Former Israeli Special Forces member describes the defense of Nia Am against Hamas fighters, detailing the residents' response to the attack and the dangerous situation they faced. The aftermath and heroes of Iran are reflected upon, highlighting bravery amidst chaos. The financial troubles of Mexico's national oil company, Pemex, are explored. The podcast also touches on the popularity of 2D and pseudo 2D projects in entertainment.
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Quick takeaways
Mexico's national oil company, Pemex, is struggling with significant financial challenges due to its debt and reliance on government bailouts.
The trend of returning to 2D gaming is growing, with the popularity of retro-style games and films driven by nostalgia and a desire for simpler experiences.
Deep dives
Pemex, Mexico's National Oil Company, Struggles with Debt
Mexico's national oil company, Pemex, is facing significant financial challenges, with a debt totaling over $100 billion, equivalent to 8% of Mexico's GDP. While its exploration and production arm remains profitable, other areas like refining operations have caused losses. Pemex relies on government bailouts to meet its debt obligations, but the sustainability of this approach is uncertain. Previous administrations have attempted to address the issue with mixed success. The current government under President López Obrador aims to restore Pemex's former glory but faces skepticism about its long-term effectiveness.
Nintendo Brings Back 2D Super Mario Game
Nintendo is releasing a new Super Mario game in 2D called Super Mario Bros. Wonder, reminiscent of the classic side-scrolling adventures of the 1980s and 1990s. This game bucks the trend of Mario's recent 3D adventures and capitalizes on nostalgia for the simpler gaming experiences of the past. Sonic the Hedgehog is also making a 2D comeback with the upcoming Sonic Superstars game. The popularity of these retro-style games may be driven by nostalgia, as well as the desire for simpler and quicker game development compared to the larger and more complex modern games.
Shift to 2D Gaming and Filmmaking
The trend of returning to 2D gaming is not limited to Mario and Sonic. Films like Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles adopted a 2D or 2.5D style that pays homage to the aesthetics of classic comic books. These retro-style films and games have been well-received, possibly appealing to older audiences who grew up with these characters and enjoy the simplicity and familiarity of the 2D format. This trend may continue as more projects like Disney's Witch and the Prince of Persia game reboot embrace a 2D or pseudo-2D style.
They fled round after round of gunfire, hid for hours and saved hundreds of lives. It is a rare story of survival on what was a horrific day for Israel. Mexico’s national oil company has accrued immense amounts of debt. Why is the government still propping it up (12:47)? And, video games are going back to 2D (19:57).
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Runtime: 26 min
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