We Used to Be the Smart Kids http://www.weusedtobethesmartkids.com Pinecast (https://pinecast.com) en-USEric and Karalyn Eric and Karalyn edparmer@gmail.com yes We Used to Be the Smart Kids http://www.weusedtobethesmartkids.com https://storage.pinecast.net/podcasts/covers/accab1e7-5ce9-469a-a3cd-9fe5e0da3f05/20230408_092957_0000.jpg episodic Sure Making shallow deep. The Trolley Problem. IN SPACE! https://pinecast.com/guid/3e88a5be-f92a-4298-a4c1-35a75608b07c Wed, 07 Jun 2023 11:00:00 -0000 00:30:05 The Cold Calculations Kare gets mad about, "The Cold Calculations," a short story from the 50's. It was a different time. And there's still no excuse for this fascist bullshit.

Read the story here: https://www.lightspeedmagazine.com/fiction/the-cold-equations/

Two response stories, we discussed the first one by Don Sakers: https://sfshortstories.com/?p=795 https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/ogden_12_21/

An incredibly in depth response the common criticisms of The Cold Equations:

https://web.archive.org/web/20131208103213/http://www.richardhartersworld.com/cri_d/cri/1999/coldeq.html

Cory Doctorow's insightful commentary on The Cold Equations: https://locusmag.com/2014/03/cory-doctorow-cold-equations-and-moral-hazard/ 

These last two links didn't make it into the podcast, but they're fascinating in their own way. In the first one, someone argues that the actual math in The Cold Equations is wrong. The second is a link to a corporate team building seminar you can book where various short stories are discussed. The Cold Equations is a great option if you need to root out the psychopaths on your team.

https://sciencemeetsfiction.com/nonfiction-essays/the-real-problem-with-the-cold-equations/ https://www.booksatwork.org/reading-mindfully-tom-godwins-the-cold-equations/

Miscellaneous Sources:

https://file770.com/essay-a-fresh-look-at-cold-equations/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Cold_Equations

Intro music "Chipper" by Tim Beek (timbeek.com). Outro music by onemansymphony.

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]]> yes Depravity All the Way Down https://pinecast.com/guid/e4af49f8-1e60-4a4d-a9b2-85abc674b046 Wed, 17 May 2023 18:33:22 -0000 00:41:40 80s Teen Sex Comedies Eric explains teen sex comedies! Kare doesn't admit this on air, but she's had no idea what he's been talking about.

Movies discussed:

Gidget (1959) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5suc-Yexpw&pp=ygUOZ2lkZ2V0IHRyYWlsZXI%3D

Porky's (1981)- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWmtDAIK03M&pp=ygUOcG9ya3lzIHRyYWlsZXI%3D

Revenge of the Nerds (1984)- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIZH5TKnEeg&pp=ygUccmV2ZW5nZSBvZiB0aGUgbmVyZHMgdHJhaWxlcg%3D%3D

Meatballs (1979) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZRcvSfMgj4&pp=ygUWbWVhdGJhbGxzIDE5NzkgdHJhaWxlcg%3D%3D

Meatballs 2 (1984) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01ILPQLKWsY&pp=ygUTbWVhdGJhbGxzIDIgdHJhaWxlcg%3D%3D

Meatballs 3 (1986) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtTJweR7wjA&pp=ygUTbWVhdGJhbGxzIDMgdHJhaWxlcg%3D%3D

Earth Girls are Easy (1988) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TnO5gz-1Wk&pp=ygUcZWFydGggZ2lybHMgYXJlIGVhc3kgdHJhaWxlcg%3D%3D

Pretty Smart (1987)- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ethtNqm0NFE&pp=ygUZcHJldHR5IHNtYXJ0IDE5ODcgdHJhaWxlcg%3D%3D

Intro music "Chipper" by Tim Beek (timbeek.com). Outro music by onemansymphony.

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]]> yes David DeCoteau and the Squeaky Boobs https://pinecast.com/guid/a9a639c6-b9ab-45ee-acf3-f3128395667f Wed, 26 Apr 2023 12:30:46 -0000 00:22:05

When Eric goes digging in his terrible movie collection, he finds a director with a unique take on male heterosexuality. Kare loses her mind when she hears one of the movie titles.

Movies Discussed: Sorority Babes in the Slimeball Bowl-o-Rama: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RsNo9t299k Nightmare Sisters: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EKabawj6go Dr. Alien: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SB96kQdZ94s

Intro music "Chipper" by Tim Beek (timbeek.com). Outro music by onemansymphony.

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]]> yes Hi, Eric's Mom! https://pinecast.com/guid/db27db65-0a7d-4881-85f7-9215dd668a6d Wed, 12 Apr 2023 12:30:46 -0000 00:24:31 Hi Eric's Mom

In which Eric does some necessary navel gazing and Kare mocks the bijingles out of him.

USA Up All Night: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1om1P8m4Sc

Zapped Again: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDqROn5-sEM

Intro music "Chipper" by Tim Beek (timbeek.com). Outro music by onemansymphony.

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]]> yes Mr. Beast, Cynicism, & Popcorn Capitalism https://pinecast.com/guid/560c5cc4-3239-4e69-925f-84a0f55a306f Wed, 29 Mar 2023 12:30:46 -0000 00:41:49

Kare spends two months watching Mr Beast videos and can't cop to it, so she pretends it was all for a podcast episode. Eric listens and thinks that Kare, capitalism, and Mr. Beast is The Worst Threesome.

References:

The Squid Game Video: https://youtu.be/0e3GPea1Tyg Last To Leave the Circle: https://youtu.be/zxYjTTXc-J8 Man Survives 90 Days in a Circle: https://youtu.be/gHzuabZUd6c Curing Blindness: https://youtu.be/TJ2ifmkGGus Colin and Samir Interview with Mr. Beast: https://youtu.be/c8VcUnz3nVc The Wellesley News article on The Rich and Squid Game: https://thewellesleynews.com/2021/12/13/the-irony-of-mrbeasts-squid-game-in-comparison-to-the-hit-netflix-show/

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]]> yes Eric Goes to a Sci-Fi Con https://pinecast.com/guid/97a93079-e75e-4138-bb80-61ca8f642510 Wed, 15 Mar 2023 10:37:00 -0000 00:38:15 Eric makes Kare reminisce about the sci-fi/fantasy conventions they've attended together, walking through the first experiences Kare had with the greater nerd hivemind. She was not thrilled. But then she was. It's a whole thing.

Articles Discussed:

Five Geek Social Fallacies - https://plausiblydeniable.com/five-geek-social-fallacies/ The Geek Hierarchy - http://www.brunching.com/geekhierarchy.html

Intro music "Chipper" by Tim Beek (timbeek.com). Outro music by onemansymphony.

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]]> yes Kare Bemoans the Potential of She-Hulk https://pinecast.com/guid/36f7e56b-7f53-4ca6-a472-155502ba0e10 Wed, 22 Feb 2023 12:00:00 -0000 00:34:42

Kare finally takes aim at the Marvel Cinematic Universe; She-Hulk's in the crosshairs. Eric quips.

Legal Eagle's video on the laughable law rep in She-Hulk:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7c3wdmoQEnY

Shows discussed:

She-Hulk - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7JsKhI2An0

Intro music "Chipper" by Tim Beek (timbeek.com). Outro music by onemansymphony.

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]]> yes Kare Gets Mad About Fictional MFAs https://pinecast.com/guid/7d9cba95-2034-48a7-bd89-426a2688bd99 Wed, 08 Feb 2023 12:00:00 -0000 00:29:30 Okay, maybe not mad, but definitely perturbed. Kare raves about the series Maid and its impact on her. Eric tags along and enjoys the ride.

Series Discussed:

Maid - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLd0dN25i5g

Books Discussed:

Nickel and Dimed - https://www.amazon.com/Nickel-Dimed-Not-Getting-America/dp/0312626681

Intro music "Chipper" by Tim Beek (timbeek.com). Outro music by onemansymphony.

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]]> yes Eric Cares Too Much About Obscure Media https://pinecast.com/guid/03fe87d0-7f7b-43d2-9962-109b4dc7cc0d Wed, 25 Jan 2023 12:00:00 -0000 00:39:08 Those missing Doctor Who episodes. Movies you've never heard of and maybe should never have existed. Eric makes a case that we should care about all of them.

Kare tries to relate.

The Doctor Who missing episodes were rumored to be in Sierra Leone.

IANAL, but one thing I forgot to mention with the back-up laws is that you aren't allowed to break any copy protection while creating the back-up.

Sites Discussed:

www.vinegarsyndrome.com www.severinfilms.com www.arrowvideo.com archive.org

Movies Discussed: Voyage of the Rock Aliens - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZGOsJa0HHg

Intro music "Chipper:; by Tim Beek (timbeek.com). Outro music by onemansymphony.

]]> yes The Greatest Accidental Satire: Chasing Cameron https://pinecast.com/guid/16a73671-8e07-4ad6-a2b1-164fdadbe404 Wed, 11 Jan 2023 12:00:00 -0000 00:43:52 Kare watched a bunch of teen boys dancing like idiots, found something profound, and made Eric come over so she could explain it to him.

From Kare: There’s no way I could have explained the secondhand embarrassment of magcon, so have some compilation videos. · The vines that made them famous, proof you don’t need talent if you’re hot: https://youtu.be/fsGP7JdE1xY · Their promo video for their Houston tour: https://youtu.be/zJAvHIg5gRA · A dance battle in Nashville featuring the panda: https://youtu.be/VAHNTGe_IkA Video evidence of at least one food fight: https://youtu.be/Gn9_bUquuVY

At this point, your YouTube algorithm should be sufficiently trained and your faith in teen girl taste plummeted.

If you want more, here’s Casey Aonso’s video about Magcon. It’s a delight: https://youtu.be/LDAMfz3Fq2I She made two because it’s our birthday: https://youtu.be/zafM1Qbt75Y

I know I said I don’t recommend Chasing Cameron, but I lied. I actually really, really do. You should watch it. Like this instant. Go forth. Feel the rise and the fall.

Intro music "Chipper" by Tim Beek (timbeek.com). Outro music by onemansymphony.

]]> yes Have Yourself a Deadly Little Christmas: Violent Night and Christmas Horror https://pinecast.com/guid/2a756209-37d5-4aaf-9865-cbc1d8559517 Wed, 28 Dec 2022 12:00:00 -0000 Episode Notes

Eric loved Violent Night and went off on the history of Christmas Horror as a genre. Kare listens patiently and adds jokes.

Spoilers and discussion for the following movies:

Violent Night - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a53e4HHnx_s Home Alone - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEDaVHmw7r4 Tales from the Crypt - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ol4MvRkWek Silent Night, Deadly Night - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNBJfv5pIdY Ernest Saves Christmas - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFZeIJgoLDU Silent Night - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhLw3GmHQqA Christmas Evil - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2zPRNgzBrM Invasion USA - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEJMnLZKuVU Krampus - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpG4UfhgR1Y A Christmas Horror Story - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Z3ybMTpqFw Die Hard - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaJuwKCmJbY Gremlins - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBEVwaJEgaA

Intro music "Chipper" by Tim Beek (timbeek.com) Outro music by onemansymphony

]]> yes A Scarcity of Women https://pinecast.com/guid/0b701c33-d783-4a97-b437-ab9bd0f88b5c Wed, 14 Dec 2022 12:00:00 -0000 00:32:20

Eric binges Guy Ritchie and comes over to tell Kare about a fascinating phenomena he encountered.

Movies Discussed: Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8MXn5No1Jc Snatch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Jar2XkBboo The Gentleman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ify9S7hj480 Wrath of Man: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFYEni2gsK0

Intro music "Chipper" by Tim Beek (timbeek.com) Outro music by onemansymphony

]]> yes Toxic Masculinity, But It's Art https://pinecast.com/guid/a70e1b70-cfd6-46cb-8279-c4a8bef80e07 Wed, 30 Nov 2022 12:00:00 -0000 Eric explains masculinity to Kare through the lens of Richard Linklater's filmography.

Movies discussed are

Everybody Wants Some (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6raUs0CiCQ) Dazed and Confused (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aQuvPlcB-8) Boyhood (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0oX0xiwOv8)

Intro music "Chipper" by Tim Beek (timbeek.com)

Outro music by onemansymphony

]]> yes The Susan Boyle Conspiracy https://pinecast.com/guid/4a20c360-7531-4585-a4c4-3582deceb035 Wed, 16 Nov 2022 14:17:16 -0000 After a late night YouTube binge, Kare has dark theories about Susan Boyle.

Susan Boyle Audition: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zZPLohsmO0

Susan Boyle Sings with Elaine Paige: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sF1hIaHKANk   Intro music "Chipper" by Tim Beek (timbeek.com) Outro music by onemansymphony

]]> yes Eric Laments the Potential of Dune 2021 https://pinecast.com/guid/bf72bd6f-04ad-48ee-91b1-82c7535a2a5b Wed, 02 Nov 2022 13:17:16 -0000 00:37:13

Kare managed to stay awake through all of Dune 2021 but understood none of it, so Eric explains it and its place in Sci Fi canon.

Intro music "Chipper" by Tim Beek (timbeek.com) Outro music by onemansymphony

]]> yes Wait, But "The Holiday" is Good https://pinecast.com/guid/90c161e6-c61f-4b24-8cfb-e4b7533ad327 Wed, 19 Oct 2022 13:17:16 -0000 00:23:46

Karalyn struggles to express her sublime joy at discovering women with agency. Her friends were right all along--The Holiday is good, actually.

Intro music "Mr Snarky Destructoid" by Tim Beek (timbeek.com)

Outro music by onemansymphony

]]> yes Weird Amazon Porn https://pinecast.com/guid/d7563cf0-4c2f-485a-9ec2-6937decbc67c Wed, 05 Oct 2022 18:26:58 -0000 00:33:48 Eric turns his media analysis skills on weird Amazon porn. Kare goes along for the ride.

Intro music "Chipper" by Tim Beek (timbeek.com)

Outro music by onemansymphony

]]> yes This Porn is Feminist https://pinecast.com/guid/4290e778-bbca-401c-bf7a-bad6a418af00 Wed, 21 Sep 2022 13:20:50 -0000 Pinky Violence

Eric gets nerdy about an obscure genre of 70s porn, Pinky Violence Films. Karalyn comes along for the ride.

Intro music "Chipper" by Tim Beek (timbeek.com)

Outro music by onemansymphony

]]> yes Kare Yells About the Coen Bros. https://pinecast.com/guid/52eb5711-8c2e-4568-a4f0-9f38fea1f957 Wed, 31 Aug 2022 19:05:21 -0000 00:20:59 The Ballad of Buster Scruggs

The Ballad of Buster Scruggs ignites an apoplectic rage in Karalyn.

Intro music "Chipper" by Tim Beek (timbeek.com)

Outro music by onemansymphony

]]> yes