Be Good People.

Can great tools turn into dangerous systems? Can what we create and build up for the good of society turn on us without us even noticing? We continue the discussion on the question of "can it get too big?" as we discuss Google, Facebook and the new Documentary on Netflix called "The Social Dilemma".

Can a corporation get so big that we need to break it up to protect the American people? Does money and power corrupt all? We get into it this week! We talk Apple and we talk Liberty University this week. Spoiler alert - it isn't positive.

We are wrapping up our look at "Why We're Polarized" by Ezra Klein. This is a great book for our time looking at where our current political climate came from. We have discussed all kinds of issues and disruptions we have seen in politics since the beginning of our country and this week we start to look at what corrections we can be a part of. The political process is not a problem in need of a solution, it is a process in need of corrections. We are lucky to have a system built to withstand errors and always open to corrections. Will you join with us in this conversation? We are in the 9th & 10th chapter this week. Pick up the book and join with us. It isn't a long read, but it definitely is a deep dive. If you would like to see all the discussions we have had on this book so far, check out the series on our Youtube page called "Why We're Polarized".

How do you identify? Idahoan? Tennesseean? American? Chicago-ite? Our identities have shifted from being more local before the civil war to being more national after (especially around WW1). This has made huge changes in how much we value the presidential office - but also how we engage (or if we engage) in politics.  We are in the 8th chapter this week. Pick up the book and join with us. It isn't a long read, but it definitely is a deep dive. If you would like to see all the discussions we have had on this book so far, check out the series on our Youtube page called "Why We're Polarized".

We continue our discussion surrounding Ezra Klein's "Why We're Polarized". This discussion has been a good one looking at the history of US Politics and this week we join Ezra in looking at where we are now. Two political parties, harshly polarized - not interested in listening to the middle. How do we continue to operate when the center of American politics is disappearing? Pick up the book and join with us. It isn't a long read, but it definitely is a deep dive. If you would like to see all the discussions we have had on this book so far, check out the series on our Youtube page called "Why We're Polarized".

“Mainstream media” is a word that gets thrown around alot these days. This week, we’re asking if we’re the ones actually making it what it is. We’re tackling that question by taking a look at how we consume our political news as entertainment, and if there is a balance of being well informed without being polarized. This book is great for us - Curtis doesn't always feel at home in the Democratic Party and Luke doesn't always feel welcome in Republican Circles. So - how do we interact in a beneficial way when the way the world is divided doesn't line up with who we are? We plan on spending a few weeks in the book, if you are able - pick up a copy and read along with us.

This week is a little bit different. We are AUDIO ONLY over at begoodpeople.podbean.com We have included a clip of our last Patrons Zoom where we talk a little about JFK and how he might be perceived in our current political state. This book is great for us - Curtis doesn't always feel at home in the Democratic Party and Luke doesn't always feel welcome in Republican Circles. So - how do we interact in a beneficial way when the way the world is divided doesn't line up with who we are? We plan on spending a few weeks in the book, if you are able - pick up a copy and read along with us.

Typically, most people use information as a tool to make good decisions. Are we doing that with our politics, or are we using the tools we have to explain away information that would otherwise change our minds. In other words... "People are smart, but crowds are dumb." We're discussing that issue on this week's episode, and would love your input! This book is great for us - Curtis doesn't always feel at home in the Democratic Party and Luke doesn't always feel welcome in Republican Circles. So - how do we interact in a beneficial way when the way the world is divided doesn't line up with who we are? We plan on spending a few weeks in the book, if you are able - pick up a copy and read along with us.

Identity politics. A word we all have a definition for, a word that is in every political conversation. Are we taking the time to understand how the other side is using it? Can we come closer to an understanding while admitting we’re not fully there yet? We’re continuing our talk about polarization by asking the questions, “What identities are we giving power to?” and “What identities are we putting on others?” This book is great for us - Curtis doesn't always feel at home in the Democratic Party and Luke doesn't always feel welcome in Republican Circles. So - how do we interact in a beneficial way when the way the world is divided doesn't line up with who we are? We plan on spending a few weeks in the book, if you are able - pick up a copy and read along with us. This week our discussion takes us into the third chapter.

Do we get to the society we want by attacking things we hate or championing things we love? If winning the argument is the end goal, what do we have when we compromise everything we have to win? We look at chapter three this week of Ezra Klein's book "Why we're polarized." We talk about team sports and winning at any cost. These strategies may not be the best as we try to build a society for all. Jump in with us as we look at how American politics has changed from one team trying to do their best to build a society to two teams trying to make each other take the "L". This book is great for us - Curtis doesn't always feel at home in the Democratic Party and Luke doesn't always feel welcome in Republican Circles. So - how do we interact in a beneficial way when the way the world is divided doesn't line up with who we are? We plan on spending a few weeks in the book, if you are able - pick up a copy and read along with us. This week our discussion takes us into the third chapter.

We are in Chapter 2 of Ezra Klein's book: "Why We're Polarized" and we are talking about the Dixiecrats (better known as southern democrats) and their impact on the policies and legislation coming out of the golden age of Politics. What does this mean for us today? Do we miss the days of less polarization between parties and more disagreement within them? Does this set up a better world and society for us? This book is great for us - Curtis doesn't always feel at home in the Democratic Party and Luke doesn't always feel welcome in Republican Circles. So - how do we interact in a beneficial way when the way the world is divided doesn't line up with who we are? We plan on spending a few weeks in the book, if you are able - pick up a copy and read along with us. This week our discussion makes it through the second chapter.

After chatting political talk in episode 18, we are back to discussing a book. This time "Why we're polarized" by Ezra Klein. This is a thinker! Mr. Klein is an accomplished political journalist and the founder of VOX.COM. In this book he has researched the path of political discussion and organization over the history of the United States in hopes of better understanding the polarization that we currently experience in both national and local politics. We look at questions like "What makes a person a republican or a democrat?" "Can a republican be liberal and a democrat a conservative?" We look at multiple questions to better understand where we are today politically.  This book is great for us - Curtis doesn't always feel at home in the Democratic Party and Luke doesn't always feel welcome in Republican Circles. So - how do we interact in a beneficial way when the way the world is divided doesn't line up with who we are? We plan on spending a few weeks in the book, if you are able - pick up a copy and read along with us. This week our discussion makes it through the introduction and first chapter.

After a month and a half of diving deep into a book discussion, the guys are back to ranting incoherently about stuff - this week, political stuff. As a preview here is a quote from Luke: "I guess I could be okay with legalized prostitution. Wow, I am on record for that now aren't I?"

This is the finale of our series looking at Malcolm Gladwell's book, "Talking to Strangers". The whole book is working to understand the mystery of the Sandra Bland story and this week we discuss it and other cases of excessive force used by the Police. We look at Michael Brown, Sandra Bland and discuss George Floyd. Prepare yourself - this is a discussion that raises the question (and provides the start of an answer) to the question: "How do we fix this". We aren't raising awareness - we are searching for and discussing solutions. Will you join us?

We are getting to the end of our look at Malcolm Gladwell's "Talking to Strangers" and looking at some lessons learned looking at enhanced interrogation studies and "coupling" as it relates to suicide. I know it sounds like it doesn't go together - but understanding these principles will help us to better understand what happened on the side of the road in Grand Prairie between a well meaning officer and a woman just trying to get home from a job interview.

Whether you are an avid drinker or never touch the stuff - it is hard to deny that alcohol is a substance that seems to make a great impact on a person. This week we ask and discuss chapter 8 from Malcolm Gladwell's "Talking to Strangers" where he looks at the Brock Turner case and how alcohol impacted the ability of two stranger to interact in a civil way. The big question is: "How did two people who were looking to just have an enjoyable night end up becoming a sexual abuser and a victim?" We have our good friend Joy Van Staalduinen with us in the discussion this week. Joy is a United Methodist Minister, an ex-pat living in the Netherlands and a blogger and Podcaster over at www.joyvanstaalduinen.com where she uses her own experience with losing a child in the womb to provide help and healing for others facing a similar road. Joy adds a different and great dimension to the the conversation and we are thankful for it. We hope you will jump in the conversation with us as well by commenting here on our YouTube page, direct messaging us, or jumping in on our other social media.

Sometimes, most times - we aren't completely transparent. If what I am communicating with my mouth is not what you see visually in my body language, which one is wrong? Can we say for certain that engaging with someone in the physical is going to give us a better read on them? It works on "Friends", does it work in the real world? We continue our critique of Malcolm Gladwell's "Talking to Strangers". Incredible book that causes you to think about things from multiple perspectives. This week we look at section 3 and pondering what Malcolm calls our "mismatched" words and body language. Communication with other people is complicated - we are discussing how we can become better at this in hopes of better, more life giving, conversation.

How do people get away with lying straight to our faces and why do we consistently feel blindsided by people we thought we could trust? Can we ever trust anyone? We delve into a critique of Malcolm Gladwell's "Talking to Strangers". Incredible book that causes you to think about things from multiple perspectives. This week we tackle a lot (too much) looking at section 1 and 2 and talking about what Malcolm calls our "default to truth". The human race is very trusting, why is that?

In the face of "pLandemic" (see what they did there) Curt and Luke were forced to return to the subject of Covid 19 as they talk about who we trust as a truth source and how we handle opinions vs. verified facts. We also ask the question - is it okay for a private company to censor this? This one might upset you - but lets be fair: There are absolutely some solid arguments against the shutting down of businesses and the pressure of social distancing (economic reasons, sacrifice the few for the many, etc.) however, pLandemic isn't one of them. This is hot garbage and we talk a little about that. Quick recommendation. Check out Malcolm Gladwell's "Talking to Strangers". We will be discussing multiple things from this book in the coming weeks.

Curt and Luke respond to watching a documentary called "Saving Capitalism" that looks at the corruption among big business lobbying groups and government officials and how we have ended up in a situation where corporate revenue rises, but working wages don't. It seems that at its current pace, capitalism can't possibly survive without another huge correction (depression) or some changes to the legal system in how we "manage" our free market. What do you think? Can capitalism be saved? Does it even need saving?