Our first in a series of special guest hosted episodes with Aaron Henry. Phil and Aaron introduce the series by trying to make sense of survivalism. Following from a previous episode on Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451, the discussion kicks off by way of dystopian worlds then asks: what does it mean to be prepared? How and why do we prepare for the worst? What are we all preparing for anyway? Does surviving contain elements of resilience and/or coping?  From zombies, to Silicon Valley preppers, Aaron points us to The Walking Dead, 28 Days later, The 100, and other pop-culture references that we need to pay attention to as indicators of our current social conditions. Aaron gets us thinking and connects social theory to how we live within a world characterized by risks. What happens when we can no longer rely on what was once certain? At least this is for certain: Phil will take any chance he can to talk about Fargo. Maybe that makes him a hack...Aaron helps us out on that idea too.

A few articles on the themes discussed:

• “The Walking Dead”: A gory lesson in human resilience - by Neil Drumming (Salon, 2014)
• Stoicism’s Solution for the Millennial’s Rush Against Time - by Audrey Cheng (Huffington Post, 2014)
• A guide to stoicism for neurotic millennials - Rosie Liezrowice
• Doomsday Prep For The Super-rich - by Evan Osnos (The New Yorker, 2017)
• Weak Signals (Policy Horizon Canada)

Recommendations (1:09:29)

• Aaron recommends Muskoka Detour: lots of favour with less alcohol. Great summer brew.
• For a special birthday podcasting session, Phil tried and highly recommends El Dorado 12 year rum.

Concluding thought: “There are nights when the wolves are silent and only the moon howls” - George Carlin

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