In episode 26 of Overthink, Ellie and David explore cohabitation during Covid. They use philosopher Henri Bergson's theory of rhythm and the Africana philosophy concept of Ubuntu to better understand how we have had to re-negotiate and re-engage with space this year. Also discussed: Ellie's early Covid board games, David's living room, moving during covid, and lots more! Works Discussed: Taylor Trudon, Teenage Angst, Revisited in Isolation Julius Gathogo, African Philosophy as Expressed in the C...
May 25, 2021•53 min
In episode 25 of Overthink , Ellie and David discuss dating during Covid--including their own experiences! With so many Americans getting vaccinated, the dating scene may be heating up again--but what philosophical lessons can we learn from the past year of pandemic dating? Ellie gives a sociological history of dating, and David wonders about how socially distant dating changes class dynamics. Then the two talk about how pandemic dating involves a "phenomenology of acceleration" and a "phenomeno...
May 11, 2021•55 min
On episode 24 of Overthink , Ellie and David tackle friendship during Covid. They begin by discussing their dream day with friends, which includes: brunch, thrift store shopping, and team sports, all of which have been impossible to do during the pandemic. What has social distancing meant for friendship? They bring on special guest, undergraduate Anna Koppelman ( Overthink 's production assistant and social media coordinator!), to discuss how Covid has impacted college students' social lives. Th...
Apr 27, 2021•57 min
In episode 23 of Overthink , Ellie, and David sit down with philosopher Dr. C. Thi Nguyen to discuss his work on games and gamification. They begin by their love for The Sims and the out-of-body experiences video games can trigger. From there, they get into the works of thinkers including Ortega y Gasset, Nietzsche, Mill, Gadamer, discussing their theories on games and motivation. The trio also jumps into the function of games in community, how British and American drinking games differ, motivat...
Apr 13, 2021•55 min
In episode 22 of Overthink, Ellie and David discuss the new Britney Spears documentary exposing her legal conservatorship. After bonding over their tween obsession with Britney, they dive into the laws around conservatorship and cultural narratives around mental health. The two argue that disability has been largely ignored in the conversation around Britney Spears, even though people with disabilities and the elderly are most affected by conservatorships. They show how disability studies and fe...
Mar 30, 2021•57 min
Ellie and David discuss the term "gaslighting" in episode 21. They begin by jumping into the origin of the term in the 1940s and its entrance into mainstream discourse today. Then the two go onto explore how gaslighting works, and whether it needs to be deliberate (spoiler alert: no!). Finally, David and Ellie think about structural and cultural gaslighting in systems of oppression. Also discussed in the episode: The Chicks, epistemic injustice, the medical establishment, and...is Socrates a gas...
Mar 16, 2021•48 min
In episode 20 of Overthink, Ellie and David sit down with philosopher Dr. Olúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò to discuss climate reparations and why they are needed as part of a broader discussion about reparations for racial injustice. Before that conversation, Ellie and David open the episode by addressing the history of reparations and the need for them both monetarily and as a signifier of justice. This episode looks at eco-fascism, whether direct payments via Cash App are viable reparations, and the need for...
Mar 09, 2021•55 min
In Episode 19 of Overthink , Ellie and David debate the idea of genius. They begin by explaining Kant and Schopenhauer's theories of genius before diving into feminist critiques of the very idea that geniuses exist. They talk about why women were traditionally excluded from being geniuses, how male professors are called "genius" on Ratemyprofessor more than their female counterparts, and how sociological conditions determine who is considered a genius. Also discussed: Ellie's childhood belief th...
Mar 02, 2021•48 min
In episode 18 of Overthink , Ellie and David conclude their four-part series on intimate relationships with a discussion of polyamory. Many argue that polyamory has liberatory potential as a radical form of relating to others. Some say that polyamory is natural for humans--is this story from evolutionary biology true, and does it matter? Ellie and David discuss these issues and also explain how polyamory encourages us to rethink jealousy through the concept of compersion. The two also touch on t...
Feb 23, 2021•53 min
In episode 17 of Overthink , Ellie and David talk about open relationships. 50% of millennials are not interested in having purely monogamous relationships. With many still wanting a primary partner, some are turning towards open relationships. What do open relationships have to offer? Ellie and David start off by talking about their own experience with open relationships and its ties to their philosophical and feminist beliefs. Then the two dive into the open relationships of famous existential...
Feb 16, 2021•55 min
On episode 16 of Overthink , Ellie and David dive into monogamy. Ellie jumps into her obsession with reality shows centered around monogamy that are actually examples of polyamory, aka the entire Bachelor franchise. Then they discuss the appeal to nature that is often made when talking about monogamy as well as Aristophanes’ story of the one, the potential negatives of all-consuming love, cheating, and more! Works Discussed: Plato, Symposium Angela Willey, Undoing Monogamy Harry Chalmers, "Is Mo...
Feb 09, 2021•51 min
In episode 15 of Overthink, Ellie and David discuss the history and philosophy of marriage. Why do married people in the U.S. receive over 1,000 legal benefits that single people do not? Ellie and David dive into Foucault's analysis of ancient Roman marriage and Hegel's idea that marriage unites the subjective and objective spheres. Then the two discuss the way it’s been used bio-politically, as well as queer critiques of marriage. They also discuss minimal marriage as a solution, how the averag...
Feb 02, 2021•50 min
On episode 14 of Overthink , Ellie and David sit down with Dr. Jessica Locke, an expert in Buddhist philosophy, to discuss mindfulness as a tool for anti-racist education and social justice work. After investigating the ways that Western science and capitalism have watered down Buddhist mindfulness, they explore with Dr. Locke how Buddhist practices can be an important part of a social justice toolbox. Together, they explore how mindfulness practice changes one’s relationship to suffering, alter...
Jan 26, 2021•52 min
On episode 13 of Overthink, Ellie and David explain what performativity is. They explain why the phrase "performative ally" is not philosophically accurate, and how performativity is rooted in theories about language and identity. They talk about First Amendment laws, the ball culture of Paris is Burning , Legally Blonde , pornography, and more! Works Discussed: Judith Butler, Gender Trouble Jennie Livingston, Paris is Burning J.L. Austin, How to Do Things with Words Jeremy Waldron, The Harm in ...
Jan 19, 2021•40 min
On episode 12 of Overthink, Ellie and David sit down with philosopher Brian Keeley to discuss conspiracy theories. The three examine both the appeal of conspiracy theories and the dire need for public trust in institutions to combat such beliefs. Following last week’s far-right attack on the Capitol, Ellie and David consider the particularly American nature of conspiracy theories that has existed since the nation's founding. Finally, they discuss the way conspiracy theories root within families ...
Jan 12, 2021•55 min
On episode 11 of Overthink, Ellie and David discuss the ways in which Zoom has impacted our perception of the self and others. They begin by exploring the blurred lines of privacy that Zoom offers (who among us hasn’t cut their video feed to do a load of laundry?). Next, the two jump into the impact self-view has had on all of us now that we are able to see ourselves conduct our normal lives, tying it to Lacan’s mirror stage. Plus, they discuss disability theorists and the potential benefits tha...
Jan 05, 2021•54 min
On episode 10 of Overthink, Ellie and David debate the merit of New Year’s Resolutions. Only 8% of people keep the resolutions they set – so why do we continue to make resolutions? The duo discusses the importance of questioning the resolutions we make and desire. To understand the January 1st phenomena, they dive into Stoicism and Nietzsche. Interested in works discussed? William B. Irvine, A Guide to the Good Life Epictetus and Sharon Lobell, The Art of Living Marcus Aurelius, Meditations Niet...
Dec 29, 2020•45 min
On episode 9 of Overthink, Ellie and David dive into the concept of parrhesia (speaking truth to those in power). They discuss its origin in Ancient Greece with Socrates and Diogenes, as well as its resurgence in Foucault. The two get into modern day truth tellers such as Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, Tristan Harris, Emma Sulkowicz, and more. Interested in the works discussed? Look no further: Andreas Huyssen, “Foreword: The return of Diogenes as Postmodern Intellectual” Michel Foucault, Fearless S...
Dec 16, 2020•52 min
Have you ever been ghosted? In episode 8 of Overthink, Ellie and David deconstruct this dating dilemma. The duo discuss what ghosting does to our emotions; how the Greek notion of akrasia can help us understand why people ghost; how ghosting leaves us feeling, well, haunted; and more! Interested in the works discussed? Here you go! Jacques Derrida, Specters of Marx Julia Kristeva, Strangers to Ourselves “Derrida,” dir. Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering Kofman Carl du Prel, The Philosophy of Mysticism S...
Dec 08, 2020•51 min
In episode 7 of Overthink, Ellie and David dive into the sensation of empathy! The dynamic duo discuss mirror neurons, whether animals can feel empathy, nice boy syndrome, why the phrase “I feel your pain” is so annoying, and more! Interested in the works discussed? You can find them here: Frans De Waal, The Age of Empathy: Nature's Lessons for a Kinder Society Hal Herzog and Mel Foster, Some We Love, Some We Hate, Some We Eat Edith Stein, On the Problem of Empathy Amy Coplan and Peter Goldie, e...
Dec 01, 2020•47 min
In episode 6 of Overthink, Ellie and David look at millennials' obsession with homemaking through the lens of Epicurus and Mariana Ortega. The duo talk about the Danish word “ hygge ,” alloparenting plants, IKEA, how 10-step skincare regimens are definitely the reason why millennials don’t own homes, and so much more! Interested in the works discussed? You can find them here! Michel de Certeau, The Practice of Everyday Life Mariana Ortega, In-Between: Latina Feminist Phenomenology, Multiplicity,...
Nov 15, 2020•51 min
In episode 5 of Overthink, Ellie and David talk about the taste, smell, and function of nostalgia. They dive into al pastor tacos, cottagecore, teenage diary entries, old shampoo bottles, M.A.G.A and more! Interested in the works discussed? You can find them here! Svetlana Boym, The Future of Nostalgia Cathy Park Hong, Minor Feelings: An Asian-American Reckoning Lauren Berlant, "Big Man" ( https://socialtextjournal.org/big-man/ ) Sigmund Freud, Mourning and Melancholia Marcel Proust, In Search o...
Nov 15, 2020•56 min
On episode 4 of Overthink, Ellie and David talk about existential anxiety, FOMO, Netflix’s Emily in Paris, The Good Place, and the difference between the medical and existential model of anxiety. Then the dynamic duo discusses how to deal with existential angst through resoluteness, mindfulness, and faith--or what David likes to call “embracing your ugliness!” Interested in the works discussed? You can find them here: Søren Kierkegaard, The Concept of Anxiety Martin Heidegger, Being and Time Jea...
Oct 31, 2020•54 min
On episode 3 of Overthink, Ellie and David delve into the rise of Anti-Mask protests across the country. The two discuss American individualism in our conception of freedom, the role of breath in the Judeo-Christian tradition, how much freedom we actually have when choosing lunch, and so much more! Interested in the works discussed? You can find them here: G.W.F. Hegel, The Philosophy of Right John Locke, Second Treatise of Government Simone de Beauvoir, America Day By Day and The Ethics of Ambi...
Oct 31, 2020•50 min
Welcome to Overthink. A philosophy podcast you'll actually want to listen to. Smart but cool. Fun but deep. Hosted by professors Ellie Anderson (Pomona College) and David M. Peña-Guzmán (San Francisco State University). Support the show Substack | overthinkpod.substack.com Website | overthinkpodcast.com Instagram & Twitter | @overthink_pod Email | dearoverthink@gmail.com YouTube | Overthink podcast See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19...
Oct 31, 2020•7 min•Season 1Ep. 1
On episode 2 of Overthink, Ellie and David discuss how millennials love talking about hating capitalism, the influence capitalism has had on our understanding of time, and the blurring line between who you are as a worker and who you are as an individual. Then they discuss how Covid-19 has challenged our conception of time and what this means for the future! Interested in the works discussed? You can find them here: Edward Thompson, “Time, Work-Discipline, and Industrial Capitalism” Karl Marx, C...
Oct 31, 2020•45 min
