Time To Say Goodbye

Dive into the NBA betting scandal with shocking arrests and the role of prop bets in manipulating outcomes. The hosts analyze the societal effects of gambling on fan culture and athlete abuse. Transitioning to the intriguing 'Gooniverse,' they explore the dark habits of screen-addicted young men, discussing communal edging and live porn culture. Is modern technology uniquely harmful, or are we repeating old panics? With personal stories about limiting social media, they seek a vision for a healthier civic life without screens.

Hello!We’re both back this week to talk about the No Kings protests, the space comedians take up in political commentary these days. Do we really want Andrew Schultz and other comedians to be the new pundits? Enjoy! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit goodbye.substack.com/subscribe

On today’s episode, Tyler talks to Joshua Wheeler about his brilliant debut novel, The High Heaven. Focusing on a UFO cult survivor who is obsessed with NASA, the novel spans her entire life and decades of American history. Josh talks about his literary influences, how his working class upbringing in New Mexico shaped his work, and the state of contemporary fiction. Tyler also asks Josh about his obsession with Smokey Bear and his sprawling collection of Smokey memorabilia. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit goodbye.substack.com/subscribe

Hello!Today we’re talking the media business, the news that Bari Weiss will now be the Editor in Chief of CBS News, and what we think will happen during a period of inevitable fracturing and consolidation. Our guest is longtime listener and excellent reporter Maxwell Tani of Semafor. Enjoy! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit goodbye.substack.com/subscribe

The hosts explore the concept of 'hobby inflation,' revealing how prices for activities like surfing and knitting have soared post-pandemic. They discuss the shift toward hobby exclusivity, linking rising costs to private equity's impact on community access. The conversation touches on the potential for hobbies to combat male loneliness amid rising phone use. Ultimately, they ponder if hobbies will become a privilege of the wealthy, while critiquing the commercialization of youth sports and its implications for families.

Zena Hitz, a philosopher and faculty member at St. John’s College, dives into the complexities of free speech amid today’s cultural climate. She explores Jimmy Kimmel's canceling incident, questioning if it exemplifies cancel culture or corporate pressure. Hitz argues that America’s conformity hampers meaningful discourse and warns that politicizing universities undermines their mission. She advocates for reviving nonpolitical conversations to restore civic life, while highlighting the erosion of trust in academia due to social media and political influences.

John Ganz, a writer and host of the Substack 'Unpopular Front', dives deep into the assassination of Charlie Kirk, a significant figure in GOP circles. He discusses the complexities of gun violence and the oversimplification of policies surrounding it. Ganz critiques how internet subcultures encourage radicalization and examines the political fallout and strategies the right might employ in response to the tragedy. The conversation also touches on the stakes of debate culture and the challenges of principled political discourse.

This week dives into the chaotic ICE raid at a Hyundai plant in Georgia, revealing the clash between immigration policies and American manufacturing aspirations. The conversation critiques the ineffective Democratic strategy and the rising authoritarian sentiment explored in an Ezra Klein op-ed. Attention shifts to Chicago, where the potential deployment of the National Guard raises concerns about community safety. Amid political dilemmas, the excitement of NFL season unfolds, exploring how sports gambling intertwines with social issues and fan engagement.

In this engaging discussion, Jonathan M Berman, an assistant professor and author of 'Anti-Vaxxers: How to Challenge a Misinformed Movement', dives into the intricate history of anti-vaccine movements. He reveals how political polarization and personal freedom narratives have shaped vaccine skepticism over time. The conversation also highlights the implications of recent public figures' rhetoric on vaccination policies, the media's role in public perception, and the fragile relationship between scientific truth and journalism amidst societal pressures.

Hello! Today we talk about Trump’s bid to create a sovereign wealth fund by investing in private companies, the parallels these actions have to his shakedowns of elite universities and Zohran’s attempt to throw up 135 on the bench press. We also talk about the “Badasses,” a group of Democrats who are trying to blend suburban mom vibes with their former careers in the CIA and military. Enjoy! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit goodbye.substack.com/subscribe