PODCAST · society
‘funny,’ not funny
by Jim Infantino and Lionel Cassin
Conversations about books, music, films, history, tech, and culture. Jim is a songwriter and leader of the band Jim’s Big Ego. He is also an author of The Wakeful Wanderer’s Guide series. Lionel Cassin is an IT security specialist and a voracious reader of Science Fiction and History. They enjoy lively conversations and are now sharing those with you. We are an independant podcast and we rely on your support. Subscribe at patreon.com/jiminfantino for as little as $3 per month for live webcasts and bonus content.
Episodes
-
Big Men! In Sandals! | topic: Coen Brothers films: Hail, Caesar & Barton Fink, also Reacher | with Jim & Lionel
Jim prepares to honor his late Uncle Carmine with a Harvey Award at Comic-Con. They then move on to discuss 2 Coen brothers films, Hail, Ceasar and Barton Fink."The Coen brothers know how to mic the squeaking of leather in chairs to indicate how uncomfortable it is."They draw connections between...
-
American Dharma & Dark City | topic: Bannon, McNamara, propaganda, culture, media | Jim & Lionel
In this episode, Jim Infantino and Lionel explore a wide range of topics including the intricacies of touring, the themes of the films Dark City and American Dharma, and the complex ideas behind political and historical narratives. They delve into film analysis, historical insights, and the…
more -
Ben Franklin: What a real genius looks like | topic: Benjamin Franklin, Franklin's experiments, Franklin in France, American history | Jim & Lionel
In this episode, Jim Infantino and Lionel explore the fascinating life of Benjamin Franklin and the British side of the American Revolution, delving into his historical significance and the lessons he offers today.Key Topics - Benjamin Franklin's early life and education - Franklin's scientific...
-
Swarms of Invading Killer Agents! | topic: Hugging Face: views of Harari, Cotra, and Newport | w/ Jim & Lionel
Jim and Lionel delve into the recent hack of Hugging Face and the broader implications for AI technology. We examine recent presentations by Cal Newport, Ajeya Cotra, and Yuval Noah Harari. Some reactions have been sensationalist, anthropomorphizing the nature of the "agents" involved, some have...
-
Thinking: Fast, Slow, and Why. | topic: Daniel Kahneman, Turi Munthe, Cognitive Theory, Making Decisions | a conversation with Jim & Lionel
In this season 7 opener, we discuss Turi Munthe's book Why We Think What We Think and Daniel Kahneman's Thinking Fast and Slow. Jim Starts with a non-sequitor about Mac problems, AI search, ice cream, and meatball subs. We then dive into these two books, the first of which was recommended…
more -
From Sodom to Hope | topic: Upstate New York, Climate Change, Wine Industry, Technology | a conversation with Julian Fisher
In this episode, Julian Fisher, photo journalist and neurologist, shares his insights from his upbringing and travels and explores the fascinating revival of upstate New York amidst climate change, technological advances, and economic shifts. Does climate change have and upside? Well, regionally,...
-
The ultimate disaster preparedness checklist | topic: Pema Chödrön, The Bardo, Reincarnation | Jim & Lionel
This week we discuss How We Live Is How We Die by Pema Chödrön. This is a Buddhist handbook for entering the Bardo of death calmly and mindfully. We talk about the view as presented by Buddhism about reincarnation, but focus on all the benefits of preparing for these moments of profound…
more -
“It's both intellectual and Rock & Roll” | topic: The Expanse, science fiction series | Lionel & Jim
In this episode, Lionel and Jim delve into the intricate world of 'The Expanse,' exploring its rich language, realistic space physics, compelling characters, and the deep political and cultural themes that make it a standout in science fiction.We discuss: - Creation of Belter language and its...
-
Zardoz, Logan's Run, THX 1138, Silent Running | topic: four 1970s science fiction films | Jim & Lionel
This week we take some time off world politics and highfalutin ideas and hunker down with 50 year old science fiction. We start with Zardoz, a film we were both repulsed by and highly entertained by. We bring up parallels The Fifth Element, but not much else. Logans Run reminded us of City of...
-
“Crimea River” | topic: Technofeudalism, Economic Theory, Ukraine Victories, Data Cost | with Lionel & Jim
AI Summary: In this episode, Jim and Lionel explore a wide range of topics from the nature of digital information and its physical costs, to the complexities of scientific understanding and the influence of storytelling in culture and economics. They also discuss recent advancements in space...
-
“Holding off the Red Army with golf carts” | topic: Adam Neely, Yuval Harari, Ed Zitron, Ukraine, AI personhood | with Lionel & Jim
In this episode, Jim and Lionel delve into the complexities of AI, geopolitics, and the future of technology, exploring how power, cooperation, and innovation shape our world. We touch on land drones in the Ukraine, the failures of Might Makes Right, AIs as the new immigrants, Adam Neely and Ed...
-
Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky, and AI Music | topic: Symphony Four, Rite of Spring, Petrouska, Suno and Udio | with Lionel and Jim
Today we talk about the world of classical music, the creative process of composers like Stravinsky, and the impact of AI on music creation and authenticity. We dig into Stravinsky's use of folk themes in classical music, the orchestration and technical mastery of Rite of Spring and Petrushka…
more -
Marcionite Fan Fiction | topic: Christ Before Jesus, The Historicity of the Gospels | with Lionel & Jim
This week we dive into a fascinating book by Jaaron Wingo and Matthew Britt titled Christ Before Jesus: Evidence for the Second Century Origins of Jesus. This is a dense historical refutation of the historicity of the gospels highlighting anachronisms and employing stylometry to conclude that...
-
The inexplicable Béla Tarr | topic: The Turin Horse, Werckmesiter Harmonies, religion in post Soviet film | with Lionel & Jim
Well, we did it. After years of swearing off the films of Béla Tarr; a director recommended to us by Bob Loy, we bit the bullet and watched two of his films: Werckmeister Harmonies, and The Turin Horse. These are not easy films. We definitely felt like we were missing some major cultural context…
more -
Solaris & Stalker | topic: The films of Andre Tarkovsky | with Lionel & Jim
This conversation explores the depths of Andre Tarkovsky's films Solaris and Stalker, delving into their themes, production challenges, and philosophical insights. Spoiler: we really loved Stalker, and we really didn't love Solaris. It also touches on science fiction's portrayal of communication...
-
“The Forgotten People” | topic: Grass: A Nation's Battle for Life and Daughters of the Dust | with Sara Elkins
Sara joins the podcast again, and we discuss two documentary films Grass: A Nation's Battle for Life by Merion C. Cooper, and Daughters of The Dust by Julie Dash. Common themes are migrating peoples and disappearing cultures. We compare accounts of the migration of the Bakhtiari people in this...
-
“Too much Vérité” | topic: Vittorio De Sica, Federico Fellini, Shoeshine, Umberto D, 8 1/2 | with Jim & Lionel
This episode explores classic Italian cinema, focusing on Vittorio De Sica's masterpieces 'Shoeshine' and 'Umberto D.', and contrasts them with Federico Fellini's '8 1/2'. We delve into themes of societal decay, human resilience, and cinematic artistry. At the end of the episode we respond to our...
-
Scams and the scammy scammers who love them | topic: Popular Scams, Scambaiting, Cyber Security | a conversation with Jonathan Copper
This episode features cybersecurity expert Jonathan Cooper discussing the latest scams, phishing tactics, and how to protect yourself in a digital world. Learn about real-world examples, AI threats, and practical tips to stay safe online.Rise of AI-generated scamsPhishing and email scams…
more -
AI Bubble Trouble - Clip - full episode on Patreon | topic: Thoughts from Corey Doctorow, Ed Zitron, & Rick Beato (not guests) | Jim & Lionel
This is the first episode I'm releasing only for paid members on our Patreon channel. In this episode Jim responds to news and opinion from AI skeptic pundits, notably Ed Zitron and Corey Doctorow, that the great tech revolution is a gaslighting bubble full of reverse centaurs. Lionel remains...
-
Project Hail Mary & Minneapolis | topic: Andy Weir, The Martian, Music for Film, ICE | with Ben Burnes
Ben Burnes (Abstraction on Bandcamp) joins the pod again as a guest host and we talk about the movie Project Hail Mary based on the book by Andy Weir. We talk about the elements of the plot but Lionel focuses us on the music, in comparison with other movies like The Martian (also based on an Andy...
-
“East of Eden & Ford vs. Ferrari” | topic: John Steinbeck, Elmore Leonard, Matt Damon, Christian Bale | Lionel & Jim
We begin by discussing arts and crafts as evidenced in our parents, our children and ourselves. Then we move on to the main topic, a discussion of East of Eden by John Steinbeck. We give away a lot of plot points here, so be careful if you want to be surprised in your own reading. Beyond that we...
-
“In The Mood For Love” | topic: the films of Wan Kar Wai, Hong Kong cinema | with Adam Schartoff
Adam Schartoff of Filmwax Radio joins us once again to discuss the cinematic world of Wong Kar Wai. We focus on two of his films 'In the Mood for Love' and '2046'. We talk about the emotional depth, visual storytelling, and cultural context of Wong's work, sharing personal insights and…
more -
“I just say what's in my head” | topic: The Hunters, Heart of A Dog, Jeanine Pirro | Jim & Lionel
We start out by thinking we don't have anything to talk about, and Lionel begins spoiling the following week's episode by talking about In The Mood For Love directed by Wang Kar Wai. Jim digs into the Netflix series The Hunters and the Laurie Anderson film Heart of a Dog. We look forward to our...
-
“Lighten Up Francis” | topic: Werner Herzog, Klaus Kinski, The Viking & Mongol invasions | Jim & Lionel
In this episode, Jim and Lionel discuss various topics ranging from technical difficulties in live streaming to the complexities of PCI compliance. They delve into literary discussions about Steinbeck's ‘East of Eden’ and cinematic explorations of Wong Kar-Wai's films, particularly ‘In the Mood…
more -
Ratcatcher & Morvern Callar: the films of Lynne Ramsay | topic: indie films, cinematic style, storytelling | with Adam Schartoff
Jim, Lionel and Adam Shartoff of Filmwax Radio delve into the works of Lynne Ramsay, focusing on her films Ratcatcher and Morvern Callar. They explore the themes of childhood trauma, guilt, and the complexity of emotionally disconnected characters, while also discussing Ramsay's unique cinematic...
-
History Happy Hour & The Ghost Army | topic: Documentary filmmaking, deception in warfare, inflatable tanks | with Rick Beyer
Jim Infantino, Lionel, and Rick Beyer delve into Rick’s podcast History Happy Hour and the fascinating history of the Ghost Army, a unique World War II unit that used deception to mislead the enemy. They discuss Rick's journey into documentary filmmaking, the impact of his work on public...
-
“It's all totally mental” | topic: Bernardo Kastrup on Schopenhauer and Analytic Idealism | with Sarah Elkins
The conversation delves into the philosophical ideas of Schopenhauer and Kastrup, exploring themes of consciousness, the nature of reality, and the historical context of their thoughts. It highlights the eccentricities of historical figures, the evolution of philosophical thought, and the...
-
"The Power of Presence Fundamentally Changes Everything" | topic: Buddhism, Meditation, Shambhala | Sarah Lipton
Sarah Lipton, podcaster, author, and meditation teacher joins us to talk about her path in, and experience with Vajrayana Buddhism. They discuss the Shambhala path, the role of sutras, and the diverse practices within Buddhism, emphasizing that meditation is not just a formal practice but can be...
-
"Deliver Me From Nowhere" | topic: Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan | A conversation with Chris Chandler
Chris Chanlder joins us once again to talk about the movies "A Complete Unknown" and "Deliver Me From Nowhere." The conversation explores the potential for creating a better biopic of Bruce Springsteen, comparing it to the Dylan movie and discussing the creative choices that could enhance...
-
Tokyo Story | topic: Filmmaking, Japan, Yasujirō Ozu | a conversation with Jim & Lionel
We begin by announcing the live stream of the podcast on Patreon for subscribers. This is a new direction for the pod and we encourage anyone who wants to support these episodes to join Jim's Patreon, where you can listen as we make the sausage, and get bonus materials (songs, novel chapters, and...
-
“Do Not Be Distracted” | topic: a look at Kundun and Hugo by Martin Scorsese | Lionel & Jim
We begin with an embarassing discussion of Jim's relationship with his bidet without being overly disgusting. Somehow, we move to Martin Scorsese’s 1997 movie Kundun and each of our reactions to it. We transition to his movie Hugo (2011) and we should warn you, that this movie is full of…
more -
“The Batcolyte” | topic: critical thinking, the socratic method, questioning beliefs | a conversation with Thrayle
Thrayle joined us this week to talk about his TikTok channel The Batcolyte, where people are invited to question their beliefs. Thrayle talks about the origins of this channel (called a Live on TikTok) and shares his experiences questioning others about what they believe. From inebriated guests…
more -
“Rebellion Happens in the Mind” | topic: Living off the grid, SLC Punk, Moulin Rouge, The Socratic Method | a conversation with Kat In A Vat
Kat joined us from the jungles of Hawaii where she lives off the grid. She picked 2 movies for us to discuss, Moulin Rouge, and SLC Punk, which are two of her favorites. We talk about living off the grid in Hawaii, volcanic eruptions, and her lifestyle there. The “Hawifi” cuts in and out, but we...
-
“Perfect Days” and “Anselm” by Wim Wenders | topic: cassette culture, art, photography, zen | Jim & Lionel
Lionel and Jim dive into two of the more recent Wim Wender's films "Perfect Days" and "Anselm" and discuss the common themes of his style of filmmaking. This also brings up Chuck Ramiriez, a photographer Lionel likes from San Antonio. This episode is pieced together from two shorter ones we...
-
Assemble Yourself | topic: Jim's New Album, Glenn Gould, The Secret Life of Machines | Jim & Lionel
In this conversation, Jim discusses the upcoming release of his album 'Assemble Yourself', reflecting on the challenges of the music industry, including the transition from CDs to streaming. The discussion also critiques a book on Buddhism, explores the concept of filk music, and delves into...
-
“How Did You Like Them Apples?” | topic: Trent Reznor, Moneyball, The Red Sox, Album Titles | Jim & Lionel
This episode was recorded on September 17, 2025 and is being released late, because of an oversight. Jim starts with an inane idea for a rewrite of the song Closer by Trent Reznor, and we move on to talk about album and book titles, Money Ball, and the Red Sox.Jim mentions his time lurking on...
-
History of Buddhism, the Journey Continues | topic: Buddhism, Yoga, History | Lionel & Jim
Jim starts by explaining his micro-yoga routine, if it can be called a routine. Once we dispose of this ridiculousness, we return to Donald S. Lopez's book Buddhism: A Journey Through History, having read a little further. We decide that it lacks a lot of what we want in a history of anything,...
-
“A Perfect World” | topic: A Day In Music, Music Production, Songwriting | Phil Broikos
Phil returns to talk about the latest public release from his A Day In Music Project which is available on bandcamp under the project name. Lionel and I once again sit in awe of the scope and breadth of Phil’s creativity, ability, and vision. We cannot overstate the depth of this material. We...
-
Buddhism Through History: An Exhausting Journey | topic: Buddhist History by Donald S. Lopez Jr. | Jim & Lionel
Lionel and I read part of the book Buddhism: A Journey Through History by Donald S. Lopez Jr. This ended up being the first of two discussions we would have about this challenging and exhaustive, though not entirely complete accounting of one of the world's major religions.The following summary…
more -
Tom Burris of Jabbering Trout | topic: Songwriting, Music, Tragedy & Inspiration | a conversation with Tom Burris
In this, the 4th episode of our 6th season, Lionel, Jim, and Tom discuss various themes in music, focusing on Tom Burris’ songwriting process. We talk about the upbeat sounds of Jabbering Trout in contrast to its sometimes dark themes. Tom shares insights into his creative process, revealing how…
more -
“A Rollicking Bad Time” | topic: Dominion by Tom Holland, Fallout TV show, NY State Fair | Jim & Lionel
Lionel talks about his visit to the New York State Fair and bringing his Big Brother companion. Jim admits that he misunderstood the direction to read the book Dominion, a book about the history of Christianity, which Lionel has started and discusses. Jim talks about the TV show and video game...
-
Music & the Robots | topic: Navigating the Future of Music: AI and Authenticity | a conversation with Jonathan Wyner
In this episode of Funny Not Funny, hosts Jim and Lionel welcome mastering engineer Jonathan Wyner to discuss the evolving landscape of music in the age of generative AI. They explore the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in music production, the importance of authenticity, and the...
-
“This DID happen to me!” | topic: Jim's new place, new Star Treks, The History of the Twentieth C, Flat Earthers | a conversation with Jim & Lionel
We have begun Season 6 of ‘Funny,’ Not Funny with Jim & Lionel.Jim talks about his recent major life upheaval, watching the new Star Trek shows on Paramount, including The Lower Decks, Discovery, Picard, and Strange New Worlds. Lionel discusses the podcast "The History of the Twentieth Century"…
more -
“You are not connected to the internet” | topic: Photography, Surveillance Capitalism, Creative Life | a conversation with Liz Linder
This week, photographer and creative visionary Liz Linder joins the podcast. Liz’s work has appeared in dozens of leading publications, including Rolling Stone, The New York Times, and Fast Company. She’s been heard on NPR’s On Point; and seen on ABC World News Tonight. Her photographs have...
-
The Pan-America Challenge | topic: cycling, fitness, it security | a conversation with Leigh Weber
This week we talk with IT security expert and avid cycler Leigh Weber. We talk about his epic ride across the country, mostly. Next time he joins us, perhaps we will talk about data security. Leigh Weber, an industrial cybersecurity specialist and management consultant, helps identify and...
-
“Hi Henry!” | topic: Black Flag, St. Augustine, Stanley Tucci, Andor 2 | a conversation with Lionel and Jim
We start by talking about Newbury Comics on Newbury Street in Boston, and then a bit about Jim's adventures bringing a teenage crowd to see Black Flag when he was an RA at Bennington College. We talk about Jim's attempt to read St. Augustine, and actually find something interesting to talk about...
-
ENCORE EPISODE: “The Modern I Ching Oracle” | topic: Book of changes, graphic design, inspiration deck | a conversation with Catherine Pilfrey
Catherine Pilfrey returns to the podcast to talk about her new creation: The I Ching Oracle card deck: a 64-card illustrated deck and guidebook. Catherine Pilfrey is a designer, and meditation teacher who has been consulting the I Ching Oracle for 25 years. We start talking about the death of...
-
“Wheels Up In 5!” | topic: Lights On by Annika Harris, Revisionist History & The Nazi Olympics | a conversation wth Lionel & Jim
Jim touts the fun of assembling furniture from Ikea. His coat stand was BONDSKÄRET and the lamp was VIDJA. Lionel scores a victory in pinpointing the very first Ikea store in the USA from memory. Jim talks about an audio documentary he's been listening to in audiobook format called Light On: How...
-
Lonesome Brothers | topic: the band, the songbook, the history, the songs, & Drunk Stuntmen | an interview with Scott Hall
Scott Hall paid us a visit to talk about the Northampton, MA band Lonesome Brothers (no the!) He has been working on a songbook based on his own charts, created for the purposes of standing in with them. Scott Hall is a member of the band Drunk Stuntmen, and has 2 solo albums out and one on the…
more -
“Bartleby, the Sailor” | topic: Melville, Coetzee, Camus, Stuyvesant High | a conversation with David Partikian
David Partikian rejoins the pod to talk about his new Substack under the moniker "Bartleby The Sailor." We start with a bit of Melville, and then discuss his essays in more detail before musing on life growing up in Peter Cooper Village, and our differing experiences in the school system in New...
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
Conversations about books, music, films, history, tech, and culture. Jim is a songwriter and leader of the band Jim’s Big Ego. He is also an author of The Wakeful Wanderer’s Guide series. Lionel Cassin is an IT security specialist and a voracious reader of Science Fiction and History. They enjoy lively conversations and are now sharing those with you. We are an independant podcast and we rely on your support. Subscribe at patreon.com/jiminfantino for as little as $3 per month for live webcasts and bonus content.
HOSTED BY
Jim Infantino and Lionel Cassin
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does ‘funny,’ not funny have?
‘funny,’ not funny currently has 201 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is ‘funny,’ not funny about?
Conversations about books, music, films, history, tech, and culture. Jim is a songwriter and leader of the band Jim’s Big Ego. He is also an author of The Wakeful Wanderer’s Guide series. Lionel Cassin is an IT security specialist and a voracious reader of Science Fiction and History. They enjoy...
How often does ‘funny,’ not funny release new episodes?
‘funny,’ not funny publishes regularly with 201 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to ‘funny,’ not funny?
You can listen to ‘funny,’ not funny on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts ‘funny,’ not funny?
‘funny,’ not funny is created and hosted by Jim Infantino and Lionel Cassin.
URL copied to clipboard!