June 11-17, 2017
1. Hidden Brain - "In The Air We Breathe"
The concept of unconscious/implicit bias has been permeating the news cycle for the past several months. From being invoked as a topic of debate in the 2016 US presidential election, to surfacing in the discussion surrounding each new incident of police violence against people of color (most recently in the acquittal of the officer responsible for the death of Philando Castile), the psychological has become the political. Cultural forces are entranced with propagating and/or decimating the idea that physical actions are driven by a little understood mental process. "In The Air We Breathe" reminded me a lot of the politicized science around climate change (see the excellent show from Only Human, featured on the blog a month ago), but with the caveat that the psychological community does seem to be divided over the facts. Implicit bias has a much shorter history of being in the public eye, and it is fascinating to see the evolution of a conversation that has a potential to change the way essential public services are carried out.
2. 99% Invisible - "In the Same Ballpark"
Baseball is the idyllic American past-time. Claims of singularity and inherent purity (despite the obvious similarities to cricket, and the whole steroid thing) make this sport the ultimate vehicle for furthering the patriotic status-quo. Indeed, the nostalgic imagery of a day at a ballpark embodies the idea of "good old days" in a way that would almost be sinister if it wasn't so agreeable. But why do we feel such pride about this sport that, objectively, is much slower and gimmick-free than other major American sports? "In The Same Ballpark" hints that the answer lies in the architecture of the hallowed grounds where games play out. Furthermore, the episode reveals the story behind the ballpark that started the semi-recent design revolution (Baltimore's Camden Yards) and waxes on the planned idiosyncrasies sought out to capture this sense of past glory. Even as a milquetoast fan of the sport, I would absolutely listen to an individual podcast in this vein detailing the story behind each and every home field in the MLB.
3. Planet Money - "Free Love, Free Money"
One of the more risque episodes Planet Money has ever released, "Free Love, Free Money" tells the improbable tale of a porcelain magnate that simultaneously corned the US market for dishware whilst fostering a culture of social polygamy with its employees. This almost sounds made up, and were it not for the track record of the podcast team I may be tempted to cry wolf. On the contrary, the highly salient premise is enhanced with interviews and excellent contextualization of a company that had it all, had even more, and then faded into the annals of history. It's incredible that Oneida survived the bizarre circumstances surrounding it's rise and continues to be a recognizable name brand (even if it has lost some of its prestige).
4. Revisionist History - "A Good Walk Spoiled"
Malcolm Gladwell hates golf. He makes this very clear from the start of "A Good Walk Spoiled" and drives home the point as the episode unfolds. The thing is, after the end of the show, you might come around to hating golf as well. At the very least, you'll experience some degree of animosity toward my favorite sleep-inducing sport. This is the premier episode of Revisionist History's second season, and I was struck by the degree to which the tone comes off as editorializing. The well-thought-out research is still present, thankfully, but this episode is much closer to activist journalism than anything else I've ever encountered in the popular author's canon. Regardless, this is very much worth a listen, and however fervent Gladwell's attitude may be, there are certainly many compelling arguments about the place of golf in society. Even if "the place of golf in society" leaves you yawning and in search of a comfy place to nap.
HONORABLE MENTION
Futility Closet - "The Most Dedicated Soldier"
Invisibilia - "Reality Part Two"
Love and Radio - "Relevant Questions"
SOMETHING NEW
From the first time I heard the premise of First Day Back, I was hooked: "a documentary podcast about trying to get your life back after an event that changes you." The possibilities are endless - a soldier acclimating to civilian life, a convict adjusting to the free world, an athlete returning to the field after a long-term suspension...the list goes on and on. What I didn't realize, however, is that this is a serialized podcast that tells the story over the course of several episodes. And that's where I get a bit hung up. It's the same dilemma inherent to Serial - sometimes the magic is there and the result is an intricate tale of story-driven gold. But when real life doesn't align with a compelling structure, even some fine reporting can make the end product feel like a let-down.
I started with season 2, about a woman who killed her husband but has no memory of doing so. Episode 1 is definitely gripping, and the circumstances truly seem like something even a gifted screenwriter couldn't have conjured onto the big screen - but it feels like a different, more true-crimey show than I had envisioned. Episode 2 starts to dig into more of the details of life after, and by episode 3 the reality of the return is beginning to be realized. The format of the show continues to intrigue, and I'd be interested to see what kind of things unravel when the initial trauma that necessitates the need for a comeback isn't so grizzly. Maybe, for example, in season 1 where show creator Tally Abecassis follows her own journey back to the workforce after having a child. The show is well-produced and carefully plotted, so I suppose I shouldn't sell it short based on my disinterest in the criminal aspect. Ultimately I'll treat this show like Serial - each subsequent season will be on my radar, and I'll reserve the right to not be blown away.
First Day Back
Recommended for: Anyone adjusting to a life change
Rating: Make It Work
The concept of unconscious/implicit bias has been permeating the news cycle for the past several months. From being invoked as a topic of debate in the 2016 US presidential election, to surfacing in the discussion surrounding each new incident of police violence against people of color (most recently in the acquittal of the officer responsible for the death of Philando Castile), the psychological has become the political. Cultural forces are entranced with propagating and/or decimating the idea that physical actions are driven by a little understood mental process. "In The Air We Breathe" reminded me a lot of the politicized science around climate change (see the excellent show from Only Human, featured on the blog a month ago), but with the caveat that the psychological community does seem to be divided over the facts. Implicit bias has a much shorter history of being in the public eye, and it is fascinating to see the evolution of a conversation that has a potential to change the way essential public services are carried out.
2. 99% Invisible - "In the Same Ballpark"
Baseball is the idyllic American past-time. Claims of singularity and inherent purity (despite the obvious similarities to cricket, and the whole steroid thing) make this sport the ultimate vehicle for furthering the patriotic status-quo. Indeed, the nostalgic imagery of a day at a ballpark embodies the idea of "good old days" in a way that would almost be sinister if it wasn't so agreeable. But why do we feel such pride about this sport that, objectively, is much slower and gimmick-free than other major American sports? "In The Same Ballpark" hints that the answer lies in the architecture of the hallowed grounds where games play out. Furthermore, the episode reveals the story behind the ballpark that started the semi-recent design revolution (Baltimore's Camden Yards) and waxes on the planned idiosyncrasies sought out to capture this sense of past glory. Even as a milquetoast fan of the sport, I would absolutely listen to an individual podcast in this vein detailing the story behind each and every home field in the MLB.
3. Planet Money - "Free Love, Free Money"
One of the more risque episodes Planet Money has ever released, "Free Love, Free Money" tells the improbable tale of a porcelain magnate that simultaneously corned the US market for dishware whilst fostering a culture of social polygamy with its employees. This almost sounds made up, and were it not for the track record of the podcast team I may be tempted to cry wolf. On the contrary, the highly salient premise is enhanced with interviews and excellent contextualization of a company that had it all, had even more, and then faded into the annals of history. It's incredible that Oneida survived the bizarre circumstances surrounding it's rise and continues to be a recognizable name brand (even if it has lost some of its prestige).
4. Revisionist History - "A Good Walk Spoiled"
Malcolm Gladwell hates golf. He makes this very clear from the start of "A Good Walk Spoiled" and drives home the point as the episode unfolds. The thing is, after the end of the show, you might come around to hating golf as well. At the very least, you'll experience some degree of animosity toward my favorite sleep-inducing sport. This is the premier episode of Revisionist History's second season, and I was struck by the degree to which the tone comes off as editorializing. The well-thought-out research is still present, thankfully, but this episode is much closer to activist journalism than anything else I've ever encountered in the popular author's canon. Regardless, this is very much worth a listen, and however fervent Gladwell's attitude may be, there are certainly many compelling arguments about the place of golf in society. Even if "the place of golf in society" leaves you yawning and in search of a comfy place to nap.
HONORABLE MENTION
Futility Closet - "The Most Dedicated Soldier"
Invisibilia - "Reality Part Two"
Love and Radio - "Relevant Questions"
SOMETHING NEW
From the first time I heard the premise of First Day Back, I was hooked: "a documentary podcast about trying to get your life back after an event that changes you." The possibilities are endless - a soldier acclimating to civilian life, a convict adjusting to the free world, an athlete returning to the field after a long-term suspension...the list goes on and on. What I didn't realize, however, is that this is a serialized podcast that tells the story over the course of several episodes. And that's where I get a bit hung up. It's the same dilemma inherent to Serial - sometimes the magic is there and the result is an intricate tale of story-driven gold. But when real life doesn't align with a compelling structure, even some fine reporting can make the end product feel like a let-down.
I started with season 2, about a woman who killed her husband but has no memory of doing so. Episode 1 is definitely gripping, and the circumstances truly seem like something even a gifted screenwriter couldn't have conjured onto the big screen - but it feels like a different, more true-crimey show than I had envisioned. Episode 2 starts to dig into more of the details of life after, and by episode 3 the reality of the return is beginning to be realized. The format of the show continues to intrigue, and I'd be interested to see what kind of things unravel when the initial trauma that necessitates the need for a comeback isn't so grizzly. Maybe, for example, in season 1 where show creator Tally Abecassis follows her own journey back to the workforce after having a child. The show is well-produced and carefully plotted, so I suppose I shouldn't sell it short based on my disinterest in the criminal aspect. Ultimately I'll treat this show like Serial - each subsequent season will be on my radar, and I'll reserve the right to not be blown away.
First Day Back
Recommended for: Anyone adjusting to a life change
Rating: Make It Work
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