PEL Presents PMP#59: David Lynch's Popular Surrealism
Mark, Erica, Brian, and guest Mike Wilson discuss the director's films from Eraserhead to Inland Empire plus Twin Peaks and his recent short films. We get into the appeal and hallmarks of his mainstays--Blue Velvet, Wild at Heart, Lost Highway, and Mulholland Drive--and also consider outliers like Dune, The Elephant Man, and The Straight Story. How many of these films actually make sense, and i...
46m Sep 08, 2020
46m
Ep. 251: Simone Weil's Ideal Society
On "Theoretical Picture of a Free Society" (1934). What's the ideal living situation for us all, given the peculiarities of human nature? Weil describes fulfillment as coming from being able to picture goals and plans and knowingly put them into effect, so social groups need to maximize that power by being small and cooperative. End song: "Libreville" by Bill Bruford, as interviewed for Nakedl...
1hr 15m Sep 07, 2020
1hr 15m
PEL Presents NEM#130: Mark Farner (ex Grand Funk Railroad) Back from the Dead
Mark led Grand Funk Railroad through 13 albums in the 70s and early 80s and has had around eight solo releases. We discuss "Nadean" from For the People (https://amzn.to/3jC0h9B) (2006), "Not Yet" from Some Kind of Wonderful (https://amzn.to/3jC0h9B) (1991), and the title track of Born to Die (https://amzn.to/2EUOT9V) by Grand Funk Railroad. End song: "Take You Out (https://amzn.to/2Gotfvp) ." ...
58m Sep 02, 2020
58m
Ep. 250: Simone Weil on Human Needs (Part Three)
Concluding on "The Needs of the Soul" from The Need for Roots (1943). This time we cover punishment, security, risk, private property, collective property, freedom of opinion, and truth. Start with part one (https://partiallyexaminedlife.com/2020/08/18/ep250-1-weil-needs/) or get the full, ad-free Citizen Edition (https://partiallyexaminedlife.com/2020/08/18/ep250-weil-needs-citizen/) . Suppor...
57m Aug 31, 2020
57m
PEL Presents (sub)Text: Expediency and Intimacy in Billy Wilder’s "The Apartment"
You know, it’s that old story of boy meets girl … girl is dating boy’s married boss … girl tries to commit suicide … boy saves girl’s life …. Okay, that sounds pretty dark. But somehow it’s the basis for a classic romantic comedy, Billy Wilder’s 1960 film, The Apartment. The film raises the question of how we distinguish authentic relationships from relationships of utility and convenience. Wha...
57m Aug 30, 2020
57m
PEL Presents (sub)Text: Truth as Beauty in Keats’ Ode on a "Grecian Urn"
The poet John Keats (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Keats) is famous for the concept of “negative capability,” his description of the ability to tolerate the world’s uncertainty without resorting to easy answers. Literary minds in particular should be more attuned to beauty than facts and reason. In fact, truth in the highest sense is the same thing as beauty, he tells us at the end of his ...
1hr 8m Aug 28, 2020
1hr 8m
PEL Presents PMP#58: "TAYLOR SWIFT RULES!" (Conversation with a Swiftie)
Prompted by the release of new album Folklore (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folklore_(Taylor_Swift_album)) and the 2020 documentary Miss Americana (https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/30/movies/taylor-swift-miss-americana-review.html) , Mark, Erica, and Brian speak with Amber Padgett about her love of Taylor, ranking the albums, why the hate, weird levels of fan engagement, double standards for fe...
48m Aug 26, 2020
48m
Ep. 250: Simone Weil on Human Needs (Part Two)
Continuing on "The Needs of the Soul" from The Need for Roots (1943). We got started in part one (https://partiallyexaminedlife.com/2020/08/18/ep250-1-weil-needs/) with our need for order, and in this part we add liberty, obedience, responsibility, equality, hierarchy, and honor. We'll conclude with part 3, covering freedom of speech, punishment and more, but you needn't wait: Get the full, ad...
54m Aug 24, 2020
54m
PEL Presents (sub)Text: Love and Wit in Shakespeare’s "Much Ado About Nothing"
At the center of every courting ritual, there’s a great unknown. How do we know when we’ve met someone we can love? How do we know the other person is actually who they seem to be? In the beginning, all we have to go on is surface appearances, which amount to a kind of hearsay. The question is how to get beyond them. Wes and Erin discuss Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, which seems to sugg...
1hr 29m Aug 21, 2020
1hr 29m
PEL Presents PMP#57: Back to the Damn Arena - The Hunger Games Prequel
Remember when The Hunger Games was everywhere? Suzanne Collins returns to Just War Theory lessons with the prequel The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Mark, Erica, and Brian review the new book and look back on the YA novel/film franchise. Does the work critique yet glorify violence at the same time? Will the film version of the new novel be our next Phantom Menace? For more, visit prettymuch...
44m Aug 18, 2020
44m
Ep. 250: Simone Weil on Human Needs (Part One)
On "The Needs of the Soul" from The Need for Roots (1943) On and "Meditation on Obedience and Liberty" (1937). What are our needs that should then drive what kind of society would be best for us? Weil says we need liberty yet obedience, equality yet hierarchy, security yet risk... and none of these words mean quite what you'd think. And to start off, why do the many obey the few? Sponsors: Ge...
53m Aug 17, 2020
53m
PEL Presents (sub)Text: Mastery and Repetition in "Groundhog Day"
When egotistical weatherman Phil Connors gets trapped in a time loop in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, he gets drunk, steals money, manipulates women, binges on breakfast food, plays God… and finally grows up. The story charts Phil’s development over the course of thousands of repeated February 2nds. Along the way, it raises questions about our own capacity for growth. How do we go about improving...
1hr Aug 15, 2020
1hr
PEL Presents NEM#128: Roger Joseph Manning Jr.'s Crazy Fun with Arrangements
Roger rose to fame as keyboardist/songwriter for Jellyfish in the early '90s, then formed Imperial Drag, The Moog Cookbook, TV Eyes, backed Beck, and finally released two albums under his own name starting in 2006. He's recently released a solo EP and one with The Likerish Quartet that reunites him with some other members of Jellyfish. We discuss "Lighthouse Spaceship" by The Lickerish Quartet...
1hr 29m Aug 14, 2020
1hr 29m
PEL Presents (sub)Text #1: Marital Economics in Jane Austen’s "Pride and Prejudice"
An advantageous marriage is Elizabeth Bennet’s only potential escape from a foolish mother, a disinterested father, three very silly sisters, and a house that’s entailed away to her idiotic cousin Mr. Collins. But she turns down fabulously wealthy Mr. Darcy because he’s prideful—and maybe a little prejudiced. But then, so is she. How do we know if two people are well-suited to each other? What ...
1hr 20m Aug 13, 2020
1hr 20m
PEL Presents PMP#56: Black + Nerd = BLERD w/ Anthony LeBlanc
The Interim Executive Producer of The Second City (https://www.secondcity.com/people/other/anthony-leblanc/) joins Mark, Erica, and Brian to discuss the scope of black nerd-dom: what nerdy properties provide to those who feel "othered," using sci-fi to talk about race, Black Panther, afrofuturism, black anime fans, Star Trek, Key & Peele, Get Out vs. Us, and more. For more, visit prettymuchpop...
51m Aug 11, 2020
51m
Ep. 249: Dewey on Education and Thought (Part Two)
Continuing on John Dewey's Democracy and Education (1916) ch. 1, 2, 4, and 24 with guest Jonathan Haber (http://degreeoffreedom.org/welcome-partially-examined-life-listeners/) . How is education different than mere conditioning, and how does it relate to habits and growth? We discuss how much of what Dewey recommends lines up with liberal education and multiculturalism. Also, can education cha...
1hr 12m Aug 10, 2020
1hr 12m
PEL Presents PMP#55: Food as Pop w/ Thi Nguyen
Mark, Erica, and Brian are joined by Utah philosophy prof and former food writer C. Thi Nguyen (https://philpeople.org/profiles/c-thi-nguyen) to talk food as art, foodies, elitism, food TV, cooking vs. eating, and how analyzing food is like analyzing games. For more, visit prettymuchpop.com (http://prettymuchpop.com/) . Hear bonus content for this episode at https://www.patreon.com/prettymuchpop.
46m Aug 05, 2020
46m
PEL Presents NEM#127: KatieJane Garside Is an Impulse of Chance
KatieJane gained fame fronting British grunge band Daisy Chainsaw, left after their first full album but resumed the project under the name Queenadreena for four albums in the '00s, then partnered with Chris Whittingham in 2007 to live on a boat and play as the stripped-down Ruby Throat for four albums. That band has now become loud again and been re-christened Liar, Flower. We discuss "My Bra...
59m Aug 02, 2020
59m
Ep. 249: Dewey on Education and Thought (Part One)
http://partiallyexaminedlife.com
52m Aug 02, 2020
52m
PEL Presents PMP#54: The Genius(?) of Rick and Morty
Mark, Erica, and Brian address critically acclaimed Adult Swim show (https://www.adultswim.com/videos/rick-and-morty) . What kind of humor is it? Can we take the sci-fi and family drama elements seriously? How smart are the show and its fans? Is Rick a super hero, or Dr. Who? What will this serialized sit-com look like in longevity? For more, visit prettymuchpop.com (http://prettymuchpop.com/)...
47m Jul 29, 2020
47m
Ep. 248: Racism and Policing (Al-Saji, Merleau-Ponty, et al) (Part Two)
Continuing on Alia Al-Saji’s “A Phenomenology of Hesitation” (2014) and other things with guest Phil Hopkins (https://www.southwestern.edu/live/profiles/25831-phil-hopkins) .  Can we restructure our (and the police's) reactions and live with each other? We further explore the psychology of habit and Al-Saji's notion of hesitation. How does it compare to other types of heistation recommended by...
1hr 10m Jul 27, 2020
1hr 10m
PEL Presents PMP#53: The Hamilton Phenomenon w/ Sam Simahk
Erica, Mark, and Brian are joined by Broadway actor Sam (http://www.sam-simahk.com/) to discuss this unique convergence of musical theater, rap, and historical drama. Does Hamilton deserve its accolades? We cover the re-emergence of stage music as pop music, live vs. filmed vs. film-adapted musicals, creators starring in their shows, race-inclusive casting, and the politics surrounding the sho...
52m Jul 22, 2020
52m
Ep. 248: Racism and Policing (Al-Saji, Merleau-Ponty, et al) (Part One)
On Alia Al-Saji’s “A Phenomenology of Hesitation” (2014) bits of Maurice Merleau-Ponty's Phenomenology of Perception (1945) and Linda Martín Alcoff’s Visible Identities (2006), plus Alex Vitale's The End of Policing (2017). Is there sub-conscious racism, and how might we root it out and fix our policing problems? Ex-cop Phil Hopkins (https://www.southwestern.edu/live/profiles/25831-phil-hopkin...
52m Jul 20, 2020
52m
NEM#126: Jim Peterik Eyes Much More Than the Tiger
Jim has released 30+ albums since 1964 with Ides of March, Survivor, Pride of Lions, et al. Intro: His biggest hits, the title tracks of Vehicle (https://amzn.to/2CqWY5d) (1970) and The Eye of the Tiger (https://amzn.to/2WuZka7) (1983). We discuss his new solo single "Empty Arena (https://amzn.to/2WxNSui) " and two Ides of March tunes, "Friends Like You" from Play On (2019) feat. Mindi Abair a...
1hr 12m Jul 18, 2020
1hr 12m
PEL Presents: PMP#52: The Twilight Zone from Serling to Peele
Something's strange... Is it a dream? If it's a morality tale with a twist ending, you're probably in the Twilight Zone. Brian, Erica, Mark, and guest Ken Gerber are in it this week, discussing the thrice revived TV series. Does the 1959-1963 show hold up? What makes for a good TZ episode, and does Jordan Peele's latest iteration capture the spirit? We talk about episodes new and old, the 1983...
54m Jul 14, 2020
54m
Ep. 247: Aristotle on Rhetoric and Emotions (Part Two)
Continuing on the Rhetoric (ca. 335 BCE) book 1, ch. 1–6 and book 2, ch. 1–5, 18–24. We finish up with enthymemes (rhetorical arguments), maxims, and signs. We then move to emotions, where we chiefly talk about anger: Is it always a matter of status injury, or is frustration equally (or more) foundational? Begin with part one (https://partiallyexaminedlife.com/2020/07/06/ep247-1-aristotle-rhe...
53m Jul 13, 2020
53m
PEL Presents PMP#51: Pictures Telling Stories w/ Joseph Watson
Is it really true that "every picture tells a story"? For Joseph, a Las Vegas artist (http://josephwatsonart.com/) who illustrates Go, Go GRETA! (https://www.gogogreta.com/) , narrative is essential, but how does the story an artist has in mind actually convey to the viewer? He joins Mark, Erica, and Brian to tell art stories and touch on Guernica, Where the Wild Things Are, Dr. Seuss, Narnia,...
41m Jul 08, 2020
41m
Ep. 247: Aristotle on Rhetoric and Emotions (Part One)
On the Rhetoric (ca. 335 BCE) book 1, ch. 1-6 and book 2, ch. 1-5, 18-24. What role does persuasion play in philosophy? Aristotle (contra Plato) argues it can and should be used for good: in law courts, political debates, public speeches. He describes the arguments forms used in rhetoric ("enthymemes") and analyzes the emotions that an audience might have so that speakers know what points are ...
55m Jul 06, 2020
55m
PEL Presents NEM#125: Victor DeLorenzo (ex Violent Femmes) Starts with Drums
Victor started as a singer/songwriter, drummed with the Femmes for five albums in the '80s, and has since recorded six solo releases and five more with nine thirteen, plus other collaborations, jazz jamming, and work in the theater. We discuss "Invisible Shadows" from Tranceaphone (https://amzn.to/2YX6up2) (2020), "Carry Me" from Victor DeLorenzo (https://amzn.to/2DaqgFe) (2013), "Arco, Pizzic...
1hr 7m Jul 04, 2020
1hr 7m
REISSUE-PEL Ep 75: Lacan & Derrida Criticize Poe's "The Purloined Letter" (w/ New Intro)
Enjoy this normally paywalled episode from Apr. 2013 about Jacques Lacan’s “Seminar on ‘The Purloined Letter'” (1956) and Jacques Derrida’s “The Purveyor of Truth” (1975). How should philosophers approach literature? Lacan read Edgar Allen Poe’s story about a sleuth who outthinks a devious Minister as an illustration of his model of the psyche, and why we persist in self-destructive patterns. D...
2hr 10m Jul 03, 2020
2hr 10m
Pretty Much Pop #50: MJ's Last Dance w/ Seth Paskin
Brian, Erica, Mark, and Seth from The Partially Examined Life (https://partiallyexaminedlife.com/) interrogate the 10-part ESPN documentary on Michael Jordan's Bulls' six championships. Was it worth ten hours? Does its time-jumping structure work? Is it really hagiography, or is the vision of ultra-competitiveness repulsive? Why are sports amenable to creating cultural icons? Does the doc's su...
52m Jul 01, 2020
52m
Ep. 246: Susan Sontag on Interpreting Art (Part Two)
Continuing on Sontag's essays “On Style” (1965) and "The Death of Tragedy” (1963). Mark, Wes, Seth and Dylan keep talking about the appropriate distance to retain (or not) to a work of art, which is supposed to be relevant to moral action in the world. We also spell out how this is relevant to our recent episodes on tragedy. Start with Part One (https://partiallyexaminedlife.com/2020/06/22/ep...
53m Jun 29, 2020
53m
Pretty Much Pop #49: Conspiracy Theories as Pop w/ Al Baker
Al works for Logically (https://www.logically.co.uk/) , a company that fights misinformation. He joins Mark, Erica, and Brian to try to discuss the appeal of conspiracy theories, whether their fandom is like other fandoms, the relation between pernicious and fun theories, and theories that end up true. We touch on echo chambers, the role of irony and humor in spreading these theories, how both...
50m Jun 23, 2020
50m
Ep. 246: Susan Sontag on Interpreting Art (Part One)
On Sontag's essays “Against Interpretation” (1964), “On Style” (1965), and "The Death of Tragedy” (1963). What is it to understand a work of art? Sontag objects to critics' need to decode art into its "meaning" or "content," divorcing it from how this content is embodied. She argues that the content vs. form distinction isn't tenable; that the style of a work is an essential part of experienci...
47m Jun 22, 2020
47m
PEL Presents NEM#124: Alev Lenz's Tracts of Blood and Sisterhood
Alev started in Germany with her metal band "Alev" in the early '00s and has released three atmospheric, idea-filled solo albums since 2009 plus several soundtracks and collaborations. We discuss "The Chair" (and at the end listen to "Cigarettes & Blow") from 3 (https://amzn.to/2V0eq6F) (2019), plus the title track from Two-Headed Girl (https://amzn.to/2zMDYgd) (2016), "Flowers of Love" from S...
1hr 6m Jun 19, 2020
1hr 6m
Pretty Much Pop #48: The Arts in Reality TV w/ Skin Wars' Robin Slonina
Fine art and reality TV are typically rated our highest and lowest forms of entertainment, yet creative competition shows combine them. Robin Slonina (https://robinslonina.com/) , who was a judge on the body painting show Skin Wars (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skin_Wars) , helps Mark, Erica, and Brian figure out the degree to which that format lets the art shine through. We also touch on Wor...
51m Jun 16, 2020
51m
Ep. 245: Fashion (Derrida, Foucault, Sontag) w/ Shahidha Bari (Part Two)
We conclude with Foucault's "The Ethics of the Concern of the Self As A Practice of Freedom" (1984) and add Susan Sontag's "On Style" (1965). After our guest's departure, we give some concluding remarks about her book Dressed: A Philosophy of Clothes (2020) and Derrida's "The Animal That Therefore I Am" (1999). Start with part one (https://partiallyexaminedlife.com/2020/06/08/ep245-1-fashion/)...
51m Jun 15, 2020
51m
Pretty Much Pop #47: Sitcom Premises: Genius, Bonkers and Otherwise
Sitcoms traditionally provide a cozy, relatable, changeless environment, but streaming and serialization have changed this. What are the limits on the format? Mark, Erica, and Brian consider After Life, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Community, the Parks & Rec reunion, the Space Force pilot, the stain of Chuck Lorre, and much more. Plus, which weird premises are real: a quiz! For more, visit prettymuchp...
43m Jun 09, 2020
43m
Ep. 245: Fashion (Derrida, Foucault) w/ Shahidha Bari (Part One)
On Jacques Derrida's "The Animal That Therefore I Am" (1999), Michel Foucault's "The Ethics of the Concern of the Self As A Practice of Freedom" (1984), and our guest's Dressed: A Philosophy of Clothes (https://amzn.to/377DLAv) (2020). Philosophy devalues appearances, but our changing dominant metaphysics (there is no "underneath" but rather a complex built out of appearance itself) should have...
54m Jun 08, 2020
54m
PEL Presents: NEM#123: Rick Kemp (Steeleye Span) Slows Down
Rick played bass on 15 albums with Steeleye Span between 1971 and 2016 and had released five solo albums since 1996. We discuss "Race Against Time" from Perfect Blue (https://amzn.to/3cygZTv) (2018) and two Steeleye tunes: "Cromwell's Skull" from Dodgy Bastards (https://amzn.to/2XCdwiA) (2016) and "Samain" from They Called Her Babylon (https://amzn.to/2My1Yq6) (2004). We conclude by listening ...
1hr 6m Jun 05, 2020
1hr 6m
Pretty Much Pop #46: "Casual" Games with Diner Dash's Nick Fortugno
The famed game designer joins Mark, Erica, and Brian to discuss fundamental questions about gaming and what makes a casual game. We touch on everything from crosswords to Super Meat Boy. For more, visit prettymuchpop.com (http://prettymuchpop.com/) . Hear bonus content for this episode at https://www.patreon.com/prettymuchpop. This podcast is part of the Partially Examined Life (https://partial...
55m Jun 02, 2020
55m
Ep. 244: Camus on Strategies for Facing Plague (Part Two)
Continuing on Albert Camus's 1947 novel, covering the old functionary Grand, the criminal (or just paranoid?) Cottard, and more of our narrators Dr. Rieux and his doomed friend Tarrou, plus more on the overall message of the book and how it might relate to our current situation. Start with part one or get the unbroken Citizen Edition (https://partiallyexaminedlife.com/2020/05/25/ep244-camus-cit...
1hr 5m Jun 01, 2020
1hr 5m
Pretty Much Pop #45: Film Riffing with MST3K's Mary Jo Pehl
Mary Jo was a writer/performer on Mystery Science Theater 3000 and has gone on to make jokes during movies for Rifftrax Presents and Cinematic Titanic. She joins Mark, Erica, and Brian to talk about the joke-writing process, riffing styles, what kinds of films make for good riffing, the MST3K legacy, and more. For more, visit prettymuchpop.com (http://prettymuchpop.com/) . Hear bonus content fo...
46m May 27, 2020
46m
Ep. 244: Camus on Strategies for Facing Plague (Part One)
On Albert Camus' existentialist novel The Plague. How shall we face adversity? Camus gives us colorful characters that embody various approaches. Yes, the plague is an extreme situation, but we're all dying all the time anyway, right? Join Mark, Wes, Dylan and Seth to tease out Camus' positions from this bleak yet colorful text. Don't wait for part two; get the unbroken Citizen Edition (https:/...
47m May 25, 2020
47m
NEM#122: Jack Hues (from Wang Chung) Plays Jazz and Prog
Jack fronted Wang Chung for five albums in the '80s, left the limelight to produce, and got a jazz combo going by 2000 which he's released five albums with, reformed Wang Chung, and only now is having a debut solo release, the double album Primitif (https://amzn.to/2yrpv8P) . We discuss "Whitstable Beach" from that album, "Class War and Sex War" by Jack Hues and the Quartet from A Thesis on th...
1hr 12m May 22, 2020
1hr 12m
Pretty Much Pop #44: Local News w/ Deion Broxton
The recently memified (https://twitter.com/DeionNBCMT/status/1242910540105576450) NBC Montana reporter joins Mark, Erica, and Brian to discuss news as entertainment, local news consumption, its uses and abuses, reality vs. media portrayals of reporters, and more. For more, visit prettymuchpop.com (http://prettymuchpop.com/) . Hear bonus content for this episode at https://www.patreon.com/pretty...
42m May 19, 2020
42m
Ep. 243: Aristotle's "Poetics" on Art and Tragedy (Part Two)
Continuing on the Poetics from around 335 BCE, on the structure of plot (every element must be essential!), the moral status of the heroes, Homeric poetry, the difference between tragedy and history, and how Aristotle's formula may or may not apply to modern media. Begin with part one (https://partiallyexaminedlife.com/2020/05/11/ep243-1-aristotle-poetics/) or get the full, ad-free Citizen Edit...
55m May 18, 2020
55m
Pretty Much Pop #43: The Korean Wave w/ Suzie Oh
Parasite, K-Pop, and K-Dramas have reached the U.S. as part of Hallyu, an official Korean effort to expand cultural influence. Suzie Hyun-jung Oh joins Mark, Erica, and Brian to decode the zeitgeist in hopes of understanding films like Snowpiercer, A Train to Busan, The Burning, A Taxi Driver, etc. For more, visit prettymuchpop.com (http://prettymuchpop.com/) . Hear bonus content for this episo...
40m May 12, 2020
40m
Ep. 243: Aristotle's "Poetics" on Art and Tragedy (Part One)
These notes from 335 BCE are still used in screenwriting classes. Aristotle presents a formula for what will move us, derived from Sophocles's tragedies. What is art? The text describes it as memesis (imitation), and tragedy imitates human action in a way that shows us what it is to be human. Aristotle has lots of advice about how to structure a plot optimized to our sensibilities. Join Mark, W...
51m May 11, 2020
51m
NEM#121: K.C. Clifford on Brokenness and Power
K.C. has created seven releases of confessional folk (sometimes gospel, sometimes country) since 2000. We discuss "No More Living Small" and listen to "You Couldn't Stay" from her 2020 self-titled album (https://amzn.to/3chjrOS) , then talk about "Broken Things" from Orchid (https://amzn.to/3fzScRt) (2010) and "Find My Way Home" from Teeth-Marks on My Tongue (https://amzn.to/3chTzSO) (2004). In...
1hr 4m May 08, 2020
1hr 4m