Isn't It Obvious
127 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 month ago - ★★★★★ - 2 ratingsPhillip, Micah, and Sarah discuss if things are indeed, in fact, obvious. Example: "isn't it obvious that writing a show description is difficult?" Well, isn't it obvious?
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Episodes
127 - Object Permanence
March 25, 2024 12:53 - 54 minutes - 45 MBIn our last episode, K Sera discusses how our society's relationship to material/things are changing (not necessarily good nor bad). Micah talks about the implications it has from our current market forces, and Phil discusses the generational differences. Show notes: N/A K Sera's after thoughts: We keep buying stuff. So much stuff! We buy all these trendy things, like nespresso makers, fidget spinners, Hydro Flasks and cube storage shelves. They’re stylish. They’re affordable...
126 - Franchise Synergy
February 05, 2024 14:05 - 39 minutes - 32.1 MBIn this episode Micah proposes that all major releases of movies, games, books, and other forms of media should have a coordinate release. K Sera and Phil have questions. Phil's after thoughts: I find it way more amusing than I should that in this episode we are wondering why don't these multi-billion dollar companies actually coordinate their marketing plan better?! To me it's super obvious that they should, the fact that they could 'synergize' and sell movies, games, books, comics,...
We are the Bloopers
January 01, 2024 14:55 - 53 minutes - 43.3 MBIn this episode Phil suggests that we are all bloopers (and that is OK). Micah and K Sera discuss this and other things. Show notes: Bloopers! K Sera's after thoughts: So, I’m disappointed that we spent so much time talking about appearance, and that bloopers were conflated as being ‘flaws’. It just kills me a little that appearance ranks so high when assigning value to people and consumables. It does factor in, of course, but I wish it wasn’t so heavy of an influence in our live...
124 - Supreme to the Extreme
December 18, 2023 13:44 - 54 minutes - 43.9 MBMicah discusses the Supreme Court and the need to reform it. Phil will agree to anything. K Sera discusses the finer points. Show notes: N/A K Sera's afterthoughts: My pun at the top of the episode was excellent. Best part of the show imho. [Insert energetic and passionate thoughts about the main topic here] Oh no. Where did those go? I did enjoy our later chit chat about the lies Phil tells his children, and Micah simping for Bill Watterson. The "Genie" I was r...
122 - Open Exams
December 11, 2023 13:53 - 44 minutes - 36.1 MBK Sera discusses that some portion of exams should be open. Micah and Phil discuss the corner cases. Note: Phil is in charge of the release dates of the podcast, and he messed up the order! This is episode 122, it should have released before the Pizza one! Show notes: N/A K Sera's after thoughts: My opinions haven’t changed. I think memory retention is a skill, of course, but so is researching and organizing data. I think most people in most situations don’t need to know...
123 - Pizza Blanket
November 27, 2023 14:16 - 42 minutes - 35.1 MBIn this episode, Micah and K Sera and Phil go off the rails. Shownotes: N/A K Sera's after thoughts: On this week’s episode, we all wish we were as cool as that one guy Phil witnessed at a parade. We then proceed to go off the rails. I don’t even know where the train is going. Topic? What topic? Who's she? Never heard of her. Here, Phil, let me Google that 'how to blanket stitch' for you. I hope you finish your blanket. Please show it off when it's done!
121 - Foreign Justice
October 09, 2023 13:25 - 52 minutes - 43 MBIn this episode we discuss foreign justice and the obvious precautions a traveller must take. Or is it obvious? Show notes: N/A K Sera's after thoughts: My feelings about this haven't really changed much. I still think in general, if you are visiting someone else's home, you do your best to abide by their rules. It gets complicated, however, when moral philosophies conflict. I suppose, for more complicated incidents, it comes down to negotiations. Or a fight. I don't know. An...
120 - Don't Get Rich Scheme
September 18, 2023 14:56 - 47 minutes - 39.6 MBPhil talks way too much on his multiple stages of a business proposal. Micah and K Sera asks what the end game is all about. Show Notes: N/A K Sera's after thoughts: Once again, I am fascinated (and mildly horrified?) by the different ways we think. I like this real/fake company idea. It is interesting to think we could set up this elaborate scheme to move people out into corporate-land with real experience, postgrad. All with the goal of getting everyone a good job so we can ...
119 - Homeology
September 11, 2023 11:00 - 34 minutes - 28.6 MBK Sera discusses how homes are a fascinating mental reflection of its inhabitants. Micah and Phil proceed to make it into a gameshow. Show notes: N/A K Sera's after thoughts: “Cue doots” lmao And, ok, but I also secretly like “psychouse” because it sounds like “psychos” - but that probably wouldn’t go over well. It also feels like a different show, like a deep dive into the homes of notorious serial killers? I don’t have much else to add except that I would still watch the ...
118 - Testy Town
September 04, 2023 13:07 - 59 minutes - 49 MBMicah asks if we should reinstate the Fairness Doctrine. The conversation evolves into creating an entire town to rehab those that have been addicted to extreme partisan news and social media. Show notes: Fairness Doctrine K Sera's after thoughts: This was an interesting thought experiment. Unrealistic, but kind of fun to consider how it might work (or not work). It was also interesting to listen to our different assumptions about what would happen in this experime...
117 - Gym Cheetos
August 28, 2023 12:54 - 1 hour - 52.8 MBPhil asks if gyms are unhealthy. K Sera dislikes gyms. Micah discusses the gym of life (mixed zoning laws, civil engineering, the detriment of suburbs, and more). Note: This episode was originally recorded in the Summer of 2022, one year prior to the publishing. Show Notes: N/A K Sera's after thoughts: Welp. Yeah, gyms are not for me. I'd rather be outside. Or just sitting. For me, exercise for the sake of exercising just doesn't give me that rush of dopamine. I love go...
116 - Federally Abstaining
August 21, 2023 11:00 - 50 minutes - 40.9 MBMicah asks if having an "abstain/present" vote should be removed as an option. K Sera and Phil ponder the questions while also doing their very best not to get side tracked into other conversations. Note: this episode was originally recorded last year (from publication) in mid Summer of 2022. Things have changed, obviously. Show notes: N/A K Sera's after thoughts: In our podcast pasture, the sheep dog has adhd! One correction: Talisker isn’t the ‘only’ distillery on the...
115- Subscription Hell
August 14, 2023 12:58 - 45 minutes - 37 MBK Sera discusses about subscriptions, access to digital multimedia, ownership versus license, generational differences, and the wider trends that will shape our future. Micah adds the capitalism perspective and how our current economic systems are accelerating the demise of the middle class. Phil goes a bit overboard with subscription lightbulbs. Shownotes: N/A K Sera's afterthoughts: Subscription Hell is an apt title. Since recording this episode, I have continued to tur...
114 - Library Goodness
August 07, 2023 11:00 - 30 minutes - 25 MBPhil asks if the library system is "too good for us" while Micah and K Sera take the conversation in strange and wonderful places. Well, perhaps not wonderful but certainly strange. Show Notes: N/A After thoughts: N/A
113 - Politically Olympic
July 31, 2023 11:00 - 36 minutes - 30.1 MBMicah discusses how a better way to make international policies is to leverage the olympic athletes while incentivizing nations and gold medalists to shape the world for a better future. K Sera disagrees. Phil rants about the Supreme Court, again. Show notes: N/A K Sera's afterthoughts: My thoughts on this have changed a tiny bit. Mostly, I still don’t personally care much about sports. I have no stake in these competitions. As for Micah’s initial concept: still a firm and ...
112 - Suburban Princess
June 26, 2023 14:18 - 42 minutes - 35.1 MBPhil discusses a major requirement of being a Suburban Princess. Micah and K Sera derail the subject almost immediately. Show notes: N/A K Sera's after thoughts: Sorry! This topic fell completely off the rails like... immediately, and it just kept tumbling down into the ditch in a fiery explosion of off-topic nonsense. I feel like we should really revisit some of the topics that didn't get a focused discussion. That, and sometimes our thoughts and understanding about these th...
111 - McCricket Burger
June 05, 2023 11:00 - 45 minutes - 37.8 MBK Sera discusses the future of eating meat. Micah discusses the future of protein. Phil is sad about forced Russian conscription on the ongoing war. Note: This episode was originally recorded in the Summer of 2022. Things have obviously changed. Unfortunately OTHER things have not (such as the war in Ukraine). Phil is also sad about the deaths of Ukrainian soldiers and civilians, and wishes for a free and independent Ukraine as soon as possible. Show notes: N/A
110 - Hypothetically Abort
May 22, 2023 11:00 - 52 minutes - 43.6 MBThis episode talks about abortion, hypothetical terrible situations, and our absolute disgust in the supreme court decision to reverse Roe vs Wade. Originally recorded in the summer of 2022, this "time capsule" of a podcast is a snapshot in time of how we felt back when the news first dropped. Sadly, our feelings on the subject remain much the same. Show notes: N/A K Sera's afterthoughts: I don’t have much to say except that all people should have access to healthcare, an...
109 - Conversational Jiu Jitsu
May 16, 2023 14:17 - 42 minutes - 35.3 MBPhil asks about conversations. Micah discusses the art of winning a conversation. K Sera likes conversations, to a point. Show Notes: N/A
Y No Guns
May 08, 2023 11:00 - 47 minutes - 39.6 MBMicah brings up an obvious need for gun control, K Sera develops a great marketing slogan, and Phil talks about controlling a gun Show notes: N/A K Sera's after thoughts: The truth is humans are a dimorphic species. There is a general, observable physical difference between biological men and biological women. Testosterone plays a major role in size and strength of the human body. Biological men naturally produce higher levels of this hormone beginning in puberty. Women can put...
107 - Better Professional Clothes
May 01, 2023 11:00 - 37 minutes - 31 MBK Sera discusses the need for better clothing options for professionals. Micah discusses first impressions. Phil realizes that in a world "make believe" he would still be a sad engineer. Shownotes: JNCO: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JNCO K Sera's after thoughts: This didn’t come up in the episode, but as I was listening to our conversation, Steve Jobs came to mind. He was certainly a trend setter in the business and tech world, but I wanted to point out that he also set tren...
106 - State Sports
April 17, 2023 11:00 - 44 minutes - 35.5 MBMicah discusses sports. K Sera has insightful thoughts on this subject. Phil can only talk about football because that's all he knows, and he doesn't know much about it. Show notes: n/a After thoughts: N/A
105 - Sell by date
April 03, 2023 14:23 - 33 minutes - 27.1 MBPhil asks about "sell by dates" and the validity of those dates. Micah and K Sera have different thoughts. Show notes: N/A After thoughts: N/A
104 - Potty Talk
March 20, 2023 13:33 - 35 minutes - 28.6 MBIn this episode Phil discusses the obvious that people should not talk while pooping. Micah disagrees. K Sera brings up the infamous poop knife story. Shownotes: N/A After thoughts: N/A
103 - ANTIWORK
March 06, 2023 12:00 - 47 minutes - 38 MBK Sera discusses the ANTI-WORK. Micah discusses capitalism. And as the time of this recording, Phil is still using his spite as both motivation to work. Shownotes: N/A K Sera's after thoughts: I feel two ways (as I often do) about anti-work/anti-ambition. One way is that, yes, of course people need to work for society to function, and we “like” society because it makes us safer (or makes us feel safer?) and there is this sense (indoctrination? philosophy?) that if people want...
102 - Hot Mic
February 27, 2023 12:00 - 40 minutes - 32.6 MBIn this episode, Micah discusses the idea of having full transparency (of the audio kind) for our elected officials. K Sera is against, Micah is for it, and Phil talks about mustard and tan suits. Shownotes: N/A K Sera's afterthoughts: On the one hand, no. On the other hand, really no. That said… I kinda get where Micah is coming from with this topic? The more stories I hear about unsecured classified documents being discovered in elected officials’ private residences, the...
101 - Home Movies
January 30, 2023 14:05 - 38 minutes - 31.9 MBK Sera states that watching movies at home is better than going to the theater. Micah discusses the finer technical aspects that only movie theater offers. Phill discusses a completely different topic all together about dating. Show notes: N/A Should have named this episode Phil’s dating advice 101. What happened to my home movies? Also, Micah really likes the movie theater experience. I still can’t figure out why? But there’s a lot of things other people do and enjoy that...
100 - Ready Player No
January 23, 2023 12:00 - 32 minutes - 26.9 MBMicah discusses artificial intelligence and activates a trap card. Phil cannot comprehend the 2nd book from Ernest Cline. K Sera has plans. Show notes: N/A K Sera's after thoughts: I don’t have much to say for this episode except: “There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.” - W. Shakespeare. “You guys do planning?” - Phil (๑•ૅㅁ•๑)!? Guys! What? Phil's after thoughts: In this episode we really beat down on the bo...
099 - The Role of Critical Rolls
January 09, 2023 12:00 - 29 minutes - 24.3 MBPhil discusses the difficulty of critical thinking. Micah and K Sera also talk about pets! Show Notes: N/A K Sera's after thoughts: - It’s good to leave your echo chambers every once in a while. It’s also good to travel outside of your community and your country on occasion. Be a guest in someone else’s land. After your travels, it’s okay to return home, or alternatively, to move. - Friends shouldn’t be your “cabinet of adversaries” unless you have long-standing trust and y...
098 - Distropeia
December 26, 2022 17:22 - 42 minutes - 34.6 MBMicah asks if it is obvious if we (as a society) are so interested in dystopias is because we are currently living in one. Will Micah convince K Sera and Phil? Show notes: N/A After thoughts: N/A
097 - Nice Advice
December 19, 2022 12:00 - 33 minutes - 27.7 MBPhil asks if we should think twice on any given advice. Micah and K Sera then bust out their "smoker voices" which is both impressive and deeply disturbing. Show notes: N/A After thoughts: N/A
096 - Last Names
December 12, 2022 12:00 - 33 minutes - 27.2 MBK Sera asks whether we really need last names. Micah discusses the importance of surnames and the necessity of middle names. Phil thinks that without last names we'll need to have genetic testing. Show Notes: n/a After thoughts: n/a
095 - Christmas is for children
December 05, 2022 12:00 - 33 minutes - 27.4 MBPhil asks if Christmas is for children. K Sera discusses her Christmas experience as a child, Micah talks about how he ruined it for his brother, and Phil has a plan for his Wii U. Shownotes: N/A K Sera's after thoughts: - Baby-lizard-me was a born skeptic. I remember lying to my brother and younger cousins about Santa so as not to "spoil the magic" or whatever. When I called my folks earlier this evening to ask if they recall whenabouts I stopped believing in Santa, the firs...
094 - Pillow Talk
November 28, 2022 12:00 - 37 minutes - 31.1 MBIn this episode K Sera discusses the obvious needs of having multiple pillows. Micah helps formulate an equation. Shownotes: n/a K Sera's after thoughts: - Today there are 6 pillows on my bed. 2 more are off to the side requiring clean pillow cases. - I am also down 2 beds. Micah took my 2nd bed (Necessary. You heard him!). A few months later, my aunt took my pull out twin-to-king. No one stays the night here anymore - probably because they sense danger - so I ditched the e...
093 - Postless Capitalism
November 14, 2022 17:39 - 35 minutes - 29.4 MBMicah brings up capitalism, Phil asks Micah about history, and K Sera may have suggested that Micah's life is in jeopardy (from her), allegedly. Shownotes: N/A
092 - Rotational Cops
October 31, 2022 11:00 - 36 minutes - 30.1 MBMicah asks if we can have a police force on a rotational basis. K Sera brings up questions about how it could work and who would be qualified. Phil discusses (yet again) why he does not like downtown Minneapolis. Shownotes: N/A Phils' after thoughts: -This episode was recorded in the late Fall of 2021 (and published in the Fall of 2022) and I have to say that sadly we have not progressed as much as we should have (in regards to law enforcement in Minnesota).
091 - Time Wasteful Therapy
October 24, 2022 11:00 - 31 minutes - 25.6 MBIn this episode, Phil wants to be lazy but not feel guilty about it. Show notes: N/A K Sera's after thoughts: - It is okay to take breaks. It is okay to take time for yourself. You don’t need an excuse to rest or enjoy a fun activity. But rest and recreation should not exceed the time, work and planning that goes into taking care of your responsibilities: your family, your home, your work. The goal should be to seek a balance that is sustainable. - The “life script” is a g...
090 - One World Disorder
October 17, 2022 12:49 - 1 hour - 52.7 MBMicah brings up a question about federalization at the global level. Phil wants to like this idea but is too cynical. K Sera tells us she is a lizard (without telling us she is a lizard). Show notes: N/A K Sera's after thoughts: Sarah Hartwick Sat, Oct 22, 2:14 PM (2 days ago) to me - Good luck convincing world powers to give up sovereignty to follow under one set of super broad rules. - To correct Micah’s death penalty numbers (because Micah ...
089 - Upkeep
October 10, 2022 11:00 - 41 minutes - 34.3 MBPhil discusses how upkeep costs need to be emphasized more when purchasing goods and services. Micah discusses our consumerism issues in America and how capitalism exploits (and eventually) destroys us. K Sera discusses her toaster! Shownotes: -N/A K Sera's after thoughts: -N/A Phil's after thoughts: -I said "Biden Dollars" as far as costs in this episode, but please keep in mind that this episode was recorded in the early Fall of 2021, I had no idea how bad inflation...
088 - Religion, Nationalism, and Fanatics
October 03, 2022 11:00 - 36 minutes - 30 MBK Sera discusses the striking similarities between Nationalism and Religious Extremism. Micah argues over the differences and Phil flip flops. Show Notes: -N/A K Sera's after thoughts: - After listening to us ramble on, my thoughts on this haven't really changed. I still think of nationalism as an exclusionary love of country. Not just pride in one's country, but a belief that one's country is better than all others. Which is that same gross feeling I get from religious fanat...
087 - Cold War I
September 26, 2022 11:00 - 48 minutes - 40.4 MBNOTE: Originally recorded in the summer of 2021, a year prior to the publication of this episode. Russia has not yet invaded Ukraine. Phil asks if it is obvious we need to rename the Cold War. Micah discusses the history of the cold war, the continuation of the impacts we face today, proxy warfare, and our American reluctance to look into the mirror. K Sera makes predictions of things to come. Show notes: n/a K Sera's after thoughts: - Well, I was wrong, though we were also...
086 - Hotdog Bun Ratio
September 19, 2022 11:00 - 36 minutes - 30.3 MBIn this episode we discuss the hot dog and bun ratios! Shownotes: N/A K Sera's after thoughts: - I still can’t believe Micah doesn’t use oil or even water in his non-stick pans. I mean, yes, you CAN do that, but, heck, I don’t trust the non-stick-ness of my pans enough to risk that. - It was a beef chuck roast, pretty sure. Made a French dip sandwich. - Micah isn’t allergic to bread. He’s got fodmap sensitivities like me, only he seems way more sensitive, poor bean. - M...
085 - Social Media Rules
September 12, 2022 11:00 - 37 minutes - 31.6 MBIn this episode, Micah discusses introducing laws to ban social media for the first minute of recording. Every minute after that is a total derailment. Note: This episode was originally recorded in the summer of 2021 (last year from the publication of this episode). We make predictions of things to come, and even our level of pessimism could not endure what Reality has for sale. Show notes: N/A K Sera's after thoughts: - “Humans are terrible predictors of the future.” - I h...
084 -Tic Tac Two
September 05, 2022 14:27 - 39 minutes - 32.3 MBPhil wants to update Tic Tac Toe so that it is more fun. Micah finds a game breaking glitch, and K Sera offers much better substitutes for paperless games. Show Notes: Tic Tac Toe Play Chess! K Sera's after thoughts: - As for chess and its current solvelessness… here is what Wikipedia says “solved” means. This assumes “perfect play” or as Micah put it “optimal moves” - all that said, I think the jury is out right now on whether it might be a solved game some day. Probably...
083 - Indoor Cats
August 29, 2022 11:00 - 34 minutes - 28 MBK Sera says that cats should remain indoors. Micah disagrees. Phil talks about Jared Diamond again. Show notes: Cats are bad for wildlife Guns Germs and Steel Zebra domestication K Sera's after thoughts: - Some poland scientists have classified the domestic house cat as “invasive alien species: - but before you get your tinfoil hats on, let’s clarify: they don’t mean cats descended from the heavens on space crafts (as awesome as that sci/fi story would be), they mean th...
082 - Tunnel Vision
August 22, 2022 11:00 - 40 minutes - 33.1 MBMicah asks about tunnels. K Sera and Phil have a very short attention span. Shownotes: Boston highway system Saint Paul sad highway story of split neighborhood Eisenhower road system 2nd largest state fair K Sera's after thoughts: - Tunnels are death traps waiting to happen followed by hours of clogged roadways with nowhere to go. - Land bridges are a much better idea. - Minnesota is 4th in the US for most roads, but 13th for most roads per capita. - Where is...
081 - Merfolk Europa
August 15, 2022 11:00 - 34 minutes - 28.9 MBK Sera asks if it is obvious that Merfolk (or any intelligent life that is stuck in the water) cannot advance their civilization because of their environment. Show notes: Europa Clipper Medium article about this very subject K Sera's after thoughts: - I have since learned that cement cures just fine underwater, so it may be that there is a way to build cement bricks underwater or somehow pour and set them underwater. Not sure how mixing the materials underwater would work...
080 - Driven to Collapse
August 08, 2022 11:00 - 52 minutes - 42.8 MBMicah discusses the fall of civilization and driving cars. Phil is terrible wrong with statistics, and K Sera has to listen to us all. Show notes: -N/A K Sera's after thoughts: - Fish with human-like teeth exist! - Phil was wrong about being in the top 1% in MInnesota. It’s closer to 570k. You are in the top 5% if you make about 250k/year. *Cries poverty tears* - Don’t listen to Micah, either. He has bad ideas. Phil's after thoughts: -I am WRONG about the pe...
079 - Potion Tastes
August 01, 2022 11:00 - 29 minutes - 24.3 MBPhil asks if it is obvious that potions in video games taste like Hawaiian punch. Micah and K Sera disagree. Show notes: -N/A
078 - More Accents Please
July 25, 2022 11:00 - 44 minutes - 37.1 MBMicah enjoys accents. Phil enjoys them too. K Sera tells a story about the Editor. Show notes: N/A K Sera's after thoughts: - Ok, I love accents, they are lovely, sometimes funny, mostly charming and I love when people use interesting voices in story telling or dnd or acting out a part or doing an impression. So long as it isn’t a malicious joke being made, or a caricature meant to be insulting or derogatory to a group. - One of my favorite narrators has a whole bunch of voi...