Ric Chetter - From Radioland

Episode 329: The New Normal

Change is an issue and it is never easy to cope with the inevitable. When something like a pandemic occurs or the other social issues we all face these days, coming through the other side expecting anything to be the way it was before all of these events is a pipe dream. We will never be the same after all of this is said and done. That is just a simple fact. The other simple fact, is there will be a select number of people in our society who will reject the first fact. We tried this in 2016 and the results have been nothing short of disastrous. In this episode, Ric casts a jaundiced eye at what the future holds for our society and what we as individuals could probably look forward to once the storm of a pandemic passes. Also in this episode, the aftermath of laryngitis even if it was fun sounding like Batman. Plus, a computer tip.

NEXT WEEK: You Can Always Go Home, But You Can Never Go Back

Episode 328: Connection Interrupted

Being connected seems to be bringing about all sorts of innovative tech. All of it is designed to keep you on the platform you are using it from. Be it Facebook, Twitter or Google, none of those companies want you to go anywhere else. As consumers, we certainly do have a bunch of options when it comes to this sort of thing and that can be good. Some you pay for (Zoom) and others are free (Facebook & Google). But how would you define "free". Also, as cool as it is to have this technology in your hands, is it really something we all need? Is anybody actually any good at using this stuff? Does it really matter? In theory, you could answer all those questions with a "no". Plus, Ric has been in the studio quite a bit this past week. Along with all the extra work he has picked up and the usual slate of shows, his voice is going out. It's the return of the dreaded laryngitis. But he will tell you all about the other things he has on his plate as well.

NEXT WEEK: The New Normal

 

Episode 327: Semper Pie & Meal Team Six

We are all getting weary of this pandemic, it seems. The truth is, we are weary from the coverage of the pandemic. There is a very loud minority of people out there who feel they are being put upon by having to stay at home or having to wear a mask when they go out in public. These people are going out to protest and they are doing so with assault rifles and are agitating an already nervous population. On top of this, we are getting information about the pandemic from so many different sources that it seems no one on the right page. One group says this and the other says that and both are pointing fingers at someone else. You would think all of this energy could be directed at something constructive like, trying to contain Covid-19. In this episode, Ric is exhausted and we may not even be closer to the end of this situation. It's all a matter of trying to get the madness to stop.

NEXT WEEk: Connection Interrupted

Episode 326: The Conspiracy of Reality

The longer this whole virus sticks around, the more the conspiracy theorists will have to ply their trade. Frankly, it's got rather nauseating. Some of the things being shoved down people's throats are about as ludacris as one could imagine. The latest was the video that was going around on social media purporting all sorts of wild theories. The difference was this thing was packaged around a rather benign statement and it got a LOT of traction. After it was thoroughly debunked by proper scientists (and others), thankfully it was removed. But the whole situation did point out something sort of alarming, the gullibility of people who refuse to believe or understand Occam's Razor. In this episode, Ric will explain all of that and what may give rise to the Conspiraciologist.

NEXT WEEK: Safety VS Greed

 

Episode 325: What, Too Soon?

For some sadistic reason, Memphis reversed its course with Covid-19 and decided to phase in a reopening plan. This has done nothing more than split the city right down the middle. About half the restaurants and businesses here want to go ahead and reopen. The other half, not so much. As it has been said, the more prudent of those business owners have said something along the lines of, "The safety of my staff and customers is worth more than the sale of a sandwich." In this episode, Ric takes another look at what a post-pandemic world holds for all of us. He'll also layout the trail for you to follow which seems to lead straight back to simple greed. Also in this episode, Ric elaborates on that pic he shared on his instagram page.

NEXT WEEK: Giant hornets, heavy hurricanes AND a continuing pandemic.

Episode 324: Jesus, The Economy

There is something happening out there that is bigger than all of us. Of course, we are talking about the pandemic. When these sorts of things happen, the best anyone can do is to go along with the flow and to do our best not to rock the boat too much. Especially when it comes to the idea that our actions have certain life or death consequences. This makes for an interesting observation on our society. In this episode, Ric takes a look at how certain religious aspects are being dealt with. There is a pastor who will more than likely wind up in jail for his reckless actions and yet there is another who is demanding you turn over your stimulus money to him. And to what end? Also, Kim Jong-Un, his sister with the resting bitch face and what might happen after the virus goes away.

NEXT WEEK: The rise of the video conference.

 

Episode 323: Time Out. No Sports.

Sports is entertainment. And a bit more. Right now, as society lays low (for the most part) and there people trying to find some sort of entertainment to help pass the time, one of the major factors in that equation is the world of professional sports. With even that world shut down, what is the impact of that having on our current situation. To be fair, not much. But even that answer depends on what side of the field you sit on. There are those who think this is the worst thing to happen to society than the illness itself. And then there are those who seem the absence of this form of entertainment means very little to them or to anyone at all. Somewhere in the middle is where the rest of us are. In this episode, Ric takes a look at this missing slice of entertainment and wonders just how much of an impact the world of professional sports has on society in general. 

NEXT WEEK: Your televangelist called, he said Jesus needs your stimulus check.

 

Episode 322: The Things We Lost in The Flood

There was a terrible flood in the Radio Memphis studios. It did some damage. It also brought a few things to mind. In this episode, Ric tells what happened at the Radio Memphis studios last week that could have been absolutely devastating. Also, for your Easter, if you actually went to a church today, you may be in trouble with the Department of Justice. Which brings to mind how things are going to change after the pandemic is behind us, and it will be. Virtual churches could be a real thing that sticks around. If Houseparty is any indication, it probably will be a thing. And speaking of Houseparty, Ric shows up late to the party. But at least he brings his own dip.

NEXT WEEK: A life without professional sports.

 

Episode 321: General Toxicity

Thanks to the pandemic, some people are becoming a bit more toxic than normal. In this episode, Ric tells you about an uneasy encounter with someone in his neighborhood which was a direct result of the current situation. People tend to fall into a few categories. There are those who are pretty freaked out, there are those who trying to be reasonable about all of this and then there are those who feel none of this applies to them. When you take a scroll through Facebook, it is pretty apparent as to which category everyone falls into. Also, Ric takes a look at what a possible future will be like on the other side of this pandemic and the idea of social distancing sticking around is something he can certainly get behind.

NEXT WEEK: The flow of the news cycle.

Episode 320: Stay The F At Home

There is something to be said for social distancing. The whole idea, of course is to stay away from others. Seems simple enough. Perhaps too simple. Some tough lessons are being learned all around the world because of that so-called simplicity. There is is this strange notion some people like to lean toward in that the suggestions of staying home and socially distant don't apply to them. For an example, see Italy and Spain. Certain governmental inactions have seemingly contributed to the problem by not being tough enough on the whole simple idea of staying the f at home. Also, Ric visits an important grave (socially distant, of course) and his observations regarding the reactions of those on social media while offering an activity for those at home. Learning to spell.

NEXT WEEK: Just how toxic can Facebook get?