Podcast Summary
Listeners as 'sleeper agents' or 'spies' in their communities: Listeners who discover a podcast by chance can help it grow by sharing it with friends and posting about it online, expanding its reach to new audiences
The podcast's growth relies on its listeners, especially those who discover it by chance in different parts of the world. These listeners, referred to as "sleeper agents" or "spies in their community," are encouraged to share the podcast with their friends and post about it on social media. The host expresses gratitude for these listeners, as they help the podcast reach new audiences in unusual places. Additionally, the host shares a heartfelt connection with a deaf feral tomcat named Silken Thomas, and plans to dedicate himself to the cat's well-being if it is indeed deaf. Upcoming live podcast dates in Dublin, Waterford, and Monaghan are also mentioned.
Brexit and Dublin's Housing Crisis: The influx of international corporations into Dublin due to Brexit could worsen Ireland's housing crisis and drive up rents for local residents.
The influx of international corporations into Dublin following Brexit could worsen Ireland's housing crisis and drive up rents even further for ordinary residents. The Irish government's low tax rate has attracted many corporate headquarters to Dublin, but this trend may exacerbate the existing shortage of affordable housing. The speaker expressed concern that while these corporations may create jobs, they could also make housing less accessible for local people. Additionally, a recent decision by Dublin City Council to allow log cabin construction in backyards without planning permission could potentially lead to more housing issues in the future. The speaker emphasized that this situation should not be taken as absolute truth but rather as a thought-provoking topic that warrants further research and discussion.
Parents let children build log cabins in backyards as affordable housing solution: Due to Dublin's high housing prices, parents allow adult children to build log cabins in their backyards, leading to lower living standards for renters and a potential divide between locals and non-locals.
Due to the high housing prices in Dublin, many parents are allowing their adult children, mostly millennials, to build log cabins in their backyards as an alternative living solution. This trend, which doesn't require planning permission, is expected to lead to a decrease in living standards for renters as log cabins are also built for rental purposes. The speaker finds it ironic that children who once played in Wendy houses as a symbol of independence and autonomy are now living in full-sized versions due to society's failure to deliver on the promise of affordable housing. This trend may create a divide between Dublin natives who can live in their parents' log cabins and attempt to buy a house, and non-natives who will continue to face high rents and have little chance of owning property.
Exploring Millennials' Financial Struggles: Housing and Beyond: Millennials face unique housing affordability challenges, leading to extended childhood and cramped living spaces, and the speaker plans to explore the interplay of culture, politics, and economics in this podcast episode.
The speaker believes the financial struggles faced by millennials are more severe than those experienced by previous generations, especially when it comes to affording housing. He uses the example of extended childhood, where many millennials are still living with their parents or in small, cramped living spaces, due to the high cost of property. The speaker also plans to explore how culture, politics, and economics interconnect, using the example of Yuppies in the 1980s as a starting point. He invites listeners to join him in this exploration and encourages support for the podcast through Patreon.
Emergence of Yuppie Culture in the 1980s as a Response to Hippie Movement: The Yuppie culture of the 1980s represented a shift towards materialism, capitalism, and corporate careers as a reaction against the hippie values of the late 1960s and 1970s, influenced by economic changes and the desire to define oneself differently from older generations.
The Yuppie culture of the 1980s emerged as a response to the hippie movement of the late 1960s and 1970s. Young people wanted to define themselves differently from their older siblings and parents, leading to a shift towards materialism, capitalism, and corporate careers. This cultural shift was influenced by various factors, including the waning of hippie ideals and economic changes, such as the beginning of a move away from socialist policies and the economic struggles faced by cities like New York. The Yuppie zeitgeist was characterized by a focus on wealth, affluence, and achievement, and was markedly different from the free-love and anti-establishment values of the hippie generation.
The fall of unions in Britain and America: Economic instability and corruption within unions led to their decline during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Policies promoting trickle-down economics and privatization did not deliver on their promises, instead increasing inequality.
The fall of unions in Britain and America during the late 1970s and early 1980s was due to a combination of economic instability and corruption within the unions themselves. This period saw a financial crisis caused by the oil market, leading to job losses and a weakened tax base. Additionally, unions became corrupt, with mafia infiltration and lobbyists pushing for their dissolution. In America, this climate led to the election of Ronald Reagan, who championed trickle-down economics and privatization, while in Britain, Margaret Thatcher also embraced privatization and neoliberalism. These policies, which promised wealth would trickle down to the working classes, were popular with the new generation of wealthy professionals, or "yuppies," who had grown up benefiting from socialist policies but saw them falter. However, it is now clear that these policies did not deliver on their promises, instead exacerbating inequality.
Thatcher's housing policies led to a housing crisis in the 1980s: Thatcher's promise to sell council houses led to their privatization, making affordable housing a luxury for future generations.
Thatcher's promise of selling council houses to make people upwardly mobile in the 1980s led to the privatization of social housing, leaving future generations without affordable options. This housing crisis, particularly in London, transformed once-affordable council flats into luxury properties, pricing out those who don't have the means to buy or rent them. The Yuppie culture of materialism and wealth, which emerged during this time, has been criticized for its superficiality and seriousness. The 1987 stock market crash marked the end of this ideology, but the impact of Thatcher's policies on housing remains a significant issue today. The film "Big" from 1988, featuring Tom Hanks, is a more accurate cultural prediction of 2019 than science fiction films from the 1980s, as it satirizes the materialistic society that emerged during this period.
A groundbreaking film directed by Penny Marshall, 'Big' critiques yuppie culture: 'Big' uses an adult in a child's body to critique the materialistic and serious nature of yuppies in the late 1980s
"Big" (1988), directed by Penny Marshall, not only stands out as a groundbreaking film for being the first 100 million dollar grossing film directed by a woman, but also serves as a cultural commentary on the rejection of yuppie culture. Written by Anne Spielberg, sister of Steven Spielberg, who set the template for modern science fiction with "Star Wars" and "Blade Runner," "Big" uses the absurdity of an adult behaving like a child to critique the serious and materialistic nature of yuppies. Tom Hanks' portrayal of a 12-year-old trapped in a 30-year-old man's body highlights the contrast between the frivolous behavior expected of children and the serious demeanor of yuppies. The film's humor relies on this absurdity, with scenes of Hanks' character engaging in childish activities like riding a BMX bike and eating ice cream sundaes. The ease with which Hanks' character transitions into a job in the children's tie industry further highlights the contrast between the adult world and the childlike nature of the film's protagonist. Overall, "Big" serves as a unique and insightful commentary on the cultural shift away from the materialistic and serious yuppie culture of the late 1980s.
Exploring the absurdities of adulthood through a child's transformation: The film satirically deconstructs the Yuppie lifestyle, emphasizing the importance of playfulness and freedom in adulthood
Key takeaway from the discussion of the movie "Big" is that the film explores the absurdities and expectations of adults, particularly the Yuppie culture, through the lens of a man who transforms into a child. Tom Hanks' character, dressed unconventionally and embodying childlike freedom, climbs the ranks in a company and challenges the uptight and serious adult norms. Elizabeth Perkins' character, a 30-year-old career-focused woman, is intrigued by Hanks' character and eventually leaves her boring, work-obsessed boyfriend for him. The film satirically deconstructs the Yuppie lifestyle, highlighting the importance of playfulness and freedom in adulthood. The audience, primarily teenagers of Generation X, were encouraged to see the absurdity of the Yuppie lifestyle and embrace a more carefree attitude.
Exploring the inner child in 'Big': 'Big' encourages viewers to embrace their inner child and reject materialistic, adult-centric values for personal growth and happiness.
Key takeaway from the discussion about the movie "Big" is that it explores the concept of growing up and embracing one's inner child. The film's protagonist, Tom Hanks, embodies the free child ego state, which is characterized by creativity, carefreeness, and compassion. In contrast, his love rival represents the adaptive child ego state, which is marked by jealousy, bitterness, and poor emotional control. The film's rejection of the materialistic and adult-centric culture of the late 1980s yuppies is evident in Tom Hanks' apartment, which is filled with childlike trappings instead of adult conveniences. The film's exploration of the child ego state and its rejection of the yuppie culture was culturally significant and timely, as the yuppie phenomenon was losing popularity due to economic and societal shifts. Overall, "Big" encourages viewers to embrace their inner child and reject the materialistic and adult-centric values that can hinder personal growth and happiness.
The 1980s: From Yuppies to Slackers: The 1980s saw a shift from Yuppies, who were criticized for their materialistic lifestyle, to Generation X's rejection of adulthood through slacker culture, symbolized by movies, music, and TV shows.
During the 1980s, socialism and unions were seen as the cause of economic hardships, leading to a backlash against them and the rise of Reaganomics and Thatcherism. This period saw the emergence of Yuppies, who were criticized for their materialistic and adult-oriented lifestyle. However, when a stock market crash occurred in 1987, causing a recession and economic uncertainty, the tables turned, and Yuppies became the target of contempt. The teenagers of the late 1980s, who grew up to be part of Generation X, embraced a rejection of the Yuppie lifestyle, symbolized by the rise of slacker culture in the early 1990s. This culture was characterized by apathy, irony, and a rejection of the adult world, as represented by grunge music, MTV's attitude, and films like Clerks and Wayne's World. Overall, Big, a movie released in 1988, reflected this generational shift by promoting the idea of enjoying childhood and not rushing to grow up, as opposed to the Yuppie's focus on being serious adults.
Unconventional youth of Generation X: Generation X's unique youth allowed for slacking and authentic living, shaping unconventional art and culture, but was eventually disrupted by the internet and tech industry
Generation X had the unique opportunity to live unconventionally during their youth, with the privilege to slack and live in affordable, authentic spaces like warehouses, while having the confidence that they would eventually achieve stability. This cultural phenomenon birthed a cynical and ironic art scene, characterized by borrowing and mixing various elements from previous generations, resulting in groundbreaking music, films, and fashion. However, as they grew older, the internet and the tech industry emerged, offering new opportunities and breaking the cycle of slacker culture. Generation X's unconventional youth laid the foundation for influential art forms and cultural movements.
The Influence of Pop Culture on Corporate Workplaces: Pop culture's impact on workplaces led to the 'bigification' of offices, featuring unconventional elements and a more relaxed atmosphere, but the underlying corporate structure and values remain unchanged.
The corporate world has undergone a significant transformation in response to the influence of popular culture, particularly as depicted in films like "Big." This shift began with Generation X, who grew up watching Tom Hanks' character in "Big" and adopted the superficial qualities of his character while continuing to embrace the rootlessness and cutthroat nature of corporate culture. This led to the "bigification" of workplaces, where offices no longer resemble traditional spaces with desks and seats, but instead feature beanbags, trampolines, and other unconventional elements. This trend was fueled by neoliberal leaders like Bill Clinton and Tony Blair, who presented themselves as young and cool while implementing policies that were far from it. Today, this cultural shift is normalized for millennials, who find nothing absurd about working in a more relaxed, playful office environment. While the intentions behind these changes may have been to reduce stress and promote creativity, the underlying corporate structure and values remain largely unchanged.
The Masking of Underlying Workplace Issues with Perks: Perks like beanbags and video games in the workplace may make it more pleasant, but they don't address underlying issues like lack of unions, healthcare, and job security.
The modern corporate workplace, with its focus on creating a pleasant and friendly environment through perks like beanbags and video games, masks underlying issues such as lack of unions, no healthcare, and no job security. This trend began in the late 1990s and early 2000s with companies like Google and Facebook, which attracted younger workers with hip and trendy workspaces. However, these workplaces came with rising rents and increased cost of living, making it difficult for millennials to afford to live in these areas. The delay of adulthood and the blurring of lines between childlike perks and adult responsibilities in the workplace is a cultural and economic phenomenon that continues to this day. It's important to remember that while these perks may make the workplace more pleasant, they do not address the underlying issues that impact workers' rights and economic stability.
The Evolution of Adolescence and Adulthood: From the emergence of teenagers in the 50s to the postponement of adulthood for millennials, societal factors have significantly impacted the definition of adolescence and adulthood. Each generation redefines coolness and adulthood, rejecting what came before.
The concept of adolescence and adulthood has significantly shifted over the decades due to economic, political, and cultural factors. Before the 1950s, there was no concept of teenagers, and adulthood began at 18. However, with the emergence of the baby boomers, a new consumer class seeking identity between the ages of 12 and 18 emerged, leading to the creation of teenagers and the rise of teen culture. Fast forward to today, adulthood is being postponed, with millennials struggling to afford homes and education due to economic policies. As a result, adulthood feels unattainable for many, and values have shifted towards social justice and political correctness. It's ironic that Trump, a symbol of 80s yuppie culture, is now the president, while younger millennials and Gen Z grapple with these issues. Ultimately, the definition of coolness and what it means to be an adult continues to evolve, with each generation rejecting what came before and defining their own terms.
Potential New Cultural Shift Among Millennials: Millennials may reject current cultural values and define a new coolness, leading to a potential cultural shift. The specifics of this shift are unclear, but it could be a rebirth of yuppie culture without financial means.
The next generation may reject millennial values and define a new coolness, potentially leading to a new cultural shift. This could result in a rejection of older generations and a search for the opposite. However, the specifics of this shift are unclear. It could be a rebirth of yuppie culture, but without actual financial means. Ultimately, only time will tell what this new cultural movement will look like. During this week's podcast episode, the speaker explored this idea in real-time and shared his thoughts on the potential cultural shift. He emphasized that he was genuinely interested and passionate about the topic, and hoped that listeners would find it an engaging and interesting listen. Additionally, the speaker signed off with a call to revolutionize the way we think and act as adults, encouraging listeners to challenge the status quo. He also promoted Boll and Branch's organic cotton sheets, which get softer with every wash, offering a 30-night guarantee and a 15% discount with the code "buttery" (exclusions apply).
