J.D. Vance: The challenges start small–running two miles, then three, and more.
Ransome: [laughs] I think, for me, it’s cumulative.
Vance: Or maybe I’m just an idiot. You just seem so nice.
Ransome: No, not really. I’ve got to be honest, man.
Vance: I think that’s the only way to have this conversation and to make the necessary changes: sympathy and honesty.
***
Ransome: So it’s like, yeah, I can take this seriously, but at the same time be ridiculous, because fuck it, it should be fun.
Vance: Even if we are doomed, there’s reason to pretend otherwise.
Ransome: I try not to compartmentalize it.
Vance: I know exactly what you mean.
Ransome: I could walk there.
***
Vance: What does it mean for our politics?
Ransome: It’s really funny. It’s really violent.
Vance: It’s just complicated. But they build on each other.
Ransome: Yeah. I like this record by Unwound from the late ‘90s called Repetition—they were this Olympian punk band that were really interesting.
Vance: Judging by the current political conversation, no: Americans are not capable of hearing that anymore.