Pretty Much Pop #30: Why Every Film Will Win the Oscar! (A Debate)
The 2020 Academy Awards are imminent (or maybe past, if you're hearing this later; it's fine!). Mark, Erica, and Brian, each argue in favor of three of the best picture nominees: that it should win, or maybe just will win. What is it to be an Oscar winner as opposed to the type of film that people actually like? For more, visit prettymuchpop.com (http://prettymuchpop.com/) . Hear bonus content ...
53m Feb 05, 2020
53m
Ep. 235: Judith Butler's "Gender Trouble" (Part One)
On Gender Trouble: Feminism and the Subversion of Identity (1990). Is gender socially constructed, and if so, how? Butler describes gender not as an essential quality of a person, but as "performed," as habits of acting in certain ways in accordance with customs. Her idea of social construction is so totalizing that even biological sex itself is constructed. This is part 1 of 3; Become a Partia...
52m Feb 03, 2020
52m
NEM#114: Michaela Anne's Hyper-Reflective Country
Michaela has released four albums of carefully styled, lyrically rich country since 2011.  From her latest, Desert Dove (https://amzn.to/2vzKYKJ) (2019), we discuss the title track, plus you'll hear "By Our Design" as the intro and "Somebody New" as the closer. We also discuss "Worrying Mind" from Bright Lights and the Fame (https://amzn.to/2vwKoNR) (2016) and "Is This What Mama Meant" from Eas...
1hr 7m Jan 31, 2020
1hr 7m
Pretty Much Pop #29: Martin Scorsese the Auteur w/ Colin Marshall
We consider The Irishman in the context of Scorsese's body of work and the styles and themes that his films tend to exhibit. Writer/podcaster Colin Marshall (http://blog.colinmarshall.org/) joins Mark, Erica, and Brian to talk about connecting with Scorsese's sensibility and their status as "art films." Plus S's use of music, comments on Marvel, CGI age alternation, and more. For more, visit pr...
56m Jan 29, 2020
56m
Ep. 234: Beauvoir on Romance in "The Second Sex" (Part Two)
Concluding Simone de Beauvoir’s The Second Sex (1949): "The Woman in Love" and "Myths" with guest Jennifer Hansen (https://www.stlawu.edu/people/jennifer-hansen) . We continue on the ailments of women under patriarchy as well as the existential problems that we're all subject to. Are we doomed to isolation, or does existentialism allow for intimacy? Is marriage in "bad faith"? We also talk narc...
59m Jan 27, 2020
59m
Pretty Much Pop #28: The Alpha Female Trope w/ Margaret Colin
What's the deal with images of powerful women in media? The trope of the tough-as-nails boss-lady who may or may not have a heart of gold has evolved a lot over the years, but it's difficult to portray such a character unobjectionably. Margaret (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0171513/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1) was a lead in Independence Day and The Devil's Own, is a mainstay on Broadway, and has appeared o...
42m Jan 22, 2020
42m
Ep. 234: Beauvoir on Romance in "The Second Sex" (Part One)
On Simone De Beauvoir’s The Second Sex (1949): "The Woman in Love" and "Myths" with guest Jennifer Hansen (https://www.stlawu.edu/people/jennifer-hansen) . What is love under patriarchy? We all want to achieve solidity in another's eyes, but the Othered woman wants to live through the man, and the man sees the woman as his rejected corporeal character. Party time! Don't wait for part two; get t...
53m Jan 20, 2020
53m
NEM#113: Bid (Monochrome Set): All-Permissive British New Wave Forever!
The Monochrome Set has under the leadership of Bid released 15 albums of eccentric British pop since 1980, and he's had another nine as Scartlet's Well. His songs often employ a '60s dance vibe, literary lyrics, and a try-anything approach to arrangements. We discuss "Eux Tous" from Fabula Mendax (https://amzn.to/35W6FBm) (2019), "Walking with the Beast" from Dante's Casino (https://amzn.to/3ag...
1hr 6m Jan 17, 2020
1hr 6m
Pretty Much Pop #27: For the Love of Star Wars
Mark, Erica, and Brian talk about the unique place these films have in the brains of people of a certain age, how we grappled with the prequels, and why we feel the need to fill in and argue about the details. We focus primarily on The Mandalorian and The Rise of Skywalker. For more, visit prettymuchpop.com (http://prettymuchpop.com/) . Hear bonus content for this episode at https://www.patreon...
48m Jan 15, 2020
48m
Ep. 233: Plato's "Protagoras" on Virtue (Part Two)
Continuing on the dialogue, where Socrates argues that Protagoras doesn't actually know what virtue is, because he thinks that the various virtues (especially courage) are distinct, a claim that Socrates refutes in several (logically suspect) ways. Start with part one (https://partiallyexaminedlife.com/2020/01/06/ep233-1-plato-protagoras/) , or get the full, ad-free Citizen Edition (https://par...
1hr Jan 13, 2020
1hr
Pretty Much Pop #26: We Watch "Watchmen" w/ David Pizarro (Very Bad Wizards)
Covering Alan Moore's 1986 graphic novel, the new HBO series and the 2009 film. Mark, Erica, and Brian are joined by David (http://www.peezer.net/) , psych prof at Cornell and host of Very Bad Wizards (https://verybadwizards.fireside.fm/) . How does Moore's style translate to the screen? How well did the show handle politics? Should there be a second season? For more, visit prettymuchpop.com (h...
56m Jan 08, 2020
56m
Ep. 233: Plato's "Protagoras" on Virtue (Part One)
On the Platonic dialogue written around 380 BCE about an encounter between Socrates and one of the leading Sophists of his day. What is virtue ("the political art" according to Protagoras), and can it be taught? What are the relations of the various virtues to each other? Do they really amount ultimately to one and the same thing, i.e. wisdom? In this entertaining dialogue, Socrates and Protago...
54m Jan 06, 2020
54m
Pretty Much Pop #25: Sports as Pop w/ Sportscaster Dave Revsine
How is spectator sports different from other types of entertainment? Dave (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Revsine) (lead studio host for the Big Ten Network and former ESPN anchor) joins Mark, Erica, and Brian to discuss the various sources of appeal, team identification, existing in a sports-filled world as a non-fan, watching vs. playing, human interest stories, sports films, and more. Fo...
52m Jan 02, 2020
52m
Ep. 232: Simone De Beauvoir's "The Second Sex" (Part Two)
Continuing Simone de Beauvoir’s The Second Sex (1949) with guest Jennifer Hansen (https://www.stlawu.edu/people/jennifer-hansen) . How does one become a Subject and how do women traditionally get shut out of this process? We get into Vol. 2, "Lived Experience" where Beauvoir details how this drama unfolds in various stages of life. Also, religion, logic, the relation of biology to situation, an...
1hr 4m Dec 29, 2019
1hr 4m
Ep. 232: Simone De Beauvoir's "The Second Sex" (Part One)
On Simone De Beauvoir’s The Second Sex (1949): the intro, conclusion, “Woman’s Situation and Character” and parts of “Lived Experience," with guest Jennifer Hansen (https://www.stlawu.edu/people/jennifer-hansen) . According to Beauvoir, Woman is historically conceived of by society (and herself) as "Other," as not a Subject who creates and makes decisions. Her life is pre-determined, revolving ...
57m Dec 23, 2019
57m
Pretty Much Pop #24: Christmas Viewing: What's Canon?
Join Mark, Erica, and Brian for a special "snake draft," where we take turns picking the holiday films and TV specials that we think are (or should be) part of America's yearly viewing traditions. Compare your intuitions about what is classic or seminal or over-rated with ours! For more, visit prettymuchpop.com (http://prettymuchpop.com/) . Hear bonus content for this episode at https://www.pat...
54m Dec 21, 2019
54m
NEM#112: Radney Foster Finds His Voice
Radney started as a Nashville songwriter and performed in the 80s with Foster & Lloyd. has released about a dozen albums since '91 that increasingly break away from country music standards into something more personal. We discuss two recordings from For You to See the Stars (https://amzn.to/35v7h1u) (2017) that have accompanying short stories (written when he literally lost his voice): "Sycamor...
1hr 11m Dec 20, 2019
1hr 11m
Pretty Much Pop #23: The Singer Not the Song w/ Ken Stringfellow
Do you just embrace the pure sound of music or does context matter to you, i.e. the artist's intentions and body of work? Ken Stringfellow (http://kenstringfellow.com/) (Posies, R.E.M., Big Star) joins Mark, Erica, and Brian to talk about what grabs us about music, it it gets to your ears, singers vs. songwriters, the concept "genius," and how this attitude towards music translates to our intak...
46m Dec 17, 2019
46m
Ep. 231: Descartes's "Discourse" on Wisdom and Certainty (Part Two)
Continuing on Descartes’s Discourse on Method, looking closely at part 4 (his proto-Meditations) and his "provisional" Stoic ethics. Listen to part one (https://partiallyexaminedlife.com/2019/12/09/ep-231-1-descartes/) first or get the full, ad-free Citizen Edition (https://partiallyexaminedlife.com/2019/12/08/ep231-descartes-citizen/) . Please support PEL! (http://www.partiallyexaminedlife.com...
1hr 10m Dec 16, 2019
1hr 10m
Pretty Much Pop #22: Untangling Time Travel
Time travel rules in The Terminator franchise are notoriously inconsistent. Can we change the future or not? Mark, Erica, and Brian are joined by Ken Gerber (http://gerberbrothers.net/) to talk through time travel rules and plots, covering the randomness of Dr. Who, being your own grandfather, time travel comedies, time loops, freezing time, historical tourism, and more.  For more, visit pretty...
46m Dec 10, 2019
46m
Ep. 231: Descartes's "Discourse" on Wisdom and Certainty (Part One)
On René Descartes’s Discourse on Method (1637), an overview of his work that distills his method, outlines his famous Meditations, presents a provisional (Stoic) ethics, and considers whether he wants to be a public intellectual. This is all meant as a preface to scientific publications on geometry, optics, and meteors. Don't wait for part two; get the unbroken, ad-free Citizen Edition (https:/...
45m Dec 09, 2019
45m
NEM#111: Marty Willson-Piper Has Room for Everything
In The Church, he was half of a world-famous twin guitar machine for 30 years starting in 1980 but has also released seven solo albums and been in several other bands, most notably releasing four albums with his old friend Dare Mason as Noctorum. We discuss two 2019 Noctorum tracks, "The Moon Drips" from Afterlife (https://amzn.to/2quWXY3) and "Dancing with Death" from The Afterdeath EP, plus "...
1hr 14m Dec 07, 2019
1hr 14m
(sub)Text: A Discussion of Todd Phillips' Film "Joker"
Wes Alwan and William Sharp (psychoanalyst and professor at Northeastern (https://cos.northeastern.edu/people/william-sharp/) ) discuss the film at the Boston Graduate School of Psychoanalysis (https://bgsp.edu/) .  Why has this film done so well? It offers no spectacle, and good doesn't triumph. It is psychologically true and expertly performed. The audience can enjoy tragedy and identify deep...
1hr 13m Dec 06, 2019
1hr 13m
Pretty Much Pop #21: Role-Playing Video Games
What constitutes a video RPG? Is there any actual role-playing involved? Our editor Tyler Hislop rejoins Mark, Erica, and Brian to discuss those video games that are supposed to make you feel like your choices matter, with comparisons to MMO RPGs, table-top role-playing, and more. For more, visit prettymuchpop.com (http://prettymuchpop.com/) . Hear bonus content for this episode at https://www....
51m Dec 03, 2019
51m
Ep. 230: Bruno Latour on Science, Culture, and Modernity (Part Two)
Continuing on Latour's We Have Never Been Modern (1993) with guest Lynda Olman (https://www.unr.edu/english/people/lynda-olman) . Latour rejects the idea of objective truth totally apart from perceivers, so is he an idealist? We lay out the "Constitution" of modernity that keeps science and politics separate, how it makes it difficult for us to address issues like climate change, and what Latou...
1hr 1m Dec 02, 2019
1hr 1m
Ep. 230: Bruno Latour on Science, Culture, and Modernity (Part One)
On Latour's We Have Never Been Modern (1993) with guest Lynda Olman (https://www.unr.edu/english/people/lynda-olman) . What's the "modern" ideology of science, and is there something we should critique about it? Latour wants us to think about science not abstractly through the eternal truths it supposedly discovers, but through the concrete practices of scientists. He investigates the Modern Co...
49m Nov 25, 2019
49m
NEM#110: Joe Louis Walker's Blues Soup
Joe has played alongside B.B. King, Ron Wood, and even back to Hendrix, Hooker, and Monk. As a solo artist he's put out around two dozen albums since 1986. He's a blues man but mixes in gospel, soul, rock, and many other styles. We discuss the title track of Hellfire (2012), "Keep the Faith" from Hornet's Nest (2013), the title track from The Gift (1988), and listen to "Soldier for Jesus" from ...
1hr 23m Nov 22, 2019
1hr 23m
Pretty Much Pop #20: Improv Comedy w/ Tim Sniffen
What role does improv comedy play in popular culture? It's deployed by certain film directors (e.g. Christopher Guest), in some of the TV work of Larry David, Robin Williams, et al. But only a rare show like "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" makes it obvious. Is this art form doomed to live on the fringes of entertainment? Mark, Erica, and Brian are joined by Tim Sniffen (https://www.timsniffen.com/) ...
52m Nov 19, 2019
52m
Ep. 229: Descartes's Rules for Thinking (Part Three)
Concluding René Descartes's Rules for Direction of the Mind (1628). We finish rule 12 through the end, talking about simples, the faculties of intuition and judgment, perception and imagination, necessary vs. contingent truths, and how to do Cartesian science, including what constitutes a "perfectly understood problem." Start with part one (https://partiallyexaminedlife.com/2019/11/04/ep229-1-d...
58m Nov 18, 2019
58m
Pretty Much Pop #19: Race and the Target Audience w/ Rodney Ramsey
Are YOU the target audience of what you watch? While shows used to be aimed at a white majority or "niche group," now much media aims itself seemingly at everyone. Rodney Comedian/actor/writer/producer Rodney joins Mark, Erica, and Brian to discuss the experience of watching outside your demographic, whether identifying with characters requires physical commonalities, "black voice," and the evo...
49m Nov 13, 2019
49m
Ep. 229: Descartes's Rules for Thinking (Part Two)
Continuing on René Descartes's Rules for Direction of the Mind (1628), covering rules 7 through the first part of the lengthy rule 12. We try to figure out what he means by "enumeration;" the faculties of imagination, sense and memory; the virtues of perspicacity and sagacity; his psychology of the senses, the "common sense" where all sense data comes together, and the understanding; how Descar...
53m Nov 11, 2019
53m
NEM#109: Producer Guy Sigsworth (Seal, Björk, etc.) Goes Solo
Guy has been a highly sought-after British producer/keyboardist since the early '90s and is just now releasing his debut album, STET (https://amzn.to/2WU82gS) . We discuss "Mono No Aware" and "Dorian" from that album and "Unravel" from Björk's Homogenic (https://amzn.to/34FOYFV) (1997). End song: "Let's Go" by Frou Frou from Details (https://amzn.to/2K28GE0) (2002). Intro: "Crazy," co-written w...
1hr 16m Nov 08, 2019
1hr 16m
Pretty Much Pop #18: Stephen King's Media Empire
Is the most popular writer of our time actually a good writer? Or maybe he used to be good? While you've been thinking about those questions, King already wrote another book, so ha! Mark, Erica, and Brian share their experiences with and opinions about King's oeuvre and the films and shows that have come out of it. For more, visit prettymuchpop.com (http://prettymuchpop.com/) . Hear bonus conte...
54m Nov 08, 2019
54m
Ep. 229: Descartes's Rules for Thinking (Part One)
On René Descartes's Rules for Direction of the Mind (1628). Is there a careful way to approach problems that will ensure that you'll always be right? What if you just never assert anything you can't be sure of? This is Descartes's strategy, modeled on mathematics. We likewise carefully move step-by-step through this text. This is part 1 of 3; get the whole discussion now via the Citizen Edition...
50m Nov 04, 2019
50m
Pretty Much Pop #17: Comedy as Philosophy w/ Daniel Lobell
Are stand-up comedians the Modern Day Philosophers? This is the premise of Daniel's podcast (https://moderndayphilosophers.net/) , but really, only some comedians express original claims; many just tell jokes. Are those exceptional comics philosophizing? Does telling the whole, tragic truth rule out being funny? Daniel, Mark, Erica, and Brian consider Carlin, Gadsby, Chappelle, and others. For ...
46m Oct 29, 2019
46m
Ep. 228: Social Construction of Race (Appiah, Mills) (Part Two)
Continuing on Kwame Anthony Appiah's "Race, Culture, Identity: Misunderstood Connections" (1994), Charles Mills's "But What Are You Really?, The Metaphysics of Race" (1998), and Neven Sesardic's "Race: A Social Destruction of a Biological Concept" (2010) with guest Coleman Hughes (https://quillette.com/author/coleman-cruz-hughes/) . Racial classifications vary geographically, therefore race is ...
48m Oct 28, 2019
48m
NEM#108: Mike Watt's Punk Operas
Ace bassist Mike started with punk legends MINUTEMEN in the early '80s, broke into the majors with fireHOSE going into the 90s, and was so beloved by the alternative music scene that his first solo album in '94 was star-studded, with Eddie Vedder and Dave Grohl in the supporting tour. Mike has released three concept albums over the years and has collaborated on dozes of projects as well as back...
58m Oct 25, 2019
58m
Pretty Much Pop #16: 25 Years After FRIENDS
Mark, Erica, and Brian examine the conventions, techniques, and staying power of the beloved '90s sitcom. Are we supposed to identify with, or idolize, or merely like these people? What makes the formula work, did it sustain itself over its 10-year run, was it successfully replicated, and what parts haven't aged well? For more, visit prettymuchpop.com (http://prettymuchpop.com/) . Hear bonus co...
43m Oct 22, 2019
43m
Ep. 228: Social Construction of Race (Appiah, Mills) (Part One)
On Kwame Anthony Appiah's "Race, Culture, Identity: Misunderstood Connections" (1994), Charles Mills's "But What Are You Really?, The Metaphysics of Race" (1998), and Neven Sesardic's "Race: A Social Destruction of a Biological Concept" (2010). With guest Coleman Hughes. Don't wait for part two; get your full, ad-free Citizen Edition (https://partiallyexaminedlife.com/2019/10/21/ep228-social-co...
43m Oct 21, 2019
43m
Pretty Much Pop #15: Opera as Pop
Opera used to be a central part of European pop culture, Pavarotti was as big a pop star as they come. But still, it's now the quintessential art-form of the wealthy and snobbish. What gives? Guest Sean Spyres from Springfield Regional Opera (https://www.sropera.org/) joins his sister Erica along with Mark and Brian to discuss opera's place in culture (including its film appearances), how it's ...
41m Oct 15, 2019
41m
Ep. 227: What Is Social Construction? (Hacking, Berger) (Part Two)
Continuing Ian Hacking’s The Social Construction of What (1999) and Peter Berger's “Religion and World Construction" (1967). We break down Hacking's typology of construction arguments: Are they exploring where our ideas came from or trying to change things? Are they trying to state facts about nature vs. nurture or essentially political solicitations for us to reconceptualize in healthier ways?...
1hr 6m Oct 14, 2019
1hr 6m
NEM#107: Barry Andrews (Shriekback): Objectifications of Groove
Barry started in '77 playing keys with XTC and after two albums started his own band Shriekback in '81, with whom he's had 14 releases plus some solo albums. He's known for inventive soundscapes placed over solid grooves and philosophical lyrics delivered in a low chant. We discuss three Shriekback tunes: "Such, Such Are the Joys" from Why Anything? Why This? (https://amzn.to/2M2p4Wk) (2018), "...
1hr 14m Oct 11, 2019
1hr 14m
Pretty Much Pop #14: UFOs on TV with Investigative Journalist Paul Beban
TV news reporter Paul Beban (https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulbeban) (ABC, Al Jazeera, Yahoo, and now featured on the Discovery Network's Contact (https://www.discovery.com/shows/contact) ) joins Mark, Erica, and Brian to discuss the appeal of UFO narratives. Do you have to believe to be entertained? What's the connection to humor, religion, and anti-government venom? For more, visit prettymuchp...
39m Oct 08, 2019
39m
Ep. 227: What Is Social Construction? (Hacking, Berger) (Part One)
On Ian Hacking’s The Social Construction of What (1999) and Peter Berger's “Religion and World Construction" (1967). Guest Coleman Hughes from Dilemma (https://thisis42.com/discover/dilemma-podcast.html) joins us to survey the types of social construction arguments: the "culture wars" (e.g. race, gender) and the "science wars" (scientific findings are not read off the world but emerge from hist...
46m Oct 07, 2019
46m
NEM#106: John Colpitts (aka Kid Millions/Man Forever): Heavy Meditations
John founded the Brooklyn space-rock cooperative Oneida in the mid 90s and has put out 13 albums with them plus four as his solo project Man Forever and several others as collaborations or as Kid Millions. We discuss two tracks by Man Forever from Play What They Want (https://amzn.to/3571D5S) (2017): "You Were Never Here" and "Twin Torches" (feat. Laurie Anderson), then Oneida's "All in Due Tim...
1hr 13m Oct 04, 2019
1hr 13m
Pretty Much Pop #13: TV Revivals Revived!
Revivals (not to be confused with reboots) can bring us back to the comfort of old friends, who are now really old. But is reviving a show really ever a good idea? Mark, Erica, and Brian consider some successes, failures, and hypotheticals. For more, visit prettymuchpop.com (http://prettymuchpop.com/) . Hear bonus content for this episode at https://www.patreon.com/prettymuchpop. This podcast i...
40m Oct 01, 2019
40m
Ep. 226: Francis Bacon Invents Science (Part Two)
Continuing on Sir Francis Bacon's New Organon (1620). We cover more of Bacon's "idols" and how Bacon divides religion from science (and what this means politically). We then move on to book 2, including Bacon's novel update of the term "form," and take a look at Bacon's method of doing science by filling out tables before actually doing experiments. Start with part one (https://partiallyexamine...
1hr 3m Sep 30, 2019
1hr 3m
Pretty Much Pop #12: Once Upon a Tarantino Film
Wes Alwan (https://partiallyexaminedlife.com/author/wes/) joins Mark, Erica, and Brian to discuss Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time... In Hollywood in the context of Tarantino's other films (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quentin_Tarantino_filmography#Film) . We consider T's strange sense of pacing, his comic violence, his historical revisionism, and casting choices. Is this a brilliant film ...
47m Sep 24, 2019
47m
Ep. 226: Francis Bacon Invents Science (Part One)
On Sir Francis Bacon's New Organon (1620). Bacon claims to have developed a new toolset that will open up nature to inquiry in a way that wasn't possible for ancient and modern natural philosophy. Mark, Wes, and Dylan consider how much what Bacon describes resembles modern scientific method, talk through Bacon's "four idols" that interfere with impartial inquiry, and consider how Bacon's method...
44m Sep 23, 2019
44m
NEM#105: Wayne Hussey (The Mission): Salad Daze to Mission Accomplished
Wayne started in the late 70s, was on the first Dead or Alive Album, made his name as guitarist for The Sisters of Mercy's first full album, then led The Mission UK from 1986 through 11 albums plus two solo albums and some collaborations. We discuss "Wither on the Vine" from Songs of Candlelight & Razorblades (2014), then two Mission songs: "Phantom Pain" from Another Fall from Grace (2016) and...
1hr 19m Sep 20, 2019
1hr 19m