Wisecrack Edition

Welcome to a special edition of 8-Bit Philosophy, where we take a look at whether films are dreams. Is the film just using cinematic technique or is it trying to tell us something more? This week – Inception: Are Films Dreams?

Welcome to this special Wisecrack Edition of The Philosophy of The Walking Dead, where we dive into the deeper meaning of The Walking Dead. We're covering: What Does it Mean to Live?, Moral Lines, Dictatorship, and the State of Exception. From ancient Rome to Nietzsche and more, The Walking Dead is quite philosophical at its core. What do YOU think?

Welcome to this special Wisecrack Edition on The Philosophy of House of Cards, where we dive into the deeper meaning of the Netflix masterpiece. We're covering: 1) Aesthetics, Theater & Politics; 2) Leaving a Legacy; and 3) Politics as Spectacle.

Welcome to this special Wisecrack Edition on The Philosophy of Final Fantasy (FF7 thru FF13), where we dive into the deeper meaning of the beloved video game series. 1) Psychological Phantasy (Freud & Lacan); 2) The Death Drive, and 3) The World as Standing Reserve

Welcome to this special Wisecrack Edition on The Philosophy of Dark Souls, where we dive into the deeper meaning of the beloved video game series. 1) Back to the Womb 2) Castration 3) Endless Misery and Frustration Reserve

Welcome to this special Wisecrack Edition on the villain of Inside Out, where we dive into the deeper meaning of the beloved film that taught us all a little more about our emotions.

Welcome to this special Wisecrack Edition on Season 19 of South Park, where we dive into the philosophy and politics of one of our favorite shows. We explore South Park's themes of politically correct (PC) culture, gentrification, advertising, social justice, safe spaces and narcissism.

Welcome to this special Wisecrack Edition on Game of Thrones & The Sopranos: Learning to Die Gracefully. We're exploring how these shows make a statement about knowing your place and learning how to die gracefully in the face of your impending extinction.

Welcome to the description for this very special Wisecrack Edition on Deadpool. We're exploring the smack-talking merc with a mouth and what he represents as a postmodern work...you know, what with all that ironic distance, cynicism, and 'f*ck it' attitude! Just watch the video, ok!?

Welcome to this special Wisecrack Edition on Bill Murray. We're exploring Murray's unique kind of comedy and his evolution from just another goofy guy to a comedy legend.

Welcome to this special Wisecrack Edition on the philosophy of Daredevil. We're exploring the heroes and villains of Hell's Kitchen and the choices they make – as we dive into themes of justice, responsibility, vigilantism and criminal justice.

Welcome to this special Wisecrack Edition on the philosophy of Star Trek. In this episode, we explore how the Star Trek franchise – through dozens of movies and more than 700 episodes of television – examines concepts like humanism, utilitarianism, the trolley problem and so much more!

In preparation for Suicide Squad, we created this special Wisecrack Edition diving into the philosophy of THE JOKER. We highlight some of the most lasting incarnations of the Clown Prince of Crime, including Alan Moore's origin story in The Killing Joke, Christopher Nolan's interpretation in The Dark Knight (starring Heath Ledger, RIP), and portrayals by Jack Nicholson (1989) and Cesar Romero (1966). The episode explores similarities and connections between The Joker and his rival-slash-muse, Batman.

In preparation for Season 20 (!!!) of SOUTH PARK, we created this special Wisecrack Edition exploring the show's philosophy of RELIGION over the past 19 years. Whether it be Jesus or Satan, Frosty the Snowman or God himself, Trey Parker and Matt Stone (who also created The Book of Mormon) aren't afraid of addressing religion head-on – even if it isn't exactly clear where the show stands on the issue. South Park forces us to take a hard look at what religion really means to us, and in the process, the show raises some important questions that other series wouldn’t have the nerve to ask.

Welcome to this special Wisecrack Edition on Kanye West's Philosophy of Death. Mortality is clearly a recurring theme in Kanye's lyrics, videos and interviews. But is it any wonder that the WAY in which Kanye deals with death is similar to the ideas proposed by Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard? Is this similarity a total coincidence or is there truly a comparison to be made between Kanye and Kierkegaard? We're here to find out!

Welcome to this special Wisecrack Edition on Disney's Zootopia, where we dive head-first into the film's somewhat mixed messages about race. While Zootopia is clearly a kids movie that celebrates diversity and acceptance, its use of animal metaphors allow for some pretty racist interpretations... Let's dive in and see!

Welcome to this special Wisecrack Edition on USA's Mr. Robot, where we dive head-first into the cinematic references and inspirations of the show. We'll explore specific influences, including Fight Club, The Matrix, American Psycho, Taxi Driver and Natural Born Killers.

Welcome to this special Wisecrack Edition on the Philosophy of Shia LaBeouf, exploring the motivations behind one of the most enigmatic actors and internet sensations around. After bouncing from one tabloid scandal to another, Shia LaBeouf emerged as an auteur of the bizarre with his #IAMSORRY installation – a performance art piece aimed at apologizing to the world with sincerity. Drawing from pop culture references like Deadpool, Spring Breakers and Brittney Spears, we dive headfirst into understanding how sincerity and apology works in a world of post-modern cynicism and disillusionment.

Welcome to this special Wisecrack Edition on The Philosophy of BoJack Horseman, exploring the dark existential undertones of this seemingly light-hearted cartoon. Behind the colorful animations and snarky one-liners is a show that's astonishingly deep – a series that ponders important philosophical questions about living life in a meaningless universe. From Pascal to Sartre, we'll dive into the thinkers and philosophies that are foundational to the show's underlying message.

Welcome to this special Wisecrack Edition on The Philosophy of The Purge, diving into the political and socio-economic implications of The Purge – including brilliant references from Rick & Morty! In this episode, we'll geek out on the movies themselves while also exploring how an event like The Purge seems to amplify the many issues and conditions of various social classes.

Welcome to this special Wisecrack Edition on the must-know references in Rick and Morty. From Freddy Krueger to Zardoz, Rick and Morty pays homage to the imagery and themes of pop culture's most beloved properties – often inverting them to communicate something new. The more of these references you know and understand, the richer the show becomes! So what are the most important of these references? How do they elevate the show to new levels? Join us as we dive in!

Welcome to this Wisecrack Edition of Star Wars Explained where we explore the The Philosophy of Darth Vader. What ultimately turns the innocent Anakin Skywalker of The Phantom Menace movie into the Dark Lord of the Sith is something we all confront: a paralyzing fear of death. Anakin must choose between two competing ideologies when faced with the impending death of his loved ones – The Sith way, or the Jedi way. From Buddhist texts to Pulitzer Prize-winning discourses on death anxiety, we dive deep into one of the most iconic characters to ever star on the silver screen.

Welcome to this Wisecrack Edition on The Philosophy of Fallout 4, where we explore many of the political themes from previous installments, plus a new philosophical question with the introduction of Synths to the world of the wasteland: What does it mean to be human? Drawing from philosopher Donna Haraway’s essay “A Cyborg Manifesto,” we discuss the ramifications of how we define what is “human” – both in the Wasteland, and in our own world.