Andrew Schulz's Flagrant with Akaash Singh
Andrew Schulz's Flagrant with Akaash Singh
"Why are we afraid of comedy and not reality or drama? I would even go further to say that they're not the same. Go ahead and say that the actual depiction right of a rape or a murder is way more graphic and potentially traumatizing than a joke about it." — Host
"Russia knows that the Saudi economy is dependent on oil. And at the American economy, in a lot of ways is dependent on oil. So what it's doing is instead of Russia also adjusting its prices to maintain the value of oil, it's actually flooding the market with oil, right? Which will bring the price of oil even further down and fuck up those economies that are completely oil-dependent." — Host
"When you make someone laugh at something, it seems like it's okay. What is the term normalize? Right? Like anytime I would tell like a Trump joke where it was like defending Trump, there'd always be some people like you're normalizing. Hate, you're normalizing. It's such a weird term. But I guess the idea is like if we're laughing at something, then that means it's okay." — Host
The podcast episode delves into the psychological impact of quarantine, with the host articulating how disruptions to established routines—such as exercise, social interaction, and work—unbalance one's "emotional diet." This imbalance can lead to resentment, particularly when confined with a single person. The conversation then broadens to societal observations, questioning why media platforms like Netflix censor comedic content about sensitive topics more readily than violent dramas. This leads to a discussion on the nature of humor, empathy, and the evolutionary purpose of laughter as a tension release mechanism, contrasting it with the perceived lack of empathy in individuals with sociopathic tendencies.
The dialogue shifts to the global economic implications of the pandemic, specifically focusing on the oil market. The host explains how Russia's strategy of flooding the market with oil, rather than limiting production, aims to destabilize oil-dependent economies like Saudi Arabia and the United States, illustrating how geopolitical competition persists even during a global crisis. The episode also touches upon scientific curiosity, with the host posing unconventional questions about oxygen production and the mechanics of scuba diving tanks, highlighting a skepticism towards accepted scientific explanations and a desire for tangible understanding.
Finally, the discussion explores recent cultural phenomena, specifically the "Tiger King" documentary, by sharing a Twitter thread detailing lesser-known facts about the subjects. These facts include the revelation that Joe Exotic did not write the songs he performed, and updates on the current situations of various individuals involved. The episode concludes with reflections on resilience, suggesting that navigating quarantine successfully prepares individuals for future challenges, framing the shared experience as a testament to human adaptability.