#32 | Pandemic Nostalgia, Faking It 'Til You Make It, Illegal Immigration, Getting Away
Aug 22, 2023
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Game designer David Jaffe and LSM's associate producer Ben Smith join the Brothers Moriarty on a podcast. They discuss faking skills for a job, the value of travel, pandemic nostalgia, and the impact of illegal immigration on education.
'Fake it 'til you make it' can be beneficial when combined with passion and confidence in a particular field.
Persistence and professionalism can help a smaller outlet grow and establish connections in the industry.
Nostalgia for the pandemic includes a sense of community, togetherness, and quality time with family.
Increased time with family during the pandemic led to activities that fostered family bonding.
Addressing illegal immigration requires a comprehensive and balanced approach, considering economic, social, and political factors.
Deep dives
Fake it 'til you make it: A mixed experience
The speaker shares their personal experience with fake it 'til you make it. They describe a successful experience where they were able to learn and adapt to new software and complete a job successfully. However, they also recount a negative experience where they were not equipped with the necessary skills for a job and ultimately got fired. Despite this negative experience, they clarify that fake it 'til you make it can often be beneficial when combined with passion and confidence in a particular field.
Using fake it 'til you make it approach to grow a podcast
The speaker shares a success story of using the fake it 'til you make it approach to grow a podcast. They explain how they leveraged their existing press contacts and acted professionally to secure invitations to events and get review codes for games. Through their persistence and professionalism, they were able to establish connections and expand their reach, even with a smaller audience size compared to some bigger outlets. The speaker emphasizes the importance of being passionate and providing good coverage, rather than focusing solely on numbers.
Nostalgic for the Pandemic
The podcast episode discusses the nostalgia for the pandemic and the sense of community and togetherness it brought. The speaker mentions enjoying the quality time spent with family, watching live feeds of protests, and feeling a sense of closeness and connection during that time.
Family Time and Appreciation
The speaker expresses gratitude for the opportunity to spend extra time with family, especially as their children got older. They enjoyed activities like cooking, playing online games, and watching movies together, which created a sense of family bonding.
Community and Media Connections
The speaker fondly recalls the community spirit during the pandemic, including online events and shows that brought people together. They mentioned nostalgically watching live feeds of events like protests, feeling a connection to history, and appreciating the technology that helped foster that sense of community.
The Impact of Illegal Immigration on Resources
The influx of illegal immigrants into the United States has put a strain on resources, such as school classrooms and job opportunities. The sheer number of undocumented immigrants in the country, estimated to be around 15 million, has led to overcrowded classrooms and increased competition for jobs. This has especially affected upscale Manhattan school districts, where class sizes are increasing from 30 to 50 students. The issue is not about closing the borders, but rather finding a balance between accepting immigrants and ensuring resources are adequately distributed to American citizens.
The Political and Economic Factors Behind Illegal Immigration
Illegal immigration is a multi-faceted problem that cannot be solved through simplistic solutions. It is driven by complex political and economic factors, such as the demand for cheap labor and global power dynamics. The issue is further exacerbated by the corrupt practices of coyotes and cartels, who profit from facilitating illegal crossings. It is important to recognize that a comprehensive approach is needed, which includes securing the border, implementing reasonable immigration laws, and addressing the root causes of migration.
The Need for Reasonable Immigration Policies
While some people advocate for completely closing the borders, that solution is not realistic or in line with America's history of welcoming immigrants. However, it is crucial to have reasonable immigration policies that strike a balance between allowing immigrants to contribute to American society while also protecting the interests of American citizens. This can be achieved by ensuring legal immigration processes are streamlined and efficient, and by addressing the economic and social factors that drive illegal immigration. Ultimately, a comprehensive and balanced approach is needed to address the complex issue of illegal immigration.
The Complex Issue of Immigration
The episode delves into the multifaceted issue of immigration, exploring the economic, social, and political implications. It discusses how some governors, including the Montana and Utah governors, have endorsed immigration for the sake of their workforce needs, even if it means going against their party lines. The podcast highlights the role of powerful interests, such as the desire for drug wars and military funding, in driving the immigration debate. It also challenges common misconceptions by presenting statistics that show a low percentage of violent crimes committed by immigrants and the absence of terrorist attacks carried out by illegal immigrants in the US. The conversation emphasizes the influence of money and capitalism in shaping immigration policies and how the current system may be unsustainable.
The Need for Comprehensive Solutions
The episode acknowledges the importance of addressing the broader issues surrounding immigration rather than focusing solely on border security. It points out the need for comprehensive solutions that take into account the humanitarian aspect of immigration and the economic realities. The podcast emphasizes the complexity of the situation, with discussions ranging from the difficulties faced by those seeking legal channels for immigration to the exploitation of cheap labor by agricultural and meat companies. The conversation suggests that finding a balance between controlled immigration, guest worker programs, and addressing domestic problems like homelessness and wages could lead to a more effective and fair approach. It also criticizes the reactionary nature of political ideologies and calls for a more rational and humane perspective on immigration.
It's time once more for Constellation, Last Stand's conversational podcast. This week, the Brothers Moriarty are reunited, and are joined by legendary game designer David Jaffe and LSM's associate producer Ben Smith. We've split this episode in half by design, frontloading it with lighter fare and ending it with political topics some may choose to skip. Thus, Dagan and Ben go first. Dagan regales us with a story about a time he pretended he had a skillset he actually didn't so he could get a specific job, and he wonders if any of us had ever 'faked it 'til we made it', as it were. Meanwhile, Ben wants to talk about getting away from your everyday life. Is seeing the world around us worth the time and effort, or is creature comfort the most important thing? The second half of the podcast, meanwhile, deals with more controversial fare. Jaffe has a little of what we term 'pandemic nostalgia,' a longing for the surprising upside to one of modernity's biggest calamities. Did we take anything positive from the experience? Finally, spurred on by a recent New York Times article about crowded schools in NYC, Colin wants to know the gang's thoughts on illegal immigration and its effect on our society. How come the average American citizen isn't more clued-in on the games being played at the southern border?
