February 9, 2020
January felt like a real slog, and now February feels like it is just dashing by. I had a ton of listening time but couldn't seem to find the headspace to organize and rank and think through it all. Who knows if I've even accomplished that here and now, but at least it's something!
THE LIST
Before this episode, I had a passing familiarity with Nick Drake. I knew he was a singer-songwriter with a devoted cult following, and that I thought his music was beautiful. Friends, there is so much more to him! This 99PI guest feature from produced Charles Maynes is so elegantly mixed that the episode would be worth a listen even if the story or music was not good. But it is so, so good. I highly recommend pairing it with a walk on a chilly winter day, especially if there is snow falling outside.
Important and compelling, this episode is a cross section of privacy and freedom of speech that also tackles the proliferation of mass shootings. This could’ve been highly polarizing (and sure, if listeners are looking to be upset, outrage will find a way), but Rose Eveleth definitely avoids using this as a chance to propagate an anti-gun agenda. It’s a frank discussion of the potential realities brought on by an increasingly connected planet, with a fascinating guiding line of inquiry about what it really means to shut down the internet.
Did you know that the Seinfeld theme is not the same for every episode? That revelation alone earned this TTH piece a spot on the list (and you’ll have to listen to discover the deeper meaning behind the subtle shifts). Even if you aren’t a fan of Seinfeld, if you’ve ever watched any TV show with a theme song I think you’ll be entertained by this bit of behind-the-scenes Hollywood narrative.
Nicholas Felton has been releasing his annual data reports since 2005, organizing stats about himself that paint a picture of the previous year. I spend an inordinate amount of time harnessing data about my media consumption (music, podcasts, books, articles) but this dude is next level. If that doesn’t appeal to you, I promise there is a story here that tugs at the heartstrings.
I'm still trying to process Kobe Bryant's legacy. In addition to the 10+ tribute pods that flooded my ears in the week after his passing, this 2015 conversation was a nice reminder that the polarizing figure was indeed just a person. Flawed? Yes. Brilliant? Maybe. A massive chunk of the basketball universe, and the whole world to his wife and kids? Most definitely. This episode doesn't get into adjudicating; there is no discussion of the sexual assault allegations from 2003, and that is certainly a part of his story. This audio does provide some source material for those who, like me, hadn't heard anything from Kobe for a while.
I've been listening to A LOT of 99 PI over the past couple weeks, and this episode from the early years felt particularly timely. As news (or lack thereof) continues to spew forth from congress, remember that there is some weird part of the built world that reflects the history of that maligned and revered political institution.
We're here because we're here because we're here because we're here. Yet another episode of TAR that brought me to the brink of tears as I ponder my existence. It's very fitting for the start of a year flush with resolutions and new beginnings.
HONORABLE MENTION
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