Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Episode: "The Book Of Questions"
Release Date: December 4, 2024
Produced by Big Money Players Network and iHeartPodcasts
Introduction
In the "The Book Of Questions" episode of Las Culturistas, hosts Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang delve into the profound and often challenging inquiries presented by Gregory Stock's book. Joined by producer Becca Ramos, the trio navigates through a series of thought-provoking questions that explore morality, relationships, and personal introspection.
Exploring "The Book Of Questions"
Question 11: The Power to Kill (04:46 - 05:23)
The episode kicks off with a deep discussion on one of the book's most intense questions:
Question: "You are given the power to kill people simply by thinking of their deaths and twice repeating the word goodbye. People would die a natural death and no one would suspect you. Are there any situations in which you would use this power?"
Matt Rogers (04:46):
"If I come on here and I'm like explicitly alt right from now on. This movie is sick. They're taking people like liberal Elphaba and Yang are taking very young children to this movie that glorifies animal abuse and it stars Queer people in lead roles. And it's normalizing."
Bowen Yang (04:57):
"Wicked glorifies it."
The hosts debate the ethical implications of possessing such power, touching upon themes of self-defense, responsibility, and the inherent guilt associated with taking a life. Matt emphasizes the weight of guilt, saying:
Matt Rogers (14:57):
"That's the thing, my brain works overtime and I wouldn't be able to live with the guilt. And I don't think neither could you."
Bowen contemplates using the power for the greater good but acknowledges the moral dilemma it presents.
Question 3: Regrets and Communication (24:25 - 27:53)
Next, the conversation shifts to a more personal and emotional space:
Question: "If you were to die this evening with no opportunity to communicate with anyone, what would you most regret not having told someone? Why haven't you told them yet?"
Matt reflects on the intimate relationship between parent and child, expressing a deep sense of gratitude and the difficulty of verbalizing it:
Matt Rogers (25:00):
"I think that there is no more intimate relationship than if you really think about it, like the one between parent and child."
Bowen shares his cultural heritage and the sacrifices his parents made, emphasizing the immense challenges faced by immigrant families:
Bowen Yang (27:40):
"They tell me this all the time, and it's not to guilt me, but it's like they want me to internalize that, and I have, and it's just... it's so remarkable."
The discussion highlights the struggle to bridge generational gaps and the emotional weight of unspoken gratitude.
Question 152: Values in Relationships (36:48 - 40:57)
The hosts delve into what they value most in relationships, with a focus on comfort and trust:
Question: "What do you value most in a relationship?"
Bowen Yang (36:57):
"What I value most in a romantic relationship is comfort."
Matt elaborates on how comfort fosters vulnerability and trust, distinguishing it from mere honesty:
Matt Rogers (37:27):
"I think once you're comfortable, I think that's literally...that's where vulnerability comes from. That's where trust comes in."
They discuss the balance between immediate comfort and the potential oversight of red flags, emphasizing the importance of maintaining personal boundaries.
Question 206: Eating Live Crickets (45:48 - 48:53)
Injecting some levity, the conversation moves to a more whimsical yet still significant question:
Question: "Would you be willing to eat a bowl of live crickets for $40,000?"
Bowen Yang (45:48):
"Yes, I've had bugs in the past. Totally fine."
Matt humorously contemplates the practicalities and visual aspects of the challenge:
Matt Rogers (46:12):
"I might need to see the crickets. A bowl of live crickets is so crazy looking."
The segment highlights their ability to navigate from heavy topics to lighter, more humorous discussions seamlessly.
Question 69: Resentment Over Lateness (48:37 - 51:29)
Addressing interpersonal frustrations, the hosts tackle chronic lateness:
Question: "If a friend were almost always late, would you resent it or simply allow for it?"
Bowen Yang (49:07):
"I've had conversations with people even after they were like, 45 minutes late once."
Matt Rogers (50:08):
"If you're over 30 minutes late all the time, it's definitely an issue."
They explore the impact of dependability on relationships, with Matt sharing a personal anecdote about feeling guilty for making someone wait:
Matt Rogers (50:47):
"I will never forget one time, years ago, I let Kathryn Cohen sit at a diner for 40 minutes waiting for me. The guilt..."
Question 34: Dreams and Nightmares (51:43 - 58:36)
The discussion becomes introspective as Matt and Bowen share their most enjoyable dreams and worst nightmares:
Question: "What was your most enjoyable dream? Your worst nightmare?"
Bowen Yang (52:17):
"I have a dream from childhood that turned into a nightmare..."
Matt Rogers (53:58):
"I had this dream where I was a Muppet Baby in my childhood kitchen, trying to warn my mom about a monster."
They reflect on how these dreams have shaped their subconscious fears and desires, connecting back to earlier discussions about the power to kill.
Question 217: Honest Responses (59:35 - 66:54)
Exploring the value of honesty, the hosts consider who they would question if guaranteed honest answers to any three questions:
Question: "If you were guaranteed honest responses to any three questions, who would you question and what would you ask?"
Bowen Yang (59:35):
"I don't know. This is a tough one."
Matt Rogers (60:07):
"This is a deep one...an expansive question."
The conversation underscores the complexity of seeking truth and the potential consequences of unfiltered honesty.
Question 103: Appeal of the Unknown (60:38 - 62:25)
The hosts discuss how encountering new experiences affects their comfort levels:
Question: "Does the fact that you have never done something before increase or decrease its appeal to you?"
Bowen Yang (60:38):
"At this point, I have felt thrills of all kinds. I'm good with something even. I'm good with boring."
Matt Rogers (60:45):
"I think that this question is scarcity mindset."
They acknowledge the balance between seeking new experiences and valuing established comforts.
Question 22: Voodoo Doll (62:36 - 66:54)
Closing with a controversial question, the hosts discuss the morality of causing others pain:
Question: "If you could use a voodoo doll to hurt anyone you chose, would you?"
Matt Rogers (63:07):
"I don't want to hurt people. I really don't."
Bowen Yang (63:35):
"No, I think this book is so cursed."
They debate the ethical boundaries of intentional harm versus self-defense, reinforcing earlier themes of guilt and responsibility.
Reflections on "The Book Of Questions"
Throughout the episode, Matt and Bowen intertwine personal anecdotes with philosophical debates, offering listeners a candid exploration of their values and ethical standpoints. The inclusion of producer Becca adds depth, providing additional perspectives and facilitating a balanced dialogue.
Notable Insights:
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Guilt as a Moral Compass: Both hosts highlight how guilt plays a crucial role in deterring harmful actions, indicating an innate sense of morality.
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Trust and Comfort in Relationships: The discussion emphasizes that trust is foundational to any meaningful relationship, and maintaining comfort does not equate to ignoring potential issues.
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Cultural and Generational Gaps: Bowen’s reflections on his immigrant family's sacrifices shed light on the complexities of intergenerational relationships and cultural expectations.
Notable Quotes:
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Matt Rogers (14:57):
"That's the thing, my brain works overtime and I wouldn't be able to live with the guilt." -
Bowen Yang (27:40):
"They tell me this all the time, and it's not to guilt me, but it's like they want me to internalize that." -
Matt Rogers (37:27):
"I think once you're comfortable, I think that's literally...that's where vulnerability comes from. That's where trust comes in." -
Matt Rogers (50:47):
"I will never forget one time, years ago, I let Kathryn Cohen sit at a diner for 40 minutes waiting for me. The guilt..."
Additional Discussions
Beyond the primary questions, the hosts touch upon the influence of media, personal growth, and societal expectations. They also briefly critique aspects of pop culture, referencing the Wicked film adaptation and drawing parallels to their personal lives and careers.
Matt Rogers on Wicked (68:04 - 69:05):
"I take back everything I said about Wicked. Those animals were CGI. That's just a testament to the power of filmmaking."
This exchange highlights the hosts' willingness to reassess their opinions and engage in self-reflection.
Conclusion
Las Culturistas’s "The Book Of Questions" episode offers a compelling mix of deep philosophical discussions and personal narratives. Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, supported by Becca Ramos, navigate through challenging ethical dilemmas and intimate reflections, providing listeners with both entertainment and food for thought. The episode underscores the complexity of human morality, the importance of trust in relationships, and the ongoing journey of self-discovery.
Final Thought:
Matt Rogers (81:58):
"This book is so cursed."
The candid and sometimes intense conversations make this episode one of the most memorable, pushing the boundaries of typical pop-culture discussions and inviting listeners to ponder their own answers to life's most challenging questions.