My God--We're in 4K!!!

Summary

Episode Summary: Armstrong & Getty On Demand – "My God--We're in 4K!!!"

Release Date: January 27, 2025

In the "My God--We're in 4K!!!" episode of the Armstrong & Getty On Demand podcast, hosted by iHeartPodcasts, Armstrong and Getty delve into personal experiences with eye surgeries, explore the intriguing phenomenon of "feederism," and discuss the broader implications of social media-driven behaviors. This episode seamlessly blends humor with insightful discussions, offering listeners a comprehensive look into vision enhancement and the societal impacts of online trends.

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1. Opening Remarks and Technical Difficulties

The episode kicks off with a humorous exchange highlighting unexpected interruptions. Getty humorously recounts an incident where he had to urgently attend to someone in distress, setting a light-hearted tone for the episode.

Getty (00:06): "Before we get to that, though, and I realize this is distasteful and people are gonna groan... there's somebody in there that needs to be rushed to the hospital."

This brief interlude showcases the hosts' chemistry and ability to navigate spontaneous moments with ease.

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2. Personal Journeys with Cataract and Lens Replacement Surgery

A significant portion of the episode focuses on Michelangelo and Getty's recent eye surgeries aimed at improving their vision. Michelangelo shares his experience with cataract surgery, describing the difference it made in his visual clarity.

Michelangelo (01:15): "It's basically a large gray cloud that clouds your vision, but you don't realize it until it's removed. And so I've been seeing all of you, like, in standard definition."

Getty relates his own experience with lens replacement surgery, noting similarities and the enhanced vividness of colors post-surgery.

Getty (01:25): "It's like putting a drop of milk on your lens just kind of makes it milky... but now, it's like HD to 4K."

The hosts discuss the transformative impact of these procedures, emphasizing how their perception of the world has become more vibrant and detailed. They touch upon the unexpected challenges and adjustments, such as increased sensitivity to bright lights and the realization that cataracts can affect younger individuals than commonly perceived.

Getty (05:05): "I think whenever I heard about cataracts, I always thought about it being really, really old people... But that's one thing we gotta start looking at, it happens a lot earlier than you think."

Michelangelo humorously recounts the pre-surgery experience, including playful remarks about using dark sunglasses as a prank.

Michelangelo (05:36): "I wanted to come out... I had dark sunglasses on... I told her I want so badly to have a white cane."

Their candid discussions offer valuable insights into the realities of eye health and the advancements in surgical procedures that significantly enhance quality of life.

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3. The Rise of "Feederism" and Social Media's Role

Transitioning from personal health stories, Armstrong introduces the topic of "feederism," an online fetish where individuals encourage weight gain in themselves or others. He traces how Instagram algorithms have amplified the visibility of this trend, making it more pervasive.

Armstrong (07:34): "Feederism is a fetish where you have a couple and one of them feeds the other and encourages their weight gain... it's everywhere right now."

Getty and Armstrong delve into the psychological and societal factors driving this phenomenon, including the desire for online validation and the influence of peer pressure exacerbated by social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

Getty (10:32): "That's what he's doing... They're making money because of it."

They discuss the disturbing aspect of how positive reinforcement through likes and comments can perpetuate unhealthy behaviors, drawing parallels to other social contagions such as anorexia and political polarization.

Armstrong (08:29): "On Instagram, there was a lot of hate... But if you go over to TikTok, it was 'You're beautiful. Keep it up.'"

The conversation highlights the dark side of social media algorithms that prioritize engagement, often at the expense of promoting harmful trends. The hosts express concern over how these platforms can influence individual behaviors and societal norms, emphasizing the need for increased awareness and responsible content moderation.

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4. Social Contagions and Their Impact on Society

Getty expands the discussion to encompass the broader concept of social contagions—behaviors and trends that spread rapidly through populations via social networks. He references recent discussions on the show about topics like transgender identity being labeled as a social contagion, underscoring the complexities and controversies surrounding such phenomena.

Getty (10:48): "It's just part of Maslow's hierarchy of needs, the need to belong... That takes it to an extreme level."

Armstrong echoes these sentiments, emphasizing the detrimental effects of online mass influence and the psychological toll it can take on individuals.

Armstrong (10:28): "They're encouraging you to be £500, he's trying to kill you... they're making money because of it."

The hosts critically assess how the desire for social acceptance and validation can lead to extreme and often unhealthy behaviors, urging listeners to be mindful of the content they consume and the influences they allow to shape their actions.

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5. Concluding Thoughts

As the episode wraps up, the hosts tie together the themes of personal improvement and societal influence. They reflect on their own experiences with better vision and the clarity it has brought, both literally and metaphorically, in understanding and navigating the complex web of social media-driven behaviors.

Getty (12:48): "Well, I guess that's it."

Their closing remarks serve as a reminder of the importance of personal well-being and the critical examination of external influences in today's digitally interconnected world.

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Notable Quotes:

• Michelangelo (01:15): "It's basically a large gray cloud that clouds your vision, but you don't realize it until it's removed."

• Getty (01:25): "It's like putting a drop of milk on your lens just kind of makes it milky... but now, it's like HD to 4K."

• Armstrong (07:34): "Feederism is a fetish where you have a couple and one of them feeds the other and encourages their weight gain... it's everywhere right now."

• Getty (10:32): "That's what he's doing... They're making money because of it."

• Getty (10:48): "It's just part of Maslow's hierarchy of needs, the need to belong... That takes it to an extreme level."

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This episode of Armstrong & Getty On Demand offers a blend of personal anecdotes and critical analysis of pressing social issues, encouraging listeners to reflect on their own lives and the broader societal trends influenced by technology and social media.

Transcript

[Michelangelo]

My God, we're in 4K. It's one more Thing.

[Armstrong]

Armstrong and Getty.

[Michelangelo]

One More Thing.

[Getty]

A rare Michelangelo story for the One More Thing podcast. Before we get to that, though, and I realize this is distasteful and people are gonna groan, and I. I didn't do it on the show. I did the podcast. But I was just in the restroom. There's somebody in there that needs to be rushed to the hospital.

[Unknown]

Oh, boy.

[Getty]

I mean, an ambulance should take them.

[Unknown]

What did you eat? A dead raccoon?

[Getty]

What is going on with you, dude? I almost wanted to say over that little transom thing or whatever it is.

[Unknown]

Hey, sir, you're right.

[Getty]

Dial 9.

[Unknown]

1 1.

[Getty]

Good Lord. In case you don't know, this ain't right. This ain't normal. I've been around a long time. I've been in a lot of situations. This is. Is not normal.

[Michelangelo]

Just stick your head in the stall and say that.

[Unknown]

Michael, you're rolling today. Here's a question for you. If I pass on my comment, will we just move on? Yes, I will pass.

[Getty]

Okay, so what to your 4K comment, Michelangelo, was that all about?

[Michelangelo]

I had cataract surgery last week on my right eye.

[Getty]

And could you explain what that is? Because I heard people talking about cataracts. My life. I'd hear it through my whole life. I had no idea what it was.

[Michelangelo]

It's basically a large gray cloud that clouds your vision, but you don't realize it until it's removed. And so I've been seeing all of you, like, in standard definition, basically is the way I would describe it. I didn't realize I had a film over my eye.

[Getty]

Yeah, you and I have this in common because I got lens replacement surgery, and mine was to improve my eyesight, but I also had cataracts and didn't know it. And they described it to me. They actually showed pictures. It's like putting a drop of milk on your lens just kind of makes it milky. And, like, it happens little by little over your life so you don't notice it. But that's why I was always saying, God, I can't see anything. Could somebody flip on a light? And my kids would be like, dad, it's plenty bright in here because just it makes everything. That's why I never wore sunglasses. I just never, ever wore sunglasses. Now I can't hardly step out of the building without. It's so bright. I never wore sunglasses. I didn't need them. I had built in sunglasses. And you're probably having the same experience.

[Michelangelo]

Yeah, it's just the colors are so vivid.

[Getty]

It's like.

[Michelangelo]

It's like a whole new world. I've only got one eye done, so I'm gonna get the other one done and just, you know, it's unbelievable how I'm seeing people, how I'm seeing. It's like just mind blowing.

[Getty]

It's.

[Unknown]

Well, that's great. It's fabulous. And I've heard that it's just remarkably safe, effective and non horrible these days.

[Michelangelo]

Yeah, the prepping is what takes a long time. The operation was like 10 minutes.

[Unknown]

It's funny, they shaved him for some reason.

[Armstrong]

I was wondering about that.

[Getty]

That's actually what the doctor told me when I got lens replacement is like going from, from HD to 4K. And that is very similar. When I was at Arrowhead Stadium for the Chiefs game, I really noticed with my eyes because my new lenses, just looking at the stadium and the bright red and all the colors that I just wasn't seeing. So, yeah, it's pretty cool. Good for you. Flat out see better.

[Michelangelo]

Oh, yeah, yeah. This, like I said, this is just one eye. The other. It's weird because if I look out my right eye, it's H, you know, it's like 4K or whatever. But if I close it, then everything's like, you know, gray.

[Unknown]

We ought to talk about this on the air at some point. I have a friend who is. He's got a lung infection deal going on and it's really, really hard to clear up and it's life threatening. And so he's on these incredibly powerful drugs that have now started to rob him of his vision. And so he's got this unholy, you know, decision to make and, you know, all right, do I keep going with these drugs? And it's terrible and serious. But he's a physician and the one thing he said that was so interesting, he's. And he named several lung conditions his. Then there's the San Joaquin Valley something or other that I remember like a decade ago. That's not far from where the, the radio ranch is. It was a very, very rare lung condition that you'd get in certain farm work and that sort of thing. And he said that one, that one and another one that you never saw or you'd see once every six months. He said we're seeing them every single month now. And he thinks it has a lot to do with what COVID 19 did to people's immune systems. And he also thinks that rings quite tunefully, quite in tune with the idea that, yeah, Those spike proteins in the design of the thing are not of God. They are of man. And they were designed to be extra virulent and nasty, which is a hell of a deal. So coming to a hospital near you.

[Getty]

I think whenever I heard about cataracts, I always thought about it being really, really old people. You're not a really. What are you, 72?

[Michelangelo]

I'll be 50 in April. But that's what they told me is. They said, you know, you're healing really well because you're so young.

[Getty]

But how long have your. Your eyes probably been this way? Did they say that?

[Michelangelo]

I don't know. I'm thinking that I haven't seen this way in, like, 20 years.

[Getty]

Yeah. So. Well, in. So people get cataracts in, like, their 20s, certainly 30s and 40s. So that's. I mean, that's one thing we gotta start looking at, is it happens a lot earlier than you think. It's not just for Grandma and Grandpa, you know.

[Michelangelo]

I did want to play a prank, though, when I was there. I wanted to come out. My wife, you know, she had to guide me around. She wouldn't let me do it, but I had dark sunglasses on. So she's leading me through the waiting room, and it's packed full of people. I told her, I said, I want so badly to have a white cane and say, I told you we shouldn't have come here. And just walk out the door, just watch the waiting room just clear out.

[Armstrong]

Wait until they do your other eye, and then pull that prank.

[Unknown]

Doctor, I was 20, 30 when I came here.

[Michelangelo]

And the other thing was they make you fill out all these medical forms, and they, you know, they have to put you under, I mean, as far as giving you anesthesia and stuff. And they ask, is there somebody that you don't want to know that you're under anesthesia? Which is kind of funny. And so, you know, like, some people mention a family member or whatever. I thought, you know what. How funny it would be if I put Bill Cosby down.

[Unknown]

Oh, the comedy stylings of Michelangelo. Well, that you don't want to know.

[Michelangelo]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Unknown]

My arch enemy. Please don't tell him.

[Getty]

That's right. Weird.

[Unknown]

Don't tell Gavin Newsom.

[Getty]

Anyway, the lighter side of eye surgery. Thank you very, Michael. And I'm glad you can see now.

[Michelangelo]

I am, too.

[Getty]

So another topic that came up during the radio show. We had never heard this term before Katie brought us the word feeders.

[Armstrong]

Yeah, feeders. Before I do that, I have to ask you a favor. Don't Describe anything as milky ever again. That sent me a weird. I got a weird chill. I don't know. You said. Said something about is.

[Getty]

Now that you mention it.

[Unknown]

So that's your word. Milky. Some people. It's moist.

[Armstrong]

No, that's on the list too. But for some. I. And I've never had this issue before. I don't know that it's ever come to my attention, but when you said it right there, I went, oh, God.

[Getty]

There are gross words. That's a gross word.

[Armstrong]

Yeah.

[Getty]

Milky, Milky. Other than milk, you don't want anything, milk, Anything milky ever.

[Armstrong]

No.

[Getty]

Anyway, what's a feeder?

[Armstrong]

So the backstory on this. Somehow my Instagram algorithm decided that I needed to know about this and what, what feederism is. It's a fetish where you have a couple and one of them feeds the other and encourages their weight gain. And, and this is, this is a big. They're saying it's an underground fetish. It's not. There's nothing underground about it. It's everywhere right now. But these women in particular are getting up into the 500, 600 pound range and they're.

[Getty]

And their boyfriend or husband or whatever is feeding them to encourage them.

[Armstrong]

Well, there's, there's that element of it. Or they're feeding themselves because they're online audience, because they film themselves gorging on any fast food you can imagine. The online. The comments are, oh, you look great. Keep eating. It's. It's sick.

[Getty]

It's so gross. You know what's interesting? So this is like an extreme example to help prove a point for the other stuff. This would explain why some people go down the road. They go politically or whatever. If you start getting likes and encouragement from people. I mean, because if you're going to eat yourself into £500 and, you know, an early death and being miserable all the. You certainly would be willing to, you know, encourage certain aspects of your politics because you're getting likes, encouragement and popular. It's just like being one of the popular kids that that's maybe that's what's driving all our problems in America, people are more susceptible to likes and encouragement online than we even realized. Yeah.

[Unknown]

And I think if you're hoping for likes and encouragement from your family, your friends, the people who live with you in your town, the people you see at church or associate with, and what that is going to guide you in a certain direction. But if you just venture onto the Internet and see what you can get.

[Armstrong]

Yeah. And it was the other interesting thing I hopped over to TikTok to look. Because everybody, if you. If you look at their. What's called a link tree now, they've got Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and it's all of their platforms. Right.

[Getty]

Know that, the link tree. Okay.

[Armstrong]

Yeah. It's because all of everybody's got a profile on everything now.

[Getty]

Sure.

[Armstrong]

So I went from this particular feeders whose page popped up on my Instagram and I jumped over to TikTok. Now on tick Tock, the encouragement is through the roof. On Instagram, there was a lot of hate, like, this is unhealthy. You shouldn't be promoting obesity. You shouldn't be doing this, that and the other. But if you go over to Tick Tock, it was. You're beautiful. Keep it up.

[Getty]

Wow.

[Armstrong]

Oh, my gosh, I'd love to feed you.

[Getty]

So the Chinese Communist Party algorithm includes. If this is bad for people in America, encourage it. Yeah, I'll bet that's what it is.

[Unknown]

It could be as simple as that.

[Getty]

Yeah. Anyway, if your husband is feeding you like with a fork, encouraging you to be £500, he's trying to kill you.

[Armstrong]

Yes.

[Getty]

That's what he's doing.

[Armstrong]

Yep. Oh, but they're making money. They're making money because of it.

[Getty]

Wow, that is an interesting insight into the power of peer pressure, I guess you'd call it. Or I don't even know what you'd call it. Neediness, wanting to belong. Part of Maslow's hierarchy of needs, the need to belong. But wow, that takes it to an extreme level.

[Armstrong]

Yeah. And it definitely falls into the mental health thing too, because if you watch some of these videos, it's just there. There's something wrong, you know? Yeah, clearly, big time.

[Getty]

I was reading something over the weekend I was planning to get on the air about social contagions, how they are a real thing and giving examples through the years and they were, they were using currently the whole trans thing. It's a social contagion and it's just. It's like a man calling trans a disease is going to get me into trouble. But contagion is a contagion and it just spreads that way. And they use the example through the years of anorexia and school shootings and a variety of things, they just catch on. And one of this feeder thing is a. Just a social contagion.

[Armstrong]

Yeah. It is not a. It's not a good.

[Michelangelo]

Wow.

[Armstrong]

I don't. And I don't know why all of a sudden I just went to my Explore page and it was like 19 of these videos.

[Michelangelo]

Why can't I.

[Unknown]

Did somebody prank you? Can you do that?

[Armstrong]

I have no idea. I don't. I don't. I don't get it.

[Getty]

Why can't I fall prey to the social contagion of, like, eating well and exercising regularly and getting plenty of sleep? I don't want to do it, but all the cool people are doing it. I just can't stop. Why doesn't that happen to me?

[Unknown]

Yeah, yeah, I know. I'm reminded of a discussion on the show about certain political subculture. And, you know, I pointed out if a tenth of a percent, a tenth of 1% of people are into it, that's 340,000 on the Internet constantly tweeting about how it's clearly true and a great idea and blah, blah, blah. That's a lot of mass, since we all take in, you know, every single corner of the world as our inputs, which is incredibly unhealthy, in my opinion.

[Getty]

I think a thousand people would look alike a lot in an online feed on Instagram or something like that. It would seem like everybody's doing it. Could be a thousand people. Weird, man.

[Unknown]

I don't like modernity. I want to go back.

[Michelangelo]

It's nice to see you guys. You all look good.

[Getty]

Thank you.

[Michelangelo]

Well, I guess that's it.