Pretty Much Pop #42: Star Trek Lives Long and Prospers (Intermittently)
In light of Star Trek: Picard, Brian, Erica, Mark, and Drew Jackson (https://twitter.com/APJacksonic) discuss our most philosophical sci-fi franchise. What makes a Trek story? How do you world-build over generations? How did Picard measure up? Plus Trek vs. Wars and step-children like The Orville and Galaxy Quest. For more, visit prettymuchpop.com (http://prettymuchpop.com/) . Hear bonus conten...
56m May 06, 2020
56m
Ep. 242: Stanley Cavell on Tragedy via King Lear (Part Two)
Continuing on Cavell's essay "The Avoidance of Love: A Reading of King Lear" (1969), shifting away from Lear in particular to a more general discussion of tragedy and Cavell's psychological insights. Begin with Part One (https://partiallyexaminedlife.com/2020/04/27/ep242-1-cavell/) or get the ad-free, unbroken Citizen Edition (https://partiallyexaminedlife.com/2020/04/26/ep242-stanley-cavell-ci...
45m May 04, 2020
45m
Pretty Much Pop #41: Made-for-TV Musicals w/ Craig Wedren
Why are we now seeing a resurgence of musical TV shows? Craig has created musicals for many TV shows (like Glow, Shrill, and Wet Hot American Summer) and joins Mark, Erica, and Brian due to his work on Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist. We talk about narrative excuses for breaking into song, musicals on TV vs. film vs. stage, musical episodes on non-musical shows, and more. Watch Craig's daily Sabb...
54m Apr 29, 2020
54m
Ep. 242: Stanley Cavell on Tragedy via King Lear (Part One)
On Cavell's essay "The Avoidance of Love: A Reading of King Lear" (1969). Can money buy you love? What is tragedy? With guest Erin O'Luanaigh (https://www.erinoluanaigh.com/) . Don't wait for part two; get the full Citizen Edition (https://partiallyexaminedlife.com/2020/04/26/ep242-stanley-cavell-citizen/) now. Please support PEL! (http://partiallyexaminedlife.com/support)
44m Apr 27, 2020
44m
NEM#120: Steve Harley is Wiser and Less Hungry
Steve started fronting Cockney Rebel in the early '70s and has released a dozen albums of of narrative-driven, tuneful songs. We discuss "Compared with You (Your Eyes Don’t Seem to Age)" and listen to "Only You," his two originals from his new solo album Uncovered (https://amzn.to/2KvCZCL) (2020) then look back to "Faith & Virtue" from Stranger Comes to Town (https://amzn.to/3eRvsfp) (2010) and...
1hr 8m Apr 24, 2020
1hr 8m
Pretty Much Pop #40: #MeToo Depictions in TV and Film
Heavily watched media like Bombshell, The Morning Show, Unbelievable, and 13 Reasons Why attempt to cover sexual assault and harassment while still entertaining. Does that work? Erica, Mark, and Brian consider what makes for a sensitive as opposed to a sensationalized portrayal. For more, visit prettymuchpop.com (http://prettymuchpop.com/) . Hear bonus content for this episode at https://www.pa...
51m Apr 21, 2020
51m
Ep. 241: Political Philosophy and the Pandemic
How should we think politically about the current global crisis? Do extreme circumstances reveal truths of political philosophy or do they reinforce whatever it is we already believe? Mark, Wes, Seth, and Dylan talk about applying philosophical insights to real-life situations rife with unknowns, John Rawls' veil of ignorance and Adam Smith on our interconnectedness, utilitarianism, libertarian...
1hr 5m Apr 20, 2020
1hr 5m
Pretty Much Pop #39: TV and Other Plans in Subjunctive Stasis
A discussion of what to watch during lockdown is what happens when you're busy making plans about what to include in a hypothetical discussion of what to watch during lockdown. Join Mark, Erica, and Brian to talk Tiger King, Star Trek, Parks & Recreation, Devs, Zoey's, 13 Reasons Why, Ozark, Westworld, Larry David, endless tributes to the dead, anthology shows, unreleased pilots, and circus art...
37m Apr 14, 2020
37m
Ep. 240: David Lewis on Possible Worlds and Language Games (Part Two)
On "Scorekeeping in a Language Game" (1979) and "Truth in Fiction" (1978). Lewis's account of possible worlds can be applied to conversation: As we speak, each sentence adds to the "conversational score" (the set of assumptions that enable us to understand each other) while reducing the field of possible worlds that the picture we're painting together could potentially represent. What are the g...
1hr 10m Apr 13, 2020
1hr 10m
NEM#119: Chris A. Maxwell: The Power of What You Don't Fully Understand
Chris fronted Gunbunnies in the early '90s and was then a member of Skeleton Key, but he's best known for being half of the production team Elegant Too. Since 2014 he's released two solo albums. We discuss two songs from 2012's New Store No. 2 (https://amzn.to/34qF24h) , the title track and "Most of What I Know I Learned from Women." We then talk about Elegant Too's work with They Might Be Gian...
59m Apr 10, 2020
59m
Pretty Much Pop #38: Costuming w/ Whitney Anne Adams
How does clothing mesh with other elements to create a mood for a film? Costumer Whitney (https://www.whitneyadams.com/) (Happy Death Day, The Great Gatsby) joins Erica, Mark and Brian to discuss how clothes on screen relate to clothes in life, historic vs. modern vs. genre, when costumes get distracting, her current TV and film costuming picks, and more. For more, visit prettymuchpop.com (http...
54m Apr 08, 2020
54m
Ep. 240: David Lewis on Possible Worlds and Language Games (Part One)
On Ch. 4 of Lewis's book Counterfactuals (https://amzn.to/2V7Gfcw) (1973) and the essays “Scorekeeping in a Language Game” (1979) and “Truth in Fiction” (1978). What makes a sentence about possibility true? Lewis things that we need possible worlds that really exist in order to make sense of our modal intuitions. He uses this possible world talk to make sense of conversations and the worlds cre...
54m Apr 06, 2020
54m
Pretty Much Pop #37: Everything is LEGO
Why has a children's toy become a brand attached to virtually every media type, partnering with the most ubiquitous franchises, and serving as a pastime for many adult hobbyists who will gut you if you call LEGO a "children's toy." AFOL Brian Hirt talks with co-hosts Erica Spyres and Mark Linsenmayer about creative play vs. following the printed directions, building purists vs. anthropomorphize...
47m Apr 01, 2020
47m
Ep. 239: Montesquieu Invents Political Science (Part Two)
Continuing on The Spirit of the Laws (1748) by Charles Louis de Secondat, aka Baron de Montesquieu. Mark, Wes, Dylan, and Seth talk more about the "motive force" behind each type of government and the separation of powers. Begin with part 1 (https://partiallyexaminedlife.com/2020/03/23/ep239-1-montesquieu/) or get the full, ad-free Citizen Edition (https://partiallyexaminedlife.com/2020/03/23/e...
52m Mar 30, 2020
52m
NEM#118: Matt Wilson (Trip Shakespeare) Is Still a Writer
Matt released 4 albums and got on a major label with Trip Shakespeare in the late '80s, released a solo album in '98, ran bands with fellow Tripper John Munson for three albums over many subsequent years, ad has now released his first album as Matt Wilson & His Orchestra, When I Was a Writer (https://amzn.to/39peiC7) . We discuss "Decent Guy" and listen to the title track from that album and lo...
1hr 4m Mar 27, 2020
1hr 4m
Pretty Much Pop #36: Criticism w/ Noah Berlatsky
Do we need professional critics regulating our entertainment intake? Noah writes for The Washington Post, NBC News, The Guardian, Slate, Vox, The Atlantic, etc., and he now joins Mark, Erica, and Brian to talk about the function of criticism, criticism as art, and the joy of negativity. We talk 1917, Midsommar, Marvel vs. Scorsese, Yesterday, Bob Dylan, Twilight, and more. For more, visit prett...
44m Mar 25, 2020
44m
Ep. 239: Montesquieu Invents Political Science (Part One)
On The Spirit of the Laws (1748) by Charles Louis de Secondat, aka Baron de Montesquieu. What keeps a society functioning? Montesquieu, though of course not the first political philosopher, was perhaps the first to systematically explore correlations between characteristics of a government, its people, its climate, dominant industries, religion, and other factors. Some of his ideas directly inf...
45m Mar 23, 2020
45m
Pretty Much Pop #35: Video Game Storytelling w/ Don Marshall
Do you play video games for the plot? Mark, Erica, and Brian are joined by former video game professional (https://www.mobygames.com/developer/sheet/view/developerId,110025/) (current TV development exec (https://www.linkedin.com/in/donald-e-marshall-5028b53/) ) Donald E. Marshall to talk through types of video game narrative, ways of weaving story into a game, balancing gameplay and storytelli...
51m Mar 17, 2020
51m
Ep. 238: Lingering Questions
Mark, Wes, Dylan, and Seth summarize thoughts about our recent series on social construction, gender and sex, and Judith Butler's notion of "grievable lives." Should we stop covering so much contemporary work and/or political topics? End song: "The Size of Luv" by Mark Lint from Mark Lint's Dry Folk (https://marklint.bandcamp.com/) (2018). Sponsor: Get your first month of hair loss prevention m...
1hr 15m Mar 16, 2020
1hr 15m
NEM#117: Chris McQueen (FORQ, Snarky Puppy): Like Fusion, But Cool
Chris has played guitar for Snarky Puppy since it started in 2004, has led rock bands and explored acoustic guitar duets. We discuss "M-Theory" by FORQ from Four (https://amzn.to/3aX61Xf) (2019), the title track to Western Theatre (https://amzn.to/38Jmywd) by Matt Read and Chris McQueen (2019), and "Coven" by Snarky Puppy from Immigrance (https://amzn.to/2w5zi2X) (2019), and end with "Strut" by...
1hr 27m Mar 13, 2020
1hr 27m
Ep. 237: Walter Benjamin Analyzes Violence (Part Two)
Continuing on Benjamin's "Critique of Violence" (1921). Mark, Wes, and Seth keep trying to figure out this difficult essay. Is Benjamin really advocating a workers' revolution to end the state, or just reflecting on a hypothetical to explore the limits of the concept of violence? According to Judith Butler's interpretation of the essay, the takeaway is the alternative to motivation through forc...
47m Mar 09, 2020
47m
Pretty Much Pop #34: Escape Rooms and Other Puzzlers w/ Adal Rifai
You know "the comic" and "the tragic," but what kind of entertainment is "the puzzling?" Improviser/podcaster Adal Rifai (https://www.ioimprov.com/performers/adal-rifai/) joins Mark, Erica, and Brian to discuss escape rooms, riddles and puns, group problem solving, puzzles in films and video games, lateral vs. algorithmic thinking, and more. For more, visit prettymuchpop.com (http://prettymuchp...
51m Mar 04, 2020
51m
Ep. 237: Walter Benjamin Analyzes Violence (Part One)
On "Critique of Violence" (1921). What is violence? Benjamin gives us a taxonomy: law-creating, law-preserving, mythological, and divine. Then he deconstructs his own distinctions to demonstrate that all state power is rotten through its being founded on and continually re-established by violence or the threat of it. Don't wait for part two. Get the full ad-free Citizen Edition (https://partial...
44m Mar 02, 2020
44m
NEM#116: hackedepicciotto: Nomadic Cinematographers
Einstürzende Neubauten's Alexander Hacke and artist/singer Danielle de Picciotto have released seven albums of experimental music together since 2011, the last four as hackedepicciotto. We discuss "The Banishing" and "Third From the Sun" from The Current (https://amzn.to/2VtN0qQ) (2019) and "Propehcy" from Menetekel (https://amzn.to/3abV6Z7) (2017), plus intro music is "Let There Be Joy" from J...
1hr 19m Feb 28, 2020
1hr 19m
Pretty Much Pop #33: The Heroine's Journey w/ Vi Burlew
How has Joseph Campbell's "hero's journey" as famously leveraged for Star Wars evolved with more female action heroes in film? Vi Burlew joins Mark, Erica, and Brian to talk not only about Rey, Wonder Woman, Captain Marvel, Black Widow, and Mulan, but also bring in Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, The Wizard of Oz, Little Women, Jane Eyre, Working Girl, and of course Road House. For more, visit...
50m Feb 27, 2020
50m
Ep. 236: Judith Butler Interview: "The Force of Nonviolence"
On The Force of Nonviolence: An Ethico-Political Bind (2020). What is it to be nonviolent in political activity? Most ethics allow for self-defense, but Judith has a problem with defining "self" as well as "violence," and offers a full critique of the individualism that underlies typical Western approaches to both ethics and politics. Mark, Seth, and Wes interview Judith about these issues and ...
1hr 4m Feb 24, 2020
1hr 4m
Pretty Much Pop #32: Judging "The Good Place"
Mark, Erica, and Brian discuss Michael Schur's NBC TV show. Is it good? Does it actually teach moral philosophy? We talk sit-com tropes, TV finales, the show's convoluted structure, the puzzle of heaven, and more. 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 Exa...
45m Feb 19, 2020
45m
Ep. 235: Judith Butler's "Gender Trouble" (Part Three)
Concluding "Gender Trouble" (1990), with just Mark, Wes, and Seth going carefully through pt I, sec v: "Identity, Set, and the Metaphysics of Substance," and pt III, sec iv: "Subversive Bodily Acts: Bodily Inscriptions, Performative Subversions." Start with part one (https://partiallyexaminedlife.com/2020/02/03/ep235-1-butler-gender-trouble/) or get the unbroken, ad-free Citizen Edition (https:...
1hr 7m Feb 17, 2020
1hr 7m
NEM#115: Julie Slick: Pedal Art Visualizer
Julie joined the Adrian Belew Power Trio in 2006 and released two solo albums starting in 2010. She then joined another bassist, Marco Machera for four albums, the last three as Echotest. Why two basses? Because Julie uses tech to change the sound of her bass to allow her to cover an orchestra's worth of parts. We discuss "Ladies' Legs at the Temperature Hotel" and "No, You Are Dead/The Gate of...
1hr 23m Feb 14, 2020
1hr 23m
Pretty Much Pop #31: Robin Williams' Celebrity Struggles w/ Dave Itzkoff
Dave the New York Times culture reporter (https://www.nytimes.com/by/dave-itzkoff) joins Mark, Erica, and Brian to consider issues raised by his 2018 biography Robin (https://amzn.to/37lB5Of) : What is with our f'ed up relation to celebrity, and what are strategies that celebrities use to deal with that asymmetric relationship to the world? Plus, Joaquin Phoenix (https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09...
51m Feb 12, 2020
51m
Ep. 235: Judith Butler's "Gender Trouble" (Part Two)
More Gender Trouble (1990) with Jennifer Hansen (https://www.stlawu.edu/people/jennifer-hansen) . We get into the metaphysics of substance (is gender an attribute that a person has, or is there a better way to describe the situation?), performatives, Beauvoir vs. Irigaray on femininity, and the available mechanisms for changing gender norms. Start with Part One (https://partiallyexaminedlife.co...
1hr 8m Feb 10, 2020
1hr 8m
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