to take care of yourself and house chores and whatever activities might require some physical exertion. I think if you are balanced and the choices you are making aren't coming from a place of shame, you are on a positive path.   Anyway, gyms. Can't do it. Not today.           Phil's after thoughts: Since starting my new job I have access to a free gym. Because of the "work-remote policy" this gym is rarely busy and most of the time much of the exercise equipment is freely available. There are times where it is busy and people do not wipe their equipment, but I do my best to make sure that everything is clean around me (before and after I use it). The nice part is that while the gym itself isn't super fancy or anything, it has all the stuff needed to stretch, warm up muscles, and do light cardio workouts. It also has showers, towels, and lockers; and for some reason it is not busy (I bring shower slippers) and each shower has their own individual door that offers a lot more privacy (and spacious enough to change in/out of in the shower stall).   I have come to realize that I only go to this gym because I have two options: either stay at work and do more work OR for an hour I can combine all my breaks and workout for 1 hour right in the middle of my shift. Honestly,

Micah asks if having an "abstain/present" vote should be removed as an option. K Sera and Phil ponder the questions while also doing their very best not to get side tracked into other conversations. Note: this episode was originally recorded last year (from publication) in mid Summer of 2022. Things have changed, obviously.   Show notes: N/A   K Sera's after thoughts: In our podcast pasture, the sheep dog has adhd!   One correction: Talisker isn’t the ‘only’ distillery on the isle of skye, but it is the oldest! My 18-year is still in my booze closet, and I think I’ll have a sip or two tonight for some reminiscence.   Now, abstaining on a vote, I think, is definitely a government official passing the buck, but I think there are things that the government doesn’t actually need to rule on. Some things are moot. Some things are not worth enshrining in law. Some things don’t need to be decided immediately, especially if more information and fact finding is necessary. Abstaining from a vote should be allowed.   I do think it is frustrating, however, and I would agree that it isn’t a great look for our representatives showing up consistently to not work or make decisions on the things we elected them to decide on. If you choose to abstain, maybe you could make it annoying for the abstainer by requiring an explanation, similar to the way a Supreme Court judge writes dissenting opinions? I don’t know.       Phil's after thoughts Our poor sheep dog is either exhausted from chasing our errant thoughts or has given up on life and found a bottle of scotch. Rest well, Sheepy.   When I re-listen to this episode I think of the classic line from an old satire movie Dr Strangelove where someone shouts "There is no fighting in the War Room!"   Playing the "PRESENT" or "ABSTAIN" vote is 100% politics. It is playing politics IN POLITICS at PEAK POLITICS. About a year later after the initial recording of this episode, Krysten Sinema ended up leaving the Democratic Party and becoming an independent. She shrewdly played her hand and now the Democratic party must face a difficult election: either they attempt to present a Democratic challenger (where Kyrsten Sinema will inevitably split the vote and have a Republican candidate enter the Senate) or support Krysten Sinema in Arizona in order to reduce the GOP voting power in government. Either way, her "ABSTAIN" and "PRESENT" votes were signals to Senate leadership AND to her voters (as many of AZ politics plays center/independent compared to the rest of the nation). Long story short: she is playing politics. The sad thing is that they had better primary candidates for the Democratic party when she was ultimately elected, and if they would have went with ANY OF THEM they would have avoided this whole mess. But that is what politics are, and unfortunately it will be a sad day when major life-saving laws "could have been enacted" but weren't because she wanted more power and sway.   The only way to mitigate this is to increase the voter motivation to actually care what is going on in their local and federal elections (and who is just playing for power, and who is actually representing Americans). I think we have gotten there in Minnesota at least, and it is my hope that other states realize that passing laws that only protect the rich while also binding the rest of us is no longer "good politics" anymore.   A human can dream, after all. 

K Sera discusses about subscriptions, access to digital multimedia, ownership versus license, generational differences, and the wider trends that will shape our future. Micah adds the capitalism perspective and how our current economic systems are accelerating the demise of the middle class. Phil goes a bit overboard with subscription lightbulbs.   Shownotes: N/A   K Sera's afterthoughts: Subscription Hell is an apt title.   Since recording this episode, I have continued to turn this subject over in my mind.   Maybe this speaks to my economic class (and the economic class of people I spend time with), but I notice a lot of fast fashion, fast furniture, and fast meals. The clothing we buy is low quality and flimsy, but also stylish and easy to mass produce - a LOT of clothing ends up in landfills. Fast furniture has some truly beneficial qualities for the consumer who moves a lot or wants something functional, trendy, and easy to replace when they decide to change up their decor. Being made of inexpensive, light material makes these pieces super convenient for the individual consumer, but again, these pieces don't last and also end up in landfills in higher numbers and more frequently than quality pieces. They are much easier to damage and they can't really be repaired in the same way a higher quality piece can - or, the cost to repair it is actually more than just tossing it and buying a new one to replace it. The magnitude of waste is really upsetting.   Fast food could probably have its own topic. Why would you ever bother learn to cook or even care about quality nutrition when you can save time and effort by just picking up take out? Why would you make and bring a home-cooked lunch to work when you can just buy microwavable box-dinners that can be ready in less than 3 minutes? The problem is that those foods are full of so much sodium and preservatives and who knows what else, which will have long term health impacts that will eventually catch up with you. BUT THAT'S FUTURE ME'S PROBLEM. Also, health care? Who's she? Have we met?   I guess, my hope for the future is that we can find a balance between convenience, quality, and the long term health and environmental impacts. I hope that we continue to work towards more sustainable consumption, which, in a way, digital access to entertainment is a significant contribution. You don't throw your library containing thousands of digital books, music and movies into a landfill, after all. So, that's good. But that brings us back to the issue at hand: subscription hell.   Dividing our paychecks into half a dozen subscriptions or more on top of other bills, which are, also basically monthly subscriptions if you think about it... Where the hell is the pie slice for our savings? How the hell are we ever going to build wealth or equity if we're trapped in a cycle of endless subscriptions bleeding us slowly from a thousand cuts?   This forces a consumer with a limited pool of resources to prioritize and cut out the excess. The problem is, for a lot of people, there isn't a lot of fat left to trim, and some of the "fat we can trim" might be extremely important in other interpersonal or emotional ways that make that choice a lot harder. Entertainment might sound like a luxury or a frill, but I'd argue that a healthy mind requires at least some enrichment.    And with that, I think I need some enrichment in the form of solving shrine puzzles in Zelda: totk for an hour or so.     Phil's after thoughts: I am, right now as I type, cancelling my Comcast internet service. This is how much this episode enraged me. Comcast decided, on their own, to just double the internet price for reasons. There is no speed improvement, or data quality or higher consistency or anything that actually makes it worth double the price, it is just simply: you pay us more now.   I would argue that the internet is not a luxury item, but that is beside the point. The truth is