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 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. ❤️❤️❤️
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.
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 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.
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!
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. ❤️❤️❤️
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.
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.
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