The Fraudulence Paradox (David Foster Wallace's "Good Old Neon")

{{Episode_Infobox | title = The Fraudulence Paradox (David Foster Wallace's "Good Old Neon") | caption = | episode_number = 181 | release_date = January 28, 2020 | length = 02:09:02 | listen = [[File:Episode-181-the-fraudulence-paradox-david-foster-wallaces-good-old-neon | quote_source = | opening_subject = | beat_break_song = | main_subject = | guests = | previous_episode = Chekhov's Schrödinger's Dagger (Kurosawa's "Rashomon") | next_episode = The Paper That Launched a Thousand Twitter Wars (With Yoel Inbar) }}The Fraudulence Paradox (David Foster Wallace's "Good Old Neon") is the 181st episode of the Very Bad Wizards podcast, released on January 28, 2020.

Opening Quote

—

Show Notes

Our whole lives we've been frauds. We're not exaggerating. Pretty much all we've ever done is try to create a certain impression of us in other people. Mostly to be liked or admired. This episode is a perfect example, Tamler pretending to be a cinephile (check out his four favorite pieces of 2019 "pop culture" in the first segment), David trying to connect with the people (Baby Yoda, Keanu Reeves etc.) – and of course what could be more fraudulent than a deep dive into a David Foster Wallace story, rhapsodizing over the endless sentences, the logical paradoxes, the seven-layer bean-dip of metacommentary (Jesus Christ I'm surprised there aren't like eight footnotes in this episode description), and meanwhile the Partially Examined Life dudes refresh their overcast feeds and wonder through the tiny keyhole of themselves how David and Tamler have sunk so low that they'd ramble on about "Good Old Neon" like a couple of first year Comp-Lit grad students trying to impress that girl who works at the Cajun bakery. Sponsored By: Hello Fresh: A healthy, delicious, time-saving meal delivered to your doorstep. Try Hello Fresh, America's #1 Meal Kit. Promo Code: verybadwizards10 GiveWell: Givewell searches for the charities that save or improve lives the most per dollar. Consider a donation this holiday season--your dollar goes a lot further than you might think! Promo Code: verybadwizards BetterHelp: You deserve to be happy. BetterHelp online counseling is there for you. Connect with your professional counselor in a safe and private online environment. Our listeners get 10% off the first month by visiting Betterhelp.com/vbw. Promo Code: VBW Support Very Bad Wizards