The hands of time creep forward and the pages of calendars turn. Along the way, microbes become creatures that leave the water and eventually walk upright. In time, the Progenies of Time create societies, the Internet, and so many other things.

Progress marches on, so…this time around, that’s what the Gorillamen discuss.

Specifically:

• When is the first time you were aware of progress (societal, technological, other). 
• How much societal progress would you say you’ve seen through your lifetime?
• Technological?
• What thing would mid-80s Christopher (or mid-90s) Shawn be most surprised by existing today?
• What would each of those people be most disappointed had not progressed?
• What’s your favorite example of societal/technological process from your lifetime?
• What is the worst example of progress from your lifetime?
• What would you like to see progress faster?
• What’s the future of progress?

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Once upon a time, there were two little gorillas who worked together in the mortgage branch of a very large bank. They liked each other enough that they stayed in touch, even after leaving that job and going their separate ways.

They talked about starting a new thing: a podcast. They jumped into that new thing, and the only thing that ever stopped them in a release week was the recent Texas winterpocalypse that wiped out power and Internet connectivity for most of a week.

The Gorillamen often talk about things they are up to, so…it seemed time to dedicate an entire episode to trying new things.

Here’s what Gorilla Shawn and Gorilla Christopher chat about this time:

• What is the first new thing you remember trying?
• How easy is it to try something new?
• How open are you to trying new things?
• What is the coolest new thing you’ve ever done?
• Has a new thing ever changed your life? What was it, and how did it change things?
• Why do you think some people are apprehensive about trying new things?
• What’s a new thing you tried that you quickly stopped doing? (And why?)
• What’s the last [vaguely major] new thing you’ve tried?
• How has the Internet factored into people trying new things?
• What’s a new thing you have always wanted to do, but haven’t? Why?
• Do you think a person can do too many new things?
• What is the future of trying new things?

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This is not the government writing this intro to tell you that Gorilla Shawn, recently receiving his first COVID-19 vaccine dose, is now under the control of Bill Gates. And Gorilla Christopher recently didn’t eat fake Texas snow, and is not now a HAARP zombie! Nope…nothing to see, here…move on…

This time around, while still rebounding from the big Texas winter storm, the Gorillamen are taking on modern conspiracy theories. (Yes, they talked about conspiracy theories way back in Episode 3, but this time, it’s more recent things…and the damage they’re doing to the U.S. and beyond…)

What is discussed? How ’bout this:

• What’s the first time in the last few years you noticed an upturn in conspiracy thought?
• What’s the first modern conspiracy you saw?
• Why do you think conspiracy theories have come back into the mainstream lately?
• What kind of people are most susceptible to believing in conspiracies?
• What’s the dumbest conspiracy theory you’ve heard lately?
• What’s the most believable?
• How do conspiracies start, and why?
• Who benefits from the latest rash of conspiracy thought?
• Who is damaged by it?
• What’s the immediate future of conspiracy theories?

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• 

A quick update…

For the first time in over 315 episodes (eight years), it looks like we won’t get an episode out during its scheduled week.

Because of the unprecedented storm that hit Texas this week, Gorilla Shawn has been without power, and Gorilla Christopher spent much of the week without Internet.

Not sure if we will release the new episode next week, or wait for the next scheduled week.

Just wanted to let everyone know what’s up!

Hope you’re well…we’re starting to crawl out of things down here in the Lone Star State…

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It’s time to change that avocado-colored kitchen you’ve looked at daily since buying that 60s ranch house in the ‘burbs. But how? Do you hire contractors, do it yourself, or find the right combination of both options?

More people than ever are giving it their own go. If you live in the suburbs, you are likely just a few miles from a large home improvement store. Many cities offer grants to improve where we live. Access to industry knowledge and materials is commonplace, and the result is more homes being updated than ever.

That’s what the Gorillamen are talking about this time around…specifically:

• When did you first become aware of home improvement?
• Growing up, what home improvements did you see done? (Could be your family, or others.)
• Functionality used to be enough, but now we love luxury and design. Why do you think home improvement is such a big thing?
• Why do you think Do It Yourself home tasks have become more popular than ever?
• What is your favorite home improvement show?
• Have you ever worked in a job centered around home improvement? (Or, if not…do you ever have the urge?)
• How has the Internet changed home improvement?
• What’s the most involved home improvement task you’ve done?
• How do you learn how to update things around your home?
• What’s one home improvement task you need to do or have done?
• What is THE home improvement task you want to do or have done?
• What is the future of home improvement?

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You will listen to Men in Gorilla Suits…
You will spread the good news about Men in Gorilla Suits…
You will listen to Men in Gorilla Suits…
You will spread the good news about Men in Gorilla Suits…
You will listen to Men in Gorilla Suits…
You will spread the good news about Men in Gorilla Suits…

This time around, we’re talking about brainwashing…specifically, these points:

• When was the first time you heard of the concept of brainwashing?
• Who’s the first person you ever saw brainwashed or radicalized in any way?
• What is brainwashing, in your opinion?
• How long has brainwashing been a part of the American experience?
• Have you ever been brainwashed?
• What’s the most benign example of brainwashing you’ve seen?
• What’s the scariest?
• Does the internet make it easier to brainwash people?
• Why are some people more suggestible to brainwashing?
• Can brainwashing ever be used for good?
• How do we combat brainwashing, or try to help those who have been radicalized?
• What’s the future of brainwashing in America?

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So…uhm…how ’bout that attempted United States coup attempt, eh?

It’s been a bit of a nutty week (to say the least), but we have yet to miss posting an episode by Friday of the scheduled week for 313 episodes and counting…

This time, we talk about hypochondria; specifically:

• When did you first hear about hypochondria?
• Who was the first hypochondriac you knew?
• Are you a hypochondriac…or do you have any tendencies toward illness anxiety disorder?
• How does one become a hypochondriac?
• Do you feel hypochondria is a valid phobia?
• How does illness anxiety disorder affect one’s life?
• Have you ever lived with a hypochondriac? What’s that like?
• Do you think doctors are quick to dispel valid medical concerns as being all in one’s head?
• Has a doctor ever told you there was nothing wrong with you and then…it turned out there was?
• What role do you think the Internet plays in those with illness anxiety disorder?
• Can someone overcome hypochondria?
• What advice would you give someone with illness anxiety disorder?

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Fuck 2020! (Amirite?)

In so many ways, it was a horrible year. But…were there any good moments?

The mighty Gorillamen cannot speak for all humankind, but…we considered all that was horrible this year, while still trying to be cheery.

Specifically, this is what we talked about:

• How did you start 2020?
• When was the first time you suspected the year might not be going well?
• What were some of the early (pre-pandemic) bright spots of 2020 for you?
• What were some of the pre-pandemic bad parts of the year?
• When the pandemic hit, how long did you think it was going to last?
• What was your first “it can’t possibly get any worse”… but then it got worse moment?
• What were some bright spots in the last 3/4 of 2020?
• What was your favorite new TV show of this year?
• Movie?
• Album/Song?
• What was the best thing about 2020?
• The worst?
• The silver lining?
• What’s the future of 2021?

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Somebody once told me the world was gonna roll me…so I hurt myself today, to see if I still feel. Now, don’t you tell me to smile, ’cause nothing lasts forever — even cold November rain.

And I know it’s up for me if you steal my sunshine because nothing compares (nothing compares) to you. So load up on guns and bring your friends; ’cause after all, you’re my wonderwall…

Yep, we’re talking about 90s music!

What’s discussed this time around:

• What’s the first 90s tune you remember hearing?
• While radio was still big in the 90s, what other things drove the rise of 90s music?
• What new style of music that came along in the 90s surprised you?
• What style of 90s music is your favorite?
• Why do you think alternative music took hold in the 90s?
• What is your favorite 90s tune? (Or hell, a list if need be…)
• Least favorite tune of the 90s?
• Do you have a favorite concert of the 90s?
• What 90s tunes do you still go back to?
• Right at the end of the 90s, Napster came along. How big was peer-to-peer shared music in your life?
• This probably leans more into the early 2000s, but did peer-to-peer sharing cause you to stop buying music or buy more music?
• This may seem weird since it’s over, but what is the future of 90s music?

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‘Murica!!!

This time around, we’re talking about American Exceptionalism. Specifically these points:

• When were you first introduced to the idea of American exceptionalism?
• Do you believe in American exceptionalism?
• The concept traces back to the mid-1800s. Was America exceptional then?
• What’s the current state of America?
• What’s the current state of American exceptionalism?
• Can exceptionalism be dangerous?
• What’s actually exceptional about America, if anything?
• Has American exceptionalism damaged what is actually exceptional about this country?
• How could we change the idea of exceptionalism for the better?
• What’s the future of American exceptionalism?

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You catch the gorilla’s eye and he quickly looks away. But fuzzy face be damned, you swear his cheeks turn a bit red.

You look away, and he glances back and smiles.

You go your separate ways, but you cannot stop thinking about that gorilla and maybe, just maybe, you imagine he’s probably thinking about you…

This time around, the Gorillamen talk all about…crushes:

• When did you first become aware of crushes?
• Who, or even what, was your first crush?
• How do you define a crush?
• Who are some of your early crushes?
• Any fictional crushes?
• Did you ever have a crush on a teacher? Why?
• Who is your man crush…or even crushes?
• Besides the guys we just listed, any other current harmless crushes?
• Why do you think humans develop crushes?
• Are crushes an issue, or are they harmless?
• If your spouse has any crushes, are you jealous about them?
• Do you think crushes can become something more…even delving into the realm of becoming a problem?
• What is the future of the human crush on others?

* * *

“I Have a Crush on You” Photo: Leonardo Sanches.

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