Necessary Bullshit Podcast

Necessary Bullshit Podcast is an experimental, ongoing conversation, between a thespian and a philosopher. Hosts Josh Simpson and Ian Savage tackle issues in philosophy, politics, society and culture, the media, film and entertainment. Josh received his Bachelors of Fine Arts in Performance Arts from Southern Oregon University and is currently in the graduate program for Clinical Counselling at Capella University. He is an actor and a 2013 company member of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and is currently a company member of the Eugene Shakespeare in the Park. He is also a writer and social commentator, writing on issues of love, relationships, mental illness, and optimism. He writes on his personal blog at https://jstheonlyoneblog.blogspot.com/ Ian received his Bachelors of Science in Philosophy at the University of Oregon. He is a writer and novelist, writing about topics varying from Nietzsche, nihilism and pessimism, values, liberalism in politics, science fiction and its commentary on current issues, and existentialism. He writes over at https://www.medium.com/@modernoverman You can follow them both on Twitter @Simpsonj423 and @modernoverman respectively. Check out our website for direct links on where to find us! www.necessarybspod.com

Episode #94: The National Debt

In this episode, Josh and Ian talk about the US national public debt and other political breaking points. They talk about the age of elected officials and their ability to represent the public, the failure of populism and the cares of the middle-class, the scale of US military spending and public trust, foreign social welfare programs compared to the US, the increasing cost of living, the myth of foreign-held debt, the crises of raising the debt ceiling, the cost of education and the looming ...

11-02
01:29:55

Episode #93: American Shooting Gallery

In this episode, Josh and Ian discuss recent tragedies of mass-shootings and gun violence in America. They talk about general firearm safety and hunter safety courses for minors, how similar faux guns can be to real firearms, the effectiveness and lethality of firearms as tools of destruction, how America's unique history informs the collective psyche of violence, the culture of firearms, how reason and statistical analysis is often ignored around the conversation of gun control, weapon restr...

07-10
01:34:39

Episode #92: The Anxiety of Adulthood

In this episode, Josh and Ian catch up on their own mental health psychological troubles. They talk about childish naivete and adult cynicism, a careful balance between optimism and pessimism, how change affects our mental states, how parents imprint on their children, how children are thrust into an indifferent world, Josh's recent diagnosis, how anxiety affects people differently, the common symptoms of depression, revenge bedtime procrastination, the terror of sleep paralysis and hallucina...

04-10
01:19:00

Episode #91: J.K. Rowling, Art, & Experience

In this episode, Josh and Ian talk about the importance of art in human culture and the separation of artists and their art. They talk about linguistic derivations of the word "art" and academic study of its definition, whether or not anything could be called art and something's inherent aesthetic value, the differences between "art" and "craft", the function of and subset of art, how art is used to share narratives about culture, the emotional and physiological connection to aesthetics, Napo...

03-27
02:08:04

Episode #90: Not Suitable For Work

In this episode, Josh and Ian discuss the implications and responsibility of online streaming and content creation. They talk about the minimal barriers of becoming a streamer or "content creator" and the attraction of the industry to children and young adult creators, the exposure to technology that children now have, the battle for engagement on platforms such as Twitch and YouTube, the lengths people are going to achieve fame and wealth and redefining work, mukbang and the reflection an au...

03-15
01:54:08

Episode #89: Post-Covid Depression

In this episode, Josh and Ian speak about the Covid-19 disease and the impact on the world at the tail-end of the pandemic.Follow them on Twitter at:Josh @Simpsonj423Ian @modernovermanand the podcast @necessarybspodWebsite: https://www.necessarybspod.com/Recorded 12 January 2023

01-19
01:53:05

Episode #88: Flaws in American Democracy Pt. 5

In this episode, Josh and Ian return from their holiday break to revisit their podcast anniversary conversation. They talk about the evolution of their own perspectives, whether or not democracy is the best way to govern society, their descriptions of 'happiness', the pressure of economic stability, stability as a navigational challenge and fairness, the recent $1.7 trillion omnibus spending bill passed by the US Congress, the opaqueness of US social welfare programs, the allocation of the US...

01-09
01:54:30

Episode #87: Trump '24, Student Loans, and Kanye

In this episode, Josh and Ian talk about former US President Donald Trump declaring his Presidential run for 2024, the potential campaign of Ron DeSantis and Republican party division, similarities between Biden and Trump, what it means to be a productive citizen in a capitalist society, the value of a college degree, griefing and the competition of debt and punishment, the monopoly of TicketMaster, President Biden's student loan forgiveness plan being held up in the courts, the ineptitude of...

11-28
01:46:59

Episode #86: And We're Back

In this episode, Josh and Ian return from an extended break on the podcast to catch up and comment on current events. They talk about time management in adulthood and family life, Ian's various career choices, challenges in parenthood and how alike children are to their parents, will to power and the battle between passion and reason, the art of performance, celebrity podcasters, the podcast as an outlet and the exercise of conversation, the craft of misery making, understanding our own philo...

11-14
01:50:37

B.S. Boulevard #11: Defensive Transphobia

Returning from Apathetic Avenue to BS Boulevard, Josh and Ian return to discuss Doctor Strange speculation and take a (perfectly legitimate and not a trick from Harvard) test to determine whether or not Ian is transphobic. They discuss:Can Tom Cruise be Iron Man?Josh learns about implicit bias from some school named HarvardThe difference between white people and black people vs. weapons and "non-harmful objects"Ian takes a test about preferring cisgender or transgender in real timeThe differe...

05-02
01:01:43

B.S. Boulevard #10: Marvel At The Future

On this Bullshit Boulevard, Josh and Ian talk about the MCU, the "Great Resignation", and some other bullshit. Some of the topics include:the latest trailer for Spider-Man: No Way Home,nostalgic blockbusters and movie hype,Spider-Man's portrayal and future films in the franchise,the DC Extended Universe and its new cinematic direction,spoilers for Marvel's Shang-Chi and Eternals,going to arcades as an adult,nerd collections and the new pop culture,the exciting prospects of FromSoftware's Elde...

04-25
51:33

B.S. Boulevard #9: Quit Your Job

This week, Josh and Ian get together to talk some bullshit about careers and psychology. Some of the topics include:- Personality traits vs. work environment,- Jungian psychology,- what makes a career,- the value of experience, - following the money first,- becoming the US President, - failing creative children,- building up our culture,- content creators and the attention market,- struggling artists,- the rise of YouTube and future creators,- the ubiquity of systems and markets,- p...

04-18
47:37

B.S. Boulevard #8: Have A Blessed Day

This week in the world, Josh and Ian get together on a Thursday night to talk bullshit and nerdshit. Some of the points include but are not limited to:- How Christian Chick-Fill-A employees bless every chicken sandwich and customer,- "Homophobic" and/or religious companies,- Service industry loopholes and discrimination,- Culture shock within the state and whether or not blackface is still in style,- Companies catering to the vocal minority and "woke" capitalism,- Celebrity role models,- The ...

04-11
01:02:17

B.S. Boulevard #6

In this episode, Josh and Ian continue their ongoing series of candid conversations. They talk about the explosion in Nashville, TN, Coyote Ugly and 'relevant' country singers, Trump's exit from the US Presidency, the electoral college, the government stimulus package for covid relief, Wonder Woman 1984 and the future of the DCEU, Disney's plan for introducing the multiverse into the MCU, the gonorrhea super-strain and high school health classes, covid vaccines finally hitting the market, the...

04-04
53:23

B.S. Boulevard #5

In this episode, Josh and Ian continue their ongoing series of candid conversations. They talk about feedback to their recent episode on revolution, the nature of ideas and bridging the gap between the political spectrum, the value of compassion within a collective society, the class disparity within larger communities, market competition and the success of production, accountability on the powers that be, and various other topics.Follow them on Twitter at:Josh @Simpsonj423Ian @modernovermana...

03-28
01:02:59

Episode #85: We'll Be Back...

In this episode, Josh and Ian discuss the podcast going on hiatus and what the future will bring.Follow them on Twitter at:Josh @Simpsonj423Ian @modernovermanand the podcast @necessarybspodWebsite: https://www.necessarybspod.com/Recorded 19 March 2022

03-21
18:49

Episode #84: Flaws in American Democracy Pt. 4

In this episode, Josh and Ian return from their holiday break to revisit their podcast anniversary conversation. They talk about cultural heritage and racial pride, birthright and happenstance, a proper place for critique, hyperbolic reactionary politics, the media's impact on cultural conversations and whether or not democracy is in decline, the Democratic Party's push-back against W. Virginian Senator Joe Manchin, the tribal back-and-forth that political parties play as they take office, th...

01-10
01:41:33

Episode #83: Faith, God, & Midnight Mass

In this episode, Josh and Ian discuss criticisms of religious faith, the prospects of God and Nature, and the Netflix series Midnight Mass.Follow them on Twitter at:Josh @Simpsonj423Ian @modernovermanand the podcast @necessarybspodWebsite: https://www.necessarybspod.com/Links:Baruch SpinozaA Confession and Other Religious WritingsThe Brothers KaramazovBook 5, Ch. 4Recorded 24 November 2021

12-13
01:34:55

Episode #82: Fantasy & The Lessons It Can Teach Us

In this episode, Josh and Ian discuss the themes and moral lessons that can be found in fantasy stories and the recent film The Green Knight. They talk about the symbolism found in the aesthetics of The Green Knight film adaptation, the nature of the Green Knight's game, Sir Gawain's growth into adulthood and knighthood, honor and following your principles, how fantasy has been inspired by medieval lore and mythology, accepting your fate, what constitutes and how we define fantasy, the direct...

11-15
01:27:32

Episode #81: A Comedy of Errors

In this episode, Josh and Ian discuss the controversy of Dave Chappelle's Netflix special "The Closer", and then later talk about the comedic parallels in Fyodor Dostoevsky's short story "Polzunkov". In the first half, they talk about how comedy is supposed to function and understanding the performance of a comedian, offense and being made uncomfortable, how jokes might cater to safetyism and whether or not "offensive" jokes lead to physical harm, progressive tribalism, differentiating betwee...

10-25
01:30:47

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