7 chapters across the catalog
Sean Penn's documentary "Superpower," which profiles Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, is set to premiere on Paramount+. The hosts critique the film's "David and Goliath" narrative and Penn's involvement. They recommend alternative documentaries by Scott Ritter that investigate Zelensky's personal wealth and properties as a counter-narrative to the mainstream portrayal.
Tourette Syndrome as a Superpower, Sommelier Success
A British sommelier with Tourette Syndrome describes the condition as a "superpower" that allows him to redirect excess nervous energy into intense focus on his passion. Adam Curry agrees, noting that his own tics allow him to enter a high-productivity "zone" during show preparation. The hosts also mention literary agent John Brockman as another example of a highly successful individual with severe Tourette's.
Economic Blitzkrieg and the CCP's Technological Superpower Goals
Bill Barr characterized China's current strategy as an "economic blitzkrieg" designed to surpass the United States as the world's preeminent technological superpower. He noted that General Secretary Xi Jinping has centralized power to a degree not seen since Mao Zedong. Barr called for a "whole of society" response from the United States to counter the CCP's orchestrated campaign to seize the commanding heights of the global economy.
Equifax Indictment, China's "Whole-of-State" Ambition
The U.S. has filed indictments against Chinese military hackers for the Equifax breach, though the news was largely overshadowed by COVID-19 coverage. Director Wray described China's efforts as a "whole-of-state" campaign to become the world's only superpower through theft rather than legitimate innovation. This campaign targets healthcare organizations and pharmaceutical companies conducting essential research.
Tourette's as a Superpower, Mac and Cheese Song and ISIS Parody
A listener from Gothenburg, Sweden, shares how the show's perspective on Tourette's Syndrome as a "superpower" changed his view of his girlfriend's condition. In response to his request, the hosts play a series of audio clips, including the "Mac & Cheese" song and a Vanilla Ice parody titled "ISIS ISIS Baby." The segment explores the portrayal of family and food in children's media.
John C. Dvorak recommends the book "The End of Absence" by Michael Harris, which explores what is lost in a world of constant connection. The hosts welcome a new member to the "No Agenda Tourette's Club," discussing the "superpowers" associated with the condition, such as data crunching and object catching. They explain why they do not broadcast on camera to avoid the stress of suppressing their tics.
The launch of the No Agenda Tourettes Club (NATC), a community project aimed at documenting the specific tics and perceived "superpowers" of individuals with Tourette Syndrome. Examples cited include physical tics like neck twitching and grunting, contrasted with "superpowers" such as lightning-fast reflexes and photographic memory for numbers and addresses.
