SIO213: Democratic Debate No. 43
Jamie and I watched the latest Democratic Primary Debate so that you don't have to. Unless you want to. We've got opinions! Come listen and let us know what you think! Download Here
Oct 17, 2019•1 hr 4 min
Serious Inquiries Only
Join Thomas for some critical thinking on questions of science, philosophy, skepticism and politics. These serious topics are discussed with some serious guests, but in an entertaining and engaging way! This is not your typical interview podcast; it’s a friendly dialogue, conducted thoughtfully and with plenty of humor. It's Serious Inquiries Only; but like, not boring or anything.
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Episodes
SIO212: A Joker Review
Jamie and I watched Joker, so you don't have to! Unless you still want to, that's fine. The movie has generated a lot of buzz and think pieces, with people worried that it would inspire white terrorism. On the other end, though, some people think it is an absolutely brilliant movie. So where do we come down? Listen and find out! Download Here...
Oct 10, 2019•59 min
SIO211: Listener Questions, with Jamie!
It's a great time to stay on top of some listener mail! But first, a new segment, "Feminist Yells at News!" Jamie talks about Brett Kavanaugh's latest victim complex, and Hillary Clinton opening up in recent interviews. After that, it's listener questions! Topics include: supporting local news organizations vs. national news organizations; comedians feeling like they can't do comedy because of the PC left; is it useful to have conservatives like Ross Douthat in the NYT opinion section; are we st...
Oct 03, 2019•59 min
SIO210: The Case of David Silverman
Former President of American Atheists, David Silverman, has been on an attempted comeback tour. He has done some interviews, including with noted sexual harasser of British PMs, Carl Benjamin. It's one thing if Silverman wanted to try to seek forgiveness and start over, but he seems to be completely re-writing history and is also adopting MRA talking points in the process. Jamie and I are here to set the record straight as to what he was accused of, and argue that his victim-narrative is quite b...
Oct 01, 2019•54 min
SIO209: More Listener Questions!
I'm here with an old fashioned solo-pod, since there are so many more good listener questions to answer! Topics are: more non-binary folks respond to ContraPoints, racism, cancel culture, the real dark web, bubbles, and atheists still associating with certain problematic atheists. Hope you enjoy the bonus episode! Download Here...
Sep 20, 2019•53 min
SIO208: Kavanaugh, Weinstein, and Listener Qs with Jamie
Jamie and I start off with a bit of a '#metoo in the news' update. There were new allegations against Kavanaugh that were revealed in a truly bizarre way by the New York Times, and there was also a devastation episode of the NYT Daily Podcast that talked about Gloria Allred and her daughter Lisa Bloom, and the work Lisa did to defend Harvey Weinstein and discredit his accusers. After that, we've got some voicemail and email on Yang and UBI. Finally, we discuss an email about white guilt and deal...
Sep 19, 2019•1 hr
SIO207: Post-Debate Special!
Jamie is here to talk Democratic Debate, and we've got a fun one for you! We've got lots of opinions on the nature of the debate itself, the highlights the low-lights, which candidates shined and which were Joe Biden. Plus, and EXTRA segment for patrons! Hop onto patreon and get a bonus 25 minutes!
Sep 13, 2019•1 hr 2 min
SIO206: ContraPoints and Cancel Culture
What could turn a left-tube favorite into the IDW's poster child overnight? Just ask ContraPoints. Well actually you can't, because she deleted her Twitter after a run-in with some folks who have accused her of saying things that are offensive to non-binary people. To get more info, Tris Mamone has a good explainer here that I would recommend. I'd also recommend this video by another non-binary YouTuber, and this video by trans YouTuber Kat Blaque. So Jamie and I are here, not to adjudicate the ...
Sep 12, 2019•54 min
SIO205: What Camus Can Still Teach Us
It's time for a philosophy lesson with Jamie! She's here to teach us about one of her faves, Albert Camus. We touch on absurdism, existentialism, nihilism, and more. Camus lived and wrote during the time of literal Nazis, so his work has a lot to tell us about our current time of arguably literal Nazis. Content note: there's a brief discussion of hypothetical suicide. Here's the essay that Jamie recommends reading if you want to get a taste of Camus's writing. After that, patrons get a bonus seg...
Aug 29, 2019•50 min
SIO204: Sexual Ethics, and More Listener Questions with Jamie
I've got good news and better news. First, Jamie and I are back for a bonus early SIO to tackle more amazing listeners questions and voicemail! We start off with a very deep and thoughtful #metoo related email from a male listener about his potential bad behavior in the past. From there we've got more on #metoo and responses to our Al Franken episode including a voicemail that asks "what about the Minnesota voters, shouldn't they have gotten a say in Franken's case?" The even better news is: we ...
Aug 26, 2019•53 min
SIO203: Jamie and the Yang Gang
Jamie Lombardi is back to talk about the curious case of Andrew Yang! We explore why there seems to be so much support for him among the alt-right, 4chan, and IDW type people. We also discuss his flagship policy - the UBI. Hop on to patreon.com/seriouspod to enjoy a bonus QnA segment!
Aug 22, 2019•56 min
SIO202: The Russia Hoax Hoax
In catching up on some of your many amazing questions, emails, and voicemails, I stumbled into a Glenn Greenwald vortex that I cannot help but sound off on. There is a contingent of the far left (if indeed they are that) that believes liberals fabricated the bulk of the Russia story in order to deflect from Democratic shortcomings. I explore this, and also take a look at what I believe to be the blatant hypocrisy of some of Greenwald's stances on this. Then, I answer another few questions and tw...
Aug 15, 2019•46 min
SIO201: Did Al Franken Get Railroaded? with Jamie Lombardi
Recently, a New Yorker article made a case for Al Franken and why he didn't get the due process he deserved. It points to some inconsistencies in Franken's first accuser's story, and explains some misconceptions about the USO tour and the skits that he wrote. But does the evidence justify the central claim - that he was railroaded and shouldn't have had to resign? Joining me to discuss this question, as well as the wider #metoo implications, is Jamie Lombardi! Jamie also introduces herself and g...
Aug 08, 2019•46 min
SIO200: Democratic Debate, Round 2, Night 1
Hey folks, I'm back with a rapid response on night 1 of the... TIME, thank you Thomas. But I didn't get to explain what the.. TIME thank you Thomas. Moving on. But I... ok you have 3.2 more seconds. That's it? Ok it'sanepisodeaboutthedebates TIME! Download Here
Aug 01, 2019•1 hr 2 min
SIO199: The Problem with #Antifa
... is they get no credit for any good they do, and they get infinite sh*t for anything bad a masked person does, anywhere in the country ever. Today, the occupant of the White House tweeted that "ANTIFA" should be declared "an Organization of Terror." Well, this sounds like a good time for me to deliver to you an episode I spent hours developing back when Andy Ngo was attacked by someone, but hadn't ever recorded. So, here it is. Today's episode is about antifa and how we ought to be thinking a...
Jul 28, 2019•1 hr 2 min
SIO198: Why No One Is Racist
.... according to Republicans. Hey folks, sorry for the long hiatus. At the end of the episode, I talk about why I haven't been recording this show. But before that, I had a conversation with a family member that really made me think about Republicans and how they think about race. I sort of had an epiphany that I wanted to share. Here are a couple links I mention in the show: Sam Harris black friend audio ; Philosophy Tube video . Download Here...
Jul 27, 2019•45 min
SIO197: The #DemDebate, Part 2
This one wasn't as good. Why does hollywood keep pumping out crap sequels. However, Kamala Harris dismantling Biden was maybe worth it. Harris was far and away the winner, in my book. Her poise is something to behold. Buttigieg is a very effective communicator. As weird as it is, I think he has an outside shot. Then there are a bunch of mediocre white men who I can't keep straight. Plus, I'm definitely ageist. I admit it. All this and more! Download Here...
Jun 28, 2019•1 hr 3 min
SIO196: The #DemDebate, Part 1
Warren was great, Castro might be a rising star, why don't people like Cory Booker, and who the hell is Delaney? I watched the debate, and I took copious notes, a couple of which will be utilized. I've got lots of preamble, lots of thoughts, and even a ranking of these 10 at the end. Let me know what your ranking is! Download Here...
Jun 27, 2019•1 hr 9 min
SIO195: A Mormon #metoo Reckoning, with Colleen Dietz
This week my guest is Colleen Dietz, who is the host of the Mormon Happy Hour podcast. On her show, Colleen does a great job discussing important and sometimes heavy topics while still maintaining laughter and good spirits. She'll need that skill today because unfortunately we're here to discuss a traumatic assault that happened years ago when she was a new student at BYU, and the woefully inadequate response by the school and the church. We don't into too much gory detail, but if you want the f...
Jun 13, 2019•1 hr 2 min
SIO194: Milkshaking with Eli Bosnick
When Eli Bosnick asks to come on your show and give his lava hot milkshake take you say YES. So that's what I've done. If you've wondered how liberals ought to respond to things like the milkshaking or Nazi punching controversies, listen to this episode and wonder no more! Download Here
May 29, 2019•49 min
SIO193: The JV IDW, and More - with Eiynah
Eiynah returns to the show for the first time in probably way too long! She is a Pakistani-Canadian podcaster/illustrator/blogger who also has dealt with a lot of the same Rational(tm) Intellectual Dark Web types that I have talked about on this show a lot. We talk about that, delusional centrism, unexamined white identity and false objectivity, before venturing on in the second half to talk about Islam. As an ex-Muslim, Eiynah has unique insight into the balancing act of criticizing the bad ide...
May 23, 2019•1 hr 5 min
SIO192: Some Punditry, with Andrew Torrez
Andrew Torrez joins me to discuss the Democratic Primary -- Buttigieg, Warren, and whether or not we should be trying to determine who can best beat Trump. As Opening Arguments listeners well know, Andrew always brings insight, history, legal brilliance, and plain charm! Download Here...
May 17, 2019•1 hr 6 min
SIO191: Why I Changed My Mind
With the birth of our second child, Arlo, I was faced with a decision that many parents have to make... and I fundamentally changed my mind from where I was several years ago. That, plus other voicemail! Old AS episode on the subject; good Vice article .
May 09, 2019•52 min
SIO190: Dating Economy Inequality? with Kristi Winters
Are women "creating an unequal dating environment for men?" Quillette recently published an article that made alarming claims about the dating economy on the basis of some online dating studies. Dr. Kristi Winters is here to bring some social science understanding to it and help us separate fact from fiction! Here's the NYT article I mention....
Apr 25, 2019•54 min
SIO189: Impeach the Motherf*cker
This episode was delayed due to a new baby in the Smith house! However, it worked out great, since the redacted Mueller report was released on Thursday. Of course, check out Opening Arguments for some in-depth legal analysis, but I've been brewing a ton of thoughts about the report and what Democrats should do in response. I talk about what an insult Barr is to the position of AG, why we don't need to listen to Republicans anymore, and why we should impeach Trump. I think a lot of the arguments ...
Apr 20, 2019•1 hr
SIO188: Voicemail 2! AIPAC, Omar, and the 2020 Dem Primary
Listeners had so many great voicemail messages this month, it demanded a second episode! Also I am a talker, so it could be that. Lots of a great discussion here, starting with a very appropriate callout of a mistake I made on a previous show. After that, I discuss the right wing attacks on Congresswoman Omar and the fact that we never have to listen to Republicans ever again. Then, I clarify some thoughts on the 2020 Democratic candidates thus far, and the difference between token representatio...
Apr 11, 2019•52 min
SIO187: Voicemail! Anti-Vaxers, Christchurch, White Fragility, and Other Topics
It's time for a listener voicemail episode! We've got some really good topics/questions/critiques, so much so that I had to split this into a couple episodes. Topics include changing minds on things like anti-vax and white fragility, and how to be an atheist critical of Islam white not contributing to problematic anti-Muslim bigotry, and voting rights! Here's a good article on what changes anti-vaxxers' minds....
Apr 04, 2019•46 min
SIO186: (Not) Defending Cardinal Pell, with Jake Farr-Wharton
Longtime friend of the show Jake Farr-Wharton is here to take us through the unpleasant story of Cardinal Pell . He is yet another Catholic priest in a long list who have been accused (and now found guilty) of serious sexual misconduct with minors. This story has a few wrinkles, though, as many high profile, powerful people supported Pell with character references. As it turns out, when Jake was in high school, he was asked to be a character witness for his priest, who was a very valued friend a...
Mar 28, 2019•1 hr 7 min
SIO185: The NZ Attack Blame Game
After a horrendous, disgusting, racist massacre in New Zealand, the killer left a trollish manifesto. While it's clear some amount of it is pure sh*tposting, there is also a reason he targeted who he did. The internet has been on fire with who to blame, who not to blame, and as usual I've got some thoughts.
Mar 21, 2019•1 hr
SIO184: Progressives Ruining Things
... like good old fashioned pedophilia? I've some miscellany and voicemails! The theme of today's show is centered around people (usually white men) complaining about what they are losing when standards change. For example, us evil progressives have taken away this immensely popular picture of a sexual assault. And, for some reason, Eric Weinstein thinks the Simpsons taking down their Michael Jackson episode is bad? I also talk about lowering the voting age (and raising it. )...
Mar 14, 2019•1 hr 5 min
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