This week we decide to be randomly controversial, and who better to do it with than author and critic Lauren Oyler! First we courageously wade into the Taylor Swift waters without educating ourselves one bit, and then we turn our attention to the concept of "online backlash." Sure, it's okay when it happens to other people... but what about when it happens to US?! And finally, what is the deal with all these polycules we keep reading about in our nation's leading newspapers? Is polyamory a liberating lifestyle, a tech startup, or an MLM? Are Berlin-based gay guys the only people who have it all figured out? Buy Lauren's book of essays NO JUDGMENT from your local bookstore, and read her Harper's cover story about the Goop cruise here: https://harpers.org/archive/2023/05/goop-cruise-gwyneth-paltrow-goop-at-sea/ Subscribe to our Patreon at patreon.com/straightiolab for bonus episodes twice a month and don't forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.