Bad Philosophy

Episode 109: A Heifer Wheezin

05 December 2011 By StephenTorrence 0 In Podcast

We Bad Philosophers have a particular affinity for a certain sitcom called Community. This highly experimental, genre-busting adventure was recently put on hiatus by NBC, much to the chagrin of the fan base. So, as we always do in anticipation of great shows going the way of the Dodo, we decided to convene and discuss what we love about this show and where it fits in the context of modern television. Kevin joined me to offer his more in-tune perspective on the industry and blow my mind in a couple of unexpected ways. Do you know where your pen is? It’s BF time!

Episode 108: The Ultimate Egotist

17 November 2011 By StephenTorrence 1 In Podcast

People change. Recently I made a video about how I’d like to change my approach to YouTube rather significantly. In hindsight, it’s one of the most egotistical videos I’ve ever made, and Kevin had no hesitation telling me this. He and Jacie Hood joined me to discuss and critique my latest endeavor, the changing nature of my ASL fame, and the YouTube community in general. Have a listen…

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

This Week’s Post-show Song Pimpage: “Stache” by Jonathan Coulton

Questions Answered in This Week’s FormSqueeze:

Best subject?

Descrates?

Rude kids? Give ’em the Face!

A Very Potter Musical, anthropology, Ashton Kutcher, ASL, Beyond Viral, Blue Moon, Community, Cory Williams, Cyber Bullying, DailyMotion, ethnography, Glee, Google, Halloween, Halo, Jacie, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jomama Jones, Kevin, Kevin Nalty, Kevin Smith, Master Pancake, Mike Wesch, Miller High Life, Neil Simon, nerdfighteria, performance, Philip DeFranco, Project for Awesome, Red State, Seinfeld, songsigning, Starkid, Stephen, Stephen King, theatre, True Lies, Tyler Perry, Vimeo, Vlog Brothers, YouTube

Episode 107: Killer Hipstinct

07 November 2011 By StephenTorrence 0 In Podcast

Have you ever found yourself uttering anything like the following phrases? “Oh, I was totally into that band before they sold out” or “Forget polyester, tweed is where it’s at” or maybe “Gosh, I wish they’d bring back the phonograph cylinder; vinyl is so mainstream.” Well, I have some good news, my hipster friend — we recorded an episode just for you! On my first visit to Texas Tech University in over a year, I managed to rally some old stalwarts to tackle this topic: Shawn Brackett (of synesthesia fame), Matt Legler (who I swear will get carded at bars until he’s 40), and Bryan Mitchell (that guy who wore hats and wasn’t Kevin but now doesn’t wear hats anymore). Load this MP3 onto your iRiver H10 before your friends do, it’s BF time!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

This Week’s Post-show Song Pimpage: “Too Soon” by Hey Ocean!

Question Answers in This Week’s Formsqueeze:

Babies?

Amazon, Amazon Prime, Angry Birds, AOL, Apple, Arcade Fire, babies, Bryan M, Canada, Carl Young, Cars, Chipotle, counter-culture, Digital Media Studio, Dreamwidth, emo, Facebook, Ford, Foursquare, Freebirds, Google, HEB, hipsters, iPhone, iPod, iRiver H10, Kent Hance, Kia, King Supers, Kroger, Last.fm, LinkedIn, LiveJournal, maple syrup, Matt, memes, meta, Microsoft, music, pancakes, Predictably Irrational, retro, Risk, Sanyo, Saturn, sex, Shawn, Stephen, Texas Tech University, The Atlantic, The Decemberists, The Internet, Twitter, Wal-Mart, Whole Foods, Windows, Zune

Episode 106: Accident Alley

01 November 2011 By StephenTorrence 0 In Podcast

Chances are that even despite these rough economic times, you’ve probably got a job at the moment. But have you ever asked yourself why you work so hard to perpetuate the capitalist construct, condemning yourself and a significant portion of your hapless peers to a lifetime of wage slavery? This episode Kevin and I brainstormed some paradigm-shifting theories on the subject during our downtime. It was one of the most productive BF’s ever, IMHO ASAP… FYI.

No video this week, even though we did go live with it. I um… forgot to press the ‘record’ button.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

This Week’s Post-show ‘Song’ Pimpage: “Chris Rock: Job vs. Career“

benefits, Boing Boing, Bureau of Labor Statistics, bureaucracy, capitalism, Cillian Murphy, communism, corporations, corporatism, economics, education, employment, gift economy, health insurance, Hyperbole and a Half, illegal immigration, Jerry Pournelle, Joel Olsteen, Joshua Glenn, Kevin, love, MacBeth, Mark Kingwell, Marxism, migrant work, minimum wage, neo-Marxism, personal identity, price fixing, Reading Rainbow, religion, slavery, Stephen, stock options, Tales of the Golden Clipper, teachers, telepathy, Texas Roller Derby, theatre, trust, TSA, United States, value, wage slavery, wages, work

Episode 105: Down With the WORMHELPs!

24 October 2011 By StephenTorrence 0 In Podcast

Protesting is one of those most righteous and time-honored of human activities. Something about the simple act of getting angry, going somewhere, and shouting pithy phrases repeatedly with a group of people all holding signs appeals to our deep inner psyche. Is it the adrenaline rush of potentially getting busted by the authorities? Is it the sense of common purpose and participation in meaningful change? Is it the attention you get for doing all of the above? The world may never know.

In the mean time, you’ve got us to help you make even less sense of it all! This episode Kiki, Kevin, and I explored the Occupy X protests that are currently sweeping the disgruntled hipster communities in cities worldwide… oh, and that Wall Street thing too. Kevin even busted out his brand new plan for fixing our election system! Hint: if you hated the SAT, you’re gonna LOVE it. So grab your giant Sharpee, meet us in front of city hall, and prepare to get real cozy with the 99%, it’s BF time!