MBMBaM - Life Is Meaningless, I Guess

[@lillymiller9799]

justin lives in a society

[@stefanalexanderlungu1503]

*BOTTOM TEXT*

[@peachesaupear8455]

Never saw the Joker so I never got the meme. I'm guessing this is a good explanation.

[@athomassen3980]

They're... actually giving advice??

[@nomukun1138]

In the early days the goofs would occasionally lapse into real advice.

[@richie-3485]

it happens every once in a while.

[@MBMBaMHighlights]

For full disclosure, this is a heavily edited clip - normally I just snip from the start and end of a question and call it a day, but the brothers seriously discussed this one question for almost 30 minutes. I feel like I did a good job at keeping a lot of the context and distilling the goofs for you guys, but just a heads up that the listening experience will be very different from the one on the actual podcast (which I would always recommend you listen to anyway, because the highlights don't do the whole experience justice).

[@jademangine4224]

Griffin’s philosophy here is my favorite look at that whole millennial post-modern nihilism, ‘cause it’s so stubbornly optimistic. Nothing matters anyway, so why not do what makes you happy? It’s such a good way to live your life and I love it

[@GippyHappy]

Nihilistic Optimism

[@dboot8886]

GippyHappy Nope-timism.

[@Kay-kg6ny]

Cheerful Nihilism. It's my core philosophy

[@4can]

It’s the best way to live your life, hands down. *Memento Mori by Will Wood plays ominously in the distance*

[@crunglemcbungley]

As someone who started holding this philosophy a few years back, and having it literally bUTCHER my depression like Fake Dick Man butchered three women on the sidewalk in 2017, it's nice to hear it from a popular voice

[@GippyHappy]

This is the Id, Ego, and SuperEgo having a conversation.

[@GippyHappy]

I assume this didn’t get more likes cause you guys just don’t get my super hilarious jokes about Freud’s psychoanalytic theory on the nature of human consciousness.

[@theohobo]

@@GippyHappy oh my god you game back two years later to chastise us on not liking you comment 😂 don’t worry I liked it

[@GippyHappy]

@@theohobo That’s better. :)

[@DarlingMissDarling]

Dude, I seriously can't tell you how much joy I got from this entire comment thread. Full serotonin rush complete with dumb grin. Amazing lol "That's better." 🤣 Jfc yes. Keep on keepin on, you glorious silly motherfckr 😂👌

[@blueskybelyr]

Griffin: Id Justin: Ego Travis: Superego ?

[@devinschwarz]

Griffin's rant about life being meaningless and no one will remember you is literally the philosophy I live by and a rant I have given to others many many times

[@Ozepyon09]

How'd you do that with no friends?lol

[@Ozepyon09]

(Just goofin)

[@QiotiCoyote]

same it's comforting and has helped others there should be a distinction though that STRANGERS will not remember you and you are insignificant to them Even loved ones, when it comes to embarassing things that moment will be insignificant It's important to make the distinction especially to ppl who need it

[@SirNightmareFuel]

Sane EDIT: Same. Freudian slip

[@ThomasG_]

"Perusing someone's swamp deck" is definitely a euphemism for... something.

[@nicoleboudreau2646]

Earthbind me ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

[@howdoishotweb]

Big Black Deck....for EDH.

[@PokeWeekly]

Anal

[@sepiasmith5065]

cringe culture is dead!!!! do what you like!!! don't let anyone shame you for having fun!!!

[@microwavemad]

"It's 2012" threw me for a LOOP

[@ian_dot_com]

this podcast is timeless

[@AprilTee]

It's still so crazy how real the brothers got here. Almost makes you forget it's a comedy podcast.

[@Roxas09202]

When Griffin mentioned he used to be embarrassed to play DS on the bus my heart cried out to him, I'm not alone anymore :')

[@derp195]

Same - I've literally been on a cta bus with a ds in my pocket agonizing over this

[@weneedaladder8384]

​@@derp195I have this with using a Switch on planes. Like, the number of flights I've taken with a Switch in my carry on, really wanting to play some game I just bought but worrying about perception is in the low-to-mid double-digits. I've gotten better about it because I've had multiple 12-hour flights and sometimes you just have to accept that this is you-time. It bothers no one and makes you feel good so why not do it?

[@Snaog]

I actually cannot be attracted to someone unless they know all the rules of yugioh

[@FiendishSquirrle]

Does it count if they stopped playing around xyz's?

[@Trick.Sparrow]

This is tragic because there is no one person on earth who knows every rule of yugioh

[@logicaloverdrive8197]

I only know up to 5ds, is that good?

[@catgirlmp4]

"its 2012" what the FUCK

[@liamwhite3522]

Zetrex This is the best of channel, not the latest release channel.

[@catgirlmp4]

Liam White yeah i get that, im just constantly in shock abt how old things are

[@FinnyInSpace]

yeah it's weird how long they've been going

[@GippyHappy]

This inspired me. I texted my friend and asked if she would play dungeons and dragons with me. She said no.

[@shinydino]

GippyHappy Good on you for offering!

[@23bcx]

5e is not a very good game, she was right to decline.

[@nanzington]

@@23bcx Exactly, she just has standards. Probably plays GURPS like all the other cool kids

[@amayabellerose8963]

@@23bcx mate, just because it's not your cup of tea don't mean it's bad. I get it, some people prefer the earlier editing, particularly 3.5, but the opposite can be true too. Let people like things, my friend

[@amayabellerose8963]

DND is fun as fuck, by all means, find your group. There's this app called mRPG that slets you play online if you can't find an in person game

[@jaynenunya6070]

people who are deeply and openly into their hobbies and embrace that in public are the absolute best type of people. If you're deeply into cosplay or wear vintage clothing everyday or have a dog agility course in your backyard, whatever is your thing, being excited and open about that is the COOLEST. I have so many friends who aren't traditionally "cool", but they have so much to say and are super fun to be around bc they're 100% themselves all the time, and have become accepting caring people because of it.

[@noblestrings]

"We live in a society" ~ Justin McElroy

[@DanetteBall]

Griffin! "No One Can Make You Feel Inferior Without Your Consent" That's what you're trying to get at.

[@larkandmallow]

Griffin saying "watch it" in a serious tone at 6:35 to Justin made me stop what I was doing and worry about the podcast event's next moment that has already technically happened.

[@clairewarner1130]

i got whiplash when travis said “it’s 2012!!”

[@melizard]

For context, this episode was released a good while ago- Justin in recent years has acknowledged that he has struggled with pretty extreme social anxiety his entire life. His experience in breaking down those mental barriers that allow one to be carefree and confident in public was likely very different than Travis and Griffin at the time.

[@magicaggy]

Griffin is right about the switch. If you want to do it and it doesn't hurt anyone else then just do it. If someone throws shade at you thats on them. Thats their problem. Live your life and do what you want to do. As long as its not hurting anyone its fine!

[@magicaggy]

Life is too short to be embarrassed.

[@clvrblzzrd8333]

thanks porrim, you always know what to say ᗡX

[@magicaggy]

EvergrowingSkeletons pee is stored in the balls

[@hawke7471]

Agreed. Justin and Travis mentioned how it’s not acceptable to wear sweatpants constantly in public and I say NAY! These sweatpants are comfy as fuck at home, and they *certainly* are outside of it too. Wear those sweatpants! (If you want to.)

[@troyna77]

@@hawke7471 do they make plain sweatpants jump suits ? its the future, we should all be wearing sweatpants jump suit now.

[@Rex_The_Mouse]

Hi I have social anxiety. That embarrassment switch is 100% incorrect, but the passion to do what you want is appreciated.

[@onbeyondzebrabydrs]

Listening to this as someone with anxiety is honestly such a trip. I get what Griffin is saying, but I'm 100% on Justin's side. Being embarrassed isn't just a switch for some people. I can know completely that I will never be judged for something, but that won't stop my own brain from worrying about it to the point of not being able to sleep. At that point it can start to feel like you're battling peer pressure from yourself. Everyone has their own boundaries. In regards to some non-nerd related stuff that I've worried about in the past, sometimes I manage to convince myself that it will be fine and I will find a community to be a part of, but when I actually show up, I realize that there is some disconnect between myself and everyone else there. They all mean well, but at the end of the day, sometimes you just aren't compatible with every situation.

[@emmajenkins4732]

Its so endearing to hear Justin being nervous about letting his nerdy flag fly because he is worried about what people think and seeing him 7 years later dressed as a flamboyant wizard who's whole aesthetic is 'fuck the haters'.

[@devcycler]

"they're paying us exclusively in energy" -Griffin McElroy, predicting Kaladesh block 4 years before it comes out

[@clvrblzzrd8333]

devcycler ᗡX

[@kristinsshenanigans]

the weird thing about this is that the brothers are trying to reach one conclusion. theyre all right about this, though. all their opinions are pretty solid.

[@peterbyrne5004]

It's both sweet and weirdly unsettling to hear them actually giving advice that *should* be followed.

[@LadyVagabond13]

i aspire to griffin’s level of nihilistic chill

[@bregghaines1656]

When I was in middle and high school, I liked Fast and Furious. My two best friends are from that time, and I am still recognized as the “fast and furious guy” even though I haven’t seen one of those movies in at least 7 years

[@joethanks8479]

Back in the day this stopped me hard in my tracks because it was actual good advice

[@liamwhite3522]

I am reeling that Justin thinks he has bastions of nerdom he hasn't breeched, when he literally has a DND podcast so popular it gets live shows at nerd conventions. There is nothing more nerdy than DND IRL.

[@tbotalpha8133]

Isn't this from way before TAZ started, though?

[@wendtchr]

Yeah, it's from 2012, I don't think Liam caught that. People change over time, especially when Justin probably didn't feel too extremely one side or the other. They were just having a goof. Look at how their position has changed vis a vis furries. They might as well be furries now. :p

[@Trick.Sparrow]

also I'm sorry but there are WICKED more things nerdier than DND

[@tanyazumstein9480]

I convinced a bunch of my friends recently to play DND and those who were "too cool" to play sat and watched us and wanted in on that good good role playing having seen the magic.

[@nertcher1563]

larping is prolly nerdier than dnd. i'd do it tho

[@Vergilius314]

I think a lot of nerds have this persecution complex about their interests because when they were bullied as kids their bullies made fun of their interests so they concluded their interests were the reason they were being bullied. So they get really defensive about said interests. Except that's all upside down, because what actually happened was the bully decided to bully them and then picked out--essentially arbitrarily--the thing they were going to use to do said bullying. Some people, it's true, never grow out of becoming bullies. (They either run for Congress or join the police force.) So sometimes in your adult life someone will make fun of an interest you have. But this is exceedingly rare, and, since you're not locked in a building with them five days a week, easily avoided. For the most part, nobody cares, and they will only think your interests are shameful if you prime them to believe that by constantly apologizing for your interests in an awkward and conspicuous way. So just play Magic: the Gathering and chill the fuck out.

[@gooseygooseman1383]

Travis saying “It’s 2012” gave me such intense whiplash. Not because of how long ago that is, but because that made me realize that the “new version of D&D” referenced earlier wasn’t 5th edition, but actually 4th edition.

[@Trick.Sparrow]

Oh FUCK

[@LasagnaTheArtist]

I met a guy at a school music festival once. He taught me how to play Magic the Gathering, but he also listened to jazz, and was super nice to all the strangers around, and he was a genuinely cool guy. Honestly I think he might have been a Fey. My point is if you’re cool enough, Magic the Gathering will not make you less cool.

[@goose6941]

Griffey’s advice is A+++ but social embarrassment is a very hard emotion to turn off, so maybe not as simple as he’s making it sound

[@Julia-jk4hw]

The brother energy is strong in this one

[@emjots]

i love griffin's fire in this bit

[@UndeadGary]

I agree that if you want to play magic you should but be careful with your money this shit is more expensive than a drug habit to remain competitive.

[@ProgressiveBoink]

Remain! I spent so much money on magic and never BECAME competitive.

[@swordswaltzing]

Honestly this clip and taz are literally what prompted me to go and start a fuckin,, dnd game with my friends and you know what? It may not be what I’m known for but it’s so fun actually fuck society man lmao

[@clvrblzzrd8333]

Megan Hunter FUCK SAME

[@jhhehhshh]

A jock may not bully you, but if you don't play Magic well, you will defiantly be bullied by a nerd.

[@henryohenry1504]

*OMG it is like doing a drug deal!!!* Im like: . . . Psst . . . Psst . . . [In a whisper] You spice? . . . They're like: what? [In a quieter whisper] you spice?

[@alexanderprestia459]

Why isn't this called "Thank you, Vin Diesel"? The theme of life being meaningless would be heavily implied

[@crepuscule7721]

I’m a part of a D&D campaign with a group of my college friends and I have never met a more chill and hilarious group of people in my life. My family and my mother continuously make fun of me for it but I couldn’t give a shit. I’ve never had this much fun and it has helped me so much to come out of my shell and be more outgoing. Just do what you want to do and ignore the others.

[@peteypablopicasso]

hearing “it’s 2012” in 2024 fucked me the entire way up

[@alexinatree]

Incredibly funny bcs I met my university friends by one girl coming up to me and basically saying "hey, you're gay (correct assumption based on me being visibly queer) do you wanna play DnD?" and another guy sitting next to me in class while I was creating my character sheet and looking at my screen and went "oh hey what's that? is that DnD?" and the rest is history! ❤️

[@wendyschwartz7455]

They joke but my friend walked up to me and said “have you ever played dnd?” And when I said yes said “cool can you be the dm for some of my friends” and thats literally how it began.

[@CaptLuser]

based on the title i thought this was gonna be depressing, but it was actually the somewhat uplifting variety of existentialism. thanks griffin

[@Nerozard]

As good of advice as this is. The guy doesn't sound too interested in playing the Magic.

[@jessewallis6589]

“Peruse your swamp deck” is a pretty good euphemism.

[@Mcwollybob]

I think they both have points, Justin was just having a hard time finding the words to explain his feelings on the subject. For instance, when he mentioned not being skinny, that is 100% something that affects you in other people's eyes due to fatphobia. If you're fat, you have a WAY harder time being able to do the things that Griffin mentioned because it's not just about nerdy stuff then. It's about the literal oppression of group and that oppression is what's affecting you, not the fact that you're doing something nerdy. Playing DnD when you're skinny? No problem. Playing it when you're fat? Suddenly you're the walking stereotype, the "Ugh look at how disgusting that person is, of course they play that game. They're fat." But it's not something you can shake off because their view of your body actually affects your life unlike if some random person sees you play a card game. You have to be put through the added layers of oppression. I think Justin was also trying to mention that in some cases, you have to continue interacting with the people judging you and often times stigma makes things twenty times worse. So yes, try not to care about what others think and do listen to what Griffin said, but be cautious in cases where these aren't just strangers who you won't ever see again. Being confident can be hard and sometimes confidence still can't save you. It all depends on the situation and it's way harder to get around stigma when you have the added layers of oppression on top of it for being part of an oppressed minority group while doing the stigmatized thing. It's just all a matter of figuring out the current situation and if there's something at stake if you reveal that stigmatized thing you like.

[@Wolfstar26]

Very pleasantly surprised that griffin mentioned willow. Also fantasy and medieval shit fucking rules. Just, all “nerdy” shit is fucking awesome, and I’m so proud of my nerdy tastes and interests now rather than hiding it :)

[@sed6657]

Ya honestly I do SCA and my family does too and frankly? It’s fun for an afternoon, but it gets rlly old and ppl DO judge if you’re in public in garb. There’s a reason we all meet in the middle of the woods for a weekend you know what I mean?

[@AJ-pg8je]

Got fucking whiplash from Justin bringing up the SCA

[@LasagnaTheArtist]

I think this is one of my favorite MBMBAM bits

[@sakedragon7395]

Justin took the hard road in this debate and I'm happy for it because he brought up alot of interesting points a

[@AxDeath]

*shrug* I play D&D. I live in a town where that's a thing you can say out loud.

[@TheGazingHeart]

this is real though. i know people who just are upfront about these things and they have a lot of friends even among people who think those things are super nerdy! i also know those who have no friends and theyre so afraid to talk about them because of a social pressure that only exists in ur heads! confidence is absolutely key. and even if you have the confidence of a wet paper towel you can still just fucking fake it! and people will never bother you except for the one time where theyre like "what are you playing?" you just. reply "its like pokemon" and theyll fuck off its fine no one cares just do what you want

[@TheGazingHeart]

im doing a study where im bringing a giant 4 foot tall stuffed animal to my goddamn high school and not one person has said anything about me. not to me not aroumd me and not even nonverbally. people mind their own business. also the sweatpants thing is real i wore sweatpants every day for three years of my high school career no one said anything except my mother. im . really passionate about that same thing griffin was yelling about on this one. its so real

[@elliejelly8815]

Whoops the McElroys gave real advice again lol

[@samphoenix794]

Every time I listen to this clip, my social anxiety takes 1d12 damage

[@leaffinite2001]

The intensity with which Griffin says "no," at 15:05 stirs up my brain. Idk what it is

[@GodzillaRex100]

I where sweat pants every day because I am not a coward

[@enigmaticRiver]

Hey I.... very very *very* technically got laid through playing magic

[@kylefox2397]

Gunna present another option here: life is absolutely meaningful and you are significant, but the random thoughts and judgments of people you don't even know are not.

[@ShadowSwift12]

I've been introduced as magic mike before because I taught kids magic

[@TRquiet]

The best way to gauge interest in D&D is to wait for someone to complain about how long someone else has been talking. Just say, “What? Them talking doesn’t take up any of *our* time, it’s a free action!” Folks who don’t get it will laugh because you’re agreeing with them. Your fellow adventurers will instantly know that you’re down; game recognize game.

[@natsusekai6190]

Life is meaningless -Eat Arby's- Play Magic

[@graceggale]

The coolest thing I ever did was wear my true personality and interests with pride. In fact I think I am much more interesting and "with it" now that I have, even though those things are "uncool". Also; "It's hip to be square."

[@ArtWildenTanzen]

As an SCA member... Fighting is super fun.

[@LasagnaTheArtist]

Fuck being Cool™️, we’re all about being ~cool~

[@abidoesnerdstuff]

Truth spoken here. Embarrassment is self imposed and pointless

[@rileysheehan943]

Nowadays Post Malone plays magic

[@christalcavanaugh]

“It’s 2012” Me listening to random bits on auto play: “is it?????”

[@marshallthorne1357]

travis said "its 2012" and i almost cried. i fucking wish...

[@smalls1485]

It’s 2012, guys!

[@EnsignGeneric]

SCA guy, here. They forgot spending way too much on crafting supplies and drinking mead until you puke out of your eyeballs, those are integral parts of the experience

[@kittygumdrop1]

....2012....

[@jagodakit]

8:36 yeah, umm... trav dead has a point. my father has literally become friends with joe manganiello because of dungeons and dragons because my dads a bigass nerd and paints dnd minis. so to hell with it, the world is a wild ass place and you should just unabashedly be yourself.

[@jagodakit]

fuck it! here’s my papa. go check out his stuff because he’s a cool old man instagram.com/mephitman

[@nicoleboudreau2646]

feeling called out by the part about cloaks 0_o

[@pjfair12547]

"it's 2012" Oh fuck I need to sit down

[@vamplixies]

2012???? jesus this was 8 years ago

[@greenbananaman9409]

we do live in a society-

[@TobiWanKenob1]

Griffin you are my albino knight in shining armor 🤙

[@texasq.mcpringleton6488]

I met my current boyfriend at boy scout camp and we bonded over playing MTG. For the sake of my relationship I have to disagree with the fuckable statement.

[@noelledunker8318]

No bro they just put slimer back into a pokeball in the style of the thing they used to capture him in the first movie

[@laurafrakinroslin]

Sorry, Lin, you have no street cred

[@nateofnazareth7785]

"this is 2012" oh my god really?? with that mic quality??

[@clintlaroux]

This is recorded a while ago, but it makes me wonder if griffin lived in Austin while Leslie was there.

[@NothingCanDescribeUs]

oh my god! these guys know about the sca??? thats fucking sick!!

[@werewolf9078]

I literally wear sweatpants everyday, and noone has ever commented on it

[@montgomerynovak2194]

in grade school i was bullied for being the chess club captain in middle school & high school i was bullied for that, and being in theatre and being in AP classes and being in the academic decathlon and being in d&d and playing mtg and even when i was in sports i was bullied for those things by my teammates. dont tell me others, even in today's world wont be bullied because my little sister, 9 years old, is for simply being on the chess team

[@heyhey8722]

Montgomery Novak kick sand in their e y e s

[@andymarie8920]

Make them feel embarrassed for bullying you. Like your life sounds awesome and the best of all worlds, while there's sounds like they're making fun of you because you have something better to do than them.

[@sapphic_sophie]

Montgomery Novak I don’t think that the point is that people won’t bully you, it’s that you shouldn’t live your life differently to avoid being bullied.

[@Juno_Verse_]

I feel like the "there's no bullies nobody's gonna give a shit" is aimed at the fact that he's an adult and you do reach a certain age and none of that shit matters anymore. I've just finished uni and I was in DnD society but I was also snorting lines and shaggin 9s Nobody cares what you're up to when you're older

[@vynniev9611]

"It's 2012" aged me

[@MrDeadlysirius]

Yes man fuckin rocks

[@bugzimm2527]

*it’s 2 0 1 2*

[@CallMeFreakFujiko]

Well, first of all, Saints Row 3. Second, I think everybody would remember a murderer who murders people with dildos forever!

[@ch3burashka]

I'm irrationally proud of Griffin. Might be some projection.

[@harrysonofbob]

Justin does have a point. I think clokes are cool, but I wouldn't wear one in public.

[@corvussielos612]

XD I guess my street cred is now invalid, and I haven’t even been alive long enough to build street cred

[@little-hater]

i think griffin just has object impermanance :/

[@lionguardant5468]

All I can think of while listening to this is ‘must be nice to not have anxiety all the time’

[@wolfensteinvernichtung332]

The year is 2020. Critical Role is very popular and Mathew Mercer reigns supreme. I'm happy to say that we've reached the point where it's uncool if you DON'T play DnD, my guys. No more beating around the bush, no more hiding in the dark.