Welcome to Episode 26 of Products of the Mind. On this episode, I speak with journalist, Chief Film Critic of the New York Times, and author: A. O. Scott.
“The point of real criticism I think is to move beyond just the statement of opinion, which isn’t necessarily very helpful to anyone, and turn your opinion into something useful, into an argument that people can grapple with.”
Today we chat with Tony Scott: a film critic for the New York Times and author of Better Living Through Criticism. Tony talks a bit about the role of print vs online journalism as they relate to criticism; what goes on in a writer’s head; and the perceptions a critic might have of a popular hit movie.
What is criticism? Have there always been critics? Will there always be critics? What impact might criticism have on the thing being criticized? Tony fills us in on the unique role of criticism, and the interesting dynamics between criticism and film versus television. Is it possible Netflix and Hulu are changing the way we think about on-screen entertainment?
Think being a critic is easy? Tony discusses getting blasted on Twitter by Samuel L. Jackson after his review of The Avengers. He also discusses the outcomes and possible benefits of these interactions as they relate to journalism overall. Ever wonder what inspires a critic to do what they do? Learn about the kind of influence satire films and Mad Magazine had on Tony’s career.
We’ll also discuss the “golden age of television,” serial shows versus movies, and what might make a film boring.
This and more today with A. O. Scott.
Tony is @aoscott on Twitter
Tony’s New York Times Page
Other mentions from this Episode:
Thanks for Checking Out Products of the Mind!
If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons you see at the top and bottom of this page.
Also, please consider taking the few seconds it takes to leave an honest review and rating for the podcast on iTunes. They’re very helpful when it comes to the ranking of the show and I read every one.
Finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or your favorite podcast app to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live.
Here are instructions on how to subscribe, rate, and review the show in iTunes.
The Credits
Products of the Mind is produced by Mana Monzavi.
The theme music for this episode was provided by Le Chateau. The track name is “Bury You.” Go buy it on Soundcloud!
This episode and these show notes © 2016 David Lizerbram
Welcome to Episode 25 of Products of the Mind. On this episode, I speak with author Alicia Eler.
“When everything is a yes/no, left or right, there’s no room for maybe or gray area; and that I think is where actually a lot of the real vulnerability or potential relationships or friendships can occur. But the app doesn’t lend any space or time to maybe.” (On Tinderization)
Today we speak with multi-talented artist and author Alicia Eler. We discuss Alicia’s recent essay The Tinderization of Feeling, which explores what Alicia calls the “emotional labor of Tinder.”
What might you find at the intersection of sexuality, gender studies, queer studies, and technology? At a minimum, you’ll find some of Alicia’s amazing work and collaborative writing, which explores social sexual dynamics.
Today Alicia discusses questions such as: How might persons on dating apps become players in a game; and, how might this dehumanization impact social relationships as well as our own psychology?
Also on this episode with Alicia: growing up as a writer; finding herself (and her major) at Oberlin College; learning to open up and share as a writer; being drawn to L.A. by Kate Durbin; and advice for up-and-coming artists.
Links and Honorable mentions from this episode:
Thanks for Checking Out Products of the Mind!
If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons you see at the top and bottom of this page.
Also, please consider taking the few seconds it takes to leave an honest review and rating for the podcast on iTunes. They’re very helpful when it comes to the ranking of the show and I read every one.
Finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or your favorite podcast app to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live.
Here are instructions on how to subscribe, rate, and review the show in iTunes.
The Credits
Products of the Mind is produced by Mana Monzavi.
The theme music for this episode was provided by Le Chateau. The track name is “Bury You.” Go buy it on Soundcloud!
This episode and these show notes © 2016 David Lizerbram
Welcome to Episode 24 of Products of the Mind. On this episode, I speak with Editor in Chief of Voice of San Diego Scott Lewis.
“Every city in America is defined by landmarks that were philanthropically made by their newspaper tycoons. The newspapers were so powerful that they could build Symphony Halls and they could build Hearst Castles. Newspapers were extremely profitable and that was because they owned the bundle that you all had to get into.”
Today we hear from the voice behind the Voice of San Diego, Scott Lewis. Scott provides informative answers and interesting insights on journalism, the history of newspapers, and the future of investigate reporting.
Scott talks about growing up as a non-Mormon outsider in Salt Lake City; hanging out with anarchists in Spain; and feeling the importance of journalism during his time at the University of Utah. He also tells us about his transition from anarchism to Navy husband (and how he finally got to read Moby Dick).
What is the current state of journalism? How did the internet change newspaper “bundling”, and what’s in store for the future? How does Buzzfeed make money on a viral cat video?
Also, you might be a fan of the L.A. Times newspaper; but would it be wise to purchase the entire business, and if so, how much should you pay? Find out answers to these questions and much more on today’s episode with Scott.
Links and honorable mentions:
Thanks for Checking Out Products of the Mind!
If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons you see at the top and bottom of this page.
Also, please consider taking the few seconds it takes to leave an honest review and rating for the podcast on iTunes. They’re very helpful when it comes to the ranking of the show and I read every one.
Finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or your favorite podcast app to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live.
Here are instructions on how to subscribe, rate, and review the show in iTunes.
The Credits
Products of the Mind is produced by Mana Monzavi.
The theme music for this episode was provided by Le Chateau. The track name is “Bury You.” Go buy it on Soundcloud!
This episode and these show notes © 2016 David Lizerbram
Welcome to Episode 23 of Products of the Mind. On this episode, I speak with Jennifer Briney, creator and host of the Congressional Dish podcast.
Congressional Dish exposes corporate influence in the bills passed by Congress and tells us what’s really in all of those huge omnibus bills. While Jennifer gets into lots of details, the show is intended for an audience who aren’t already experts in politics or policy—she always takes the time to explain the process as simply as possible.
I enjoy the show and I find it fascinating how she was able to take her anger about what’s wrong with Washington and turn it into an informative, educational listener-supported podcast. Congressional Dish doesn’t accept any advertising dollars (we talk about why), and it’s become Jennifer’s full-time gig…with a few bumps along the way.
Jennifer talks about how she went from not really paying attention to politics to spending all of her time watching C-SPAN, reading congressional bills, and discussing the topic on her podcast. Why did she choose to create a podcast rather than a blog or some other means of getting the word out there? What are her future plans, and how has she grown her audience? What does she think about Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders? What kind of Congressperson would Jennifer be? All of this and more on today’s episode.
Links and honorable mentions:
Thanks for Checking Out Products of the Mind!
If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons you see at the top and bottom of this page.
Also, please consider taking the few seconds it takes to leave an honest review and rating for the podcast on iTunes. They’re very helpful when it comes to the ranking of the show and I read every one.
Finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or your favorite podcast app to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live.
Here are instructions on how to subscribe, rate, and review the show in iTunes.
The Credits
Products of the Mind is produced by Mana Monzavi.
The theme music for this episode was provided by Le Chateau. The track name is “Bury You.” Go buy it on Soundcloud!
This episode and these show notes © 2016 David Lizerbram