6 chapters across the catalog
Lake Como Tourism and Professional Cycling Enthusiasts
Adam Curry describes his observations of tourists at Lake Como and the Como train station, noting a high volume of visitors using selfie sticks. He specifically mentions middle-aged men in professional cycling gear, comparing them to "douchebag Silicon Valley guys" training in the Italian mountains. The hosts mock the trend of amateur cyclists wearing sponsored professional kits.
MoMA, Van Gogh Starry Night, Selfie Stick Culture
A report from the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) describes crowds of tourists using selfie sticks to photograph themselves in front of Van Gogh's "Starry Night." The hosts lament the shift in museum culture where visitors focus more on their own image than the artwork itself. They call for stricter bans on selfie sticks to protect the art and improve the experience for other patrons.
The presence of millions of tourists using selfie sticks in Florence is described as a significant detriment to the city's cultural atmosphere. While the artistic achievements of the Renaissance, such as Michelangelo's David and the Duomo, remain stunning, the surrounding environment is criticized for over-commercialization. Observations include tourists focusing more on their screens than the art and the prevalence of global retail chains like H&M in historic areas.
A listener report from a European trip describes being inundated by refugee women in Paris using adoption papers as a ruse to solicit signatures or money. In Munich, refugees were observed selling selfie sticks, while unrecorded protests were noted throughout Paris.
The prevalence of selfie sticks in Times Square and at the Golden Gate Bridge is criticized as a pathetic cultural trend. Observations from Vista Point in San Francisco describe tourists engaging in dangerous behavior on ledges to capture photos. The phenomenon is compared to people carrying lightsabers in public spaces.
PC Magazine Best of CES, Selfie Sticks, Belphie Sticks
A review of PC Magazine's "Best of CES" list leads to a discussion on the "Belphie stick," a device designed to help users take selfies of their own buttocks. The hosts mock the "masturbatory" nature of selfie culture and criticize the inclusion of household appliances like washing machines in "gadget" lists.
