7 chapters across the catalog
The wedding ceremony began promptly at 6:00 PM with a processional to "Lovely Day" by Bill Withers. The original officiant, Gene Socrates, had to cancel due to a family emergency in Washington State, leading the couple to hire Jason Farmer through an online service. The segment concludes with the couple's recessional to AC/DC's "You Shook Me All Night Long."
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.
A listener shares a story about his son, Nick, who successfully challenged an English teacher's refusal to let him write an essay on Socrates. The segment also includes a request for "regionally focused job karma" for a listener moving from Houston to Chicago and a mention of a donor who discovered the show through Leo Laporte.
Portuguese Prime Minister Resignation and Birthday Karma
The resignation of the Portuguese Prime Minister following the rejection of austerity measures is discussed as a victory against the "New World Order." The hosts then transition to reading birthday wishes and sending "karma" to listeners' children, including a special shout-out for a one-year-old named Lila Rose.
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.
Deaths of Socrates Gaiolias and Stephen Schneider
Investigative journalist Socrates Gaiolias was assassinated in Greece while reportedly working on a corruption story. Additionally, prominent climatologist Stephen Schneider died of a heart attack on a flight from Stockholm. The hosts speculate on the timing of Schneider's death in relation to the upcoming IPCC 5 report and the rebranding of global warming initiatives.
Presidential Rhetoric and the Great Question Pet Peeve
The hosts analyze President Obama's habit of labeling audience inquiries as "great questions" during public appearances. They argue this is a rhetorical stall tactic used when a speaker already has a rehearsed answer, contrasting it with the philosophical inquiries of Socrates or Aristotle.
