Pigweed and Crowhill drink beer and talk about cool stuff
P&C drink and review Shiner’s Ruby Redbird, then discuss the big bang and what (if anything) came before.
While most scientists believe in a hot big bang, there is a lot of dispute about what happened right before that. The most well-known theory is the “singularity,” and there is no “before” in that scenaio. But there are a lot of other options that scientists have considered.
The boys review some of these other options and their implications.
P&C drink and review a robust porter from Founders, then discuss how artificial intelligence will change education — for good and ill.
Crowhill wonders why we don’t yet have the self-paced education that his mother promised way back in the 70s? AI could do that, but it would be a major challenge to the current institution and would almost certainly be opposed.
AI disrupts the current system in many ways. For example, the teacher can’t tell if the student or AI did the homework. The teacher can’t tell if the student wrote the paper.
AI might move us toward in-person assessments, a system that looks at the whole process (drafts, revisions) and not just the final product, or requiring students to explain what they’ve done.
The boys drink and review Vixen Irish Style Red Ale by Old Bust Head, then discuss a provision from the infrastructure bill that was designed to prevent drunk driving.
The mandate is that all cars after 2026 would have a system to monitor the driver to ensure he’s not drunk, in which case it will shut down the car. This system would monitor the face of the driver and all conversations in the car.
Who came up with this, and why isn’t there more conversation about it?
This law gives the government a back-door switch to decide who can and who can’t drive. The justification is to stop drunk driving, but of course it will be expanded beyond that.
P&C discuss all the ways this could go wrong and how the government and other bad actors could use this in devious and dangerous ways.
P&C drink and review an amber ale from Nepenthe brewing, then discuss the Ubertrends shaping society.
Michael Tchong’s groundbreaking 2019 book “Ubertrends: How Trends and Innovation Are Transforming Our Future” revealed eight major societal shifts that are redefining values, behaviors, and our everyday lives in 2025. From the rise of casual living and digital lifestyles to the obsession with anti-aging, wireless connectivity, and the culture of surveillance, these trends illuminate where we’re headed—and what it means for us all.
P&C give them a critical look.
Discover how Casual Living is changing social norms, how Generation X-tasy prioritizes experiences over possessions, and why Time Compression fuels our demand for instant gratification. We’ll delve into the Unwired era of wireless control, the voyeuristic nature of modern media, and the empowering rise of women shaping culture and economy. Plus, we’ll examine the nuanced impacts—both positive and problematic—of these societal transformations.
Whether you’re a trend enthusiast, a curious explorer of societal change, or simply want to understand the forces shaping our future, this episode offers a deep dive into the eight ubertrends steering us into a new era.
The boys drink and review a light IPA, then delve into the recent assessment by the President’s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission.
The report highlights a concerning rise in childhood illnesses and chronic conditions. From skyrocketing rates of obesity, diabetes, and neurodevelopmental disorders to mental health crises among teens, the data paints a troubling picture of America’s youngest generation.
P&C explore the key factors driving this health decline, including the impact of ultra-processed foods, environmental chemicals, lack of physical activity, chronic stress, and overmedicalization. The report also sheds light on systemic issues such as corporate influence, conflicts of interest in healthcare, and media advertising that shape health outcomes.
Topics Covered:
The boys drink and review Howling Gale IPA from Fair Winds Brewing Company, then discuss the impact of cheap merchandise from China.
We get a lot of stuff from China, which isn’t necessarily bad. But there are some products — like human or dog food — where there are legitimate health concerns. Even some Chinese clothing can have chemicals on them that are not good for you.
What are the other implications of buying all this cheap stuff?
The boys discuss.
The boys drink and review Key Brewing’s Dark Slide Porter, then discuss the intentional destruction of the west.
Something feels wrong, and it’s not in your imagination.
In this hard-hitting episode, the boys expose the deliberate unraveling of Western civilization. From the rewriting of history to the weaponization of language, we break down how guilt, division, and ideological capture are being used to dismantle the very foundations of our culture. This isn’t drift—it’s design.
Topics covered:
The agenda has some clear components.
This show leans heavily on a short video called “The deliberate subversion and demolition of the West”
The boys drink and review a double IPA from Dale’s and then discuss AI companions.
AI companions are coming whether we like it or not. In fact, they’re already here. Most of us already talk to our computers, even if it’s just to curse them for being clueless. So why not design machines that actually listen, respond, and understand us better?
In this episode, we explore the promise and peril of AI companions. On the bright side, they’re always available, judgment-free, and never moody. They offer affordable support for mental health, education, and loneliness. But there’s a darker side too: they can create the illusion of connection, stunt real relationships, and cross dangerous ethical lines.
P&C lay out the upsides, the risks, and the red lines society needs to draw — from protecting privacy to banning manipulative or emotionally deceptive behavior. Should AI ever pose as a friend, lover, therapist, or spiritual guide? Should emotionally persuasive algorithms be opt-in only?
This conversation isn’t just about technology, it’s about what it means to be human in an age of artificial intimacy.
The boys drink and review Pigweed’s homebrew IPA, then discuss the pope news.
Why does the Catholic Church have a pope, and how did that role evolve into what it is today?
In this episode, we explore the theological roots of the papacy, starting with Jesus’ words: “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church.” We dive into the biblical and historical concept of the pope as the keeper of the keys, which is something like a divine prime minister, and the pope’s role as a visible sign of unity and practical necessity in governing a global church.
We also tackle the long and messy history of papal disputes. From the East-West Schism over the filioque to the chaos of the Western Schism—with three men simultaneously claiming to be pope—the road to a stable papacy hasn’t been smooth. Learn how the Church eventually resolved these crises and how the conclave system works today to elect a new pope behind the locked doors of the Sistine Chapel.
Finally, we discuss the election of Pope Leo XIV (formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost), a figure who has sparked controversy and curiosity. Is he a return to traditional norms or a liberal Trojan horse? We break down the arguments from both sides—and examine the deeper tension: how conservatives and liberals relate very differently to the authority of the papacy.
Whether you’re Catholic, curious, or just love church history, this is a candid, informative dive into one of the most enduring—and controversial—offices in the world.
In this episode of Beer and Conversation with Pigweed and Crowhill, we crack open a First State IPA and dive into the quirky and complex history of Maryland—from its colonial beginnings to its odd borders, bold flag, and surprising state symbols.
Learn about:
We cover centuries of drama, trivia, and local pride—with plenty of laughs and beer-fueled banter along the way.
The boys drink and review Capit-Ale from Devil’s Backbone, then clear out the mail bag.
One reader objected to the fact that our show on slavery didn’t focus on slavery in America. Which was the point.
JR asked what we thought of tariffs on aluminum and steel that harm the craft beer industry.
Miss Maisy asked why our show on left-wing violence didn’t address conservative violence like Jan. 6 and militias.
Other questions addressed judicial overreach, the sexual morality of futurist dystopias, and an amusing interpretation of snow white.
With special guest Longinus, the boys drink and review Dad Strength IPA, then discuss a short novel by Jane Auten as part of their “shortcut to the classics” series.
After a brief review of Austen’s biography, they dive into the first book Austen wrote, but one of the last to be published.
Lady Susan is an epistolary novel, meaning that it’s composed of a bunch of personal letters, which means you’re always getting the story from the perspective of the letter writer.
Susan is the most accomplished flirt and manipulator in England. She’s also very pretty, and looks more 25 than 35. She’s a hurricane who leaves destruction in her wake.
The novel is a fun romp through 18th century society, and is decently portrayed in the movie “Love and Friendship” on Amazon.
The boys drink and review The Crisp from Sixpoint brewery, then discuss the World Economic Forum.
The WEF is a non-governmental organization based in Switzerland. It’s famous for its annual meeting in Davos.
It was founded by Klaus Schwab in 1971 as the European Management Forum, but changed to the WEF in 1987 and expanded its mission globally.
It’s mission is to “improve the state of the world by engaging business, political, academic, and other leaders of society to shape global, regional, and industry agendas.”
Their major initiatives include …
* The Great Reset
* Stakeholder capitalism
* The Fourth Industrial Revolution
* The Global Risks Report
* Net Zero and climate initiatives
But who elected them? Why do they have power? Who asked them to do this? To whom are they accountable?
The boys drink and review Mas Lima from Oscar Blues, then ask whether the Democrats want to win another election. They’re not acting that way.
In fact, the Democrats seem intent on losing even more. They’ve attached themselves to ideas and issues that 80 percent of the public reject, such as …
* Castrating confused children
* The border and immigration
* Standing up for gang members
* Rejecting voter ID
Democrats have latched themselves to an extreme ideology the voters reject. If they ever want to win another election, they need to move towards the center.
The boys drink and review Delicious IPA from Stone, then discuss prisons, and whether we’re in a digital version of one.
The “panopticon” is a prison design invented by the philosopher Jeremy Bentham. The idea is that if you make prisoners feel as if they’re constantly under surveillance, the prisoners will regulate themselves and the guards won’t have to bang them about so much.
Modern prisons have adopted some of Bentham’s ideas, but so have many other institutions.
Foucault said this idea was the blueprint for all modern institutions. Schools, hospitals, and other organizations enforce conformity by defining what is “normal” and by constant surveillance.
Stephen Cave added the concept of a “freedom quotient” by which we can determine how much freedom a person can exercise in any given situation.
The boys tie it all together and ask whether the modern world is a digital prison. We know we’re being surveilled. We know we’re supposed to follow what the powerful have defined as “normal.”
