Oooohhh...You're the Smart, Sophisticated One!?

Summary

Armstrong & Getty On Demand: Episode Summary

Title: Oooohhh...You're the Smart, Sophisticated One!? Release Date: July 21, 2025 Host/Authors: Jack Armstrong & Joe Getty Podcast Platform: iHeartPodcasts

In this incisive episode of Armstrong & Getty On Demand, hosts Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty delve into the intriguing juxtaposition between the perceived intelligence of New York Times readers and their belief in unconventional phenomena such as pet psychics. Through sharp wit and critical analysis, the duo dissects a specific New York Times article on pet psychics, exploring themes of rationality, credibility, and societal beliefs.

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Perceived Intelligence vs. Beliefs in the Absurd

00:04 – 00:54

Joe Getty opens the conversation by challenging the notion that New York Times readers, often deemed "smart and sophisticated," paradoxically endorse beliefs in psychics and pet psychics. He muses:

"If New York Times readers are the ones that are smart and sophisticated compared to the rest of us... why are there so many articles about psychics and even pet psychics and so many people who believe in that crap?"
— Joe Getty [00:22]

Jack Armstrong counters with humor, highlighting the irony of New York Times promoting such content:

"Armstrong and Getty. One more thing. If I was gonna work up a big belch to follow that, but it was too much even for me."
— Jack Armstrong [00:08]

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Critique of Progressive Claims on Evidence-Based Decisions

00:54 – 02:12

The discussion shifts to a critique of Nate Silver's take on the cancellation of Stephen Colbert's show, where Silver attributes progressives as the group valuing "evidence-based decisions." Armstrong expresses disbelief:

"Progressives have very carefully assessed the evidence and decided on thumbs up."
— Jack Armstrong [02:12]

Joe Getty counters the stereotype, arguing that conservatives prioritize facts and figures, suggesting a misrepresentation by Silver.

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The New York Times and Pet Psychics

02:12 – 04:34

Joe Getty narrates his personal encounter with a pet psychic featured in the New York Times:

"I took my dog to a psychic, and I think it worked. When I look into my dog's soulful brown eyes... In other words, a dog."
— Joe Getty [02:34]

The hosts humorously discuss the authenticity and necessity of such services, with Armstrong sharing his skepticism:

"A dog. Yeah. I think Buddy is the perfect name for a dog... Might as well just give him that name."
— Jack Armstrong [02:46]

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Evaluating the Pet Psychic Experience

04:03 – 07:06

Getty recounts the pet psychic's insights into his dog Buddy's thoughts and desires, questioning the validity of such claims:

"Buddy had some wild requests like, I want to ride on a big boat... Aware of mortality and boating."
— Joe Getty [05:42]

Armstrong parodies Buddy's supposed sophistication, emphasizing the absurdity:

"Buddy, old buddy the boater. He is a unique dog. And your money is well invested with this pet communicator."
— Jack Armstrong [07:29]

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The Economics and Ethics of Pet Psychics

07:06 – 09:59

The conversation delves into the motivations behind pet psychics, suggesting financial incentives and exploitation:

"She went to vet school and still thought, you know, I'll bet there's more money in ripping off these morons..."
— Joe Getty [03:12]

Getty further critiques the lack of tangible benefits, highlighting the dubious nature of the services offered.

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Humorous Takeaways and Final Thoughts

09:59 – 10:26

Wrapping up, Armstrong and Getty use humor to underscore their skepticism:

"An ocean voyage and some bullcock. That's what I long for. Wow."
— Jack Armstrong [09:59]

They collectively mock the credibility of pet psychics, reinforcing the episode's central theme of questioning societal beliefs despite professed intelligence.

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Conclusion

In "Oooohhh...You're the Smart, Sophisticated One!?", Armstrong and Getty adeptly navigate the tension between intellect and irrational beliefs. Through witty banter and critical examination, they shed light on the contradictions within educated circles, particularly those aligned with esteemed publications like the New York Times. The episode serves as both a humorous critique and a call for greater skepticism in the face of pseudoscientific claims.

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Notable Quotes:

• Joe Getty [00:22]: "If New York Times readers are the ones that are smart and sophisticated compared to the rest of us... why are there so many articles about psychics and even pet psychics and so many people who believe in that crap?"

• Jack Armstrong [02:12]: "Progressives have very carefully assessed the evidence and decided on thumbs up."

• Joe Getty [05:42]: "Buddy had some wild requests like, I want to ride on a big boat... Aware of mortality and boating."

• Jack Armstrong [07:29]: "Buddy, old buddy the boater. He is a unique dog. And your money is well invested with this pet communicator."

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This episode is a must-listen for enthusiasts of sharp social commentary, blending humor with critical insights into contemporary societal trends.

Transcript

[Jack Armstrong]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Joe Getty]

Oh, you're the smart, sophisticated one. It's one more thing.

[Jack Armstrong]

Armstrong and Getty. One more thing. If I was gonna work up a big belch to follow that, but it was too much even for me.

[Joe Getty]

If New York Times readers are the ones that are smart and sophisticated compared to the rest of us, and I guarantee you, I they feel like they are, then why are there so many articles about psychics and even pet psychics and so many people who believe in that crap? How do you put those together? I'm not sure that there are more people that believe in pet psychics among the New York Times reader crowds in the general population, but they do think they're smarter and more sophisticated than the rest of us.

[Jack Armstrong]

Yeah. You know, it's funny. I just got hoodwinked into starting a incredibly long article by Nate Silver about the canceling of Stephen Colbert's show. And there's a fair amount that was interesting in there, but one sentence just stuck in my cry, said, progressives who are generally the side that values evidence based decisions.

[Joe Getty]

Really?

[Jack Armstrong]

And I'm like, wait, what?

[Joe Getty]

Wow, that's something that he feels that.

[Jack Armstrong]

Yeah.

[Joe Getty]

So he thinks the people on the right, because they're religious more, don't believe in evidence. That sort of. That's not. Practically the entire definition of being a conservative is recognizing what is based on facts and figures and your emotions don't matter.

[Jack Armstrong]

Cold realism. Yeah, that's wild. Now, although, you know, in his weird defense, I suppose if you just advocate as loud as you can anything Trump tells you to advocate. Okay. For instance, in the same way that people just completely reverse their field and sung the praises of Obama no matter what they. They said in the past. But yeah, I thought that was crazy. So, yeah, progressives have very carefully assessed the evidence and decided on thumbs up.

[Joe Getty]

For pet psychics column in the New York Times. I took my dog to a psychic, and I think it worked. When I look into my dog's soulful brown eyes, it's hard to know what he's thinking about me. Buddy is a near constant presence in my life, following me from room to room, lingering underfoot in the kitchen, and cuddling on the couch as I watch tv. In other words, a dog.

[Jack Armstrong]

A dog. Yeah. I think Buddy is the perfect name for a dog. I've come to this conclusion recently. My neighbor has a dog named Buddy, and I have a dog named Baxter, and I constantly call him Buddy.

[Joe Getty]

Yeah, Buddy's a good name, so you.

[Jack Armstrong]

Might as well just give him that name.

[Joe Getty]

Says this Writer in the New York Times, which is like the coolest job you can have as a writer in the world practically. Who uses pet psychics. I often wonder if he's not so silently judging me when he sighs and tosses me side eye. Is he actually.

[Jack Armstrong]

Oh, he is.

[Joe Getty]

Is he actually happy here? Does he even like me?

[Jack Armstrong]

No. No.

[Joe Getty]

Thanks to Nina. Unpronounceable. A vet turned pet communicator. Oh, good idea calling yourself a pet communicator instead of a psychic. Because psychics has a bit of baggage as a term, right? You're a pet communicator while you were a vet. She went to vet school and still thought, you know, I'll bet there's more money in ripping off these morons who don't have kids and put too much emphasis on their pets.

[Jack Armstrong]

Or you saw over and over and over again people's inability to come to obvious conclusions about why their pet was acting.

[Joe Getty]

How it is among the revelations I got from our 30 minute Zoom session. Oh, fantastic. This psychic doesn't even need to be in the same room as you and your pet. They can do it over Zoom.

[Jack Armstrong]

Oh, yeah. Pets can send brainwaves over Zoom. Everybody knows that you're always so happy.

[Joe Getty]

And trying to stay so positive. He really loves you for that. Said the pet psychic as she acted as a conduit between Buddy's thoughts and feelings and my innumerable questions about his health and mental well being. You also don't let people take advantage of you. You're a tough cookie is what Buddy said to the owner. And the owner said that is was so great to hear because it proved that he had been paying attention.

[Jack Armstrong]

Oh, my goodness. See, I was okay. My dog seems sad and depressed. Well, do you take him for walks? Do you throw a ball to him? Not anymore. Not real. Well, that's why he's sad and depressed. I pictured more of that not. Your dog is congratulating you for being such a tough cookie. No, no.

[Joe Getty]

And then you feel like you've caught on to the kind of person I am. I, I, I have disciplined you properly that you realize, boy, there's no getting one over on me.

[Jack Armstrong]

You have been paying attention. Buddy. Good dog.

[Joe Getty]

I really wanted to better understand my relationship with Buddy and how he thought his life could be improved. During the video call, Buddy. Buddy had some wild requests like, I want to ride on a big boat. We're not boat people. Have I been so. How did I get so off on that one? Your dog is thinking he wants to ride on a big Boat. Unless your dog has been near a boat or on a boat and comprehended.

[Jack Armstrong]

What one is and understood that one could ride on a different one at a different time. Yes. Right.

[Joe Getty]

But if your dog is. You have to do all of those things. But if your dog has never been on a boat or like, other than walked in your, like the Upper west side, I find it hard to believe your dog has come up with the concept of riding on a boat.

[Jack Armstrong]

Told me I never made it to Paris.

[Joe Getty]

So your dog is aware of the existence of something called boating and thinks he would enjoy it.

[Jack Armstrong]

At some point in the future? Yes. Yes.

[Joe Getty]

Oh, that is funny.

[Jack Armstrong]

Money parted.

[Joe Getty]

There were also more modest suggestions such as, I'd like a bully stick. Is that a treat? Because as I read it, because, okay, I'm unfamiliar with that term.

[Jack Armstrong]

Well, Jack, it's more than a treat. It's. It's a chew like rawhide. It is beef wang.

[Joe Getty]

Is it really?

[Jack Armstrong]

A bully stick is a beef penis.

[Joe Getty]

That's funny. I call mine Buddy.

[Jack Armstrong]

Full circle.

[Joe Getty]

There were also more modest suggestions, such as, I'd like a bully stick by the fireplace before I die. This tracks completely. In his early days.

[Jack Armstrong]

Before I die. Wait a minute. The dog's aware of its own mortality? Geez Louise. This is just stealing people's money.

[Joe Getty]

Aware of mortality and boating.

[Jack Armstrong]

Right.

[Joe Getty]

Dog is really on top of it. This tracks completely. In his early days with us, he would resource guard high value treats like bully sticks and hooves. So we stopped giving them to him. Oh, really? Your dog would kind of like hide and like trying to protect his treats. Nobody else's dog does that. So that's very interesting. Good Lord.

[Jack Armstrong]

Wow. Buddy, old buddy the boater. He is a unique dog. And your money is well invested with this pet what? Communicator.

[Joe Getty]

And you as a columnist for the New York Times, which means you gotta be pretty well educated and smart. Are writing this without us, without a single hint of boy. People are gonna nationally heard radio shows are gonna mock me for this. It's so freaking ridiculous.

[Jack Armstrong]

Every word of it. Although picture the upscale ish female New York Times reader. I could see a significant chunk of those and generally childless or whatever Manhattanites who lap up every. No pun intended, every, you know, delicious morsel of this.

[Joe Getty]

God, what would I do if I met a woman and she seemed otherwise nice, but she started going on about pet psychic and all the insights she.

[Unknown Guest]

Got run the other direction.

[Joe Getty]

I suppose I'd have to just figure her bank account. I'd have to gently say, you're fucking crazy. Walk out of the restaurant. The pet communicator sent me a video recording of our time together, and I reviewed it to make a list of Buddy's most attainable wants and needs. Then, to ensure that my plan for fulfilling my big guy's biggest wishes was sound, I consulted with a different pet expert. Dog behaviorist or something like that. It's just. It's just. It's absolutely amazing. And it goes on and on like that. Wow.

[Jack Armstrong]

So he wants to learn how to paint.

[Joe Getty]

How do you. How do you. Even if you. I'm a dog lover. I don't think dogs know about boating just inherently.

[Jack Armstrong]

And again, knowing about it is only. It's merely the first step in the cognitive chain toward. You know what I would like to do someday? I mean, if we can make our schedules work, I would love to ride along on the surface of one of those things.

[Joe Getty]

All right. With the wind blowing through my ears to be on a date.

[Jack Armstrong]

Indeterminate. Woof, woof.

[Joe Getty]

But. But soon. Because I know I'm gonna die like all living creatures do. And see, what breed am I? We aged about eight years compared to humans. I probably got a couple years left. So if I want to boat and enjoy a bully stick in front of the fireplace, we better get on it.

[Jack Armstrong]

Yeah. Yeah. An ocean voyage and some bullcock. That's what I long for. Wow.

[Joe Getty]

Oh, my God.

[Jack Armstrong]

Better bleep that. That was coarse.

[Joe Getty]

And again, they're the smart, sophisticated ones that read the New York Times. All right.

[Unknown Guest]

You know what you do is you call up a pet psychic and say, I have a goldfish and he's trying. Trying to drown himself. See if he still takes your money. Well, I guess that's it.

[Jack Armstrong]

This is an Iheart pod.