May 7 - May 13, 2017
1. This American Life - "I Am Not A Pirate"
By this point in the early 21st century, selling pirates as an intriguing narrative focal point might seem to be a fools gambit. Such things are the basis of fairy tales long left behind in childhood, surely not a compelling topic for any self respecting adult...right? Wrong. Some quirky historical figures come to life via interviews with experts, both of which are well done an fitting of the theme in their own right. And just when you start to think "This is all fine, but give me some hard hitting reporting," a gut wrenching true story rings through your earbuds. When a man caught in the throngs of power imbalance seeks to make something right, things get complicated. "I Am Not A Pirate" is a good name for the episode, but it almost could have born a name that speaks to the nature of wresting with two realities in two very different locales.
2. Slate's Culture Gabfest - "Demme God Edition"
This edition of my favorite Slate gabfest hit just the right notes in each act. The Jonathan Demme segment was an introduction to a director I don't know but clearly should, and the team beautifully highlighted some key work that merits further exploration. Then you've got the endlessly compelling discussion on distribution channels (really!) for films and how this affects the industry, music to my media-loving ears. Finally the crew wraps up with a lively excoriation of a controversial column on climate change featured in the New York Times, sprinkled with spirited musings on what this portends for the publication and the larger role media outlets serve in furthering a particular cause.
3. Criminal - "Bully"
My wife and I listened to this chilling retelling of a town plagued by a almost-mythical tyrant in middle America, all the while sitting in disbelief that one individual maintained such a crippling grip on a community for so many years. On its face the story has all the beats of a well crafted thriller, but the deeper implications are what really caused this episode to resonate. When we allow ourselves to be collectively ruled by fear, unspeakable casualties begin to pass as commonplace. This kind of ignorant evasion of responsibility ultimately leads to shared acceptance of an unpleasant solution to a bigger societal problem. I'll not spoil anything by getting into specifics, but suffice to say that the culmination of inaction can boil over in service of a justifiable evil.
By this point in the early 21st century, selling pirates as an intriguing narrative focal point might seem to be a fools gambit. Such things are the basis of fairy tales long left behind in childhood, surely not a compelling topic for any self respecting adult...right? Wrong. Some quirky historical figures come to life via interviews with experts, both of which are well done an fitting of the theme in their own right. And just when you start to think "This is all fine, but give me some hard hitting reporting," a gut wrenching true story rings through your earbuds. When a man caught in the throngs of power imbalance seeks to make something right, things get complicated. "I Am Not A Pirate" is a good name for the episode, but it almost could have born a name that speaks to the nature of wresting with two realities in two very different locales.
2. Slate's Culture Gabfest - "Demme God Edition"
This edition of my favorite Slate gabfest hit just the right notes in each act. The Jonathan Demme segment was an introduction to a director I don't know but clearly should, and the team beautifully highlighted some key work that merits further exploration. Then you've got the endlessly compelling discussion on distribution channels (really!) for films and how this affects the industry, music to my media-loving ears. Finally the crew wraps up with a lively excoriation of a controversial column on climate change featured in the New York Times, sprinkled with spirited musings on what this portends for the publication and the larger role media outlets serve in furthering a particular cause.
3. Criminal - "Bully"
My wife and I listened to this chilling retelling of a town plagued by a almost-mythical tyrant in middle America, all the while sitting in disbelief that one individual maintained such a crippling grip on a community for so many years. On its face the story has all the beats of a well crafted thriller, but the deeper implications are what really caused this episode to resonate. When we allow ourselves to be collectively ruled by fear, unspeakable casualties begin to pass as commonplace. This kind of ignorant evasion of responsibility ultimately leads to shared acceptance of an unpleasant solution to a bigger societal problem. I'll not spoil anything by getting into specifics, but suffice to say that the culmination of inaction can boil over in service of a justifiable evil.
Comments
Post a Comment