Hotel Bar Sessions

What makes the difference between a crowd singing in unison at a concert and a mob storming the gates of power? In this episode, the hosts take listeners into the messy, unpredictable space where solidarity teeters on the edge of chaos. They unpack how naming a gathering as a “mob” is never neutral—it does political work, shaping both public perception and police response. From the joyful swell of protest chants to the frightening intensity of January 6th, this conversation asks: when does belonging tip into violence, and who gets to decide? Whether you’ve ever felt swept up in the electricity of a rally or uneasy in the crush of a crowd, this episode challenges you to think about what is gained and lost when “we” become something more than the sum of our parts. Tune in, and you may never see gatherings—online or off—the same way again.Full episode notes available at this link:https://hotelbarpodcast.com/podcast/crowds-and-mobs---------------------SUBSCRIBE to the podcast now to automatically download new episodes when Season 14 begins in September!SUPPORT Hotel Bar Podcast on Patreon here! (Or by contributing one-time donations here!)JOIN our (new) Discord server here and participate in our monthly (LIVE) chats, beginning in Season 14!BOOKMARK the Hotel Bar Sessions website here for detailed show notes and reading lists, and contact any of our co-hosts here.Hotel Bar Sessions is also on Facebook, YouTube, BlueSky, and TikTok. Like, follow, share, duet, whatever... just make sure your friends know about us! ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

When we make choices, are these choices free? That is, are we able to choose one thing over another, to do one thing rather than another, independent of the laws of physics, including the biology and chemistry of our bodies and brains? Or are all of our choices determined by processes that could, in theory, be traced back to deterministic causes, if only we had enough information?Whether we are free in our willing or not, does it matter? And if so, why?This week, we are joined by Prof. Mark Balaguer of California State University, Los Angeles to talk about not only whether we are our free, but how free we are, and why it matters that we think more seriously about what we understand "free will" to entail.Full episode notes available at this link:https://hotelbarpodcast.com/podcast/free-will---------------------SUBSCRIBE to the podcast now to automatically download new episodes when Season 14 begins in September!SUPPORT Hotel Bar Podcast on Patreon here! (Or by contributing one-time donations here!)JOIN our (new) Discord server here and participate in our monthly (LIVE) chats, beginning in Season 14!BOOKMARK the Hotel Bar Sessions website here for detailed show notes and reading lists, and contact any of our co-hosts here.Hotel Bar Sessions is also on Facebook, YouTube, BlueSky, and TikTok. Like, follow, share, duet, whatever... just make sure your friends know about us! ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Robin James, a philosopher and cultural critic, discusses her insightful essay about the decline of 'cool' in relation to tech bros and the manosphere. She explains how masculinity has shifted from an effortless defiance to overt mastery, linking this to ancient ideals. The conversation dives into the effects of AI on perceptions of masculinity, the performance of victimhood within these circles, and how cool's origins in Black culture have been appropriated. James also reflects on the emotional ramifications of these changes and the rise of new, feminine forms of 'cool' in pop culture.

Today, there seems to be an intense distrust of experts in all sorts of fields. From medical experts in the Centers for Disease Control and the Department of Health and Human Services, to “elite intellectuals” at Universities and Colleges, no one who has expertise is beyond suspicion. We hear that we should “do our own research” and not trust what those with training and knowledge tell us. What makes an expert legitimate? What’s the difference between the skepticism that drives science and the suspicion that denies that the experts know? How do we design institutions that are both scientifically rigorous and also democratically responsive and responsible? Let’s talk about how knowledge should be organized, disseminated, and structured so that it benefits the most in a democratic society.Full episode notes available at this link:https://hotelbarpodcast.com/podcast/the-expertise-crisis---------------------SUBSCRIBE to the podcast now to automatically download new episodes when Season 14 begins in September!SUPPORT Hotel Bar Podcast on Patreon here! (Or by contributing one-time donations here!)JOIN our (new) Discord server here and participate in our monthly (LIVE) chats, beginning in Season 14!BOOKMARK the Hotel Bar Sessions website here for detailed show notes and reading lists, and contact any of our co-hosts here.Hotel Bar Sessions is also on Facebook, YouTube, BlueSky, and TikTok. Like, follow, share, duet, whatever... just make sure your friends know about us! ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Hotel Bar Sessions is on it's regular "break" between seasons, but we're offering up these "minibar" sessions from our co-hosts (individually) in in the interimThis week, listen to HBS co-host Talia Mae Bettcher talk about her recent run-in with cancer, and the long, dark night of the soul it inspired.Full episode notes available at this link:https://hotelbarpodcast.com/podcast/cancer---------------------SUBSCRIBE to the podcast now to automatically download new episodes when Season 14 begins in September!SUPPORT Hotel Bar Podcast by subscribing on Patreon here! (Or by contributing one-time donations here!)JOIN our (new) Discord server here and participate in our monthly (LIVE) chats, beginning in Season 14!BOOKMARK the Hotel Bar Sessions website here for detailed show notes and reading lists, and contact any of our co-hosts here.Hotel Bar Sessions is also on Facebook, YouTube, BlueSky, and TikTok. Like, follow, share, duet, whatever... just make sure your friends know about us! ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Hotel Bar Sessions is on it's regular "break" between seasons, but we're offering up these "minibar: sessions from our co-hosts (individually) in in the interimThis week, listen to HBS co-host Rick Lee talk about what metaphysics really is, how it's often misunderstood, and why it's so important. Full episode notes available at this link:https://hotelbarpodcast.com/podcast/in-defense-of-metaphysics---------------------SUBSCRIBE to the podcast now to automatically download new episodes when Season 14 begins in September!SUPPORT Hotel Bar Podcast by subscribing on Patreon here! (Or by contributing one-time donations here!)JOIN our (new) Discord server here and participate in our monthly (LIVE) chats, beginning in Season 14!BOOKMARK the Hotel Bar Sessions website here for detailed show notes and reading lists, and contact any of our co-hosts here.Hotel Bar Sessions is also on Facebook, YouTube, BlueSky, and TikTok. Like, follow, share, duet, whatever... just make sure your friends know about us! ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Discover the fascinating perspective of living in Washington, D.C. under martial law. The discussion highlights unsettling encounters with National Guard soldiers and the changing dynamics of community life. It critiques the militarization of daily existence and its implications for democracy and personal safety. This unique viewpoint sheds light on the normalization of military presence in urban settings, making for a thought-provoking listen.

Delving into Hannah Arendt’s concept of the 'banality of evil,' the hosts explore how ordinary individuals can commit heinous acts without monstrous intentions. They discuss the moral implications of bureaucratic indifference and how it complicates our understanding of evil. Philosophical reflections reveal the nuances of responsibility during atrocities, from historical events like the Holocaust to modern political issues. The conversation challenges listeners to engage critically with morality and recognize their potential complicity in systemic wrongdoings.

In this week’s episode, the HBS hosts talk about positive and negative major life changes.While change is a part of life, major changes can cause major upheavals in one’s sense of oneself in relation to the world. Indeed, they may teach us to perceive life anew. What might such changes show us, if anything, about traditional philosophical concepts such as the self, the good life, autonomy, and relatedness with others?Full episode notes available at this link:https://hotelbarpodcast.com/podcast/major-life-changes-------------------If you enjoy Hotel Bar Sessions podcast, please be sure to subscribe and submit a rating/review! Better yet, you can support this podcast by signing up to be one of our Patrons at patreon.com/hotelbarsessions! ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

The hosts tackle the compulsive habit of doomscrolling, questioning what draws us to bad news. They humorously discuss the psychological toll it takes on our mental health while exploring its strange allure. The importance of community support is highlighted amid constant crises, and they delve into the paradox of finding both engagement and anxiety in scrolling. Listeners are encouraged to be mindful in their media consumption to navigate this digital landscape without losing themselves.