Add
Private Notes
It’s easy to hate on snobs who think they understand culture better than you do. But what actually makes a certain manner of cultural consumption snobby, and is it inherently bad? What do snobs do for culture on a philosophical level? And where do critics fit into the puzzle? Let’s find out in this Wisecrack Edition: Do We Need Snobs?
Aliens in Outer Space: Can We Handle It?
The buzz about extraterrestrial life has never been louder. But why are we so fascinated by the idea of aliens? What do our social conceptions of aliens reflect about our society? And, philosophically, could humans handle a reality where aliens exist?
Neoliberalism: Economics or Spirituality?
Neoliberalism is, practically speaking, the water that we drink when it comes to economics. But why do we continue to adhere to a system that pretty clearly benefits a select few at the expense of many? It makes us wonder: Does neoliberalism rely less on economic viability and more on abstract spiritual faith? Let’s find out in this video: Is Neoliberalism a Religion?
We’re Sorry. What Now?
The online apology has become a meme in its own right. But what compels people to spill their embarrassed guts on YouTube? What do apologies do for them, and for us, their audience? And is there a philosophy of apologies that explains it all? Let’s find out in this video on Public Apologies: Who Cares?
How are we still debating climate change?
The popularity of climate change denial is perplexing when you consider the fact that scientists are pretty much unanimous that man-made pollution is causing it. So how does the debate rage on in the highest levels of media and government? The story isn’t pretty, but we’ll explain in this video: How Climate Change Denial Won.
How owning a home became a pipe dream
Owning a home has basically always been as essential to the American dream. But increasingly, owning a home is starting to feel completely out of reach for the average American, especially younger people. So what happened? Are we all just bad with money, or did something in the housing market shift to make home ownership so unattainable? Let's find out in this video: Why We're All Forever Renters.
Did the Internet Kill Debate?
Debate is one of the oldest ways of testing out ideas. And yet, today, it feels folks who take to debating online are more interested in clout than the ideas they’re debating. Are digital debates anything more than a philosophical pissing contest? Let’s find out in this Wisecrack Edition: Did the Internet Kill Debate?
Whatever happened to Marvel?
Will emo music live forever?
Perhaps no subculture has been as vilified as what we call "emo." Heck, even the musicians playing emo music typically reject the title! Despite all the naysayers though, emo continues to be revived in various forms. So what makes emo so easy to mock, and why is it nonetheless so enduring? Let's find out in this Wisecrack Edition: What the F*ck Was Emo?
Are sex scenes ruining movies?
Since the dawn of cinema, studios could count on the mantra “sex sells” when it came to getting butts in seats. But in recent years, younger audiences have started to question not only whether sex scenes are necessary, but if they actively make films worse. So, are sex scenes a legitimate means of storytelling? Are they always gratuitous? And why does sex on screen seem to be making so many people so uncomfortable? Let’s find out in this video: The War on Sex Scenes.
Intellectuals have criticized parents of Gen Z for coddling their children and raising a “soft” generation unfit to participate in our cold, harsh, unforgiving world. However, these same critics may be ignoring the strength of sensitivity. Is being soft actually a bad thing? Let’s find out in this Wisecrack Edition: Does Gen Z Need Tough Love
How American healthcare got stupid
There’s not a whole lot to love about America’s healthcare system. It’s insanely pricey, deeply confusing, and continues to yield worse health outcomes than any other wealthy nation in the world. But was the system we have today inevitable? Let’s find out in this video: American Healthcare: How We Got Here
The real reason TikTok is crazy for ancient Rome
If you’re even a little bit online, you know that the men love ancient Rome. This isn’t new: The civilization has loomed large in the western imagination ever since its catastrophic collapse. But why do images of arches and aqueducts continue to fuel such a widespread fixation? Can obsessing over Rome make our world better, or is there a sinister side to fetishizing the ancient past? Let’s find out in this video: Why Bros Love Rome.
God is dead, and so is atheism.
Nietzsche’s famous phrase, God is Dead, has long been considered a rallying cry for atheism, and a vicious critique of religion. But what if Nietzsche wasn’t only targeting the religious folks of his day, but the atheists who were too quick to throw dirt on God’s casket? We’ll explain in this video: : God is Dead but So is Atheism.
The Sinister Politics of Politeness
Politeness originated as a counterreaction to tyranny. But it was quickly weaponized by elites to control the public. Today, politeness is used both to unify and divide us. So does politeness promote goodwill among our fellow man? Or is it just a tool of The Man to keep us down? Let’s find out in this Wisecrack Edition: The Sinister Side of Being Polite.
America Doesn't Understand Freedom
America loves nothing more than the idea of freedom. But what if that idea misses the point about what freedom actually is? And is there a better way to think about what it really means to be a free society? Let's find out in this video in this Wisecrack video in Freedom: The Ultimate American Idol?
Who needs CEOs?
After countless scandals and major fumbles, CEOs are increasingly becoming persona non grata amongst regular society. And yet they continue to rake in unfathomable fortunes. So why are CEOs so valued, and does that system actually make sense? Let's find out in this video on CEOS: A Fake Job?
Cults and The Internet: A Match Made in Hell?
Twin Flames Universe has captured the attention of the terminally online, not least because its leaders, Jeff and Shaleia Divine, seem like total goobers. So what made Twin Flames Universe so attractive to so many seemingly-normal people? What does it mean that a cult can thrive on the internet? And are all of us just one Google search away from getting inducted into a creepy online cult? Let’s find out in this video: Why Do People Join Cults?
