Critical Nonsense

High-low brow conversations about culture, science, and tech. With hosts Joey Camire, Aaron Powers, and executive producer/nerd herder Jess Vander. SYLVAIN is a strategy and design company.

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Recent Episodes

258! Cringe Aversion

Posted April 18, 202400:23:33

What happens if we're all deathly affraid of the cringe? 

This week, Jess, Joey, and Aaron talk about pain, yips, shame, fremdschämen, the Apple...

257! Sports Scandals

Posted April 8, 202400:29:02

Why is cheating in some places treated differently than cheating in other places? 

This week, Joey, Aaron, and Jess talk about fairness, tribalism,...

Progress Report: Awaiting the Eruption

Posted April 3, 202400:18:19

This week, a takeover! Joey shares his latest edition from SYLVAIN’s Progress Report newsletter: 

256! Finding the Right Answer

Posted March 26, 202400:26:02

Why are we always searching for the right answer?  

This week, Jess and Joey talk about gray spaces, equifinality, value judgments, hiring,...

255! Crying

Posted March 18, 202400:26:35

What are the rules about crying in public? 

This week, Jess and Joey talk about benchmarking emotions, psychic tears, showing your belly, laughter...