Totally Classic

Is 'Gender Affirming Care' Ethical? PART ONE

This week, Andy & Brendan - as humans, parents and citizens of the nation whose highest court in the land just heard arguments on "gender-affirming care" bans (U.S. v. Skrmetti) - explore with great curiosity whether such care is A) accurately termed and B) ethically applied? 
In this part one (of two) on this question, much time is spent on defining terms - for how can one agree on whether affirming something is ethical if you cannot even agree on WHAT it is you're affirming?From from liars to visionaries, from mustache envy to hating the pledge of allegiance, from they/thems to banana splits... it's all in this week's TOTALLY CLASSIC!

"Should Non-Christians Celebrate Christmas?"

This week, Andy & Brendan ruminate on the seasons' eatings at one's soul - is Christmas cultural appropriation? Is it colonialist imposition? Capitalist frenzy? All or none of the above? From Saint Nick's assault record to hating Satan Claus, from gifts around the tree to singing in harmony, from elf on a shelf to Muslims in Bethlehem... it's all in this week's TOTALLY CLASSIC!

"Is Elon Musk a Supervillain?"

This week, Andy & Brendan evaluate the nature & impact of the richest man in the world, from their very different vantage points. Can they ask about the villainy of everyone's favorite autistic centibillionaire without descending in gross ad hominem? Can they bounce from spaceX rockets red glare to starling satellites twinkling in air, giving proof through the night that a Tesla was still there on our block? Without descending into rancorous escapism, seeking out a blue sky to hide from the x-cruciating atmosphere down here on earth?YES THEY CAN!

"Are We Doomed?" (A Very Special Post-Election Episode!)

Yesterday was the final day of voting in the 2024 election. Today, two friends whose candidates (they didn't vote the same and still love each other! Gasp!) lost early this morning get together to ask the question "Are We Doomed?" and do their best to muster up some evidence we AREN'T... and some that we are. From a surrender in Gaza to apologies for lockdowns, from 9 year old political pundits to 80 year old presidents, from progressive to Christian conservative and back again... it's all on this weeks' TOTALLY CLASSIC! 

"Should we trust corporate media?"

This week, Andy & Brendan discuss whether the modern news media landscape is a trustworthy map of reality or not. From McDonald's fries to Washington Post's lies, from correcting your parents to deceiving yourself, from AI Trump to real life trust issues, it's all in this episode of Totally Classic!

"Is Climate Change Real?" Part Two

This week, Andy & Brendan meet back up after a month to explore the literature, the arguments strong & shoddy and the strange manipulations around climate change! From unmodelable clouds to model google usage, from adhd Brittanica forays to conspiratorial arrays, from the ground to the atmosphere and back again... all on this weeks' Totally Classic!Every episode of Totally Classic is a conversation between friends about subjects that have, reportedly, ended friendships. We aim to show how phenomenally unnecessary interpersonal hostility is to talking about even the thorniest of issues!

"Is Climate Change Real?"

This week, Andy & Brendan tackle a subject they are both admitted novices in: Climate Change. They do their best to parse out not only their apprehension of the landscape of theory but seek to posit a means of validating or invalidating those apprehensions, from the place of admitted ignorance. What arguments are convincing, what arguments are weak, who is and isn't trustworthy as a source... and how do we proceed from here?
In one months' time, they'll reconvene and discuss their deeper assessment! What do YOU think?

"Is a Third Party Vote a Waste?"

This week, Andy & Brendan interrogate a popular supposition about the United States' purported two-party system. Does any party "deserve" you vote? Is voting for a third party candidate "stealing" from some other candidate with a larger bankroll? What arguments are tenable that a third party candidate is a "spoiler campaign" for a more likely victor? Is Voting like sports betting or is it an ethical obligation wherein one selects the best candidate possible (regardless of "odds")?What do YOU think? 

"Should We Vote Based on Identity?"

This week, Andy & Brendan wrestle with a question about elections, in part spurred by the sudden new Democrat nominee for President. Should a citizen vote for a candidate based on what identity categories that candidate falls under? It is hypocrisy? Machiavellian? One last gasp of error to right the past? A chance to be part of representational history?Or is it just positive-spin racism or sexism? Let's talk about it!

"Have I Fallen for a Media Hoax?"

This week, Andy & Brendan stroll down media memory mayhem lane, remembering and analyzing a trio of Media Hoaxes they've fallen for and why.
What fears did they prey upon? What biases did they tickle? What do they tell us about our media and ourselves? What Media Hoaxes have YOU fallen for?