Scraping By

Evidently I Don't Know How Anything Works

This week we considered some different concepts that we don’t understand (plants, engines, snowflakes, WiFi, etc.). We realized we have no idea how anything works, and with some things we’d like to keep it that way! We are awed by some things in the world and we don’t need to know how they happen. With that said, we did look some things up and learn a few things. This was a fun episode for us and we hope you like it!

George Washington Invented the Telephone, Right?

This week, we put our American knowledge to the test by taking the civics portion of the U.S. citizenship exam. With only one-third of Americans able to pass, we wanted to see if we’d make the cut (some of the questions were… humbling). We also discuss the real barriers the two-part test can create for those seeking U.S. citizenship. It’s important to know some things, but the reasons Ben Franklin is famous shouldn’t be at the top of the list. Join us! U.S. Naturalization Civics Test** https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/questions-and-answers/100q.pdf [https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/questions-and-answers/100q.pdf] Sources** https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship-resource-center/naturalization-related-data-and-statistics/naturalization-test-performance [https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship-resource-center/naturalization-related-data-and-statistics/naturalization-test-performance] https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/questions-and-answers/100q.pdf [https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/questions-and-answers/100q.pdf] https://citizensandscholars.org/resource/national-survey-finds-just-1-in-3-americans-would-pass-citizenship-test/ [https://citizensandscholars.org/resource/national-survey-finds-just-1-in-3-americans-would-pass-citizenship-test/] https://www.uschamberfoundation.org/civics/new-study-finds-alarming-lack-of-civic-literacy-among-americans [https://www.uschamberfoundation.org/civics/new-study-finds-alarming-lack-of-civic-literacy-among-americans] https://scholar.harvard.edu/files/mbaum/files/science_of_fake_news.pdf [https://scholar.harvard.edu/files/mbaum/files/science_of_fake_news.pdf]

The DSM Is My Autobiography

This week, we catch up per usual (minor existential crises and menty b’s included). Then, Alex brings some fascinating and slightly concerning psychology info from college to the table, because who doesn’t love a fun fact? Lastly, we chat about the genius that is IFS therapy. Join us as we connect some of these concepts to our own lives. Sources** Internal Family Systems Therapy for Shame and Guilt by Martha Sweezy No Bad Parts by Richard Schwartz

Shoutout to My Fellow Radicals Who Think People Should Have Housing

This week Alex and Cass broke down the houseless crisis, particularly in Oregon, and the many factors that fuel it— cost of living, lack of affordable housing, etc. Fair warning, it's bleak and we don't have a solution, but talking and thinking about it is a step in the right direction. Sources** US Homeless Population [https://econofact.org/why-has-the-us-homeless-population-been-rising] Chronically Homeless [https://endhomelessness.org/homelessness-in-america/who-experiences-homelessness/chronically-homeless/#:~:text=Chronic%20homelessness%20is%20used%20to,use%20disorder%2C%20or%20physical%20disability.] Poverty in America [https://www.census.gov/newsroom/stories/poverty-awareness-month.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Cash Assistance [https://read.dukeupress.edu/demography/article/58/3/1119/173294/Decomposing-the-Decline-of-Cash-Assistance-in-the?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Decline in Assistance [https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R47503?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Why Do People Experience Homelessness? [https://nationalhomeless.org/homelessness-in-the-us/] Oregon’s Homeless Population [https://www.wweek.com/news/2024/12/28/oregons-homeless-population-is-8th-largest-in-the-nation-hud-count-shows/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Slow Job Growth [https://www.qualityinfo.org/-/low-unemployment-and-slow-job-growth-2024-in-review#:~:text=Oregon's%20annual%20job%20growth%20was,expected%20to%20continue%20through%202025.] Inflation [https://www.bankrate.com/banking/federal-reserve/latest-inflation-statistics/#:~:text=The%20current%20annual%20inflation%20rate,care%2C%20car%20insurance%20and%20more.] CPI [https://www.bls.gov/cpi/] Portland affordable housing [https://www.oregonmetro.gov/news/you-are-here-snapshot-greater-portlands-need-affordable-housing?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Housing report [https://habitatportlandregion.org/state-of-the-states-housing-report-calls-for-urgent-action-to-address-the-growing-crisis/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] The Problem [https://www.portlandstreetmedicine.org/the-problem] Causes of Homelessness [https://pathwaystohousingpa.org/news/what-our-participants-want-you-know-causes-homelessness#:~:text=According%20to%20research%20from%20Charles,job%20loss%20leading%20to%20homelessness.] State of the State’s Housing [https://www.oregon.gov/ohcs/about-us/Documents/state-of-the-states-housing.pdf] End Homelessness in America [https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2024/01/why-its-so-hard-to-end-homelessness-in-america/] Evan's Story [https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/nov/30/evan-b-harris-portland-addiction-homelessness-america?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Experience Homelessness [https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/02/10/headway/homelessness-mental-health-us.html#/themes/first/]

Getting Some Tattoos and Sliding Into Authoritarianism

This week, we took a fun little road trip to get Cassidy some tattoos. The drive back, however, was a true test of our survival skills. We also chat about our week, including whatever deranged AI hell Donald Trump has been posting as well as the disgusting actions of American companies. Spoiler: they all suck!. And, of course, we try to figure out what we can actually do about the political chaos. Join us! Sources** https://www.thenation.com/article/economy/rei-soho-strike/ [https://www.thenation.com/article/economy/rei-soho-strike/] https://www.instagram.com/reiunion/p/DF595j5pwnM/?hl=en&img_index=1 [https://www.instagram.com/reiunion/p/DF595j5pwnM/?hl=en&img_index=1] https://apnews.com/article/apple-dei-shareholder-proposal-annual-meeting-96637c8d4fa3d5e2a73dc59a59c2485b [https://apnews.com/article/apple-dei-shareholder-proposal-annual-meeting-96637c8d4fa3d5e2a73dc59a59c2485b] https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/nov/05/bernie-marcus-home-depot-dead [https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/nov/05/bernie-marcus-home-depot-dead]