Epiosde 212: KSD Get Thee To The Moil!

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Everything seems chaotic today, what with supply chain disruptions, staffing shortfalls, and this wave of union activity, all panicking employers. What could be the reason? How about math? I explore that in this Epiosde 212: Get Thee To The Moil!

In this episode, I read from: Benjamin Hunnicutt's book Kellogg's Six-Hour Day; John M. Barry's book The Great Influenza; and Robert Louis Stevenson's essay "An Apology For Idlers".

I play: "Eight Hours", from the album "The Hand That Holds The Bread: Progress and Protest in the Gilded Age Songs from the Civil War to the Columbian Exposition," recorded in 1978 by Cincinnati's University Singers; and a snippet, slowed down to a groan, of "Look For The Union Label," taken from an ad campaign in the '70s by the Ladies International Garment Workers. I open with Henry Giroux noting the value of civic awareness, backed by KMFDM; I close with Mistle Thrush.

Episode 211: Back To Basics

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Parody goes beyond laughter: it can help all of us see silliness in what we never questioned; help us see our naked marching monarch. I explore ideas I've had, along with terms others have coined on this topic, in this Episode 211: Back To Basics.

In this episode, I read from: my computer's quickie dictionary; a Wikipedia article on détournement; and Tim Wu's book The Attention Merchants: The Epic Scramble to Get Inside Our Heads.


Now that's sublime détournement!

I play: a hilarious excerpt from The Dana Carvey Show; and an excerpt with John Roderick and Ken Jennings, from their podcast Omnibus. Once again, it was a treat to have listener Vincent complain about my horrific attempts to speak his native language. Thanks again, Vincent. (Oh, and since a recent episode concerned animal husbandry and the care of waste, I had Vincent read the curses "cow" and "shit." Just for fun!)

Musically, KMFDM back the first intro I ever used with Dmitri Orlov spouting a timeless truth. I close today with Julie & Rolf & The Campfire Gang doing "Over The Rainbow".