‘funny,’ not funny

About ‘funny,’ not funny

Conversations about books, music, films, history, tech, and culture. Jim is a songwriter and leader of the band Jim’s Big Ego. He is also an author of The Wakeful Wanderer’s Guide series. Lionel Cassin is an IT security specialist and a voracious reader of Science Fiction and History. They enjoy lively conversations and are now sharing those with you. We are an independant podcast and we rely on your support. Subscribe at patreon.com/jiminfantino for as little as $3 per month for live webcasts and bonus content.

Publisher

Jim Infantino and Lionel Cassin

Category

society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

1 Dec 2021

Latest episode

21 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

195 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   21 Oct 2026

   “We've seen this movie before.” | topic: Comic-Con, Dark Knight, Disclosure Day, & TESCREAL | Lionel & Jim

   Comic Con Insights and Thoughts on Disclosure DayExploring the vibe of Comic Con and a Spielberg film reviewJim and Lionel dive into their recent experiences at Comic Con and a thought-provoking film, Disclosure Day.Comic Con AdventuresJim shares his excitement about attending Comic Con in New York, where he mingled with artists and fans alike. He recounts,“It’s like a spaceship that landed in New York City.”He was particularly thrilled to see the legendary Frank Miller speak, a pivotal figure in the world of comics who helped redefine the genre in the late '70s and '80s. Jim reminisces about his family connections in the comic world, mentioning his brother's award acceptance at the event.Despite the exhilarating atmosphere, Jim notes,“...it was just incredibly exhausting.”He reflects on the overwhelming energy of the convention, filled with anime enthusiasts and a vibrant community that makes the experience unique.Reflections on Disclosure DaySwitching gears, Jim and Lionel turn their attention to Disclosure Day, a Spielberg film that sparked varying impressions. Jim expresses his surprise:“I kept wondering, it’s like, put it on the internet, right?”He highlights the film’s pacing and plot, which felt both dated and familiar, with a heavy reliance on traditional media for communication. Lionel adds his observations about the orchestral music, mentioning it had a classical quality reminiscent of Beethoven, but admits he struggled to recall specific details.Their conversation reveals a mix of nostalgia and critique, as they ponder what modern storytelling could learn from films like this. The discussion around Disclosure Day serves as a reminder of how far narrative techniques have evolved in the age of the internet.Finally, the topic turns to the horrifying neologism TESCREAL.TESCREAL is (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TESCREAL)Transhumanism (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transhumanism), Extropianism (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extropianism), Singularitarianism (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singularitarianism), Cosmism, Rationalism, Effective Altruism (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effective_Altruism), and Longtermism (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longtermism)We discuss this supposed apolcalyptic tech movement in some depth. Lionel compares it to utilitarianism (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utilitarianism). Listen to the episode to learn more.

2. 

   14 Oct 2026

   Big Men! In Sandals! | topic: Coen Brothers films: Hail, Caesar & Barton Fink, also Reacher | with Jim & Lionel

   Jim prepares to honor his late Uncle Carmine with a Harvey Award at Comic-Con. They then move on to discuss 2 Coen brothers films, Hail, Ceasar and Barton Fink."The Coen brothers know how to mic the squeaking of leather in chairs to indicate how uncomfortable it is."They draw connections between the ideas in these films and the prevalence of big violent men in American films, including Jim's recent watching of the Reacher TV show and Jack Reacher films. Jim & Lionel marvel at the artistry of Barton Fink and reflect on it's place in American filmmaking.

3. 

   7 Oct 2026

   American Dharma & Dark City | topic: Bannon, McNamara, propaganda, culture, media | Jim & Lionel

   In this episode, Jim Infantino and Lionel explore a wide range of topics including the intricacies of touring, the themes of the films Dark City and American Dharma, and the complex ideas behind political and historical narratives. They delve into film analysis, historical insights, and the nature of ideology and power.

Who has been a guest on ‘funny,’ not funny

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Liz Linder
• Leigh Weber
• Lynn Twist
• Colin Farrell
• Stephen Kotkin

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.9 / 5

11 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 50 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

69

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

77

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