Armstrong & Getty On Demand

Episode: "We Were Probably Better Off As Apes"

Date: January 9, 2026

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode centers on contemporary social conflict and chaos, the psychology behind radical activism, and the challenges of modern society—suggesting, sometimes with tongue-in-cheek resignation, that "we were probably better off as apes." The hosts, Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty, examine recent news headlines, the legacy of technology like the iPhone, the assassination of James Garfield, the rise of conspiratorial thinking, the dangers of larping (live action role-play) in activism, and the way media presents complex events. The conversation flows from incisive social commentary to personal anecdotes, with their trademark humor and skepticism.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Opening: Conflict and Chaos as General Manager

• The show comedically frames "Conflict and Chaos" as the day’s “general manager,” reflecting ongoing social and political tumult.
  • [02:45] Joe Getty: "Conflict and Chaos."
  • [02:47] Jack Armstrong: "Oh yay."
  • [02:55] Jack Armstrong: Jokes about NFL chaos as a metaphor.

2. NFL and Sports as Social Microcosms

• NFL playoffs and college football are used to highlight unpredictability and social dynamics.
  • [03:13] Jack Armstrong: "More fun to watch NFL Wild Card weekend… anyone could win."
  • [04:08] Jack Armstrong: Special Indiana quarterback, “a positive energy guy or leadership person or something."
• Segue to cultural aspirations: Used to dream of being president, now, “God, no. Why are you threatening me?” [04:23] - Joe Getty

3. Lessons from History: Garfield’s Assassination

• The Netflix series "Death by Lightning" sparks a discussion about President Garfield’s reluctant rise and political intrigue.
  • [05:19] Jack Armstrong: Garfield had “no interest in being president.”
  • [05:33] Joe Getty: "They were terribly divided, and there were 37 ballots… Garfield’s a pretty good guy. And he’s like, ‘what the hell are you doing?’"
• Comparison to the Brown University shooter—both characterized as “sad, pathetic losers who blamed everyone else for their failures.” [06:09] - Joe Getty

4. Psychological Roots of Political Violence & Conspiritualism

• Historical assassinations often perpetrated by isolated, mentally unstable individuals rather than true ideologues.
  • [07:02] Joe Getty: "To make them the big, big man they had always believed they were and that the world wasn’t recognizing."
• Joe introduces “conspiritualism”: The convergence of conspiracy theories and spiritual belief as coping mechanisms amid trauma.
  • [07:54] Joe Getty: "It’s frequently an elaborate coping mechanism… oh my God, it snapped my head back."

Notable Quote:

"We were probably better off as apes. The human brain got too big, too complicated, too prone to going off in wacky directions. So back to the trees. That’s my rallying cry."
— Joe Getty [08:08]

5. Technology’s Double-Edged Sword: The iPhone’s Anniversary

• Reflection on 2007 launch of the iPhone as a turning point—both progress and social destruction.
  • [14:08] Jack Armstrong: "Held up a little heavy weird looking gadget called the iPhone. And man, did that change everything."
  • [14:26] Joe Getty: "Thanks, Steve. In many ways for the worse."

6. Protest Movements, ICE Incident, and LARPing

• News headlines covered: Minneapolis ICE shooting, Iranian protests, U.S. actions in Venezuela, and oddities (pizza-induced auto-brewery syndrome; Madonna’s ad).
  • [15:02 – 20:22] Katie Green headlines + reactions.
• Deep dive: Minneapolis ICE shooting involving Renee Goode and the psychology of activists who see themselves as heroes but fail to grasp real-world consequences.
• Joe explains the concept of LARPing—many activists are acting out a role with little appreciation for actual risk.
  • [21:13] Katie Green: "Study finds drunk from pizza rare auto brewery syndrome…"
  • [21:57] Jack Armstrong: "LARPing is the acronym for Live Action Role playing."
  • [22:00] Joe Getty: "Yeah, essentially. Well, yes, yes, essentially what they’re doing."

Notable Quote & Excerpt:

“You start to believe you’re a hero, you’re the main character. Then you convince yourself to do something really dumb… They draw their guns and the LARP crumbles. You’re not that person. This is real life and those are real guns.”
— Joe Getty reading a Twitter essay on radicalization and the ICE shooting [29:55]

7. Critique of Media Coverage & Narrative Gaps

• Hosts highlight how legacy media omits crucial context in controversial events: i.e., the role of crime and immigration enforcement in Minnesota, and one-sided street interviews.
  • [35:54] Jack Armstrong: "Why wouldn’t you give that context to America?"
  • [36:07] Joe Getty: "…they gave this one young black kid on the street, like, quote after quote after quote, who declared… the arbiter of what’s right and wrong."
  • [37:12] Joe Getty: "The percentage of Americans who would agree with apprehending illegal immigrants who rip off the taxpayers would be closer to 88% than half the country."

8. The Dangers of Perpetual Belligerence

• Joe cautions that constant aggression—whether in politics or activism—alienates those who might otherwise support you.
  • [37:25] Joe Getty: "What is your goal? If your tactics don’t fit your strategy, they’re bad tactics. If your strategy is to change minds… never ending belligerence is not going to help."

9. Generational Shifts & Hope for the Future

• Despite skepticism, Joe expresses hope: Gen Z may actually be more willing to cut down on screen time than earlier generations. [40:15-40:30]

10. Philosophical Reflection: Manipulation & War

• Joe shares a quote attributed to Hermann Göring at Nuremberg about manipulating the public toward war by stoking fear and denouncing dissent as unpatriotic.
  • [41:06] Joe Getty: “All you have to do is tell them they’re being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism. Works the same way in any country.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On mental health and radicalization:
  "The shooter at Brown University… essentially he was one of those sad, pathetic losers who blamed everyone else for his sad, pathetic life… the guy who shot Garfield… very much the same guy."
  — Joe Getty [06:09]

• On modern politics:
  "We’ve got some disgusting politics now, but there’s a lot less taking people into alleys and beating the money out of them."
  — Jack Armstrong [09:25]

• On LARPing and activism:
  "No one in this woman’s life told her she’s on a retarded, destructive larp. She was encouraged by her peer group...and now she’s dead. A horrible case of Internet radicalization."
  — Joe Getty (paraphrasing a Twitter essay) [30:47]

• Sarcastic riff on celebrity culture:
  "How could anything turn your life more upside down, even when you’re already wealthy and famous, than getting engaged to Taylor Swift? Holy crap, that would put you into a new world."
  — Jack Armstrong [10:45]

• On technology’s unintended consequences:
  "Held up a little heavy weird looking gadget called the iPhone. And man, did that change everything… In many ways for the worse."
  — Jack Armstrong, Joe Getty [14:08-14:26]

• On generational change:
  “[Gen Z] is more likely to cut down on screen time than us Gen Xers or Millennials on their own.”
  — Jack Armstrong [40:15]

Segment Timestamps

• [02:45] – “Conflict and Chaos” theme, football as metaphor
• [04:08] – Leadership and younger generation, aspirations
• [04:54 – 06:36] – Garfield assassination and parallels to modern violence
• [07:19] – “Conspiritualism” and coping with trauma
• [08:08] – “We were probably better off as apes.”
• [14:08] – iPhone anniversary reflection
• [15:02 – 22:03] – Katie Green’s headlines, commentary, concept of LARPing
• [24:13] – Mishap with "clips of the week," team banter
• [29:55 – 31:14] – The anatomy of radicalization and LARPing in activism
• [35:54 – 37:17] – Criticism of media coverage on ICE shooting
• [40:15] – Gen Z, screen time & optimism
• [41:06] – Göring quote on war manipulation
• [43:24] – Mailbag banter
• [End] – More ads, outro banter

Episode Tone & Overall Flow

The tone is irreverent, skeptical, and conversational, marked by frequent humorous asides even amid serious discussion. Jack and Joe alternate between deep dives—sometimes philosophical or psychological—and playful mockery of current events, public figures, and themselves.

Summary for New Listeners

This episode is a cross-section of Armstrong & Getty’s trademark mix of cultural skepticism, historical perspective, and cutting wit. The show ranges from news headlines to the psychology of modern activism (with a strong focus on LARPing and Internet-induced radicalization), commentary on how the media distorts complex events, and the existential dissatisfaction of modernity. If you want to understand why the hosts joke "we were probably better off as apes," this episode lays it all out: humanity’s progress is as much a burden as a blessing, and in the chaos of our times, everyone—from cable news to street activists—seems a little lost in the LARP.

Further Listening

For those intrigued by the analysis of social movements, media criticism, and generational change, further Armstrong & Getty episodes often expand on these topics with news-driven urgency and comedic flair.