Misenchantments

Riley and Lorenzo discuss enchantment – what is it, why should we care, and what does it mean for something to “have juice”? Topics include hireophany, writing as (failed) sacrament, air conditioning as numbing one’s senses.Digressions include pet pigs and why it’s cool, actually, to say “TGIF.” Authors discussed: Max Weber, Charles Taylor, Katherine May, and Jane Bennett

Riley and Lorenzo watch and discuss Paul Schrader’s 2017 film “First Reformed.” Riley loves it, Lorenzo thinks it does theology right but has other gripes.  Digressions include fall vibes, devotion, whether or not Amanda Seyfried would be Lorenzo’s friend, Riley’s interest in purchasing a Stanley (!?).

What do Noah Kahan, smutty romance novels, and search engine optimization (SEO) have in common? Riley and Lorenzo dive into why so much popular art and media feels so thin. We chat about our recent media favs, Niel Postman’s Epistemology of Technology, and “Rich Men North of Richmond.”Reading:NYT “Why Has Culture Come to a Standstill”

Riley and Lorenzo discuss Disneyland, Satanism, treat acquisition, TikTok microtrends, climate change and purchasing massive SUVs, the imperative to buy, and what we owe each other. Part two of a two-part miniseries on convenience and consumption. References:Cushvlog ‘Polypocalypse’“Against Convenience” “The Easy Way Out”

Riley and Lorenzo discuss their new mic, ASMR, TikTok “haul” trends, single-use plastic, Christmastime and Advent (Riley doesn’t know the difference between the two), overconsumption, LARPing prosperity, and class consciousness. Part one of a two-part miniseries on convenience and consumption. References:Operation Niki TikTokChelsea Fagan TikTokDe-influencing TikTokEula Biss’ “Having and Being Had”{follow us on Instagram and Twitter @misenchantments or email us at misenchantments [at] gmail [dot] com :) }

Riley and Lorenzo catch up to complain about what has been bothering them in their two months away from the pod: science, acronyms, the internet, women, etc. Let’s call it cultural criticism. {follow us on Instagram and Twitter @misenchantments :) }

In what critics are calling “the coziest episode of Misenchantments yet,” Riley and Lorenzo discuss J.D. Salinger’s short novel Franny and Zooey. Lorenzo reads it as an articulation of his own materialist theology, while Riley reflects concernedly on TikTok conspiracy theories and joyfully on little slices of the good life. We also conclude that we’re both big-time snobs, though Lorenzo more-so for his apparent distaste for commercial romance novels. {follow us on Instagram and Twitter @misenchantments :) }

Riley & Lorenzo have 2 beers each and discuss tech-bro stoicism (aka broicism), the horrors of The Daily Stoic, why quotes don’t = wisdom, why whimsy is important, and why feeling your feelings is good, actually. Digressions include the taxonomy of church wokeness and the documentaries “Shiny Happy People” (Duggars) and “The Secrets of Hillsong.”Readings:“The Obstacle is the Way” by Ryan Holiday“Why Silicon Valley Fell in Love With and Ancient Philosophy of Austerity,” Jacob Rosenberg“Carceral Capitalism” by Jackie Wang

Riley & Lorenzo explore the wild world of Peacock comedy/drama Mrs. Davis, a show about a nun who has to fight a world-controlling AI program (we’re also excited to announce our new sponsors!). We do our best to connect this zany show to the ongoing developments in generative AI and predictive algorithms, plus speculate about what lessons we can learn from the development of the printing press that might apply to AI today. Readings:Sublation: The AI DelusionThe New Yorker: Will AI Become the New McKinsey?

Riley & Lorenzo are joined by Regina Hurley to discuss ~metaphysics~. We’re doing this because we think Religion is good—but what about rational reasons to believe in God? Digressions include personal Eucharistic contents, religious affiliations of various animals, and more digs at the Missouri Synod Lutherans. Readings: Stanford Encyclopedia: Problem of Evil Section 1.1Zizek’s Christian Atheism Wikipedia: Ontological ArgumentsBertrand Russell: Why I Am Not a ChristianStanford Encyclopedia: Naturalism {follow us on Instagram and Twitter @misenchantments :) }