The Good and Basic Podcast: Better and More Complex

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A long form conversation about the projects we do and why we do them, featuring Joseph and Joseph. Common themes include civic education, practical philosophy, premodern history and practices, and small-scale manufacturing. Check out our Youtube channel a

Joseph Fisher


    • Dec 15, 2021 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 51m AVG DURATION
    • 36 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The Good and Basic Podcast: Better and More Complex

    The Metaphysics of Gratitude | The Good and Basic Podcast ep. 31

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2021 71:18


    In which the Josephs offer some thoughts about what gratitude means, what it does to you, and how relates to the ethic of self-reliance. All Things Shining: https://amzn.to/3cNi6ku You can donate to our channel at https://goodandbasic.com Help support the channel and learn with a free Audible trial (including free audiobook): audibletrial.com/goodandbasic Podcast: anchor.fm/goodandbasic Twitter: @goodandbasic Instagram: @good_and_basic Music credit: Spanish Summer from Audionautix.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/goodandbasic/support

    Flight From the City by Ralph Borsodi (audiobook recorded by Joseph Bjork)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2021 209:56


    Flight From the City by Ralph Borsodi This book follows the Borsodi Family in their experiments in domestic production, living on a homestead in the 1920s, and it is one of the most wholesome explanations of the virtues of making more of what you use yourself that you are likely to find. Touting both the economic security that the Borsodi family enjoyed on their homestead in the midst of the Great Depression and the increased standard of living made possible by garden fresh food (including the best homemade ice-cream), Borsodi lays out the case for home production as a way out of society's greatest insecurities and also a way forward to a life that not only has less of the bad, but more of the good things in life. A key moment from the book: " In the summer of 1920--the first summer after our flight from the city--Mrs. Borsodi began to can and preserve a supply of fruits and vegetables for winter use. I remember distinctly the pride with which she showed me, on my return from the city one evening, the first jars of tomatoes which she had canned. But with my incurable bent for economics, the question "Does it really pay?" instantly popped into my head. Mrs. Borsodi had rather unusual equipment for doing the work efficiently. She cooked on an electric range; she used a steam-pressure cooker; she had most of the latest gadgets for reducing the labor to a minimum. I looked around the kitchen, and then at the table covered with shining glass jars filled with tomatoes and tomato juice. "It's great," I said, "but does it really pay?" "Of course it does," was her reply. "Then it ought to be possible to prove that it does--even if we take into consideration every cost--the cost of raw materials, the value of the labor put into the work yourself, the fuel, the equipment." " The shocking result of this experiment was that Mrs. Borsodi was actually outcompeting the leading canning companies by 30% in her home kitchen. This led Mr. Borsodi to an in-depth study of the areas where producing things at home not only resulted in a better product, but where it also was simply more economical as well. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/goodandbasic/support

    Post Corona Homesteading: The Good and Basic Podcast ep. 27

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2021 63:07


    In which JF and JB discuss why homesteading surges after economic shocks and the different forms post-Corona homesteading could take. Apologies for some echo in the audio. You can donate to our channel at https://goodandbasic.com!​ Help support the channel and learn with a free Audible trial (including free audiobook): audibletrial.com/goodandbasic Youtube: youtube.com/goodandbasic Twitter: @goodandbasic Instagram: @good_and_basic Music credit: Spanish Summer from Audionautix.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/goodandbasic/support

    Healing from Depression: Linda Bjork | The Good and Basic Podcast special episode

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2020 42:52


    In addition to being my (JB's) mom, Linda Bjork is the author of several books including Crushed, Pathway to Happiness, 30 Days to Alleviate Depression, and Beauty in Art. She runs a podcast called Linda's Corner, and a blog called Two Good Things. She is also the founder and executive director of Hope for Healing, a non-profit organization designed to help people heal and live joyfully. ___________________________________________________ Linda's Corner Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Two Good Things Blog: https://www.twogoodthings.net/ Hope for Healing: https://hopeforhealingfoundation.org/ __________________________________________________ Donate to our channel at http://goodandbasic.com Help support the channel and learn with a free Audible trial (including free audiobook): http://audibletrial.com/goodandbasic Nassim Taleb's books: https://amzn.to/2YpWql0 and https://amzn.to/2MiKn6A Podcast: anchor.fm/goodandbasic Twitter: @goodandbasic Instagram: @good_and_basic Music credit: Spanish Summer from audionautix.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/goodandbasic/support

    It's Not All Smooth Sailing: The Good and Basic Podcast episode 28

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2020 56:09


    In which we begin with Polynesian carved canoes and end up with cathedrals. Our conversation is quite the trip, but still not as impressive as the Polynesians who navigated across the ocean with no land in sight and no known destination. Donate to our channel at http://goodandbasic.com Help support the channel and learn with a free Audible trial (including free audiobook): http://audibletrial.com/goodandbasic Nassim Taleb's books: https://amzn.to/2YpWql0 and https://amzn.to/2MiKn6A Podcast: anchor.fm/goodandbasic Twitter: @goodandbasic Instagram: @good_and_basic Music credit: Spanish Summer from audionautix.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/goodandbasic/support

    What Is Higher Education Good For? | The Good and Basic Podcast episode 26

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 15, 2020 52:50


    In which JB and JF celebrate JB joining the faculty of a small college in the wilderness by talking about higher education in general--what is it good for, how can you extract the best out of it, and what could be done to make it better? We cover a lot of ground, but when it comes to education there's always more to tackle and we'll likely be back soon. Education playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRx_pCwmvYY&list=PLPXAOUDhQDCqbEPq8tkun91li7_78UCPE Videos where John Boyd is mentioned: To Be Or To Do? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LndwoEYZEU Writing And Survival https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxnHImj0Jrs&t=1s Help support the channel and learn with a free Audible trial (including free audiobook): audibletrial.com/goodandbasic Youtube: youtube.com/goodandbasic Twitter: @goodandbasic Instagram: @good_and_basic Music credit: Spanish Summer from audionautix.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/goodandbasic/support

    Shanon Brooks on Monticello College | The Good and Basic Podcast special episode

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2020 59:12


    In which JB interviews Dr. Shanon Brooks about the founding of Monticello College and its philosophical foundation. Dr. Brooks co-founded George Wythe College previous to his involvement with Monticello College and has decades of experience in teaching, inspiring, and mentoring the next generations. You can find out more about Monticello College here: https://www.monticellocollege.org/ Dr. Brooks' book "American," referenced in the podcast can be found here: https://www.monticellocollege.org/Sto... (Apologies for the audio quality.) Podcast: anchor.fm/goodandbasic Twitter: @goodandbasic Instagram: @good_and_basic Music credit: Spanish summer from audionautix.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/goodandbasic/support

    Zen vs Shop Class: Motorcycle Book Throwdown part 3 | The Good and Basic podcast ep. 25

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2020 69:34


    In which JF and JB spend a full hour clobbering each other repeatedly with philosophic 2x4s regarding which motorcycle book (Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance or Shop Class as Soulcraft) is truly superior. Actually, the goal was understanding, but that was frankly hard enough to work towards and it's possible that the more blunt and less elegant 2x4 may have been occasionally used. Give a listen and weigh in on the conversation. Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: https://amzn.to/35UFYhn Shop Class as Soul Craft: https://amzn.to/34ESCPP Help support the channel and learn with a free Audible trial (including free audiobook): audibletrial.com/goodandbasic Podcast: anchor.fm/goodandbasic Twitter: @goodandbasic Instagram: @good_and_basic Music credit: Spanish Summer from audionautix.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/goodandbasic/support

    When Rights Collide: Family Law and the Rights of Children | The Good and Basic podcast sp. episode

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2019 57:00


    In which JB and Jack K. discuss law school, guardian ad litem, and the sanctity of the courts in their role of balancing rights. Podcast: anchor.fm/goodandbasic Twitter: @goodandbasic Instagram: @good_and_basic Music credit: Spanish Summer from audionatix.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/goodandbasic/support

    The Epistemology of Mushrooms (Plus Some Meta Conversation) | The Good and Basic Podcast ep. 24

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 26, 2019 42:45


    In which we spend some time reflecting on how to find out if mushrooms kill you, plus even more time going meta to ask what the channel is all about. Help support the channel and learn with a free Audible trial (including free audiobook): audibletrial.com/goodandbasic Videos: Youtube.com/goodandbasic Twitter: @goodandbasic Instagram: @good_and_basic Music credit: Spanish Summer from audionautix.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/goodandbasic/support

    OODA-lally! | The Good and Basic Podcast episode 23

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 26, 2019 46:06


    In which we discuss the legendary OODA loop, the fact that podcasts/audiobooks might be as big a deal as the Gutenberg press, and more on the ancient progymnasmata. Help support the channel and learn with a free Audible trial (including free audiobook): audibletrial.com/goodandbasic Videos: Youtube.com/goodandbasic Twitter: @goodandbasic Instagram: @good_and_basic Music credit: Spanish Summer from audionautix.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/goodandbasic/support

    Congratulations, You're An Archaeologist! | The Good and Basic podcast ep. 22

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 26, 2019 44:52


    In which we talk about the archaeological game of interpretation, particularly the fact that it works from an incomplete dataset, the difficulty of figuring out what archaeological objects really mean, and why you can and should play the archaeological game of interpretation. Help support the channel and learn with a free Audible trial (including free audiobook): audibletrial.com/goodandbasic Links to the Audible/Great Courses mentioned in the podcast: Ancient Civilizations of North America: https://amzn.to/317DQiW Maya to Aztec: Ancient Mesoamerica Revealed: https://amzn.to/33mvTb1 Lost Worlds of South America: https://amzn.to/2VyIC7M Videos: Youtube.com/goodandbasic Twitter: @goodandbasic Instagram: @good_and_basic Music credit: Spanish Summer from audionautix.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/goodandbasic/support

    How We Learned To Stop Worrying and Love the Mos Maiorum | The Good and Basic podcast episode 21

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 26, 2019 44:14


    In which we briefly talk about the archaeological game of interpretation, before segueing into a discussion about dissolving mos maiorum and what to do about it. Mostly we are crushingly morose, but we do come up with a couple good ideas. Help support the channel and learn with a free Audible trial (including free audiobook): audibletrial.com/goodandbasic Videos: Youtube.com/goodandbasic Twitter: @goodandbasic Instagram: @good_and_basic Music credit: Spanish Summer from audionautix.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/goodandbasic/support

    Lloyd From Lindybeige on Roman Archaeology and Warfare | The Good and Basic Podcast special episode

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2019 44:36


    In which we sit down with Lloyd from Lindybeige on Hadrian's wall and discuss Roman archaeological sites, agriculture, fourth-generation warfare, and more. A very eclectic episode, not unlike Lloyd's channel itself. A big thank you to Lloyd for meeting up with us! Apologies for the poor audio quality, including but not limited to sheep baa-ing in the background, as well as the fact that video was not recovered for the full interview. It's also worth noting that this podcast was actually recorded in May of 2019. If you've never checked out Lindybeige, do yourself a favor and check it out now: https://www.youtube.com/user/lindybeige/featured Help support the channel and learn with a free Audible trial (including free audiobook): audibletrial.com/goodandbasic Youtube: youtube.com/goodandbasic Twitter: @goodandbasic Instagram: @good_and_basic Music credit: Spanish Summer from audionautix.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/goodandbasic/support

    On Meat, Medicine, and Meaning | The Good and Basic Podcast episode 20

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2019 41:46


    In which we start by talking about beef jerky and end up talking about alternative medicine. What combines both? Something like the tension between general patterns of knowledge and particular experience. Apologies for any small errors in the audio. Help support the channel and learn with a free Audible trial (including free audiobook): audibletrial.com/goodandbasic Youtube: youtube.com/goodandbasic Twitter: @goodandbasic Instagram: @good_and_basic Music credit: Spanish Summer from audionautix.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/goodandbasic/support

    What Are Martial Arts Good For? | The Good and Basic Podcast episode 19

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2019 46:19


    In which JF and JB reminisce about their own individual experiences with martial arts, muse on what martial arts are good for, and give their favorite martial arts movie recommendations. Help support the channel and learn with a free Audible trial (including free audiobook): audibletrial.com/goodandbasic Affiliate links for books mentioned in the podcast: Tao of Jeet Kune Do (Bruce Lee): https://amzn.to/34RFmbV Hagakure (Book of Samurai Proverbs): https://amzn.to/2Qg7jad The Art of Shaolin Kungfu (Wong Kiew Kit): https://amzn.to/2O75byS The Complete Book of Shaolin (Wong Kiew Kit): https://amzn.to/30490fq The Complete Book of Tai Chi Chuan (Wong Kiew Kit): https://amzn.to/2NhK7WU You can also find Wong Kiew Kit's website at shaolin.org. Youtube: youtube.com/goodandbasic Twitter: @goodandbasic Instagram: @good_and_basic Music credit: Spanish Summer from audionautix.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/goodandbasic/support

    But Would You Eat It? Thoughts About Grains | The Good and Basic Podcast episode 18

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2019 45:54


    In which we muse about the dearth of good bread in America, the enduring value of grains as a food source, how to measure temperatures without a thermometer, and more. If you're visiting from the TKOR collab, make yourself at home here. You may be interested in our previous adventures with rye in this playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMAtFAjVhlY&list=PLPXAOUDhQDCqrSpiszNdjdxWiMu7mL_PH We harvest more rye, thresh it with a leaf shredder, and lots of other stuff besides. Thanks for watching, and thank you to the TKOR team for working with us! Podcast: anchor.fm/goodandbasic Twitter: @goodandbasic Instagram: @good_and_basic Music credit: Spanish Summer from audionautix.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/goodandbasic/support

    We're Back! Thoreau, Walden, Homesteading + Liberal Arts Education | The Good and Basic Podcast episode 17

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 4, 2019 45:52


    We return after 3 weeks off the channel to recount the tales of our adventures. JF explains why Thoreau wasn't actually trying to do a survival camp at Walden pond and JB synthesizes liberal arts education with farming. It's great to be back! Apologies for any small errors that may exist in editing. Get a free 1-month trial of Audible (plus a free audiobook and 2 free Audible originals) at audibletrial.com/goodandbasic Affiliate links to books mentioned in the podcast: Walden (Henry David Thoreau): https://amzn.to/2zMqNbp Shop Class As Soul Craft: https://amzn.to/2XnThGG The One Straw Revolution (Masanobu Fukuoka): https://amzn.to/2ZLyn4A Previous podcast of our survival camp (mis)adventures: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsOxF1LRWG8 Podcast: anchor.fm/goodandbasic Twitter: @goodandbasic Instagram: @good_and_basic Music credit: Spanish summer from audionautix.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/goodandbasic/support

    Rhetoric: The Indispensable Art | The Good and Basic Podcast episode 16

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2019 27:00


    In which we cap off last week by talking a little bit more about the origins of rhetoric and why it is so powerful. Unfortunately we weren't able to record as long of a podcast as we might like, but consider this a teaser for future content. Go to audibletrial.com/goodandbasic for a free audiobook and 1-month Audible membership! This is the book where I first found the phrase logos politikos. It's an excellent collection of essays about Greek rhetoric (Amazon affiliate link:) https://amzn.to/2YH1PZ7 This volume contains two of Isocrates' most important works, Antidosis and Against the Sophists Podcast: anchor.fm/goodandbasic Twitter: @goodandbasic Instagram: @good_and_basic Music credit: Spanish Summer from audionautix.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/goodandbasic/support

    Random Happens: How (And Why) To Live With Risk | The Good and Basic Podcast episode 15

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 5, 2019 38:02


    In which we talk about how risk is the dark face of randomness and how courageous, conscious living is the answer. Go to audibletrial.com/goodandbasic for a free audiobook and a 30 day Audible trial! Amazon affiliate links to books mentioned in the show: Skin in the Game by Nassim Taleb: https://amzn.to/2MiKn6A Incerto (Black Swan, Antifragile, Fooled by Randomness, Bed of Procrustes) by Nassim Taleb: https://amzn.to/2YpWql0 Podcast: anchor.fm/goodandbasic Twitter: @goodandbasic Instagram: @good_and_basic Music credit: Spanish Summer from audionautix.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/goodandbasic/support

    Cottage Industrialism | The Good and Basic Podcast episode 14

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2019 46:41


    In which we lay out a manifesto for cottage industrialism while galloping through Karl Marx, Ayn Rand, Jordan B. Peterson, G.K. Chesterton, and Hilaire Belloc. It's an exhilarating ride with lots of interesting side quests--we think you'll enjoy it. Purchases made through Amazon Affiliate links help support the channel and don't add to the purchase price for you. Thanks for your support! The Servile State (Hilaire Belloc): https://amzn.to/31247iO Atlas Shrugged (Ayn Rand): https://amzn.to/2LLNV1C 12 Rules for Life (Jordan B. Peterson): https://amzn.to/2MtIiFd Communist Manifesto (Karl Marx): https://amzn.to/32UWj4r Skin in the Game (Nassim Taleb): https://amzn.to/2MiKn6A Incerto series (Nassim Taleb): https://amzn.to/2YpWql0 Creality Ender 3 3D printer: https://amzn.to/319g5aP Podcast: anchor.fm/goodandbasic Twitter: @goodandbasic Instagram: @good_and_basic Music credit: Spanish Summer from audionautix.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/goodandbasic/support

    Zen and the Art of Sleeping In The Woods | The Good and Basic Podcast episode 13

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 22, 2019 46:27


    In which we reminisce about a two-day survival camp we attempted ten years ago, and how it compared to our night in Sherwood Forest. Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance comes up, as does Brandon Sanderson's Stormlight Archive. We also spend a bit more time on Robin Hood's chaotic good alignment. Youtube: youtube.com/goodandbasic Twitter: @goodandbasic Instagram: @good_and_basic Music credit: Spanish Summer from audionautix.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/goodandbasic/support

    The Great Rye Harvest of 2019 | The Good and Basic Podcast episode 12

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 15, 2019 43:29


    In which we start by talking about the rye harvest and end by talking about neo-Luddism. Larry Kinsella: https://www.youtube.com/user/MrMegali... http://flintknapper.com/ Youtube: youtube.com/goodandbasic Twitter: @goodandbasic Instagram: @good_and_basic Music credit Spanish Summer from audionautix.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/goodandbasic/support

    So...That Good Tech, Bad Tech Thing | The Good and Basic Podcast episode 11

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 8, 2019 55:01


    In which we look through the various perspectives of last week's videos to try to answer the question of what makes good or bad technology. This week's discussion is a little like punching a giant marshmallow again and again...it's not clear how much progress you're making, but isn't it kind of fun anyway? Youtube: youtube.com/goodandbasic Twitter: @goodandbasic Instagram: @good_and_basic Song Credit: Spanish Summer from Audionautix.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/goodandbasic/support

    Patrick Curry on Tolkien and Enchantment | The Good and Basic Podcast special episode

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 5, 2019 66:15


    In which we have a conversation with Dr. Patrick Curry about Tolken and enchantment. Dr. Curry's academic interests range far and wide, but here his work on Tolkien, enchantment, and ecology come to the fore. We discuss his preference for the term "ecology" instead of "environment," the metaphysics of objects and subjects, and how to do technology right. You can find out more about Dr. Curry's work at patrickcurry.co.uk Dr. Curry is also the editor of the Ecological Citizen, a peer-reviewed ecocentric journal, which you can find here: https://www.ecologicalcitizen.net/ His upcoming book can be found here: https://www.florisbooks.co.uk/book/Pa... And other works by Dr. Curry can be found at the affiliate links below: Defending Middle-earth: Tolkien: Myth and Modernity: https://amzn.to/2xqSMfG Deep Roots in a Time of Frost: https://amzn.to/2xqlJZ2 Ecological Ethics: https://amzn.to/2NqaUBd Youtube.com/goodandbasic Twitter: @goodandbasic Instagram: @good_and_basic Music credit: Spanish summer from audionautix.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/goodandbasic/support

    Livestream Q&A | The Good and Basic Podcast episode 10

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2019 44:51


    In which we answer your questions in our first ever livestream. Thanks to all who participated! And thank you, as always, for your support. Youtube.com/goodandbasic Twitter: @ goodandbasic Instagram: @good_and_basic --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/goodandbasic/support

    How To Light A Fire, Stone Age Style | The Good and Basic Podcast episode 9

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 24, 2019 47:57


    In which we ponder the fact that bone adzes do the same job that bronze adzes do, and why you have to believe that fire works in order for fire to work. Videos covered include our smelting project with Neil Burridge and bronze casting with Will Lord--very fun projects to revisit for our podcast. Youtube: youtube.com/goodandbasic Twitter: @goodandbasic Instagram: @good_and_basic Music credit: Spanish Summer from audionatix.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/goodandbasic/support

    But WHY Carve Your Own Bowls? | The Good and Basic Podcast episode 8

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2019 42:13


    In which we revisit a couple videos from last week and preview a particularly awesome one going up this week. What's so cool about bowl carving, pole lathing, or skinning a deer with a rock? The fact that you can do them without being an expert. We muse about this and about the distance between experts and amateurs and why you should try to do these things yourself--while managing to invoke a couple of our favorite books on crafts and philosophy (see Amazon Affiliate links below). Exactly one deer was harmed (indirectly) in the production of this podcast; rocks and carving tools not included in this digital format. Shop Class As Soul Craft: https://amzn.to/2EYZm10 Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: https://amzn.to/2Xwek64 Review of ZAMM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VCcFJN8dTs&t=19s Youtube: youtube.com/goodandbasic Twitter: @goodandbasic Instagram: @good_and_basic Song Credit: Spanish Summer from Audionatix.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/goodandbasic/support

    Meeting Our Heroes: Europe Trip Recap | The Good and Basic Podcast episode 7

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2019 39:59


    In which we recap our recent trip to Europe (where we did everything from camp in Sherwood forest to visiting a scalable plastic recycling facility) and draw out a couple of important themes, including the ways we saw our heroes on the trip and how to weight the value of the good (ethics) against the value of the true/real (epistemology/metaphysics). If you'd like more about our trip, check the Youtube channel soon for videos we filmed (youtube.com/goodandbasic and listen to our bonus podcast episode recorded during our trip at anchor.fm/goodandbasic Song is Spanish Summer from Audionatix.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/goodandbasic/support

    Windmills, Romans, and Plastic Recycling | The Good and Basic Podcast special episode

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2019 36:34


    This is a special podcast episode recorded in a car on our recent trip to Europe where we sum up the first week of our trip and offer some reflections. The audio quality is not great but the thoughts are pretty interesting. If you'd like to know more about what we did on our trip and what it all means, see our regular podcast episode (in better quality too) at anchor.fm/goodandbasic. If you enjoyed the podcast, consider checking out our project videos at youtube.com/goodandbasic. Song is Spanish Summer from Audionatix.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/goodandbasic/support

    Good Grades, Bad Grades: Musings on Education | The Good and Basic Podcast episode 6

    Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2019 47:38


    In which we build on our good grades/bad grades videos and talk about our respective educations, the high school where we met, and how to get a good education. You can also check out our project videos at youtube.com/goodandbasic --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/goodandbasic/support

    Statutes v. Common Law | Good and Basic Podcast episode 5

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2019 31:36


    JB is writing a paper for his law class--are courtrooms a more appropriate technology for making laws than legislatures? The answer is often yes, albeit with some important exceptions. We also invoke Godel's theorem--not for the first time, not for the last time either. You can also check out our project videos at youtube.com/goodandbasic --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/goodandbasic/support

    Appropriate Technology | The Good and Basic Podcast episode 4

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2019 39:51


    Smelting, textiles, grain milling, scythes--what do these all have in common? All of these projects help us understand appropriate technology--roughly, technology that satisfies a wider spectrum of values than economic "efficiency." We also talk about why we can often look to the past to find these technologies, the fact that they often appear to be "low-tech," and some common characteristics of appropriate technologies. You can also check out our project videos at youtube.com/goodandbasic --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/goodandbasic/support

    Is Trump the Troll-In-Chief? | The Good and Basic Podcast episode 3

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2019 43:00


    JF just defended his Master's thesis, and the topic was a doozy: Is President Trump like an internet troll? We explore this question while trying to remain agnostic "political Martians" (Dan Carlin style). No matter what your opinion is on Trump, we think you'll find the conversation thought-provoking and insightful. We also update you on current projects and talk a little bit about the thesis defense. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/goodandbasic/support

    Luck and Skill | The Good and Basic Podcast episode 2

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2019 30:45


    We return to the podcast to explore the connection between three videos we made: playing the Royal Game of Ur, visiting Rob's 3d printing lab, and Chesterton's Fence. Amazingly, there is a connection--all three have to do with how to approach the problem of incomplete information. You can also check out our project videos at youtube.com/goodandbasic. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/goodandbasic/support

    Smelting, Gratitude, and Adventures | Good and Basic podcast episode 1

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2019 30:42


    This podcast is a companion to our Youtube channel, youtube.com/goodandbasic. In this first episode we talk about the chemical process of smelting and our six-year history trying to turn dirt into metal. We also talk about the lessons we think you can learn from smelting--primarily gratitude and a sense of self-reliance. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/goodandbasic/support

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