A discussion of fake binaries, the need to resist oversimplification, and how to sustain the complexity. Featuring audio from Alan Watts. Plus: A first look at the Nimbus X book! Links Alan Watts: Prickles & Goo ESP: Resisting Oversimplification Facebook Live video of this episode 

Didactic SynCast

DS #120: No Angels, No Demons

A short little SynCast, especially aimed at my teacher friends. As some of you know, Teacher Appreciation Week is a sick joke. But I was inspired by Sarah Kay to share some of my teaching-related poems. So … enjoy! Facebook Live video Poem Titles: Shove Yer Appreciation Pandemic Polemic Get Off My Cape! Mental Salary The Hardest Thing I've Ever Done I Should Have Learned By Now 

DS #119: Teacher Appreciation Poetry

or: How Scientology Helped Me Better Understand #BLM On this episode I dig through a documentary about Scientology, how it connects to my fascination with NXIVM, and what it can teach us about the psychological torment of Black folks (and people of color) all over the United States.

DS #118: Epistemological Security

On this episode, I discuss how we find purpose, what it means to "be yourself", and how people become convinced that true happiness lies in a cult, a political affiliation, a street gang, a corporate logo, or a social media brand. I'm still trying to master the art of simultaneously broadcasting live on Facebook and recording the SynCast at the same time, so I apologize for any hiccups I didn't fix.  Thanks for listening and let me know: How did you figure out who YOU are? (Or maybe you're still figuring that out. Tell me about it.) Links: FB Live video of this episode Meat Beat Manifesto: Your Mind Belongs to the State Escaping NXIVM podcast (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) Alice meets the caterpillar in Wonderland: Who Are You? 

DS #117: Ontological Security

On this episode, for the first time ever, I also broadcast LIVE on Facebook! If — for some reason — you want to see me wave my hands and bumble around with my cell phone as I talk, check out this link: https://www.facebook.com/eric.s.piotrowski/videos/10225133308901262 Otherwise, enjoy a brief discussion of masks, militancy, and meme markets. Special shout-out to JASOGOLLECGHHERR for that last article! Links: DukeSkath on Twitter NPR: Biden To Quickly Sign Orders Mandating Masks, Reversing Trump Travel Ban And More KRON News 13: 23 die in Norway after receiving COVID vaccine The Hill: Hot Pockets recalled for possible glass, plastic contamination Elliot Williams @ USA Today: Reunite families separated at the border, and purge cruelty in the name of justice AP: Why Navalny is a thorn in the Kremlin’s side Marker @ Medium: The GameStop Fiasco Proves We’re in a ‘Meme Stock’ Bubble John Oliver: Why the WHO Matters Baby Milk Action: Boycott Nestle! Yale Environment 360: Wall Street Begins Trading Water Futures as a Commodity 

DS #116: Masks, Militancy, and Meme Markets

In the first SynCast after the insurrection at the US Capitol, I'm speaking with my video game buddy Greg DeLacy. We don't agree on much, but we had a good conversation that debated some important issues and exchanged vital points of view. We started with Trump and wound up discussing Obama, Reagan, the Clintons, South Africa, Sarajevo, East Timor, police brutality, antifa, and dozens of other topics.  If nothing else, we proved here that civil discussion is still possible in the US, so long as we remember our shared humanity and commitment to a better world. Enjoy! (In the show, Greg brought up a guy named John Sullivan. Here are two articles about him.) The Salt Lake Tribune: What we know about John Sullivan, charged with rioting at the U.S. Capitol CNN: Giuliani uses unfounded 'Antifa' argument to defend Trump My FB Live video on cults, Trump, and the insurrection 

DS #115: Greg DeLacy

On this episode I'm joined by Chinny + Stu from the VeteranGamers to discuss The Wire, perhaps the greatest television program ever made. We dig into every season, lots of characters, and plenty of background info.  Obviously there are bad words and beaucoup spoilers. Beware and enjoy! A conversation with Barack Obama and Wire creator David Simon 

DS #114: The Wire

This episode is all about the power of forgiveness, featuring stories from my own life, as well as people from all walks of life — from the Nazi Holocaust to post-9/11 hate crimes. Let us learn from their powerful examples how to live without hatred in our hearts.  Links PDF Slideshow CANDLES Holocaust Museum and Education Center Forgiving Dr. Mengele Vox: The Story of Rais Bhuiyan Debbie Morris: How Can You Possibly Forgive? (Part 1) Debbie Morris: How Can You Possibly Forgive? (Part 2) Phyllis Rodriguez and Aicha el-Wafi TED Talk 

DS #113: The Quality of Mercy

On this episode, I spend an hour with my friend and teaching neighbor Faith Stevenson. We discuss education, literature, race, geography, Waffle House, and a dozen other topics. Enjoy! Links ESP: @DukeSkath Books Toni Morrison: The Bluest Eye Arthur Golden: Memoirs of a Geisha Tayari Jones: An American Marriage Movies The Color Purple School Daze 13th (Full feature) Music Bryson Tiller: Exchange 

DS #112: Faith Stevenson

This episode features a raucous and entertaining conversation with my friend Garrett Crowell. He knows more about comics than anybody I know, so I asked him to discuss Watchmen, V for Vendetta, Transmetropolitan, and the movie Bob Roberts in the age of Trump. (Spoiler alert for all of those!) Along the way, we discuss the history of comics, documentary films, and why we enjoy screaming in parking garages. Enjoy! Timecodes: 6:20 - Watchmen 25:50 - V for Vendetta 45:30 - Transmetropolitan 70:20 - Bob Roberts  

DS #111: Garrett Crowell

After a year and a half, we're back with an hour of coronavirus chatter, economic ranting, and pop culture critiques. In this episode, Eric dives into the armed idiots reacting to Stay at Home orders in the US; French hip-hop; and Michael Moore's dumb new movie. Check it out! Listen now! DO IT LIVE. Links, baby: The Atlantic: Why the Coronavirus Is So Confusing: A guide to making sense of a problem that is now too big for any one person to fully comprehend ESP on Medium: Chaotic Reflections: Mind Health in March 2020 ESP: Resisting Oversimplification: Thoughts on Kony 2012 NYT: ‘Instead of Coronavirus, the Hunger Will Kill Us.’ A Global Food Crisis Looms. Vice: Where You’re Out of Work Makes All the Difference in the World Talib Kweli: The People's Party Interview with Chuck D Pumpkin & Vin'S da Cuero: Make Boom Bap Great Again ESP on Twitter: A thread about "Planet of the Humans" (lots of links there) 

DS #110: Vive La Révolution!

Join Eric S. Piotrowski as he rants and reflects on the MAGA/BHI/Indigenous Drumming incident; marginal tax rates; Donald Trump; what we didn't learn after the 2008 crash; the inactivity of Betsy DeVos; the influence of hip-hop; the political campaign of The Duchess; and a dozen other topics. Send feedback and links to @DukeSkath. Thanks for listening!

DS #109: Snow, Students, Stories, Socialism, Solidarity, and Stuff

This episode features a superb conversation with my good friend Shae Crowell. She's a teacher, a singer + choral leader, a union thug, and many other things. She's got great things to say about how education works, why class size matters, what history is, and why music is important.  Enjoy! Topic Index: 2:00 - Life as a student 8:30 - Student teaching + early jobs 27:00 - Teaching philosophy 52:00 - African-American History 64:30 - Economics 70:00 - Unions 80:30 - Parenting + education 85:30 - Nashville in Harmony 

DS #107: Shae Crowell

On this episode I explain why I don't give two farts about Search Engine Optimization or Income Stream Maximization Programs. I also complain about Donald Trump, explain about why drinking on Memorial Day is not an insult to The Troops, and introduce you to the second-best song called "Warm It Up" ever made. Send questions! Give feedback! Holler at 'cha boy! Twitter: @DukeSkath email: esp@fbesp.org

DS #107: No No SEO

In this irregular episode, Eric P ruminates on guns, resistance, and cultural elements that keep us going. It's scattershot and sophisticated -- so enjoy! Black Panther: The Tragedy of Erik Killmonger You can’t protect liberty with a firearm Holler at 'cha boy: @DukeSkath

Ds #106: Not A Sh@#head

An irregular discussion of current events, popular culture, unpopular culture, economics, hip-hop, and killer robots

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Didactic SynCast

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