Aden Debord, 21,is a student of "meme culture," and the extent to which memes are ingrained in the internet experience. His friend, Jim Newman, 73, is familiar with the word "meme." But that's about it. In this episode he learns -- thanks to Aden's understanding of the subject -- just how dimly he's comprehended the interlocking complexities of what memes on the internet are all about. Turns out, meme's are their own subculture!

Inherently Human

INHERENTLY HUMAN #36

Aden Debord, 21, and Jim Newman, 73, engage in a philosophical discussion of the benefits of expressing deep emotions quickly and clearly as an aid to communication. Actors, of course, train to display a multitude of emotions with great ease and clarity. Aden suggests that perhaps the average man or woman becomes an actor too, though with the goal of concealing true emotions behind a mask. The two friends agree that, as ironic as that theory is, it's probably true. Aden is facing his senior year at Portland State University. His focus won't be on acting or entertainent but on helping people. Jim and Aden talk about remarkable technologies available to help care givers save lives.

INHERENTLY HUMAN #35

Aden Debord, 21. delves deep into the internet, playing games on-line, watching YouTube channels, etc. He says people as involved as he is sometimes risk encountering "trolls" --anonymous misfites whose sole purpose seems to be to attack others in remarkably cruel ways. His friend, Jim Newman, 73, is fascinated by the stories Aden tells. Partly because of the chilling nature of the attacks. But also because of the new words emerging in US English to describe such events!

INHERENTLY HUMAN #34 (1)

Aden Debord, 23, and Jim Newman,73, have been discussing video games and the unlikely creatures one confronts in those fantasy landscapes. Dragpns inhabit Aden's favorite game. But in the real world, creatures no less strange -- such as bigfoot, and the Loch Ness monster -- may or may not exist. The discussion leads the two friends to contemplate human fascination with legedary monsters and the mindset that may lead a person to believe or disbelieve.

INHERENTLY HUMAN #33

The immersive world of video games is very familiar to 21-year-old podcast host, Aden Debord. His friend, and co-host, Jim Newman, 73, has never played a video game in his life -- except maybe Donkey Kong, or Pong, when those earlier games were the rage in bars and arcades 40 years ago. Turns out that nowadays veteran gamer Aden, in the guise of his avatar, "Woodsly the Wood Elf," has entered an exponentially more exciting landscape that has riveted him to the screen in recent days. He did it by upgrading his processor a month or two ago!

INHERENTLY HUMAN #32

Aden Debord, 21,has just watched himself in a short film in which he plays a young man who's recently passed away. It's his first acting role. Jim Newman, 73, has had some acting experience and was also in a short film set in the afterlife. The two friends compare notes on acting, movies, and what it's like to watch yourself on screen.

Inherently Human #31

Aden Debord, 21, and Jim Newman, 73 agree that they are friends and that that's something to celebrate. The reassuring declaration doesn't really define their relationship, though, or say anything about what it actually means for any two people to be "friends". In this episode, Jim and Aden undertake a meandering journey through personal recollections, trying to define their individual experience of friendship. They don't necessarily wind up with a workable definition. They both conclude after heartfelt discussion that they'd be lost without their friends.

INHERENTLY HUMAN #30

Aden Debord, 21, and Jim Newman, 73, go deep on the topic of self-anaylysis and the pysychological rewards the process might provide. Jim shares that he's had 35 years of traditional psycho-therapy and most recently has discovered a way to open the door to the subconscious on his own, without the presence of a traditional therapoist -- aided only by a moderately high dose of THC and the guidance of several books and some one-on-one discussions with experts in the process. Aden reveals that he too is taking steps to learn more about himself through a unique type of solo talk therapy!

INHERENTLY HUMAN #29

Aden Debord, 21, and Jim Newman, 73, wade into deep philosophical waters and wrestle with the creation of the universe and whether there is meaning to be found in the "Big Bang" and infinity and black holes and all the mysteries that taunt the brilliant minds in physics today. The conversation is free-ranging and, remarkably, comes to very definite conclusion -- about Aden!

INHERENTLY HUMAN #28

Aden Debord, 21, formulates a theory that each of us enjoys a gift in life -- such as the ability to find a great seat in a restaurant before the crowd arrives. But the gift is always balanced-out by a curse. For instance, Aden believes his best laid plans are always doomed to come to nothing. Jim Newman, 73, expands on Aden's theory. He asks whether, say, the gift of creativity always comes with a corresponding downside.

INHERENTLY HUMAN #27

Aden Debord, 21. and his friend Jim Newman, 73, talk about Aden's interest in broadcasting. Aden is even considering giving up a career in aquatics for a job in front of the microphone. Jim is all for it, but he admits that that may be because he'd have the vicarious thrill of reliving his youth through Aden.

INHERENTLY HUMAN #25

Aden Debord, 21, loves pets. Jim Newman, 73, loves them too. But his affection is more theoretical. They share pet stories and expore the upside of living with an animal!

INHERENTLY HUMAN #26

Saving lives is a worthy ambition but lifeguard Aden Debord, 21, knows there're factors beyond health and safety involved. Legal concerns loom and anyone charged with keeping the public out of harms way needs to know the risks that come with the daunting responsibilities. Jim Newman, 73, learns how risky life saving can be!

INHERENTLY HUMAN #24

Aden Debord is now 21. Jim Newman turned 73 about 3 weeks prior to Aden's birthday. Aden wants to talk about love on account of his tendency to lavish the word on his friends whenever he's had enough to drink. Does he mean it? Most of the time, yes!

INHERENTLY HUMAN #23

Aden Debord, 20, just returned from an aquatics conference in Boston, MA, has an idea that could add a new dimension to the pool experience -- a slack line traversing the width of the pool. Turns out, he may have some hurdles to contend with before that dream becomes a reality. Meanwhile, Jim Newman, 72, remains hard at work on yet another draft of his Vietnam novel. He thinks he may have had a breakthrough in his writing, and believes his use of marijuana is partly responsible.

INHERENTLY HUMAN #22

Two friends, a 20 year old lifeguard and a 72 year old retiree attempt to bridge the generation gap in openhearted conversation about whatever comes to mind (which turns out to be just about everything).

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Inherently Human

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