The Devil and Tom Walker, by Washington Irving, and Suntory Toki

Michael, Ethan, and special guest Jacob discuss the short story “The Devil and Tom Walker,” by Washington Irving, while drinking Suntory Toki Japanese (gasp!) whisky.In this episode:A not-too-presumptuous new ruleThe Devil belongs in AmericaAmerican mythology creating arbitrary exclusions and inclusions… who would have thought?Landscape as characterMaking up theories out of whole clothEveryone should know that shortcuts will go badly for themIt’s a Wonderful Life as Reverse FaustCon men, flim-flam artists, and bunkoPublic Universal Friend’s wikipedia page is worth reading“Charity begins at home” SOUNDS very piousLots and lots of playing Telephone, it’s fineThere’s nothing unique about the postmodernistsGod’s Philosophers, by James HannamNext time Michael, Ethan, and special guest Jacob will discuss the short story "The Devil and Daniel Webster," by Stephen Vincent Benet! Join the discussion! Go to the Contact page and put "Scotch Talk" in the Subject line. We'd love to hear from you! And submit your homework at the Michael & Ethan in a Room with Scotch page. Join us on GoodReads!Get on our Substack!Donate to our Patreon! MUSIC & SFX: “Fools that Will Laugh on Earth,” by Benji Inniger, from the Original Soundtrack to The Spiritual Tragedy of Doctor Faustus"Kessy Swings Endless - (ID 349)" by Lobo Loco. Used by permission. "The Grim Reaper - II Presto" by Aitua. Used under an Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License. "Thinking It Over" by Lee Rosevere. Used under an Attribution License.(Links to books & products are affiliate links.)