Episodes
Sunday Feb 21, 2021
Ep. 31 Nerdy Money
Sunday Feb 21, 2021
Sunday Feb 21, 2021
This week on the Carolina Snowflakes Podcast we examine the complex existence of nerdy money. What happens when the world of technology collides with capitalism and systems are manipulated to benefit a select few using computers, cell phones and apps? We are by no means investment analysts, but we do find much of the recent news surrounding stocks (i.e. GameStop) and their ups and downs very interesting.
Arguably the nerdiest of nerdy money is Bitcoin. Strap in for an extraordinary tale of the history of Bitcoin and how the cryptocurrency came to fruition, plus hear where we think it’s going next. And not to brag, but we’re offering our listeners one of the best and most palatable explanations of blockchain technology. You don’t have to be a techy genius to follow – we’re breaking it down in simple terms because that’s how we roll.
And what better way to explore the collision between tech and capitalism than by taking a look at how phone farms have become a means to make a quick buck for some real (and not so real) artists? Tune in to hear how Justin Bieber allegedly used phone farming to manipulate and boost his ratings on Spotify. Dirty. Biebs, what the heck man?
Lastly we take a look at the battle currently brewing between Facebook and the entire country of Australia. Looks like Australia grew a set and told old Zucc to quit stealing (and profiting from) their news. But what’s going to happen next? Will Australia straight up ban Facebook? YIKES!
So much nerdy money, so little time. Tune in to hear it all!
Sunday Feb 21, 2021
*Bonus Episode* Black Lives Matter pt. 6
Sunday Feb 21, 2021
Sunday Feb 21, 2021
In part 6 of our Black Lives Matter series, we take a look at efforts currently being made to ensure the Covid-19 vaccine is distributed equitably—particularly after it was quickly realized that white people were getting vaccinated at significantly higher rates than Black citizens. We also take a look at how historical medical-mistreatment of Black citizens by the United States government is at least partly to blame for their hesitancy in getting vaccinated against Covid-19.
Much of the distrust towards the government and CDC is rooted in a whole lot of very real mistreatment and abuse of Black Americans at the hands of doctors and scientists, all while being paid for and condoned by the United States federal government. In fact one of the most egregious examples of this type of racially motivated abuse was the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment.
In 1932, 600 Black men from Macon County, Alabama were recruited to take part in the study. These men were not informed of what the study was for or why they were recruited. Those who had syphilis were not only kept in the dark on their own diagnoses, but they were repeatedly prevented from receiving treatment.
The study, which was initially slated to last for 6 to 12 months, wound up lasting for 40 years. It likely would have continued even longer had it not been for a whistleblower named Peter Buxton. When the study was terminated in 1972, only 74 of the original syphilis-positive men were still alive. 28 had died of syphilis, 100 had died of related complications, 40 wives of the men had been infected and 19 children had been born with congenital syphilis; all at the hands of the United States government.
The study was both medically unjustified and morally bankrupt. It was a racist undertaking from start to finish and did permanent damage to the relationship between government-run public health and our country’s Black citizens.
As a result of the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment, congress passed the National Research Act, outlining policies and procedures for conducting human trials in the United States.
Prior to the act, no standards existed preventing the abuse of marginalized and vulnerable Americans from being harmed in the name of science. Although the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment is the most extreme example of this type of violence, it wasn’t the only one that took place. There were many, many more.
We close this episode with a look at a few of these other “studies” and we examine the steps currently being taken to assure Black Americans (and essentially all Americans) that the Covid-19 vaccine is safe, effective and vital for the well-being of our public health.
We hope it will be enough.
Resources:
McGhee, Heather. (February 2021) “The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together”.
Sunday Feb 14, 2021
Ep. 30 Where Have All The Trump Flags Gone?
Sunday Feb 14, 2021
Sunday Feb 14, 2021
This week on the Carolina Snowflakes Podcast we’re wondering where have all the Trump flags gone? When something blasts your retina for 4 years straight it’s more than a little jarring when suddenly it disappears. We once were blind, but now we see. We ponder this question as well as give our thoughts on the recent second impeachment trial for our country’s former president. The good, the bad and the unfortunate; we poke it all with gloved hand and a long stick.
We also take a moment to check in on the current state of the free speech sanctuary and alt-right safe haven known as Parler. Spoiler alert: there’s not much to see, but there’s plenty to laugh at.
And lastly, we offer up a new and unique way to sway your conservative buddies into supporting the liberal agenda in a new bit called “How to Trick Your Cuckservative Friends into Being Liberal”. This week’s topic is how immigration will be the only thing to save social security. How do we spin it? Tune in to find out.
So break out your 70 ft Biden flag and spray paint “Kamala RULES” across your bass fishing boat cause in the meantime we need something to fill the visual void left from all the missing Trump merch.
References:
“If You Were on Parler You Saw the Mob Coming”. January 31st, 2021. Kara Swisher, Sway Podcast. https://www.radio.com/podcasts/sway-43436/if-you-were-on-parler-you-saw-the-mob-coming-354028236
Sunday Feb 07, 2021
Ep. 29 We Got Game(Video)
Sunday Feb 07, 2021
Sunday Feb 07, 2021
This week on the Carolina Snowflakes Podcast we talk about one of our favorite recreational activities. Gaming! When we aren’t recording this epic podcast or working our regular 9 to 5 jobs, we like to cut loose and play video games. This has especially been the case for us during the last 12 months.
In fact, we aren’t the only ones who have increased our time spent gaming during the past year. Much like the pandemic, the increase in gaming and game-related purchases world-wide is global in scale; to the tune of $180 billion in revenue.
What’s interesting is that as the revenue stream continues to grow, so does the variety in gaming options. There’s literally something out there for everyone, no matter age, gender, etc. It’s simply a matter of finding what you like. Whether it’s Monopoly on the Nintendo Switch or League of Legends on PC or a sandbox game such as The Sims, there are so many choices available.
And since we’re doing what so many others are doing around the world, we figured why not talk about it? Even if you’re not an avid gamer we think you’ll appreciate hearing how each of us found our way to the world of gaming and what we discovered along the way. We also cover some fascinating stats related to the rise of E-Sports and professional gaming. Did you know there are college scholarships for gaming? So if little Billy tells you he wants to be a professional gamer when he grows up, it might be worth hearing him out.
Tune in to hear all this and more cause this week We Got Game (Video)!
Sunday Jan 31, 2021
Ep. 28 We Got Trashed
Sunday Jan 31, 2021
Sunday Jan 31, 2021
This week on the Carolina Snowflakes Podcast we take a look at the current state of recycling in the U.S. and critically examine what’s working and what isn’t. What’s the point of dropping recyclables in the blue bin if they’re not actually being recycled?
Since the 1990s there’s been a massive push through the use of marketing and propaganda to get Americans on board with sorting out our recyclables from household trash. Remember all those “save the Earth” commercials with seagulls stuck in plastic wrap and turtles choking on bottle caps? They were brilliant sources of media and they worked to motivate! Many of us do in fact take the time to recycle and that’s a plus. Recycling is a good thing and it happens to feel good too.
After all, we’re doing our part to protect the environment, right?
The short answer is yes, but also no. We as the end consumers may be doing our part, but the folks responsible for all that marketing, who coincidentally are also responsible for creating much of the problem in the first place, aren’t doing their part. Guess what else? They never really intended to do their part at all despite spending millions of dollars in advertising to make us believe otherwise. That’s right, we were lied to.
So join us as we discuss what lies were told and what materials in the U.S. are actually being recycled. Spoiler alert: it might not be what you think.
References:
Sullivan, Laura. September 11, 2020. “How Big Oil Misled the Public into Believing Plastic Would be Recycled”. NPR: Morning Edition. https://www.npr.org/2020/09/11/897692090/how-big-oil-misled-the-public-into-believing-plastic-would-be-recycled