Serious Conversations on Sex, Religion, Politics and Other Things

In this episode, the friends discuss some of the films and the directorial style of Terrence Malick.

In this episode, the friends discuss feminism, and how various aspects of human life--including art--are coming under ideological scrutiny. Because ideologies such as feminism dominate the public discourse, what we now see is ideological censorship, not by a central authority, but by popular opinion: even Renoir's paintings are being called into question, as is, apparently, our entire two-thousand-year-old tradition of aesthetic judgement--all for the sake of feminism.

In this episode, the friends discuss some odd developments in American popular culture involving Kanye West and Kim Kardashian.

In this episode, the friends discuss the popular concept of "brainwashing," and question whether reference to this science fiction plot device is an accurate way to describe real-world social and political phenomena.

In this episode, JR relates some stories from his recent trip to Moscow, and the friends share their reflections on Russian history and the state of the nation today.

In this episode, William hosts a solo discussion of author Yukio Mishima's novel The Temple of the Golden Pavilion.

In this episode, the friends discuss Nietzsche's concept of the will to power, and try to clear up some of the popular misconceptions surrounding this somewhat infamous subject. William then gives some modern and historical examples in order to illustrate his understanding of the concept.

In this episode, the friends discuss some of the reasons why many young men today are having trouble forming romantic relationships.

In this episode, the friends discuss the factors that are eroding away at the social and political cohesion of the United States.

In this episode, William discusses what he considers to be different "types" of actors.

In this episode, the friends discuss the relationship between Christianity and psychology. In particular, they discuss the role Christianity played in the development of psychology as an intellectual discipline.

In this episode, the friends exchange some stories from the gym. (RIP Franco Columbu, 1941-2019. A great bodybuilder from the greatest era of bodybuilding!)

In this episode, the friends discuss the recent developments in social media and technology, and how these phenomena affect society.

In this episode, the friends discuss some of their least favorite films, and why you should never, ever see them.

In this episode, the friends discuss cars, sexual fetishes, and cannibalism--all involving the Germans and the Japanese.

In this episode, the friends discuss the third essay of Friedrich Nietzsche's Genealogy of Morals.

In this episode, the friends discuss films such as The Forty-First (1956); Branded to Kill (1967), by Seijun Suzuki; and Woman in the Dunes (1964), by Hiroshi Teshigahara.

In this episode, the friends discuss the recent phenomenon of "buy a product/send a product"-style activism. (Note: William's argument runs that if one assumes 1. that there are social problems in the world, 2. that these problems should be solved, and 3. that these problems can be solved by sending material aid (and so consequently that social problems are being caused by the unequal distribution of wealth and material goods), then it is not rational to buy products with a view to solving social problems, as this supports the institutions that enforce material inequality, and moreover expresses tacit acceptance of the current systems of material distribution. This argument is not made entirely clear in the recording.)

In this episode, the friends discuss some of the practical, necessary policies related to environmentalism, and contrast this with the fanaticism and the needless politicization that seems to characterize the movement today.

In this episode, the friends discuss the mounting tensions between the US and Iran. They talk about some of the diplomatic and political aspects of the issue, but they also discuss some of the strategic considerations that would be involved in another major war in that region.

In this episode, JR has some sexy stories about pole-dancing and Caravaggio.

In this episode, the friends discuss nationalism as it exists in today's political world. They talk about some of the problems it poses, and whether or not nationalism can even be eliminated given our current historical circumstances.

In this episode, the friends discuss Southeast Asia, particularly Thailand and the city of Bangkok. They discuss how Bangkok is effectively a morals-free zone for western tourists. They then move to a discussion of Japan, specifically how and why Japanese art and culture are so appealing to western audiences.

In this episode, William lays out some hypothetical principles as to why some social actions are deemed appropriate, and others inappropriate. He then attempts to explain the recent phenomenon of sexual harassment accusations in light of these principles.

In this episode, the friends discuss the bizarre phenomenon in which actresses deliberately make themselves ugly for a role in order to win praise. They then discuss how democratic doctrine discourages exceptional standards in general, and how it distorts our perception by assigning new definitions to words and imagery.

In this episode, the friends discuss parenting and motherhood. In America, motherhood is often talked about in relation to the individual--for instance, as a step in a woman's path to fulfillment--though in this episode, the friends point out how motherhood brings with it several very important social obligations, and how motherhood cannot be entirely reserved to the individual.

In this episode, the second part of a Talking at Random Segment, the friends discuss Brexit, Trump's presidency and the historical circumstances which have led to America's position in world affairs.

In this episode, a Talking at Random segment, the friends discuss some of the films they have seen recently. Among others, the friends discuss House (1977), by Nobuhiko Obayashi; Nekromantik (1987), Der Todesking (1990), and Schramm* (1993), by Jörg Buttgereit; On Golden Pond (1981); The Color of Pomegranates (1969), by Sergei Parajanov; The Mission: Impossible** series; Top Gun (1986); and Doctor Strangelove (1964), by Stanley Kubrick. Film lovers are sure to be entertained! This episode contains some spoilers. (Notes: *The friends muddle some of the plot details of this film, but it is indeed about a serial killer in love with his prostitute neighbor. **William discusses Mission: Impossible 3 at several points, though he means to refer to Mission: Impossible -- Ghost Protocol.)

In this episode, William makes a case for the English language as a good, versatile language with a long and illustrious literary tradition. This is in spite of the culture which directs misplaced cynicism and derision towards the language. For over 500 years, the English language has been spoken and written well--why should it be condemned on the basis of how it is spoken today? Why should English be criticized by the very people responsible for degrading the standards of the language?

In this episode, the friends try something different: rather than record a segment with a set topic, they record their natural, bantering conversation. They drift from topic to topic, beginning with some closing thoughts on sex before moving on to how Canada and France interact with the world as outspoken proponents of liberal democratic doctrine. They then finish with some thoughts about Russia's place in world affairs.

In this episode, the friends revisit the topic of sex, focusing especially on the ways in which the liberal democratic worldview affects and even distorts our understanding of its basic nature.

In this episode, the friends finally get round to discussing sex. Assessing the subject as a social phenomenon, they talk about how western society--American in particular--has come to view sex, and how these views affect social behavior. They discuss how sexual attitudes find expression in art. They then criticize the excessive attention given to sex, and point out some of ways that this is detrimental to society.

In this episode, the friends discuss recent plane crashes, focusing especially on the 737 MAX crashes. They talk about the possibility of declining standards in aeronautical technology, and assess air travel as a cultural and a political phenomenon.

A controversial topic, here the friends point out some of the ways in which feminism goes beyond its purported goal of gender equality and actually establishes unequal benefits for women in society. They also discuss how feminism and similar democratic ideologies are serving to destabilize society.

A seemingly innocuous topic, the friends quickly find that fashion contains a great deal of interest from a social, political and psychological standpoint. They even manage to bring in discussion of Nazism.

In this episode, the friends discuss the recent fire at the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris, focusing on the sensational reactions both in the news media and social media. Was this truly the "saddest moment in history?" We have our doubts.

In this episode, the friends conclude a two-part discussion on racism. Here, they focus on racism as a modern phenomenon. They point to the development of nationalist ideologies in the 19th century as the possible origin of racial ideology, and, consequently, racism as we are familiar with it today. They then offer speculation as to how liberal democracy--far from resolving racial tension--actually permits and perpetuates group identity founded in race, and the resulting conflicts between such groups.

In this episode, the friends begin a two-part discussion of racism. Here, they define racism, and offer a historical perspective on the issue. They outline some of the political circumstances which may have given rise to racism in the past, and offer an overview of the issue in America.

Continuing their discussion on Islam, in this episode the friends discuss what might happen in the future given the tension between Islam and the West. They bring up points that they missed in the previous episode, and lay out some possibilities as to what may happen in the future.

In this episode, the friends address the tension which seems to exist between Islam and the West. They identify some of the doctrinal aspects of the Islamic faith which puts it at odds with western ideology, and discuss how modernity has affected Islam and other traditional ways of life.

In this episode, the friends make further points on contemporary ideology, a word which is here used to refer to the body of ideas which govern human behavior and dictate the structure of political society. Focusing specifically on liberal-democratic ideology, they outline its assumptions and goals, and point out its shortcomings in implementing its principles in reality.

In this episode, the friends discuss the New Zealand shooting of March, 2019. They put forth some of the possible motivations for the shooting, and discuss liberal-democratic ideology and the discontent which has in some cases prompted violence.

In this episode, the friends conclude their discussion of two recent Russian films, The Fool (2014), by Yuri Bykov, and Leviathan (2014), by Andrey Zvyagintsev. Having finished their discussion of The Fool, the friends now move on to Leviathan, another drama about political corruption in Russia, and give a detailed analysis of its themes and its criticism of contemporary Russian society. They then compare the two films, discussing their various similarities and possible trends in contemporary Russian cinema. The friends also digress and talk about communism, the Orthodox Church, and oddly depressing Soviet kid's cartoons. This episode contains spoilers.

Cinephiles, what Russian film have you seen lately? Serious Conversations has two suggestions for you. The first of a two part conversation on recent Russian cinema, in this episode the friends introduce two Russian films: The Fool (2014) by Yuri Bykov, and Leviathan (2014) by Andrey Zvyagintsev. They give a summary and an analysis of The Fool, a dark drama about political corruption and moral principle, and discuss some of its thematic qualities. This episode contains spoilers.

In this brief episode, the friends take time to name their new podcast during a recording session. Hear them reflect on the purpose and the guiding principles of their show--and banter.

In the inaugural episode of Serious Conversations on Sex, Religion, Politics and Other Things, the friends discuss various aspects of religion as a contemporary social phenomenon, including the role of religion today, their own experiences with religion, and the future of religion in an increasingly secularized world.