This week, Dan and Michael accidentally dismantle the U.S. economy with the help of linguistic anthropologist Steve Black. We talk about why everyone thinks a new car should cost $30k (it shouldn’t), why letters of recommendation are medieval hazing rituals, and why quitting your job feels like a moral test instead of a labor decision. Plus: sorority-rush consultants, academic-publishing slop, and a brief cameo from an AI-generated rat with an alarming anatomy. People Stuff: because the economy is just vibes in a spreadsheet.