Yes, I know we use a lot of obscure terms. I know I try to catch Jason when he uses one and have him define it, but it’s tough to do that. Not to mention I’m sure I’m saying weird things too.

As far as the snobbery of philosophy, I totally agree. That’s part of why I wanted to do this podcast. And about St. John’s… I visited it once with my uncle. As we were leaving, he asked me, “So, do you think these kids are smart?” I answered, “Well, they’re well-educated.” That about sums it up. It is a generalization, though. I mean, my sister graduated from there, and she’s not snobby about philosophy. But a lot of them certainly were. And yes, a lot of them got free rides thanks to their parents (and no, not Lisa… she’s still paying it of, as far as I know).

Yes, I’m sure that after a few beers I become a philosophical jackass. That’s better than physical beligerance, anyway.

As far as the philosophical dictionary for dummies… Hmm. I like the idea. It’ll be a trick finding the time to do it, but we’ll see.

HELL YES. Until recently I loathed philosophy (except for Bertrand Russell– thanks for that Joe). I loathed it with a passion that could, um be…um bad…well you get the point.

The reason I loathed it? Being a waitress in a town with a school Like St. Johns, and waiting on stuck-up, rich, 19 year-olds who did nothing but sit around and regurgitate what their philosophy professor had told them that day. Like something out of “A Secret History” they threw out the fifty-cent words like nobody’s business and looked down their noses at everyone who wasn’t in their little group. I take solace in the fact that now, I’m in school and making decent money and odds are they are the ones waiting tables.

To make a long story short (too late) the holier than thou attitude irritated me, the use of obscure words for the “bling bling” effect and to alienate others irritated me and the “ooh look at you, you poor little person trapped in a cave and all you can see is the shadows on the walls, you poor common waitress. Look at me, daddy’s money paid my way out!” Yeah, I’m bitter.

I now understand the whole “philosophy” thing because it was introduced to me as it should have been; not pretentious, not secret and clicky and with a heavy influence on critical thinking…kinda the point.

And most of this HUGE rant is really unnecessary because Joe, you and Jason never acted like that. Well, when you were sober anyways

And…what Chris said. Okay I’ll shut up now.

You bet. I think I posted about this in “WtS” webpage and the use of “buzzwords.” When listening to the first episode I found I couldn’t follow it.

I have two suggestions.

1. Don’t use buzzwords. This is a little impractical as those words were created as tools to help discuss and understand philosophy.

2. Create a “WtS Philosophy for Dummies Dictionary” of philosophy terms that is funny and imformative. After you finish an episode listen to it and all the buzzwords and then list them under the episode. A little more time consuming but to me the best solution for the non philosophy listener.