This week, the gang talks about the wasteland that is social media in the age of COVID-19…or maybe just in the age of social media. What purpose does it serve while we’re all (theoretically) inside keeping ourselves and other safe? And would we maybe all just be better off if we logged out for a while – or forever?MUSIC: “Local Radio” - Bad MovesADDITIONAL MATERIALThe End of the Road: BackStory and the History of Finales in America (BackStory Radio)UVa-UMBC: Tony Bennett/Kyle Guy/Ty Jerome postgame interview (Virginia Sports TV on YouTube)

This week, a video showcasing an alternate approach to multiplying sparks a long conversation about whether we spend too much time in elementary school on long division and “big multiplication.” Oh, and Sean gets real upset about efficiency.MUSIC: “Kyoto” - Phoebe BridgersADDITIONAL MATERIAL: Russian Multiplication: A Different Way to Multiply (kottke.org)

This week, the gang talks about the war between the blue bubbles and the green bubbles. Why is there iPhone vs. Android/Mac vs. PC tribalism? Or is that whole idea maybe a little overblown?MUSIC: “Radiation Vibe” - Kay Hanley

This week, the gang is talking about what happens when things go back to “normal” after the coronavirus pandemic. Will you feel comfortable going back to work or school? And what happens to the “open office plan,” which is built around removing barriers between coworkers and fostering in-person communication?MUSIC: “Describe” - Perfume Genius

This week, with the Fourth of July holiday approaching, the gang is talking about something you might find yourself enjoying with friends and family: the hot dog. How do you prefer your hot dogs? What about other sausage-type things? And what makes the hot dog the most quintessentially American food to ever exist?MUSIC: “4th of July, Philadelphia (SANDY)” - Cymbals Eat Guitars

This week, the gang is back to discuss book clubs. What is it that brings people together to talk about things that they’ve read? And why do you maybe not want to have a book club with your closest friends?MUSIC: “Hyper Enough” - Superchunk

This is not Ep. 226. George Floyd, like so many other Black people before him, was killed by a police officer, and that’s just more important than whatever four privileged white guys who live on the Eastern seaboard have to say about beer or sports or whatever it is we would have talked about.Instead, we’ve been compiling a list of resources for those of you who want to support, or just to take some time to learn more about an experience that’s not your own. You can find that here.

The holiday weekend has the gang talking about pyrotechnics – specifically, fireworks. Why are they seemingly such an integral part of childhood (depending on where you grew up)? And is there anywhere better to get them than South Carolina? (No, there isn’t.)MUSIC: “Let There Be Rock” - Drive-By Truckers

This week, the gang is talking about beer again – specifically, the trend of craft breweries producing low-calorie, low-alcohol beers. Where did this new breed of beers come from? How are they different from, say, Michelob Ultra? And why does so much of the marketing involve runners?MUSIC: “Listening” - Ratboys

This week, the gang is talking about passing the time during a global pandemic that’s got everyone stranded inside. How do you choose something to read/watch/play/do during this time – and how is that different from how you’d be doing it under normal circumstances?MUSIC: “Fire” - WaxahatcheeADDITIONAL MATERIAL: The 50 Best Contemporary Novels Over 500 Pages (Literary Hub)