Critical Nonsense

SYLVAIN
  • 5.0 (43)
  • Philosophy
  • Updated Biweekly

High-low brow conversations about anything and everything. Produced by SYLVAIN and hosted by Joey Camire, Aaron Powers, and Executive Producer/Nerd-Herder Jess Vander. SYLVAIN is a strategy and creative company solving hard, high-stakes problems. You know. Making work that works. Learn more at sylvain.co.

  1. 2d ago

    362! American Stuff

    What are the things that best represent the United States of America to you?  This week, Jess and Joey talk about dentures, cultural preferences, all-you-can-eat buffets, shared things, Super Soakers, and Shark Tank. They don’t talk about white supremacy, sexual predators or gun violence.  references  The New York Times: Welcome to My Museum of America Mashed: The Untold History Of All-You-Can-Eat Buffets Flowbee Last Week Tonight: Gas Station Drugs

  2. Sep 22

    361! Waiting in Lines

    What is actually worth waiting in line for?  This week, Jess and Joey talk about froyo, pacing, theme parks, the TSA, the corruption of the Lightning Pass, and underwear. They don’t talk about line dancing.  references  Corrections Department: Gerry Rafferty Plato's Allegory of the Cave

  3. Sep 15

    360! Being Scared of AI

    What should I be affraid of, the robot or the people?  This week, Jess and Joey talk about AI != robots, human extinction, Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon, biological weapons, societal collapse, neuroticism, and increased persistence. They don’t talk about happy things.  references  corporeal AI 2027 AI Expert Tells Bernie: “The Humans will be Discarded” The AI Researcher Who Just Quit Anthropic Says It’s ‘Crunch Time for Humanity’ P(doom) Israeli infiltration of an Iranian nuclear archive Corrections Department: How the three laws of robotics from Isaac Asimov (not Philip K. Dick) impact AI Anthropic: Detecting and countering misuse of AI: September 2026

  4. Sep 2

    359! Books Everybody Loves

    What happens when everybody loves something and you don’t?  This week, Joey and Jess talk about sci-fi, curation, Rotten Tomatoes, autobiographical characters, leaving room for surprises, and fame. They don’t talk about Sweet Pickles books.  references  Hyperion by Dan Simmons The Expanse series Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman

  5. Aug 18

    358! Reading

    Is listening to a book the same thing as reading it? If so, why? And if not, why not?  This week, Jess and Joey talk about audiobooks, purity testing, locked-in mode, ADHD, lectures, and celestial orbs. They don’t talk about Mychal Threats.  references  Reading Rainbow Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke Matt Dinniman Variety: Peacock Gives Series Order to ‘Dungeon Crawler Carl’ TV Series From Seth MacFarlane’s Fuzzy Door, Chris Yost

  6. Aug 13

    357! Good-Looking Food

    How do you know if something's going to be good to eat by looking at it?  This week, Jess and Joey talk about grilling, cheesesteaks, coffee, the burden of knowledge, authenticity, and mangoes. They don’t talk about Drunken shrimp.  references  Air Bud Smithsonian: Why Did Van Halen Demand Concert Venues Remove Brown M&M’s From the Menu? NYT Cooking: Bowen Yang Teaches Matt Rogers How to Cook Mapo Tofu Maillard reaction

  7. Jul 20

    356! Overbranding

    When is there too much branding?  This week, Aaron, Jess, and Joey talk about Arctic Glacier, private equity, Bala Cynwyd, apps, Sonic pellets, and water ice. They don’t talk about Redd Foxx.  references  Zootropolis 2 Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania How to Make Clear Ice at Home What Exactly Is Philadelphia's Beloved Water Ice?

  8. Jul 13

    355! Reviews

    When is a review worthwhile?  This week, Aaron and Joey talk about IGN, reviews as entertainment, trust and authority, tribunals, and RuPaul's Drag Race. They don’t talk NHL '98.  references  Grape Lady Crimson Desert MOUSE: P.I. For Hire saros roguelike Wikipedia: IGN IGN Reviews American's Test Kitchen The Best Non-Stick Skillets (Subscription Req'd) NPR Podcast: Pop Culture Happy Hour Step Brothers

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5
out of 5
43 Ratings

About

High-low brow conversations about anything and everything. Produced by SYLVAIN and hosted by Joey Camire, Aaron Powers, and Executive Producer/Nerd-Herder Jess Vander. SYLVAIN is a strategy and creative company solving hard, high-stakes problems. You know. Making work that works. Learn more at sylvain.co.

Information

  • Creator
    SYLVAIN
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    178
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Critical Nonsense