Who's on our "celebrity sex list"? What are the Brits talking about? Is journalism a profession of hucksters? Plus: Keanu Reeves, the argument against Matt Taibbi, and more as we read Listener Letters
I am finding myself getting hot about the Twitter Files story. I mostly ignored it at first, because I didn't find it particularly interesting.
Then I saw the news clips of Plaskett questioning Taibbi, and I was horrified. She was ignorant, dismissive and rude beyond belief.
I have nothing but distain for Jim Jordan, and of course the Republicans are trying to use this story to their own benefit. That doesn't change the fact that this story is important. I feel so let down by the Democrats.
Taibbi's job as a journalist is to get the story out there. It is not his duty to monitor how everyone uses the story. Just how was Taibbi supposed to acknowledge that he was "being used" by the Republicans? What would that even look like?
The way the Democrats on that committee treated him was appalling. This is an important story. It appears that the Government, through various agencies, was making requests that social media label some things as disinformation and suppress other information which didn't further their preferred narrative. Some of this so-called disinformation has turned out to be true. This is a true dystopian free speech nightmare. And the Democrats don't seem to care at all.
I am 55, and I have only voted Democratic my entire life. I might be giving this up. The way the Democrats have handled themselves with this and trans care for minors is disqualifying to me.
I agree I find it hard to care about the twitter stuff. The senate hearing also made me mad on Taibbi's behalf (also I have a crush on Michael Shellenberger-- listen to him on The Same Drugs podcast!) but I thought that was just my current red-pilled bias. Surely the republicans get up there and are rude to the opposing side during hearings as well? Isn't this all theater.
Bucks County, PA just launched a lawsuit against twitter, IG and tiktok, alleging that they are damaging children. At the end of the day, twitter is just a private company that can basically do what the they want, the government has always been and will always be shady (how could a government NOT be shady) and I suppose I'm just turning into a conspiratorial libertarian because at the end of the day (my most hated phrase) the only person you can control is yourself.
Rachel, do you live in Bucks County? My sister and brother in law (impossibly progressive) live in Doylestown. I'm in Berks County, politically homeless and most worried about the erosion of civil liberties.
The House hearings were an absolute joke, like most of what happens in Congress.
No I'm in Delaware County near Media. I've been thinking about taking the kids for some weekend trips around PA... maybe seeing some caverns, the Herr Chip Factory, LOL. I haven't been to Reading, is there anything in particular of interest in Berks?
Hawk Mountain in northern berks is a good place for bird watching.
Crystal caverns is schlock.
Daniel Boone homestead is interesting for historical stuff
You can get tourist rides on the colebrookedale railroad
Lancaster county also has the Strasburg railroad and the Penna Railroad museum
There is a abandoned coal mine that offers tours in Schuylkill county. (I got to go in a working anthracite mine when I was in med school as part of an occupational medicine course. That was a real experience
I just love both of you. I found Nancy first when I was looking for a voice of reason during the George Floyd protests. Then when Sarah joined in and the new podcast started I have been enamoured with both of you since. I don't agree with everything but I always learn something. I can't help but listen to everything you put out and thoroughly enjoy it all. You both make me trust, at least some, journalists again. 💕
Keanu's baby was born stillborn, and then the fiance died in a car accident. They did not die together. Jennifer Syme
She was in a relationship with actor Keanu Reeves that began in 1998 and ended in early 2000, following the stillbirth of their daughter. The couple reunited in 2001. Syme died at the age of 28 in an automobile collision on April 2, 2001.
I had to stop my yoga routine to come correct this.
Holy crap, thank you for reading my email. And Nancy, thank you for that beautiful remembrance of Cathy Seipp ... it was perfect. And for the record, yes, I was the one asking if you would check on my daughter in Portland (joking / not joking).
I would have to put it before the committee, but I might be able to get Nancy an honorary geriatric gen z membership. No promises, tho. ;)
For context, I am 28. Spent my tween years watching Lifetime original movies, Degrassi (think Euphoria but TeenNick) and Law and Order SVU. To Catch a Predator was firmly in the rotation.
From 2012 - 2014/15, I had a Tumblr, the digital Haight and Ashberry of the internet. Every ounce of the budding culture wars I saw first hand in those 2 to 3 short years where everyone was gay, crying over celebrities, and threatening riots over the sex lives of fictional people.
Converted to Calvinism in my early to mid twenties after being raised in a version of the Jena Malone movie Saved.
The Calvinists I know are staunchly conservative, but also huge theology nerds who hate the charismatic inclinations of modern evangelicalism. Basically, at risk of oversimplifying, if you're getting your theology endorsed by Trump or Oprah it is two signs of the same heretical coin. But that's a can of worms I could geek out on for hours.
Thanks for giving me a goofy smile and your kind words. :)
From the menu in the upper right, with the 3 horizontal lines, choose "Manage subscription"
Scroll down to the button "Set up podcast"
If you are not on your phone, choose "Email me the link"
If you ARE already on your phone, you can choose "Copy".
I'll assume you choose the Email option, and then, that you open that email link on your phone -- you MUST open it on your phone. Then, follow the instructions, which are "Add to podcast app"
That usually takes you to a browser page that has a button "Set up podcast".
Click that and then choose your podcast app. Apple Podcasts is the first choice. If that's what you use, choose that. I use Overcast, and that works fine as well.
I loved this special episode of reading emails! It felt so communal and unrehearsed, not that I ever think either of you sound rehearsed. I love hearing your raw and unapologetic thoughts in real time. I always tell my husband, if I’m having a particularly stressful day, I always think of Nancy saying something to the effect of, “The world is beautiful. Go outside and feel the sunshine. Create something !”☀️ It does help me a lot. And Sarah, I read your book prior to the inception of this pod, and I loved it so much. You and I are kindred spirits, me thinks. As someone who has struggled with my own addictions, I am incredibly grateful for your vulnerability and willingness to shed light on the subject into this world. Thank you both for bringing a dose of sanity and thought provoking discussions to an otherwise insane world. ❤️❤️❤️
Also a very good one. from that era I'm a bit more Lee Marvin, cause I like a bit of rascal in my role models.
To expand on Sam Shepard in The Right Stuff: he's the REAL MAN of that movie. All the other astronauts aspire to be as manly as him. they can never be, but he's what they're shooting for. Scott Glenn's Alan Shepard (god the names of cast vs characters are confusing in this movie, ain't they?) comes closest, and he's my second favorite in the movie on account of the afor-mentioned bit of rascal. His side of the argument with Ed Harris' John Glenn (I mean, amiright?!) about the astronaut groupies informs much of my thinking on such matters.
"Mr. Glenn, you are way out of line. I'd advise you not to try and foist your view of morality on anybody else in this group. Each man here has volunteered to do a job. Each man here is devoting long hours of training to prepare for it, and doing many things above and beyond the strict call of duty, such as morale tours of factories..."
I saw it again yesterday, 40 years after seeing it for the first time. I'd not remembered it at all, so very glad I did. I'd recommend anyone interested do the same -- 40 years is a long time and one's perspective can change. There are factual errors in the movie in how it depicted some important events. Okay, so movies do that for various reasons. I'm still working through the book as a comparison. I happened to have the 2-disc set produced in 2003 as a 20 year look back, which included interviews both with the cast and several of the astronauts. I am glad this book and movie got mentioned here, as otherwise I would not have thought to look for it.
My local library system has both the book and the movie. Started reading the book two days ago and it's terrific. 40+ years on and I can read it with a new perspective, being that much older since the last time. The DVD arrived today and will watch it this evening (assuming this library copy isn't all scratched up, which seems to happen all too often, so keeping my fingers crossed).
I get the subscriber feeds for both Blocked and Reported and Smoke Em through my apple podcasts on my phone. Is that what you're talking about? You have to click the special link from substack when in your phone, then it goes to the podcast app and connects them.
Taibbi, Weiss, and Shellenberger are pawns to the Republican Party? Via Elon Musk? I think Right/Left isn't the only lens to use here. That's an overgeneralization that Senators love to invoke.
The ignorance and lack of preparation shown by the various Congress folks was breathtaking and yet not surprising, given past history. They all have large staffs, who likely have knowledge of things like Twitter, Substack, etc., that they could impart.
I think some of them were riffing when they were talking about Substack, which seems like such an amateur mistake. I wouldn't grill Taibbi without at least knowing what his platform was.
It is all political theater. Performing for their base. No actual governance or advancement of the legislative process which is what the are elected and paid to do. Absolute farce by clowns.
Yes, Phil! Journalists are so valuable when they report things that are inconvenient to their own side. I love David French for this, Jonah Goldberg, and all the Substackers.
I never thought I'd ever get an Only Fools and Horses reference on this podcast, but here we are! Ran from 1981 right up to to 2003. All six episodes are treasured. ;)
It amazes me how Democrats attack Taibbi for the crime of (drum roll here) - truthfully answering questions under oath.
What a BETRAYAL! What an idiot. What a tool. HA!
Michael Shellenberger was on point too, btw, though few have mentioned him. He's excellent.
The big story behind the Twitter files is this: The censorship, clothed in the forcefield of "battling disinformation," is a GROWING government industry. From Snowden 'til now, it has grown and that growth is speeding up.
It's not just that it happened. It's that it is STILL happening and getting worse.
Did you all miss the fact that the FTC stepped in, targeting journalists by name, AFTER it was announced they were called to testify?
Kind of a big deal, isn't it? Taibbi is right. It's a big story.
I’m responding to Larry’s mail with a relevant quote: “If you refuse to acknowledge the utility of a perspective because you're afraid to agree with someone unpopular (or that you dislike), you may have left high school, but you're mentally still there.” - Ayishat A. Akanbi
I am finding myself getting hot about the Twitter Files story. I mostly ignored it at first, because I didn't find it particularly interesting.
Then I saw the news clips of Plaskett questioning Taibbi, and I was horrified. She was ignorant, dismissive and rude beyond belief.
I have nothing but distain for Jim Jordan, and of course the Republicans are trying to use this story to their own benefit. That doesn't change the fact that this story is important. I feel so let down by the Democrats.
Taibbi's job as a journalist is to get the story out there. It is not his duty to monitor how everyone uses the story. Just how was Taibbi supposed to acknowledge that he was "being used" by the Republicans? What would that even look like?
The way the Democrats on that committee treated him was appalling. This is an important story. It appears that the Government, through various agencies, was making requests that social media label some things as disinformation and suppress other information which didn't further their preferred narrative. Some of this so-called disinformation has turned out to be true. This is a true dystopian free speech nightmare. And the Democrats don't seem to care at all.
I am 55, and I have only voted Democratic my entire life. I might be giving this up. The way the Democrats have handled themselves with this and trans care for minors is disqualifying to me.
I agree I find it hard to care about the twitter stuff. The senate hearing also made me mad on Taibbi's behalf (also I have a crush on Michael Shellenberger-- listen to him on The Same Drugs podcast!) but I thought that was just my current red-pilled bias. Surely the republicans get up there and are rude to the opposing side during hearings as well? Isn't this all theater.
Bucks County, PA just launched a lawsuit against twitter, IG and tiktok, alleging that they are damaging children. At the end of the day, twitter is just a private company that can basically do what the they want, the government has always been and will always be shady (how could a government NOT be shady) and I suppose I'm just turning into a conspiratorial libertarian because at the end of the day (my most hated phrase) the only person you can control is yourself.
Rachel, do you live in Bucks County? My sister and brother in law (impossibly progressive) live in Doylestown. I'm in Berks County, politically homeless and most worried about the erosion of civil liberties.
The House hearings were an absolute joke, like most of what happens in Congress.
No I'm in Delaware County near Media. I've been thinking about taking the kids for some weekend trips around PA... maybe seeing some caverns, the Herr Chip Factory, LOL. I haven't been to Reading, is there anything in particular of interest in Berks?
Hawk Mountain in northern berks is a good place for bird watching.
Crystal caverns is schlock.
Daniel Boone homestead is interesting for historical stuff
You can get tourist rides on the colebrookedale railroad
Lancaster county also has the Strasburg railroad and the Penna Railroad museum
There is a abandoned coal mine that offers tours in Schuylkill county. (I got to go in a working anthracite mine when I was in med school as part of an occupational medicine course. That was a real experience
I just love both of you. I found Nancy first when I was looking for a voice of reason during the George Floyd protests. Then when Sarah joined in and the new podcast started I have been enamoured with both of you since. I don't agree with everything but I always learn something. I can't help but listen to everything you put out and thoroughly enjoy it all. You both make me trust, at least some, journalists again. 💕
I picked this up from a previous B&R comment thread: Rowling rhymes with bowling. Simple as that.
Keanu's baby was born stillborn, and then the fiance died in a car accident. They did not die together. Jennifer Syme
She was in a relationship with actor Keanu Reeves that began in 1998 and ended in early 2000, following the stillbirth of their daughter. The couple reunited in 2001. Syme died at the age of 28 in an automobile collision on April 2, 2001.
I had to stop my yoga routine to come correct this.
Well I'm impressed (mostly by the yoga routine), but we did correct this in the Episode Notes, though you've added some nice flourishes. -- SH
haha i'm too impatient!
Holy crap, thank you for reading my email. And Nancy, thank you for that beautiful remembrance of Cathy Seipp ... it was perfect. And for the record, yes, I was the one asking if you would check on my daughter in Portland (joking / not joking).
I would have to put it before the committee, but I might be able to get Nancy an honorary geriatric gen z membership. No promises, tho. ;)
For context, I am 28. Spent my tween years watching Lifetime original movies, Degrassi (think Euphoria but TeenNick) and Law and Order SVU. To Catch a Predator was firmly in the rotation.
From 2012 - 2014/15, I had a Tumblr, the digital Haight and Ashberry of the internet. Every ounce of the budding culture wars I saw first hand in those 2 to 3 short years where everyone was gay, crying over celebrities, and threatening riots over the sex lives of fictional people.
There's a wonderful New Yorker article that is kind of my "reject the trauma plot" called "Love, Death, and Begging for Celebrities to Kill You" https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/love-death-and-begging-for-celebrities-to-kill-you
Converted to Calvinism in my early to mid twenties after being raised in a version of the Jena Malone movie Saved.
The Calvinists I know are staunchly conservative, but also huge theology nerds who hate the charismatic inclinations of modern evangelicalism. Basically, at risk of oversimplifying, if you're getting your theology endorsed by Trump or Oprah it is two signs of the same heretical coin. But that's a can of worms I could geek out on for hours.
Thanks for giving me a goofy smile and your kind words. :)
I'm only halfway through, but hoping these instructions are useful ...
How to get the podcast feed, including the private one...
I've done this a few times, for myself and others. I am using Substack both on my laptop/desktop and my phone. Here's what I do:
- Go to the podcast page on your laptop/desktop, e.g.
https://smokeempodcast.substack.com/
From the menu in the upper right, with the 3 horizontal lines, choose "Manage subscription"
Scroll down to the button "Set up podcast"
If you are not on your phone, choose "Email me the link"
If you ARE already on your phone, you can choose "Copy".
I'll assume you choose the Email option, and then, that you open that email link on your phone -- you MUST open it on your phone. Then, follow the instructions, which are "Add to podcast app"
That usually takes you to a browser page that has a button "Set up podcast".
Click that and then choose your podcast app. Apple Podcasts is the first choice. If that's what you use, choose that. I use Overcast, and that works fine as well.
I hope this helps!
Yes, Mark! I'm glad you picked up on this part of the pod too. Substack also put this out: https://support.substack.com/hc/en-us/articles/4519588148244-How-do-I-listen-to-episodes-on-my-podcast-app-. I listen on Apple podcasts without issue.
I loved this special episode of reading emails! It felt so communal and unrehearsed, not that I ever think either of you sound rehearsed. I love hearing your raw and unapologetic thoughts in real time. I always tell my husband, if I’m having a particularly stressful day, I always think of Nancy saying something to the effect of, “The world is beautiful. Go outside and feel the sunshine. Create something !”☀️ It does help me a lot. And Sarah, I read your book prior to the inception of this pod, and I loved it so much. You and I are kindred spirits, me thinks. As someone who has struggled with my own addictions, I am incredibly grateful for your vulnerability and willingness to shed light on the subject into this world. Thank you both for bringing a dose of sanity and thought provoking discussions to an otherwise insane world. ❤️❤️❤️
It's a super sunshiny day here in NYC - you can feel spring - NR
I could literally die!!! So jealous that Sarah met Moose & Troy Aikman
Also daymaker getting mentioned on the pod :) love love y’all
My concept of a masculine ideal in film was formed at the tender age of six when I saw Sam Shepperd as Chuck Yeager in The Right Stuff.
Obviously an impossible standard to live up to as a role model, so I'm happy if I've achieved Nicholas Cage's H.I. McDonaugh from Raising Arizona.
My ideal (I'm older) was Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch, as my father was a lawyer. Guns of Navarone didn't hurt.
Also a very good one. from that era I'm a bit more Lee Marvin, cause I like a bit of rascal in my role models.
To expand on Sam Shepard in The Right Stuff: he's the REAL MAN of that movie. All the other astronauts aspire to be as manly as him. they can never be, but he's what they're shooting for. Scott Glenn's Alan Shepard (god the names of cast vs characters are confusing in this movie, ain't they?) comes closest, and he's my second favorite in the movie on account of the afor-mentioned bit of rascal. His side of the argument with Ed Harris' John Glenn (I mean, amiright?!) about the astronaut groupies informs much of my thinking on such matters.
"Mr. Glenn, you are way out of line. I'd advise you not to try and foist your view of morality on anybody else in this group. Each man here has volunteered to do a job. Each man here is devoting long hours of training to prepare for it, and doing many things above and beyond the strict call of duty, such as morale tours of factories..."
Fuckin' A, bubba!
You are correct about The Right Stuff. Great book, great movie.
Yes to Lee Marvin. Don't forget James Coburn. A little rascal there also.
James Coburn is merely the non-alcoholic/half-caff version of Lee Marvin. Lee Marvin stripped for export to hippies ;D
I haven't read that or seen the movie in decades. Might be time to revisit both.
It has an irreverence and swagger missing from all subsequent true NASA stories.
I saw it again yesterday, 40 years after seeing it for the first time. I'd not remembered it at all, so very glad I did. I'd recommend anyone interested do the same -- 40 years is a long time and one's perspective can change. There are factual errors in the movie in how it depicted some important events. Okay, so movies do that for various reasons. I'm still working through the book as a comparison. I happened to have the 2-disc set produced in 2003 as a 20 year look back, which included interviews both with the cast and several of the astronauts. I am glad this book and movie got mentioned here, as otherwise I would not have thought to look for it.
My local library system has both the book and the movie. Started reading the book two days ago and it's terrific. 40+ years on and I can read it with a new perspective, being that much older since the last time. The DVD arrived today and will watch it this evening (assuming this library copy isn't all scratched up, which seems to happen all too often, so keeping my fingers crossed).
Stealing diapers for his family!
I get the subscriber feeds for both Blocked and Reported and Smoke Em through my apple podcasts on my phone. Is that what you're talking about? You have to click the special link from substack when in your phone, then it goes to the podcast app and connects them.
I know it's ripping off You've Got Mail, but you could use Signed, Sealed, Delivered by Stevie Wonder. Love love love the letter section!
Taibbi, Weiss, and Shellenberger are pawns to the Republican Party? Via Elon Musk? I think Right/Left isn't the only lens to use here. That's an overgeneralization that Senators love to invoke.
The ignorance and lack of preparation shown by the various Congress folks was breathtaking and yet not surprising, given past history. They all have large staffs, who likely have knowledge of things like Twitter, Substack, etc., that they could impart.
I think some of them were riffing when they were talking about Substack, which seems like such an amateur mistake. I wouldn't grill Taibbi without at least knowing what his platform was.
It is all political theater. Performing for their base. No actual governance or advancement of the legislative process which is what the are elected and paid to do. Absolute farce by clowns.
Yes, Phil! Journalists are so valuable when they report things that are inconvenient to their own side. I love David French for this, Jonah Goldberg, and all the Substackers.
I never thought I'd ever get an Only Fools and Horses reference on this podcast, but here we are! Ran from 1981 right up to to 2003. All six episodes are treasured. ;)
It amazes me how Democrats attack Taibbi for the crime of (drum roll here) - truthfully answering questions under oath.
What a BETRAYAL! What an idiot. What a tool. HA!
Michael Shellenberger was on point too, btw, though few have mentioned him. He's excellent.
The big story behind the Twitter files is this: The censorship, clothed in the forcefield of "battling disinformation," is a GROWING government industry. From Snowden 'til now, it has grown and that growth is speeding up.
It's not just that it happened. It's that it is STILL happening and getting worse.
Did you all miss the fact that the FTC stepped in, targeting journalists by name, AFTER it was announced they were called to testify?
Kind of a big deal, isn't it? Taibbi is right. It's a big story.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/technology/ftc-seeks-internal-communications-journalist-names-twitter
I’m responding to Larry’s mail with a relevant quote: “If you refuse to acknowledge the utility of a perspective because you're afraid to agree with someone unpopular (or that you dislike), you may have left high school, but you're mentally still there.” - Ayishat A. Akanbi