Podcast Summary: TBTL: Too Beautiful To Live – Episode #891

Release Date: August 22, 2011
Host(s): Luke Burbank and Andrew Walsh (Jen)
Guest: Shawn Dettori

1. Personal Anecdotes and Opening Banter

The episode begins with Luke Burbank sharing a touching yet humorous story about his late cat's birthday. At [00:00], Luke sets a light-hearted tone by discussing the tradition of baking his cat’s favorite dessert each year, humorously contemplating whether his cat has gone to heaven or hell.

Notable Quote:
Luke Burbank ([00:28]): "Your cat's going to heaven. Yeah, maybe. Maybe he went to heaven. He. He was a little. He could have gone to hell."

2. Guest Introduction: Shawn Dettori's Acting Experience

Shawn Dettori joins the show to discuss his recent foray into acting. At [05:19], Luke warmly welcomes Shawn, congratulating him on his upcoming birthday and inquiring about Shawn’s participation in a local play. Shawn shares his experiences preparing for and performing in the role of a cop named Rod, highlighting his nervousness and the satisfaction he felt upon receiving positive feedback.

Notable Quote:
Shawn Dettori ([06:32]): "The entire thing went smooth. It went great. And it's Such a great feeling to be on the stage and in front of, even though it was only the four people, the four teachers."

Shawn also reveals his intention to audition for another play, expressing a newfound passion for acting that harkens back to his younger days.

3. Birthday Celebrations and Listener Interactions

A unique segment involves celebrating Shawn’s birthday through a nostalgic "This Day in TBTL History" feature. At [14:12], Silent Nick provides a humorous compilation of Shawn’s memorable moments on the show, eliciting laughter and camaraderie among the hosts and Shawn.

Notable Quote:
Silent Nick ([14:12]): "This is a complete, exact melody, note by note ripoff of this old 4 Non Blonde song."

Following the retrospective, Luke and Jen discuss the implications of Facebook birthday messages. At [19:34], Luke muses whether automated birthday greetings diminish the genuine sentiment behind the occasions, while Jen defends the platform as a convenient way to acknowledge friends' milestones.

Notable Quote:
Jen ([20:01]): "It is weirdly moving and affecting, even though none of these people invested more than five seconds in wishing you a happy birthday."

4. Main Discussion: Learning Big Words from Pop Music

A significant portion of the episode delves into an intriguing article from The Atlantic about how pop and hip-hop music contribute to vocabulary acquisition among listeners. Starting at [24:43], Luke and Jen explore whether the incorporation of complex words in songs is beneficial or problematic.

Key Points Discussed:

• Examples of Big Words in Music:

  • Paul Simon's use of "consecrated" ([25:19]).
  • Rihanna's "altercation" ([25:26]).
  • Alanis Morissette's use of "ironic" ([26:25]).
  • Biggie Smalls' "conversate" ([31:03]).
  • Four Non Blondes' "desecrate" ([39:50]).

• Misinterpretation of Words:

  • Jen and Luke debate the accurate usage of "ironic," referencing Alanis Morissette's song and its common misinterpretation as mere coincidence ([27:00]).

• Impact on Vocabulary:

  • While acknowledging that some artists use words correctly, they also highlight instances where words are misused or altered, potentially leading to confusion among younger listeners.

Notable Quotes:
Luke Burbank ([26:08]): "Sam, you actually were kind of better friends with them than that or me. You wanted to beat everyone else, mostly door number two, then that's not right."

Jen ([30:35]): "I was having a hard time hearing it as much as I can hear it with Benny and the jets."

5. Granny Time: Babysitting Mishaps and Ethical Considerations

In the "Granny Time" segment starting at [51:41], Jen recounts a recent story about a babysitter named Kiana Davis who placed a stroller in the back of her pickup truck while babysitting. Although this action led to Kiana being arrested for child neglect, Jen empathizes with her intentions, suggesting that Kiana was trying to ensure the child’s safety without proper resources.

Key Points Discussed:

• Public Perception:

  • The incident caused public alarm, with numerous 911 calls and video recordings capturing the event.

• Ethical Dilemmas:

  • Jen argues that Kiana wasn’t intentionally neglectful but made a poorly informed decision, highlighting the lack of proper guidance for babysitters.

Notable Quote:
Jen ([53:03]): "I think what she was trying to do was keep the kid safe by holding the stroller and sitting in the back with it. They were driving very slowly, so my best to Kiona Davis in Daytona Beach."

6. Ethical Discussions: Japanese Honesty vs. American Practices

Continuing in "Granny Time," Jen marvels at the Japanese ethos of returning lost valuables. At [56:57], she cites a remarkable statistic where over $78 million in cash and valuables have been returned to authorities following the tsunami, underscoring the cultural emphasis on honor and integrity.

Key Points Discussed:

• Comparison with American Society:

  • Jen and Luke contemplate whether similar integrity would prevail in the United States, expressing doubt given the prevalent "finders keepers" mentality.

• Cultural Insights:

  • The discussion emphasizes how cultural values shape behaviors related to honesty and the return of lost items.

Notable Quote:
Jen ([56:57]): "The Japanese are just such honorable people and it's so impressive that $78 million in cash and valuables have been returned since the tsunami."

7. Listener Stories and Social Commentary

Throughout the episode, listeners contribute anecdotes that fuel discussions on ethical behavior and societal norms.

• Claudia’s Wine Delivery ([21:37]):

  • Listener Claudia shares her experience of receiving a surprise wine delivery from a friend, highlighting cross-country friendships and the joy of unexpected gifts.

• Travis’ Blackberry Gathering ([65:22]):

  • Listener Travis addresses ethical concerns about harvesting blackberries from a neighbor’s yard post their passing, leading to a debate on property rights and communal resource sharing.

Notable Quote:
Luke Burbank ([69:22]): "If you find $50,000 and it's like, you know, shrink-wrapped, it's like, okay, this belongs to a drug dealer, let's give it back to him."

8. Music Break: Featuring Cults’ "Go Outside"

Jen introduces a musical interlude featuring the band Cults and their song "Go Outside" ([46:17]). Despite initial hesitation due to the band’s provocative name, both hosts acknowledge the quality of the music, promoting local bands and encouraging listeners to support live performances.

Notable Quote:
Jen ([46:42]): "We just learned about a London 10 named Fiona."

9. Clarifications and Wrap-Up

Towards the end of the episode, Luke clarifies a misunderstanding regarding their appearance at the Bumbershoot festival, ensuring listeners are aware that they will not be performing live there ([49:50]).

Notable Quote:
Luke Burbank ([49:50]): "We're not gonna be there. And please go to Bumbershoot and have a great old time, but don't go there specifically to see us."

Conclusion

Episode #891 of TBTL: Too Beautiful To Live offers a blend of personal stories, thoughtful discussions on ethics and language, and engaging interactions with a guest. Through humor and sincerity, hosts Luke and Jen navigate topics ranging from babysitting mishaps and cultural honesty to the influence of pop music on vocabulary. The episode underscores the show's charm of combining everyday anecdotes with deeper societal reflections, all while maintaining a light and entertaining atmosphere.