13 chapters across the catalog
History of Plato's Retreat and 1970s Sexual Revolution
A discussion of 1970s "wild parties" highlights Plato's Retreat, a notorious swingers club in New York City that became a symbol of the sexual revolution. Writer Buck Henry famously documented the club's activities for Playboy magazine. The era of organized public orgies largely ended in the mid-1980s due to the onset of the AIDS epidemic.
Computerized Learning Limitations, Plato System History
A historical review of the Plato computer learning system from the 1970s suggests that remote, computerized education is often a mediocre substitute for classroom instruction. Despite the availability of cheap hardware like the Raspberry Pi, critics argue that the fundamental flaws of automated teaching discovered decades ago remain relevant today.
Various producers request karma for relationships and travel, including a donor with a girlfriend in Russia. Brian Ellis sends a card comparing the hosts to classical philosophers like Plato and Locke, while requesting specific jingles and relationship karma.
Historical Sex Clubs and Local Government Corruption
The discussion shifts from secret societies to historical sex clubs in New York and the potential for small-town corruption. The hosts describe how groups can take over local offices to misappropriate government grants, citing examples from California's history.
University of London students are reportedly demanding that Plato and other "old white guys" like Socrates, Aristotle, and Descartes be dropped from academic courses. This movement is described as a worldwide phenomenon affecting the teaching of classical Western philosophy.
Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak open the first show of 2017 by discussing their professional goals for the year. Dvorak plans to release books on Plato and market cycles before June, while Curry aims to finalize his dedicated podcast hardware device.
The hosts open episode 888 with a discussion on the numerology of the episode number and a humorous update to Plato's writings involving a dinghy. One host describes a recent appearance on the Nightly News in Austin, complaining about the traffic congestion caused by Californians moving to Texas.
Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak open the program from Austin, Texas, and Northern Silicon Valley. The hosts exchange humorous quotes attributed to Plato and discuss the quality of information being sent in by the audience. Dvorak notes that some listeners are sending in dated news items that are several years old.
Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak open the program from Austin and Northern Silicon Valley. They discuss a humorous quote attributed to Plato and introduce a new audio clip of a Trump supporter's distinctive laugh. The hosts establish the show's tone and mention upcoming coverage of European events.
No Agenda Ninth Anniversary Celebration and Plato Anecdotes
Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak celebrate the ninth anniversary of the No Agenda show on October 27, 2016. Dvorak introduces a new opening joke format using Plato and Aristotle to avoid accusations of cultural appropriation regarding his previous Confucius-style jokes. The hosts reflect on their long-term partnership and acknowledge the contributions of the show's producers over nearly a decade of broadcasting.
Media Analysis and the Amusing Ourselves to Death Theory
Adam Curry recommends the book "Amusing Ourselves to Death" by Neil Postman, which explores how the medium of television inherently distorts truth. The hosts discuss how they use government documents and media analysis to find stories ignored by the mainstream. They also point out a strange audio "ding" in a CBS report from Egypt, jokingly suggesting it was a signal to a protester.
Adam Curry references "Plato's Laws" to distinguish between "slave doctors" who treat patients like tyrants and "free doctors" who engage in discourse. The discussion touches on the Physicians for a National Health Program and criticisms of the HPV vaccine. The segment argues that modern medical professionals have become "slave doctors" driven by experience rather than inquiry.
Monica Crowley, Margaret Hoover, Aristotle Republic Error
Commentator Margaret Hoover is criticized for a factual error on television where she attributed Plato's "The Republic" to Aristotle. The hosts also mock Monica Crowley's choice of "dominatrix-style" stiletto heels on the McLaughlin Group. The segment highlights the perceived lack of intellectual depth and the focus on visual aesthetics among cable news pundits.
