Thursday, May 30, 2019

Episode 128: Mind The Gap

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I know you're likely tired of my recent obsession with the term "stereotype;" but there is benefit to understanding that gap between our understanding of a thing and complexities inherent in the thing itself. Hence today's Episode 128: Mind The Gap.

In this episode, I read from: Arlie Russell Hochshchild's book Strangers in Their Own Land: Anger and Mourning On The American Right; from my computer's quickie dictionary; from two essays by the Archdruid John Michael Greer; and from a Vox article.

Musically, I play: Lee Rosevere's "All the Answers"; Graham Bole's "We Are One"; Jahzzar's "Forgiven Not Forgotten"; and Podington Bear's "Forces". I also play some most unfortunate comments from a former candidate for political office. Mark Blyth was backed by KMFDM's "Attack" in the opening, and I'm closing now with Mistle Thrush's "It's All Like Today"

I'm releasing this and all my episodes under a Creative Commons 4.0 attribution, share-alike, and non-commercial license.

Oh, and I'm posting on a Thursday for very special [reasons]!

Tuesday, May 21, 2019

Episode 127: Brand, Demand, and Target!

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Once the First World War removed the tarnished and tawdry reputation propaganda had with business, advertisers were able to expand their reach and hone their technique. I share three of their new tricks in this Episode 127: Brand, Demand, and Target!

In this episode, I read from Tim Wu's book, The Attention Merchants: The Epic Struggle to Get Inside Our Heads. To give you an inkling on how dense and thorough this book is, let me blow your mind just a bit: I have not covered any material past page 65. There's still lots more in this book to cover! And cover it I will.

I play: Sydney Greenstreet's marvelously evil character from the 1949 movie The Hucksters, expounding on the proven science of advertising; and Gilda Radner, Dan Ackroyd, and Chevy Chase from an early Saturday Night Live sketch (sadly, it seems the owners have scrubbed it from the video service between production and release). Musically, I play: Jahzzar doing (quite appropriately) "Ads", which broke up the advertising techniques three; Podington Bear doing "Dog and Pony Show" behind Molly's dirty undies; and Lee Rosevere doing "Sad Marimba Planet." KMFDM backed Henry Giroux in the opening, and I'm closing today with Julie, Rolf, and the campfire gang doing "Over the Rainbow."

I'm releasing this and all my episodes under a Creative Commons 4.0 attribution, share-alike, and non-commercial license.