Men in Gorilla Suits (pop culture)

May 29, 2020: We have run out of food in the arctic. Having eaten the sled dogs, we Gorillamen decided our last act would be recording a podcast. Good friends that we are, each offering their life for the other, we decided to let nature survive. One of us might make it after eating the other should one of us die first. But it is possible, as cold as it is, that we might not make it through the night...

This episode, we're talking about these fine topics of adventure:

  • When did you first become aware of the concept of adventure?
  • How do you define adventure?
  • What is the appeal of adventure?
  • What’s your earliest memory of an adventure you took part in?
  • What’s your best (or a couple best) adventure experiences?
  • Your worst?
  • How important is adventure in your life?
  • What is your favorite adventure story? (Can be a book, movie, song…anything…)
  • Must something be big in order to be an adventure?
  • What do you think stops people from living adventurously?
  • Do you think younger you would be pleased with the level of adventure in your life?
  • What is the future of adventure?

Direct download: migs297.mp3
Category:Pop Culture -- posted at: 10:58pm CDT

Could probably just drop the lyrics to Fugazi's "Merchandise" here and call it a wrap...

This week, it's all about capitalism:

  • When were you first aware that things cost money?
  • When were you first introduced to the idea of an economy?
  • What’s the first major purchase you remember someone making?
  • What’s the first major purchase you made on your own?
  • How do your major and minor purchases affect society?
  • Is our current system of capitalism different to the one you remember from 20-30 years ago?
  • Is capitalism a good way to run a society?
  • Is an economy more important than the people in that society?
  • How would you change our current system of capitalism, if at all?
  • Is there a better system already out there? Or do we need something new to replace capitalism?
  • What’s the future of (American) capitalism?

Direct download: migs296.mp3
Category:Pop Culture -- posted at: 8:56am CDT

Dearest listeners. While the pandemic is far-reaching, we Gorillamen are doing as well as can be expected. Such dire circumstances, but we must strive for some semblance of our lives before March, when the vapors strongly made its presence known.

But if history tells us nothing else, it's that those of us who stay in place and consider many things have the greatest odds of weathering through. To that end, Gorilla Shawn and Gorilla Christopher communicated recently through telegraph, creating a thing that history may remember one day as a "podcast."

While they realize many may be exhausted by the constant drumming of newsboys and news moguls, it is important to share our own stories, so one day one may look back and live history through our eyes.

To that end, we offer this show...

These items are discussed:

  • How long have you been doing the stay-at-home thing?
  • Did you start before or after someone recommended it?
  • When did your town/county officially order you to stay at home?
  • How are you holding up?
  • Do you actually think self-quarantine is over or under reacting to the current situation?
  • What do you think about the coronavirus situation in general?
  • Are you concerned for the future?
  • What are you doing to fill the time?
  • How are you coping with the uncertainty the situation has created?
  • What’s the strangest thing you’ve seen since this whole thing started?
  • The dumbest?
  • What’s the future? Of, like, the future?

Direct download: migs294.mp3
Category:Pop Culture -- posted at: 9:42pm CDT

With the world in a weird state right now, the Gorillamen have thought about addressing Da Covidz, but instead...Gorilla Christopher opted for something more inspirational...forgiveness.

(He almost went with Pizza as the topic, so expect that next time it's his call...)

Anyway, here we go...

  • When did you first become aware of forgiveness?
  • Are you a very forgiving person?
  • What’s the biggest thing you’ve ever forgiven?
  • Is there anything you can’t forgive?
  • How does living in a world that demands speed, perfection, and getting what you want (sometimes, at any cost) affect forgiveness?
  • What are some benefits of forgiveness?
  • Who’s the most forgiving person you know?
  • What do you think of those who equate forgiveness to weakness?
  • How important do you think forgiveness is to living a happy life?
  • Some people joke about odd “unforgivable things” like putting pineapple on pizza, beans in chili, or wearing white after Labor Day. Other people take those things seriously. What do you think about how people react to those stranger unforgivable things?
  • What advice do you have for someone who finds it hard to forgive?
  • What is the future of forgiveness?

Direct download: migs293.mp3
Category:Pop Culture -- posted at: 1:14pm CDT

Get along, all ya self-quarantining little doggies and listen to the Gorillamen talk about country music! (From Texas, no less!)

Yeeeeeee-hawwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!

  • What was the first country song you remember hearing?
  • What was your impression of country music when you were younger?
  • What's your impression of country music now?
  • What makes country music popular?
  • Are any of the stereotypes about country music (and its fans) true?
  • When were you most into country music?
  • What made you tune out of country music?
  • Who is the best all-time country artist for you?
  • Best all time country song?
  • Worst All Time Artist?
  • Worst all time song?
  • Is there any country you're into currently?
  • What's the future of country music?

Direct download: migs292.mp3
Category:Pop Culture -- posted at: 10:17am CDT

Once the perceived domain of crunchy hippies, vegetarianism is much more than Birkenstock sandal-wearing hipsters who smell like patchouli. Around the world, it is the diet of many faithful sects; it sustains many top athletes; it is embraced by Hollywood and your average person alike. Dare we say it has even seen mainstream success in recent years?

While one of the Gorillamen has not eaten meat since well before the start of Men in Gorilla Suits, we have yet to discuss eating plants. So...this time around, we change that!

Here's what we chat about:

  • What is your earliest memory of the concept of not eating meat?
  • Are you now, or have you ever been, a vegetarian or vegan? (If so, when and why?)
  • Why do you think there's a growth of vegetarians and vegans in the world right now?
  • Vegans especially have a reputation for being pushy in their views. Do you think there's truth to that?
  • Along those lines, why do you think some people are so aggressively opposed to the idea of not eating meat – to the point they will tease plant-based eaters for their choices?
  • The Burger King Impossible Whopper has received a lot of attention. What are your thoughts about mock meats?
  • Why do you think there are so many different kinds of vegetarians (examples: ordinary vegetarians, vegans, people who prefer being called plant-based instead of vegan)?
  • Do you think all the different ways of being a vegetarian or vegan make it hard for meat-eaters to warm to the concept?
  • What role does environmentalism play in the growth of vegetarianism/veganism?
  • Hell, let’s just go there: what are your feelings toward People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals?
  • Legislation has been written in many states saying it's illegal for whistleblowers to secretly film the mistreatment of livestock...and some legislators want to make referring to plant-based milks as "milk" and veggie burgers as "burgers." What are your thoughts about all that?
  • What is the future of plant-based eating?

Direct download: migs291.mp3
Category:Pop Culture -- posted at: 9:30am CDT

We here at Men in Gorilla Suits are looking for 25 self-motivated people to join our team! Get in on the ground floor and make as much -- or as little -- money as you'd like. Great opportunity for stay-at-home moms or anyone wanting a side hustle that will break them free from the bonds of their 9-to-5 day jobs. Set your own hours -- be your own boss! We'll be visiting your airport Marriott soon, so sign up now!

This week, we're talking about multi-level marketing schemes. (Oh, wait...we're calling it "network marketing" these days...)

Here's what we discuss:

  • What’s the first pyramid scheme you ever heard of?
  • The first one you experienced?
  • Has anyone ever tried to get you into an MLM/pyramid scheme?
  • Have you ever fallen for one in any way, including buying the products?
  • Why do people fall for pyramid schemes and MLMs?
  • Should MLMs be illegal?
  • Are all MLMs bad?
  • Are there any good MLM products?
  • What’s the worst MLM you’ve ever heard of or experienced?
  • What’s the future of pyramid schemes/MLMs?

Direct download: migs290.mp3
Category:Pop Culture -- posted at: 9:34pm CDT

Break out the Rubik's Cubes and spin that vinyl ya damned hipster -- this time around the Gorillamen are getting Retro!

Here is what's discussed...

* * *

  • What was the first thing you heard described as retro?
  • What’s your favorite retro thing right now?
  • What’s something you thought was dead that was brought back because of its retro appeal?
  • What’s the best retro trend?
  • The worst?
  • Why do you think retro stuff is so popular right now?
  • If you could bring back any product from your childhood, what would it be?
  • Were things better “back in your day?”
  • Have you ever seen a retro thing that was way worse than you remember the original being?
  • Way better?
  • What’s the future past of retro?

Direct download: migs288.mp3
Category:Pop Culture -- posted at: 11:00am CDT

This week, we're nailing bitches and battlin' bros...it's all about toxic masculinity!

[And if you're completely new...uhm...we're not fans of toxic masculinity. Gorilla Shawn is currently at DisneyWorld and Gorilla Christopher just helped his wife of 27+ years with the lunchtime dishes...]

Anyway, here's what we talk about this time around:

  • When did you first hear about toxic masculinity?
  • Growing up, were there toxic males close to you in life? Who? (And how do you think that affects boys?)
  • Why do you think toxic masculinity exists?
  • Have you ever been a toxic male? How?
  • Is the very term "toxic masculinity" too broad a term? (i.e. Is it too easy to just dispel anything one doesn't like as toxic?)
  • What do you think about those who say this is all blown out of proportion -- that men are just being men?
  • How do you think we combat those who say it's all just the way men are?
  • Can a guy be both tough but tender without being labeled toxic?
  • Do you think the current political state plays a role in toxic masculinity? How?
  • It seems there are always new reports coming out about men and loneliness. What role do you think toxic masculinity plays in that?
  • Why do you think there's such a push-back by toxic males against the concept of toxic masculinity?
  • What is the future of toxic masculinity?

Direct download: migs287.mp3
Category:Pop Culture -- posted at: 12:36pm CDT

Gorilla Shawn decided a look back at the year that was would be snazzy...and Gorilla Christopher agreed. So, here's what we thought about 2019...

* * *

  • What was the first thing this year you thought was cool?
  • What was the best thing that happened to you this year?
  • Worst thing?
  • Best thing that happened in the world?
  • Worst?
  • Favorite episode of men in gorilla suits?
  • Favorite other piece of media from this year?
  • Thing you wish you’d done this year?
  • Thing you wish you’d done better this year?
  • What’s your hope for next year?

Direct download: migs286.mp3
Category:Pop Culture -- posted at: 9:26am CDT