November 6 - 12, 2016
1. Radiolab - "One Vote"
In the wake of an election where the losing candidate received more individual votes, I'm less sure than ever about the power a single vote has to make a difference. The title alone of this episode earned an eye roll and a near-skip from me, but I had a craving for something election themed that ventured beyond explicit commentary and prediction. Never doubt Radiolab. The team came through with this episode, first acknowledging that in practice the importance of a single vote is over-hyped and often mis-mythologized. Then the producers proceeded to report stories that pay homage to the metaphorical and uber-realistic importance of voting in a democracy. It's worth a listen after the week we've had and seen and, honestly, pretty much just read about on Facebook.
2. This American Life - "Master of Her Domain...Name (#601)"
Ira and company dig into the email scandal with a refreshing angle, thoughtfully interrogating the information and assumptions that have been dismissed by liberal defenders and embraced by conservative truthers without much thought to the human element of the issue. Hilary is portrayed as a mysterious figure, both in her current campaign and in her political career as a whole. Ira points out that the former presidential candidate's actions can either be seen as sinister or simply human, depending on the background information that viewer holds. The point is that the electorate projects their ideologies onto candidates, regardless where the truth lies. This episode might be seen as a microcosm of the media's objectivity masquerading as ethical diligence. Unlike most media outlets they did seek out honest reporting of Trump supporters that broke the 'uneducated rural white male' mold most seem to be blaming/praising for the successful campaign. Did This American Life's bundle of episodes leading up to the election miss something? I think a lengthy profile detailing one of Trump's many public fiascos, with the same conceit of innate reactionary bias, would have been a way to treat both candidates equally while not presenting them as moral/political equals.
3. 99% Invisible - "Ten Letters for the President (#235)"
This episode of 99% Invisible is based on an episode of Slate's Working podcast, and focuses on the White House staffer who works to read and filter letters and emails sent to the president. The White House receives, on average, a combined 10,000 emails and letters every day, and the dedicated team pulls out 10 messages for the president to read. The president then reads and responds to these letters. Compared to the relative inefficacy of a single vote, writing a letter directly to the president seems quite worthwhile. Sure, it's only a 0.1% chance that you'll get a response, but how cool would it be to have your voice heard by probably the most powerful human on earth? Is there any kind of legal obligation to continue this tradition, and just how will the content of such letters change when Trump is the recipient?
In the wake of an election where the losing candidate received more individual votes, I'm less sure than ever about the power a single vote has to make a difference. The title alone of this episode earned an eye roll and a near-skip from me, but I had a craving for something election themed that ventured beyond explicit commentary and prediction. Never doubt Radiolab. The team came through with this episode, first acknowledging that in practice the importance of a single vote is over-hyped and often mis-mythologized. Then the producers proceeded to report stories that pay homage to the metaphorical and uber-realistic importance of voting in a democracy. It's worth a listen after the week we've had and seen and, honestly, pretty much just read about on Facebook.
2. This American Life - "Master of Her Domain...Name (#601)"
Ira and company dig into the email scandal with a refreshing angle, thoughtfully interrogating the information and assumptions that have been dismissed by liberal defenders and embraced by conservative truthers without much thought to the human element of the issue. Hilary is portrayed as a mysterious figure, both in her current campaign and in her political career as a whole. Ira points out that the former presidential candidate's actions can either be seen as sinister or simply human, depending on the background information that viewer holds. The point is that the electorate projects their ideologies onto candidates, regardless where the truth lies. This episode might be seen as a microcosm of the media's objectivity masquerading as ethical diligence. Unlike most media outlets they did seek out honest reporting of Trump supporters that broke the 'uneducated rural white male' mold most seem to be blaming/praising for the successful campaign. Did This American Life's bundle of episodes leading up to the election miss something? I think a lengthy profile detailing one of Trump's many public fiascos, with the same conceit of innate reactionary bias, would have been a way to treat both candidates equally while not presenting them as moral/political equals.
3. 99% Invisible - "Ten Letters for the President (#235)"
This episode of 99% Invisible is based on an episode of Slate's Working podcast, and focuses on the White House staffer who works to read and filter letters and emails sent to the president. The White House receives, on average, a combined 10,000 emails and letters every day, and the dedicated team pulls out 10 messages for the president to read. The president then reads and responds to these letters. Compared to the relative inefficacy of a single vote, writing a letter directly to the president seems quite worthwhile. Sure, it's only a 0.1% chance that you'll get a response, but how cool would it be to have your voice heard by probably the most powerful human on earth? Is there any kind of legal obligation to continue this tradition, and just how will the content of such letters change when Trump is the recipient?
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