General Toxicity

Thanks to the pandemic, some people are becoming a bit more toxic than normal. In this episode, Ric tells you about an uneasy encounter with someone in his neighborhood which was a direct result of the current situation. People tend to fall into a few categories. There are those who are pretty freaked out, there are those who trying to be reasonable about all of this and then there are those who feel none of this applies to them. When you take a scroll through Facebook, it is pretty apparent as to which category everyone falls into.

Also, Ric takes a look at what a possible future will be like on the other side of this pandemic and the idea of social distancing sticking around is something he can certainly get behind.



NEXT WEEK: The flow of the news cycle.

Talking AT Me

See what I did there? People are doing this a lot. Not to me especially, but to each other. There is subtle difference between talking "to" someone and talking "at" someone. Think about that for a moment. It happens all the time and it is rather sad.

I blame social media.

And the fact that people tend to suck at life anyway.

Plus music from The Clay Markley Crisis.



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NEXT WEEK: Getting caught in "the system". Plus music from Glorious Abhor.

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Keyboard Cowboys

You do realize you are living a complete lie. You are doing things wrong and you are always wrong with your thoughts, actions, beliefs, etc.

At least that is what a certain sect of people think. You are wrong.

These people are the ones who comment on every article on the web that doesn't agree with their points of view. These are the assholes who want to ram their ideas right down your throat whether you like it for not.

Plus music from Dan Cunningham.



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NEXT WEEK: People talking at each other and music from The Clay Markley Crisis.

Stay tuned...

Famous Ass

One of the perks of my job is the occasional interaction with celebrities. For the most part, they are pleasant. Then again... we have all heard the stories. But the fact remains, famous people are people, too. That means they have their moments like you and me. Then there are those who are complete monsters. I've dealt with a few those as well.

In this episode, I tell the story of one such incident that occurred on the air.

Plus, music from The Starkillers.



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NEXT WEEK: Look Who's Looking. Plus music from Blue Matches.

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Being Unreasonable

Since the beginning of the show From Radioland, I have found myself in what appears to be a unique situation. The observation of society in the dominion of assholes. They are everywhere and for some strange reason, the end of the year is their time to shine.

Observing is one thing, but there may be a side effect of it all. The concept of being a product of our environment becomes rather scary if our environment is filled with assholes.

Patience is indeed a virtue, my friends.



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NEXT WEEK: A look back.

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Assholes With Money

Ever met someone with a lot of money? They tend to be assholes. Hell, you might be one of those people. If that is the case, then why is this? It's a valid question. Did you get your money from being an asshole? Or were you a nice person and then became an asshole after the fact? Personally, I think it is the latter.

Nevertheless, I take a look at this phenomenon along with the whole idea of what motivates some people to be something that they are not. Yup, we're going catfishing in this episode From Radioland.



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NEXT WEEK: Let's Get Political (if only for a little while)

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The Theater Experience

I'm talking movie theaters here.  One of the problems theaters are facing these days are the mobile phone users.  God help us all.  There is nothing more irritating to me as a paying customer than going to a movie theater to see a film I have been psyched up for only to have the whole experience negated by the inconsiderate individual sitting a few rows in front of me sending out text messages during the movie.

Part of me wants to reach down and slap the back of their head and snatch the phone.  But I remember the story about the guy who said something to someone who was using their phone during a movie.  The phone user ultimately stabbed the complainer in the neck with a meat thermometer.  People certainly get touchy about these things and reacting with that sort of violence can be a turn off.  Sadly, to the benefit of the individual being the distraction.

So, it was with great joy I came across this bit of fun.  A movie theater in Austin, Texas called the Alamo Drafthouse has a policy, "we see you using your phone, we throw you out."  I rather like that rule.  And they enforce it.

But, before you get all pissed off with me for liking this sort of activity, keep in mind there was a time when one could go to the theater without these distractions.  "But, my babysitter might be calling." Or, "My house might be on fire and someone may be trying to call me."  Or, "I'm a doctor and I am on call."  We have heard them all.  Look, parents went childless on dates before there were mobile phones.  Seriously, what are the odds that your house will catch fire while you are at the theater?  Besides, what are you going to be able to do about anyway?  And if you are on call, don't you think you should keep that in consideration before going to the theater in the first place?

Back to The Alamo Drafthouse.  A patron gets caught using her phone and she get's thrown out.  She takes that very same phone and leaves a nasty message to the theater.  The theater, sensing a fine opportunity, takes the message and creates a public service message they run before the movie.  Bad language and all.  I absolutely love this.



Now, THAT is a great example of getting your message across.  Don't you just love it when people do wrong and think THEY are the victim?

There is something in that PSA that reaches down deep into my soul for some serious satisfaction.  Since we can't legally shoot the stupid (in most cases), there is a real bit of justice to this and I hope you all enjoyed that as much as I did.

Discuss amongst yourselves, I'm headed back to the movie.

Stay Tuned...