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We were going to take this week off, but then we decided why not gather a couple of hosts (that’d be Rob Long and James Lileks) and let them just riff on the events of the day and other topics, freeform for an hour or so. So that’s exactly what we did. Enjoy it!
Music from this week’s podcast: Black Friday by Steely Dan
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That’s one of the best Ricochet illustrations ever!
“Ancient Chinese secret, huh?”
Very important point about Scandinavian culture.
So where was Peter Robinson? I hope he doesn’t turn up on some grainy Black Friday news footage fighting over a sweater. (Perfect for tying around one’s neck.)
Not as bad as I suspected it would be with James and Rob and no moderating influences.
“We’re out of Calgon!”
“Ancient Chinese secret, eh?”
“In spite of which we like to think
That we are sound, substantial flesh and blood—
Again, in spite of that, we call this Friday black.”
Haven’t even listened to this one yet but I can’t wait to. Rob and James are two of my favorite pundits/thinkers/podcasters in the world, and I need and crave their insight more than ever.
Plus they’re witty as all get-out.
Thanks, Filmklassik! Hope you like it; we had fun.
What a delightful podcast! Give and take between Rob and James – two smart and amusing guys.
No one interrupting, no one going on and on with self-indulgent monologues, no annoying verbal ticks, no one grandstanding and taking up 50% of the podcast just to hear himself talk.
Just two intelligent and witty guys throwing the conversational ball back and forth.
The things you say about Peter! ;^D
It worries me that I’m able to instantly pull Calgon out of my brain lint .
Greatly enjoyed the podcast and very much appreciate James and Rob taking time out from the holiday to do it for us. I really miss podcasts during holidays and on the weekends.
With one of James’s points, though, I must take exception. Hypocrisy is the worst thing a person can do (see Hebrew Bible and Christian Scriptures) because it is a lie one tells to oneself and, thereby, to God. It’s not the error that’s the problem (i.e., failing to live up to one’s purported values); it’s the lie about failing. So, although I hate these apologies, I found Louis C.K.’s to be honest and forthright because, for one, I don’t remember him criticizing or acting superior to others for their sexual failings and, two, because his apology leaves one with the only meaningful question: They were totally right. I was totally wrong. Now what? What else can he do but admit the truth? He’s paying the heavy price.
But does it occur to Charlie Rose that, despite his urbane mien and respectable milieu, that he’s in the same grotesque company as Donald Trump? I don’t think it does, as he easily hedges by saying he did not think all of the allegations against him were true and that he thought he and the women had “shared feelings.” … claptrap of the narcissist. You can be sure he sees himself much more as a victim than a creep.
Be not an hypocrite in the sight of men, and take good heed what thou speakest.–Sirach 1:29 (KJV)
Regarding the Casper ad – I was always curious about Casper’s return policy – “if you don’t like it, you can return it free” – because of the “how did they get it in that box?” packaging. Did they come and pick it up as is? Now James says that when he got his mattress he put the box on the recycling pile because he knew he wouldn’t be returning the mattress. So, do you have to get the mattress back in the original box in order to return it? If so, that would make the return policy not quite as generous as it sounds!
Also, regarding the comment about the dance routine with the advertised luggage – video or it never happened!
Great job, guys. And I echo the comment above about recording on a holiday week. Podcast-less weeks seem very long. So thanks!
That was very good.
I’m sick of posting links about it but conservatism / libertarianism can’t really work or be “sold” under this monetary + financial system. It’s better to figure out how to use Trump to slow down socialism.
Mises.org is right about everything.
#MAGA
It was so amusing to hear Rob tell us that the Alabama senate seat is one we conservatives can afford to lose in order to maintain our principles.
He said the same thing about the presidency in 2016.
Rob is an expert on elections conservatives should lose.
We were told our returned Casper mattress would be disposed of; in areas where it’s allowed, they’re more likely to donate. The return and refund was free and relatively painless.
I’d have kept the mattress if I was the only one sleeping on it, but my wife found it too firm; she’d wake up stiff and achy. We gave it nearly the full three months, but it didn’t improve.
I’d be curious to try the new Casper Wave mattress. I think there’s a showroom near us.
“Well-defined engineering tasks” />
… well defined …
…engineering tasks?
Sounds amazing. Where do I sign up?
Finally listened to it, and it was even better than expected. Don’t let this go to your head, dear sir, but you might be one of the most brilliant extemporizers (is that even a word?) I have ever heard. Don’t know how you manage to speak in eloquent, ordered paragraphs like that, but I wish I had 1/10 of your gift.
@roblong I think you’re wrong about Charlie Rose in particular. He doesn’t believe his bag of bones will excite young women. He believes they will “kneel before Zod” DESPITE his bag of bones, because he’s famous and powerful, etc. Probably the same with many of the others – including/especially Harvey Weinstein – except for the ones that are still young.