We Used to Be the Smart Kids

Eric and Karalyn
  • 5.0 (1)
  • FILM REVIEWS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

We have useless degrees, and we aren't afraid to use them in pursuit of dissecting whatever we're obsessing over today. We're doing deep dives on shallow topics. Everything from obscure Japanese violent softcore to teen Youtube personalities.

  1. 06/07/2023

    The Trolley Problem. IN SPACE!

    Kare gets mad about, "The Cold Calculations," a short story from the 50's. It was a different time. And there's still no excuse for this fascist b******t. Read the story here: https://www.lightspeedmagazine.com/fiction/the-cold-equations/ Two response stories, we discussed the first one by Don Sakers: https://sfshortstories.com/?p=795 https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/ogden_12_21/ An incredibly in depth response the common criticisms of The Cold Equations: https://web.archive.org/web/20131208103213/http://www.richardhartersworld.com/cri_d/cri/1999/coldeq.html Cory Doctorow's insightful commentary on The Cold Equations: https://locusmag.com/2014/03/cory-doctorow-cold-equations-and-moral-hazard/  These last two links didn't make it into the podcast, but they're fascinating in their own way. In the first one, someone argues that the actual math in The Cold Equations is wrong. The second is a link to a corporate team building seminar you can book where various short stories are discussed. The Cold Equations is a great option if you need to root out the psychopaths on your team. https://sciencemeetsfiction.com/nonfiction-essays/the-real-problem-with-the-cold-equations/ https://www.booksatwork.org/reading-mindfully-tom-godwins-the-cold-equations/ Miscellaneous Sources: https://file770.com/essay-a-fresh-look-at-cold-equations/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Cold_Equations Intro music "Chipper" by Tim Beek (timbeek.com). Outro music by onemansymphony. Support We Used to Be the Smart Kids by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/we-used-to-be-the-smart-kids

    30 min

  2. 05/17/2023

    Depravity All the Way Down

    Eric explains teen sex comedies! Kare doesn't admit this on air, but she's had no idea what he's been talking about. Movies discussed: Gidget (1959) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5suc-Yexpw&pp=ygUOZ2lkZ2V0IHRyYWlsZXI%3D Porky's (1981)- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWmtDAIK03M&pp=ygUOcG9ya3lzIHRyYWlsZXI%3D Revenge of the Nerds (1984)- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIZH5TKnEeg&pp=ygUccmV2ZW5nZSBvZiB0aGUgbmVyZHMgdHJhaWxlcg%3D%3D Meatballs (1979) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZRcvSfMgj4&pp=ygUWbWVhdGJhbGxzIDE5NzkgdHJhaWxlcg%3D%3D Meatballs 2 (1984) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01ILPQLKWsY&pp=ygUTbWVhdGJhbGxzIDIgdHJhaWxlcg%3D%3D Meatballs 3 (1986) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtTJweR7wjA&pp=ygUTbWVhdGJhbGxzIDMgdHJhaWxlcg%3D%3D Earth Girls are Easy (1988) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TnO5gz-1Wk&pp=ygUcZWFydGggZ2lybHMgYXJlIGVhc3kgdHJhaWxlcg%3D%3D Pretty Smart (1987)- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ethtNqm0NFE&pp=ygUZcHJldHR5IHNtYXJ0IDE5ODcgdHJhaWxlcg%3D%3D Intro music "Chipper" by Tim Beek (timbeek.com). Outro music by onemansymphony. Support We Used to Be the Smart Kids by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/we-used-to-be-the-smart-kids

    42 min

  3. 04/26/2023

    David DeCoteau and the Squeaky Boobs

    When Eric goes digging in his terrible movie collection, he finds a director with a unique take on male heterosexuality. Kare loses her mind when she hears one of the movie titles. Movies Discussed: Sorority Babes in the Slimeball Bowl-o-Rama: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RsNo9t299k Nightmare Sisters: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EKabawj6go Dr. Alien: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SB96kQdZ94s Intro music "Chipper" by Tim Beek (timbeek.com). Outro music by onemansymphony. Support We Used to Be the Smart Kids by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/we-used-to-be-the-smart-kids

    22 min

  4. 04/12/2023

    Hi, Eric's Mom!

    Hi Eric's Mom In which Eric does some necessary navel gazing and Kare mocks the bijingles out of him. USA Up All Night: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1om1P8m4Sc Zapped Again: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDqROn5-sEM Intro music "Chipper" by Tim Beek (timbeek.com). Outro music by onemansymphony. Support We Used to Be the Smart Kids by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/we-used-to-be-the-smart-kids

    25 min

  5. 03/29/2023

    Mr. Beast, Cynicism, & Popcorn Capitalism

    Kare spends two months watching Mr Beast videos and can't cop to it, so she pretends it was all for a podcast episode. Eric listens and thinks that Kare, capitalism, and Mr. Beast is The Worst Threesome. References: The Squid Game Video: https://youtu.be/0e3GPea1Tyg Last To Leave the Circle: https://youtu.be/zxYjTTXc-J8 Man Survives 90 Days in a Circle: https://youtu.be/gHzuabZUd6c Curing Blindness: https://youtu.be/TJ2ifmkGGus Colin and Samir Interview with Mr. Beast: https://youtu.be/c8VcUnz3nVc The Wellesley News article on The Rich and Squid Game: https://thewellesleynews.com/2021/12/13/the-irony-of-mrbeasts-squid-game-in-comparison-to-the-hit-netflix-show/ Support We Used to Be the Smart Kids by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/we-used-to-be-the-smart-kids

    42 min

  6. 03/15/2023

    Eric Goes to a Sci-Fi Con

    Eric makes Kare reminisce about the sci-fi/fantasy conventions they've attended together, walking through the first experiences Kare had with the greater nerd hivemind. She was not thrilled. But then she was. It's a whole thing. Articles Discussed: Five Geek Social Fallacies - https://plausiblydeniable.com/five-geek-social-fallacies/ The Geek Hierarchy - http://www.brunching.com/geekhierarchy.html Intro music "Chipper" by Tim Beek (timbeek.com). Outro music by onemansymphony. Support We Used to Be the Smart Kids by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/we-used-to-be-the-smart-kids

    38 min

  7. 02/22/2023

    Kare Bemoans the Potential of She-Hulk

    Kare finally takes aim at the Marvel Cinematic Universe; She-Hulk's in the crosshairs. Eric quips. Legal Eagle's video on the laughable law rep in She-Hulk:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7c3wdmoQEnY Shows discussed: She-Hulk - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7JsKhI2An0 Intro music "Chipper" by Tim Beek (timbeek.com). Outro music by onemansymphony. Support We Used to Be the Smart Kids by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/we-used-to-be-the-smart-kids

    35 min

  8. 02/08/2023

    Kare Gets Mad About Fictional MFAs

    Okay, maybe not mad, but definitely perturbed. Kare raves about the series Maid and its impact on her. Eric tags along and enjoys the ride. Series Discussed: Maid - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLd0dN25i5g Books Discussed: Nickel and Dimed - https://www.amazon.com/Nickel-Dimed-Not-Getting-America/dp/0312626681 Intro music "Chipper" by Tim Beek (timbeek.com). Outro music by onemansymphony. Support We Used to Be the Smart Kids by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/we-used-to-be-the-smart-kids

    30 min
See All (19)

Ratings & Reviews

About

We have useless degrees, and we aren't afraid to use them in pursuit of dissecting whatever we're obsessing over today. We're doing deep dives on shallow topics. Everything from obscure Japanese violent softcore to teen Youtube personalities.

Information