Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill

The boys drink and review Chocolate Cherry Stout by Firestone Walker Brewing, then discuss an alternative history book about the evolution of humans. 

In this view of human evolution, a different group of humans – the Floyds – took over Beringia and then migrated into America. When Columbus came to the Americas, he didn’t find Homo Sapiens. He found the Floyds. 

The book starts by introducing us to this alternative modern life, where modern man and this other version of man are living side by side. We learn the history – from Beringia until the conflict with Columbus. 

First contact took place in Florida, which is why they’re called “Floros,” politely, or “Floyds,” derogatively. 

The Floros are very compact and strong, and very useful in close-in fighting. They were captured en masse and taken to Europe to serve as infantry in everybody’s armies. 

They integrated into society to some extent, but remained second-class citizens. 

Once warfare modernized, and close-in fighting was not prized to the same extent, the Floros lost some of their utility in the infantry. They still did manual labor, which they were very good at, but they didn’t bring particularly good skills. 

Modern man (homo sapiens) tried to integrate them into society. 

One flaw in the book is an unrealistic expectation that there was no interbreeding – because the Floyds were not very attractive. 

The Floridius Rights Movement advocates for the Floros and tries to help them, but the Floros don’t want the help. 

The book pokes fun at a couple modern themes. 

1. Liberal woke activists who protest on some people’s behalf, but those people don’t really want it. 

2. A simpler life is a worse life, and more material stuff makes a better life. 

After the end of the book review, P&C discuss some of the issues raised by the book, such as why are we the only version of “man” left on the planet? Why did the Neanderthals and Denisovans die out? 

P&C go into an extensive discussion of differences between Neanderthals and modern humans, and why we may have replaced them. 

P&C drink and review Experimental Black IPA from Bell’s, then discuss Christian Nationalism. 

First, what the heck is Christian Nationalism? Pigweed started with three theories. 

1. An invention of the left to denigrate patriotic Christians. 

2. It’s a real movement that is way overdue if we’re going to save this great nation. 

3. It’s a real movement that is a threat to religious liberty and will transform America into a theocracy. 

Were Christian nationalists behind Jan. 6, and do they want to create something like The Handmaid’s Tale? That’s what the left wants us to believe. 

The opposite is the case. The left is trying to eliminate the influence of Christianity. The Amy Coney Barrett nomination process showed that clearly. We’ve come to the point that being a sincere believer might disqualify you from public office. 

Four separate Supreme Court cases – that have never been overturned – say that the United States is a Christian nation. 

What does that mean? Is it contrary to pluralism? Does it mean that we round up unbelievers and make them second-class citizens? 

Quite the opposite. It’s because we’re a Christian nation that we give rights and respect to other people. 

The fact is that all law is based on some system of morality. The only question is what morality you are going to use. 

***

Here's a link to the Florida Man episode.

https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/XcC185ICaJb

P&C drink and review Hell or High Watermelon from 21st Amendment Brewery, then, with special guest Longinus, discuss the cost of professional sports. 

Why are we, in the words of Pigweed, willing to spend so much money to watch grown men play children’s games?  

But that’s not to the point. The boys are focused on the cost of a baseball or football game. Why has it increased so much? Is it worth it? 

From 1970 to the present – in today’s dollars – the cost for a family of four to attend a baseball game is about 4x. Who pays this, and why? 

Along with this increase in prices, we have an increase in coverage. When Pigweed was a lad, there was one, one-hour show on sports. Now, we have several 24x7 sports stations talking about sports all year long. 

There’s also the moral question. In a world that can’t decide what a woman is, sports provides some clear guidelines. The player is either in or out. The ball is in the strike zone or it’s not. 

Another angle – people can’t sit quietly with their own thoughts. They need a distraction. Every bar and restaurant has constant sports.

Is sports filling a hole left by the lack of religion, or community? Also, to what extent is this a public question? Is it in the local government’s interest to get people involved in local sports?

The boys drink and review Pigweed's homebrew Irish Stout, then invite John Wayne Jew onto the show to speak about the month in woke (at about 4:00).

The silliness of woke-ism is almost unbelievable. P&C and their special guest discuss some of the obvious lunacies, including the following.

Some Canadian police recently encouraged residents to leave their car keys outside so thieves can steal cars without any violent confrontation.

After the destruction of the Key bridge in Baltimore, some wokesters want a name chance, since Francis Scott Key doesn't meet modern moral standards.

A Democratic representative says black should be exempt from taxation to make up for past injustices.

NPR hired 50 new interns. Only 5 of them were white males.

On the positive side, some companies are pulling back on DEI and other woke policies, but it's not clear if that's a significant trend.

P&C drink and review Cru Cab IPA from Big Truck brewery, then invite special guest Longinus to help them discuss a novella by Marquez. This is part of P&C's on-going "shortcut to the classics" series.

The book is written by an old man about an old man who is reflecting on his life.

On his 90th birthday, the unnamed protagonist -- who is a confirmed bachelor and frequent patron of brothels -- wanted to give himself a night of wild love with an adolescent virgin. The book is about his reminiscenses, but mostly about his relationship with this one girl.

The protagonist has lived 90 years with no love in his life, but now, at the end, he falls madly in love with a very young girl, with whom he doesn't have sex.

The book presents some deep reflections on love, sex, passion, and jealousy. In one sense, it's a very raunchy and disturbing book, with difficult themes. In another sense, it's an interesting commentary on love.