Episodes

How does cuteness help broach real talk? And why we do think small things are so cute? [15:02] This week, Cutie Corner! Jess and Designer/Cutie-in-Chief, Nora Mestrich, invent a new segment about all things cute. This time, talking about Disney Pixar's Burrow, lite consumption, seeking "Deep Cute" vs "Superficially Cute", what exactly is a Mini Brand, *the* feta pasta, and knick knacking. They don't talk about the great Kinder Surprise choking controversy. references Jess's Correction's Depar...

How does purpose lead us astray? And when is it okay to talk about aliens? [24:22] This week, Aaron and Joey and Jess talk about Disney Pixar's Soul, fridge magnets, the Princess Diaries Series of novels, the Drake Equation and other UFO/UAP talk, tranches, and the science behind wombats' cube-shaped poop. They don't talk about owls relate to any of this conversation. references Elle: People react on Twitter to Soul Also, that Roger Ebert synopsis. But also, watch it! Quartz: "The Misappropr...

What's so interesting about Gamestop and this whole "Stonks" saga? This week, Joey with esteemed and Extremely Online special guests (Cultural Astrologer, Osei Kwakye and Dude-on-Reddit, Adam Hirschberg) talk about THE talk of the town [5:55], the unique opportunity of r/wallstreetbets [12:10], everyone's least favorite: the second wave [19:27], the demystifying power of pop culture [24:10], and the side-effects of stock gambling [30:28]. They don't talk about how the internet probably already ...

What's to come in 2021? This week, Wild Prognostications! Jess, Aaron, and Joey make their annual predictions (and explore the "Wilderness" around them): the plant-based schism [5:23], going back to the office [17:19], sit-down frozen breakfast innovation [29:28], the death (or not) of the fucc boi [38:32], the pop wellness holiday [47:15], and the fall of the Eurocentric design blueprint [58:57]. They don't talk about the correct way to eat popcorn—according to Jess, it involves chopsticks. r...

What's the future of unconventional innovation when geography is disrupted? And why is people watching so satisfying? [26:20] Aaaaaand we're back! This week, Joey and Aaron and Jess talk about San José-sized places, people sharing knowledge, the crosswalk in Downtown Napa, mirror neurons,—A Classic Joey Camire Maneuver—the challenge with ethnography, and Lego Santas. They don't talk about how you can watch what people watch from the comfort of home. references Berkes, Enrico and Gaetani, Rube...

Why does culture seem to move so quickly? And how do we keep up with the speed of internet speak? [24:44] Given the events of this last week and getting back into the new year, one bonus week of reruns from the Nonsense Wellspring! Again, Joey and special guests Steven Ebert and Nora Mestrich talk about all things speed: B-Boys, being "passé aggressive," being "extremely online," Nora's One Direction blog, and important initialisms. They don't talk about how Extremely Online Cakes now—for a li...

Who is Karen and why do we hate her? And what does it mean to "come out"? [28:39] This week, reruns from the Nonsense Wellspring (archive)! Again, Joey and Aaron and Jess talk about Joey's grandma, overreactions, female stereotypes, pride-washing, otherness, and committing ourselves to fighting shame. They don't talk about how we hope you've been enjoying your break and we'll be back next week! And please keep sending us your nonsense-thoughts to criticalnonsense@sylvainlabs.com. references ...

How are cancel culture and stan culture related? And how do we rage in public and in private? [24:55] This week, reruns from the Nonsense Wellspring (archive)! Again, Joey and Aaron talk about the gentle breezes of Twitter, social currency, fan empowerment, one rude dentist, "angry black men," and escalating a game of work-league volleyball. They don't talk about the origins of "uncomfortable fuddy-duddiness." And please send us your holiday noodlings to criticalnonsense@sylvainlabs.com. ref...

What happened in 2020? This week, a special end of the year episode! Joey, Aaron, and Jess talk about the part where a pandemic ensued, bubbling dangers, a reappraisal of what matters, reluctantly buying all of the cars, the luxury of having a home, and the take Jess still believes is an indisputable slam-dunk. They don't talk about how it's time to submit your 2021 wild prognostications to criticalnonsense@sylvainlabs.com. Happy happy holidays, y'all! references NY Post: The raging psychopa...

How do you pay closer attention to "the Meta Deck"? And how can we evolve our way of viewing others to include more charity of interpretation? This week, Jess, Joey, and Aaron talk about car singing, listening better, our little mantras, giving grace, Lindy West, and the off-chance Aaron takes a sharp alignment turn. They don't talk about how next week is the return of our 2020 Wild Prognostications? references HBR: "How to Brief a Senior Executive" "The School of Life: An Emotional Education...

What is the role of comedy in setting the boundaries of acceptable speech? This week, Joey, Cultural Astrologer Osei Kwakye and Grand Comedienne Hannah Jegart talked about saying the funny thing loud, what's allowed when 'the parents' are out of town, the guilt of laughing, more on the Culture Wars, holding on to our hahas, and the Comedian Code. They don't talk about Alex's incredible intro. references Bill Burr SNL "Calling Out White Women" "Daniel Cameron is a b*tch" Black activist comedia...

How do you make a podcast episode about Thanksgiving in 2020? This week, a special! Aaron, Joey, and Jess talk about the weirdness of this week, the Busyness Olympics, poor mouthing, the logical proofs of gratitude, how to find things to be grateful for, and an extended special thanks. They don't talk about how this week of online shopping frenzy is the perfect time to get your Critical Nonsense merch. references Mac G A Cal study on the power of gratitude to improve your mental state Is it Y...

Which leaky faucet are you going to repair? This week, Joey and Aaron and Jess talk about Aaron adjusting to Phoenix, Joey fixing his bike, Jess sorting her bead collection, replacements, thank yous, and the mindset of repair. They don't talk about whether any of us have ever actually fixed a leaky faucet. references The Progress Report Weekly / Edition 017 ¾ "On Repair" from Joey Check out "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" from the Nonsense Bookclub. Have you seen the Cutie and V...

This week, another episode of Six Handshakes! Special guests Alex and Steven join Joey and Jess to talk about the six degrees of separation between Bunny the dog gaining sentience, the paradox of two pretty best friends, a Taiwanese Halloween contest,Special guests Alex and Steven join Joey and Jess to talk about the six degrees of separation between Bunny the dog gaining sentience, the paradox of two pretty best friends, a Taiwanese Halloween contest, [in music notes], Birds Aren't Real, and t...

How do we escape the zero sum game? And what if technology is the drug of the future? [24:20] This week, Joey and Cultural Astrologer Osei Kwakye talk about horse racing, linked fate, D&D lessons from Joey, Tristan Harris, the motif of the cigarette, and the social dilemma. They don't talk about how Aaron is currently winning the great Critical Nonsense swag race—check out the merch here. references Zero-Sum games Chinatown Restaurants Unite. (Also, Send Chinatown Love.) The Verge: Quibi is s...

This week, our 100th episode‽ To celebrate, Jess (with Erica Hummel and Ben Vander), Aaron (with Valentine Aseyo) and Joey (with Jillian Camire) continue unfinished conversations we've had on the show. They talk about the canonical form of vanilla, The Chocolate Privilege, so many euphemisms, thirst representation, what dogs get out of the relationship, and living free from judgment. They also talk about the people that have made these 100 episodes possible, with special shouts to our incredibl...

What if nothing is free anymore? And how should one go about virtual family functions? [21:26] This week, Joey and Jess talk about the pandemic's advertising fallout, winning subscription models today, our membership ceiling, celebrating Aboo turning 98, a request for Zoom 'Birthday Mode', and hardware shortcomings. They don't talk about when you should stop corresponding age with N+1 individual candles. references How the New York Times flipped their business model to subscription-first "Wh...

How has irony poisoned the internet and when will it stop? And how are we building iterative bits of wisdom? [21:07] This week, Aaron and Joey talk about The Office, Pepe the Frog, irony's protective shell, Blaise Pascal, and taking our hats off to the folk at Arts & Letters Creative Co. They don't talk about the color of irony's shell: green....red....blue.... references NYTimes: "What is Irony Poisoning?" and an extended commentary Demi Adejuyigbe, Tyra, etc, etc. David Foster Wallace and ...

How do you deal with allergies you don't have? And what makes a great game? [20:48] This week, Jess and Aaron talk about allergy empathy, personal matters of (food) intolerance, so many other creative culinary ideas from Aaron, Crash Bandicoot 4, watching our older brothers play games, and a bit of overflow of Jess's fascination with esports. They don't talk about how you should send us your alternative food favorites to criticalnonsense@sylvainlabs.com. references A super super easy voting p...

How do you break away from mental models that aren't doing you any good? And what's next after Blands? [33:32] This week, Joey and Aaron and Jess talk about the move from ADHD to VAST, positive psychology, hiring based on luck, "your new Bland Identity," pelotons and Peloton, and design monoculture. They don't talk about how we, Sylvain Labs, are ourselves a certified B Corporation... references From ADHD to VAST Bloomberg calling out bland brands Bland Guidelines: from Vikki Ross, Mellor&Smi...

This week, a special episode! Jess and sound engineer—and Fake Ad mastermind—Alex Contell talk about the ads' origin story, what makes Alex sweat, Joey and Aaron's predilection for improv, that time Jess recorded the show sitting outside the door to the studio, and the special thanks we always miss. They don't talk about how "Hamster Hands" turned into to "Hamster Hams."

What has given hip-hop such staying power compared with other genres of music? And what makes new words last? [29:07] This week, Joey and special guest Mujtaba Hameed talk about the 4 elements of hip hop, Drake, "the belt," the bouba-kiki effect, the word panties, and the best acoustic shapes. They don't talk about how Muj's brother felt about all the shade thrown this episode. references Some hip-hop references made: The "Sucka MCs" music video, "F***in Problems" with ASAP Rocky, Drake, Kend...

How do you go about finding yourself in the content you consume? And how are we going to live next year? [30:58] This week, Aaron and Joey talk about the lasting effects of Will & Grace, capital C Critique, two asian women from Queens, the concept of the "15-Minute City," remote working adjustments, and a few silver linings. They don't talk about the activities schedule at Camp Camp. references US Voting resources: Vote411, IWillVote, your own state's website, etc. BLM resources: NAACP Legal...

Why don't we have public intellectuals like we used to? And why do we need so much mint? [27:58] This week, Joey, Jess, and special guest Ilana Bondell talk about Vidal vs Buckley, Ta-Nehisi Coates, Brené Brown, menthe: the ultimate collaborator, how Wintermint isn't even mint, and Ilana's great mint conspiracy theory. They don't talk about whether mint chocolate chip ice-cream is better white or green. references Psychology Today on anti-intellectualism That Ezra Klein show with Saul Griffit...