- 14
- Episodes
- 2020
- First episode
About Hello from Below the Median
New Format, New Name, Same Hosts!! The median is the number in the exact middle of the numerical list when it is arranged in order. Like many of you out there, we here at "Hello from Below the Median" are working (sometimes multiple jobs) earning below the median income for our locality. In our old format, we found it difficult to discuss political topics without taking sides. In the new format, we're bringing you a weekly discussion of topics that interest us as "average Joe's" with educations. Join us to hear a perspective of the news from those of us who earn below the median.
- Publisher
- Hello from Below the Median
- Category
- news
- Language
- en
- Explicit
- No
- First episode
- 16 May 2020
- Latest episode
- 24 Aug 2020
Latest episodes
14 episodes in the feed.
24 Aug 2020
Episode 14 - Re-Visiting Mail In Voting/Video Game Representation/The Cost of College was Ridiculous before Covid-19
This week, we start by revisiting mail-in voting as an issue, checking out if there is any new information since we covered the topic back in May. We do this using articles from the South Florida Sun Sentinel (via the New York Times - https://www.sun-sentinel.com/coronavirus/ct-nw-nyt-coronavirus-voting-by-mail-20200525-ewdetupwrrda7pyz5kegfzjf3e-story.html (https://www.sun-sentinel.com/coronavirus/ct-nw-nyt-coronavirus-voting-by-mail-20200525-ewdetupwrrda7pyz5kegfzjf3e-story.html)) and a USAToday report about the biggest critic of the practice, the President, and his use of mail-in voting (https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/08/13/trump-requests-mail-ballot-florida-primary-despite-rhetoric/3371605001/ (https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/08/13/trump-requests-mail-ballot-florida-primary-despite-rhetoric/3371605001/)). Then, we discuss the subject of representation in video games. Though our population is very diverse, does that diversity translate to the creators of our games or the products that they create for us to buy? We discuss a CNBC article on the subject (https://www.cnbc.com/2020/08/14/video-game-industry-grapples-with-murky-track-record-on-diversity.html (https://www.cnbc.com/2020/08/14/video-game-industry-grapples-with-murky-track-record-on-diversity.html)) as well as some supplemental statistics (https://www.statista.com/statistics/189582/age-of-us-video-game-players-since-2010/ (https://www.statista.com/statistics/189582/age-of-us-video-game-players-since-2010/))(https://www.statista.com/topics/1680/gaming/ (https://www.statista.com/topics/1680/gaming/)) related to gaming demographics. In our last segment, we talk about the rising cost of college as it relates to the Covid-19 pandemic (https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/15/us/covid-college-tuition.html (https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/15/us/covid-college-tuition.html)) and why we believe parent's outrage at the cost should have happened well before collegiate use of virtual instruction was an issue (https://www.cnbc.com/2015/06/16/why-college-costs-are-so-high-and-rising.html (https://www.cnbc.com/2015/06/16/why-college-costs-are-so-high-and-rising.html)). Hello from Below the Median is a listener supported podcast - we appreciate all of your likes, shares, reviews, and listens. If you would like to support our efforts our Patreon site link is below. We are currently working on ideas and gifts to send to our Patreon supporters; at the moment patrons get access to our pre-show notes and on-air personal acknowledgement, but we are looking to expand the benefits that we can offer to our supporters. https://www.patreon.com/BelowtheMedian <a href="https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=35545158" data-patreon-widget-type="become-patron-button">Become a Patron!</a><script async src="https://c6.patreon.com/becomePatronButton.bundle.js"></script>
17 Aug 2020
Episode 13 - Leaving Social Media Behind/Environmental Disaster in Canada
As Mini is missing celebrating another turn around the sun, Jake and Flavius discuss leaving social media behind and some terrible news regarding climate change from the land of our neighbors to the north (Canada). Using the article found at <https://www.thehealthy.com/mental-health/quit-social-media/ (https://www.thehealthy.com/mental-health/quit-social-media/)>, Jake compares his own experience with ignoring social media to the benefits identified by the author as Flavius provides a fresh perspective on the issue. The guys then pivot to talk about the ice shelf that collapsed in Canada that occurred earlier this month <https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/08/weather/canada-ice-shelf-collapse-milne-manhattan/index.html (https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/08/weather/canada-ice-shelf-collapse-milne-manhattan/index.html)>. Hello from Below the Median is a listener supported podcast - we appreciate all of your likes, shares, reviews, and listens. If you would like to donate our Patreon site link is below. We are currently working on ideas and gifts to send to our Patreon supporters; at the moment patrons get access to our pre-show notes but we are looking to expand the benefits that we can offer to our supporters. https://www.patreon.com/BelowtheMedian <a href="https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=35545158" data-patreon-widget-type="become-patron-button">Become a Patron!</a><script async src="https://c6.patreon.com/becomePatronButton.bundle.js"></script>
11 Aug 2020
Episode 12 - XFL Buyout/New Tech and AI/Just White Enough
For our second episode in the new and somewhat less political format, the guys discuss a wide range of topics. We begin with a discussion of the Rock's buyout of his former boss's football league, then move into discussing tech breakthroughs that might be important (and hopefully more cost effective) following the conclusion of the current Covid-19 pandemic, then Jake and Mini discuss his experience as someone who comes from an immigrant family yet is probably the first generation in that family to be "just white enough" to be included in the casual racism that can be prevalent in certain parts of the country in which the three of us live. Untying the Knot is a listener supported podcast - we appreciate all of your likes, shares, reviews, and listens. If you would like to donate our Patreon site link is below. We are currently working on ideas and gifts to send to our Patreon supporters; at the moment patrons get access to our pre-show notes but we are looking to expand the benefits for our supporters. https://www.patreon.com/UTK <a href="https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=35545158" data-patreon-widget-type="become-patron-button">Become a Patron!</a><script async src="https://c6.patreon.com/becomePatronButton.bundle.js"></script>
24 Jul 2020
New Format - Comic Book Movies/The Washington...?
This week we attempt a new format that gives each host time to talk about an issue that has been on their mind this week. Mini, unfortunately, is unable to join us. Jake leads us on a winding road about comic book movies that might be an example of why this new format is not so good, while Flavius leads us on a discussion of the issue surrounding the formerly "Washington Redskins" that provides an example of the positives of the change. Untying the Knot is a listener supported podcast - we appreciate all of your likes, shares, reviews, and listens. If you would like to donate our Patreon site link is below. We are currently working on ideas and gifts to send to our Patreon supporters; at the moment patrons get access to our pre-show notes but we are looking to expand the benefits for our supporters. https://www.patreon.com/UTK <a href="https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=35545158" data-patreon-widget-type="become-patron-button">Become a Patron!</a><script async src="https://c6.patreon.com/becomePatronButton.bundle.js"></script>
11 Jul 2020
Independence Day Violence
This week Flavius, Mini, and Jake do a deep dive into two representative samples of how the partisans covered the shootings that occurred over the July 4th weekend. Which side tried to explain the violence, and which side chose to limit their explanation? How does the pandemic and the protests factor into the "wrong kind of fireworks"? Which side received the higher bias rating, and was that the side the three of us wished had provided more information? Take a listen to find the answers to these questions in our discussion. Untying the Knot is a listener supported podcast - we appreciate all of your likes, shares, reviews, and listens. If you would like to donate our Patreon site link is below. We are currently working on ideas and gifts to send to our Patreon supporters; at the moment patrons get access to our pre-show notes but we are looking to expand the benefits for our supporters. https://www.patreon.com/UTK <a href="https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=35545158" data-patreon-widget-type="become-patron-button">Become a Patron!</a><script async src="https://c6.patreon.com/becomePatronButton.bundle.js"></script>
1 Jul 2020
Foster Care Executive Order
The week Mini, Flavius, and Jake break down representative samples of how either partisan side is covering (or not covering) the June 24 executive order regarding the foster care system. We go over the details of the order and why it got almost no coverage on the left (spoiler: it's hard to sympathetically tear into an action aimed at helping children in the foster care system, and everyone knows if you don't have anything mean to say you shouldn't say anything at all... wait, I think that's incorrect somehow). We also share our perspectives on the St. Louis couple who have been in the news recently, and while we are sympathetic to people protecting their property there is something to be said for gun owners who demonstrate proper safety protocols... Untying the Knot is a listener supported podcast - we appreciate all of your likes, shares, reviews, and listens. If you would like to donate our Patreon site link is below. We are currently working on ideas and gifts to send to our Patreon supporters. https://www.patreon.com/UTK <a href="https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=35545158" data-patreon-widget-type="become-patron-button">Become a Patron!</a><script async src="https://c6.patreon.com/becomePatronButton.bundle.js"></script>
23 Jun 2020
The President Tweets... Again
This week Flavius, Jake, and Mini break down representative samples of how either side of the partisan media divide is looking at a single presidential tweet regarding his campaign rally on June 20 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Each side has their own perspective to share, but their apparent lack of enthusiasm for the subject of their articles' title is readily apparent and the cause of most of our discussion on this episode. Like last week, the knot was lacking in complexity, but this time it does not seem like it is because the author's agree on the subject. We also briefly touch on the tragic news on the video confirmation of Malcolm Harsch's suicide and how it relates to our conversation last week regarding the similar death of Robert Fuller and the possibility of violent reactions to the peaceful civil rights protests based in historical experience. Untying the Knot is a listener supported podcast - we appreciate all of your likes, shares, reviews, and listens. If you would like to donate our Patreon site link is below. We are currently working on ideas and gifts to send to our Patreon supporters. https://www.patreon.com/UTK <a href="https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=35545158" data-patreon-widget-type="become-patron-button">Become a Patron!</a><script async src="https://c6.patreon.com/becomePatronButton.bundle.js"></script>
16 Jun 2020
No Knock Warrants
This week Mini is BACK!! He, Flavius, and Jake break down representative samples of how either side is looking at the issue of no knock warrants - the controversial policing practice which led to the tragic death of Breonna Taylor and is now the subject of multiple pieces of legislation, most notably the "Justice for Breonna Taylor Act" sponsored by Senator Rand Paul. Spoiler alert; there isn't too much of a knot to untie this week, because both sides pretty much agree on this issue. So what is there to talk about? Lots; from the early discussion of the concept of privilege as it relates to the continued protests in the United States, to the subsequent discussion of fears of lynching from domestic terrorists related to the still being investigated deaths of Robert Fuller and Malcolm Harsch, to the fact that although both sources discussed in this episode are talking about an issue related to warrants neither author chose to bring up the Fourth Amendment to the US Constitution that specifically outlines limitations on the government related to search and seizure practices. Also included is a brief discussion of comic book legends Alan Moore and Neil Gaiman (another spoiler - 2/3 of the hosts of this show strongly advocate reading Mr. Gaiman's book "American Gods"). Untying the Knot is a listener supported podcast - we appreciate all of your likes, shares, reviews, and listens. If you would like to donate our Patreon site link is below. We are currently working on ideas and gifts to send to our Patreon supporters. https://www.patreon.com/UTK <a href="https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=35545158" data-patreon-widget-type="become-patron-button">Become a Patron!</a><script async src="https://c6.patreon.com/becomePatronButton.bundle.js"></script>
7 Jun 2020
Perspectives on Racism in Policing
This week Flavius and Jake take a look at representative samples of how either side of the tabloid journalism aisle is presenting the issue of institutional racism as it relates to what is currently happening in the United States. In a continuation, of sorts, from the discussion about the protests surrounding the death of George Floyd on last week's episode about Twitter and the First Amendment, our hosts explain how articles from CNN and the National Review present information related to institutional racism. Listen in as we talk about the tabloid techniques in each article, take the not that controversial stance that social racism still exists in the United States, and share stories of our own experiences with the police through the lens of our own racial identities. Untying the Knot is a listener supported podcast - we appreciate all of your likes, shares, and comments. If you would like to donate our patreon is listed below. We are currently working on ideas and gifts to send to our patreon supporters. <a href="https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=35545158" data-patreon-widget-type="become-patron-button">Become a Patron!</a><script async src="https://c6.patreon.com/becomePatronButton.bundle.js"></script>
6 Jun 2020
Supplemental - The First Amendment (A Parable)
In our last episode, Flavius and Jake discussed the first amendment, twitter, and the early reports regarding the George Floyd protests. In this supplemental episode, Jake discusses a parable that he wrote regarding the establishment of the first amendment and then talks through his opinion regarding how the public should try to interpret the protests with that amendment in mind, regardless of how the tabloid media will try to tie the issue in a partisan knot. Untying the Knot is a listener supported podcast - we appreciate all of your likes, shares, and comments. If you would like to donate our patreon is listed below. We are currently working on ideas and gifts to send to our patreon supporters. <a href="https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=35545158" data-patreon-widget-type="become-patron-button">Become a Patron!</a><script async src="https://c6.patreon.com/becomePatronButton.bundle.js"></script>
31 May 2020
Twitter and the First Amendment
This week, in spite of some technical difficulties, Flavius and Jake discuss Twitter's fact checking of President Trump, how it relates to the First Amendment, and the possible why the tabloid offerings of either side reporting on the former didn't want to mention the latter. Additionally, at the start we discuss the protests and riots that have occurred regarding the death of George Floyd with special consideration of the words of Civil Rights pioneers in the 1960s (as well as the band Sublime). Untying the Knot is a listener supported podcast - we appreciate all of your likes, shares, and comments. If you would like to donate our patreon is listed below. We are currently working on ideas and gifts to send to our patreon supporters. <a href="https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=35545158" data-patreon-widget-type="become-patron-button">Become a Patron!</a><script async src="https://c6.patreon.com/becomePatronButton.bundle.js"></script>
24 May 2020
Mail-In Voting
This week at UTK, as a result of the president's tweets, we take a look at the issue of mail in voting as it was reported on by a conservative and a liberal news outlet. Additionally, the guys give their opinions about the state of the United States, and particularly the Constitution, with regard to the current Covid-19 situation. If you like what you hear, please consider subscribing or leaving a review on whatever platform you use to listen. We are a listener supported podcast. If you would like to provide support, please visit our Patreon site at: <a href="https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=35545158" data-patreon-widget-type="become-patron-button">Become a Patron!</a><script async src="https://c6.patreon.com/becomePatronButton.bundle.js"></script>
23 May 2020
Supplemental: Tabloid Techniques
Partisan news outlets that are good at what they do use certain tabloid techniques to twist the information they distribute. On this supplemental episode, Jake discusses some of the things that UTK looks for when examining articles touched by partisan bias. If you like what you hear, please consider subscribing or leaving a review on whatever platform you use to listen. We are a listener supported podcast. If you would like to provide support, please visit our Patreon site at: <a href="https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=35545158" data-patreon-widget-type="become-patron-button">Become a Patron!</a><script async src="https://c6.patreon.com/becomePatronButton.bundle.js"></script>
16 May 2020
The HEROES Act
The HEROES Act – Liberals cover it one way, conservatives another. This week, on Untying the Knot with Flavius, Mini, and Jake; we take a look at two prominent examples of media coverage (provided with no additional support by access to www.allsides.com) related to this bill that is still working its way through Congress. We’re not analyzing the bill, we’re analyzing the partisan coverage and drawing conclusions about the bill from what the most biased sources are saying. What did we discover? Listen to our pilot episode to find out!! Did you like what you heard? Did you think what you heard could be made better? Visit our Patreon page to provide custom feedback and support! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=35545158
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