If you're looking for some additional philosophical conversation this month, we have several Not School groups and at least one Aftershow already lined up. PEL Citizens can participate in any of these, and can also listen to tons of free audio from past groups and Aftershows. Becoming a Citizen is easy and affordable; take a look here to learn more. First up, the ep. 118 Continue Reading …
Come Join Not School in June
Several of our Not School groups wrapped up in May, so June is the perfect time to join up and start a new group. Getting more involved is simple: just draft a quick proposal detailing what you'd like to read, watch or listen to, and post it in the Citizens' Forum. When at least two other members express interest, you're ready to start a group. For a good idea of why the groups Continue Reading …
Not School Report: Philip Auslander on Postmodern Theater
Our Philosophy and Theater Group was occupied last month with Philip Auslander’s From Acting to Performance: Essays in Modernism and Postmodernism, and our discussion of the book's first three essays is now available for PEL Citizens to listen to on the Free Stuff page. In this talk, Philip Cherny, Carlos Franke and myself discuss various topics including the therapeutic value Continue Reading …
Not School In May: Levinas, Zizek, Heidegger, Murakami, Auslander
It looks like May will be another active month in Not School. We already have groups set to read Levinas, Heidegger, Murakami, Auslander, and the ever popular Zizek. Remember, PEL Citizens can propose groups on whatever philosophical content they’re interested in, set their own schedules, and choose how to communicate. If you haven't joined up yet, take a look at what you’re Continue Reading …
Not School Theater Group: Philip Auslander on Post-Modern Theater
Discussing the first three essays in From Acting to Performance: Essays in Modernism and Postmodernism. The conversation touches on the therapeutic value of catharsis, deconstruction in theater, and Willem Dafoe's acting methods. Featuring Daniel Cole, Philip Cherny, Carlos Franke. Recorded April 19, 2015. As the back of the book says, these essays map a "transition from the Continue Reading …
April’s Not School Groups: Jesus, Murakami, Auslander, Heidegger
Our Not School our mainstays are all continuing this April, and we have one new group running so far. There will also be more Aftershow discussions, with the for #113 scheduled for Sun., 4/19 at 5:30pm Eastern. Go join the group to signal that you'll be there. If you like the podcast but haven't signed up to be a PEL Citizen, take a look here at what it offers. First up, Continue Reading …
Not School Report: Grotowski’s ‘Akropolis’
Our Philosophy and Theatre Group spent most of the winter studying the perplexing work of Jerzy Grotowski. As I've mentioned before, Grotowski had many ideas about the nature of theatre, performance, humanity and its essence. At a certain point, we decided that we needed something concrete to get a better grasp on what we'd read, so we turned to Akropolis. Carlos Franke, Philip Continue Reading …
Not School Offerings In March
We have several Not School groups running this month, but before I tell you about them, a word to the unfamiliar: If you've enjoyed the podcast episodes, becoming a PEL Citizen is an easy and inexpensive way to get involved firsthand in similarly stimulating conversations. I can vouch that these study groups are rewarding, relaxed, and very helpful in getting a grip on Continue Reading …
Not School Theater Group: Jerzy Grotowski’s Sourcebook
The first of two discussions on Jerzy Grotowski, the famous Polish director whose productions first stunned audiences in the 1960s with their distinctive physicality. Featuring Daniel Cole, Philip Cherny, Carlos Franke. Recorded January 4, 2015. Studying philosophy in theater primarily through texts is obviously somewhat indelicate. Plays are meant to be experienced Continue Reading …
Not School Happenings In February
There is plenty of philosophy afoot in Not School this month. Our members are running a variety of groups, and some of the podcast fellows are running others. We have another post-episode discussion with Stephen West coming up, which is but one of the many perks that PEL Citizens receive. Membership options start at only $5 a month, and you can sign up right here. First up, Continue Reading …
Not School Discussion: Finding Philosophy in Grotowski
Our Philosophy and Theater discussion group has just spent two months studying a series of readings on the work of Jerzy Grotowski, the famous Polish director whose productions first stunned audiences in the 1960s with their distinctive physicality. We wrapped up with our usual recorded Skype call, which featured Carlos Franke, Philip Cherny and myself. Members can download it Continue Reading …
Not School in January
Have you resolved to become a PEL Citizen in 2015? What's this, you ask? It's an easy and affordable way to get access to all kinds of bonus content on the site. Plus, you get the chance to do some first hand philosophizing in one of our Not School study groups. We have two groups running this month so far, and you can still propose a new one if you hurry. Come join up! Our Continue Reading …
Not School Groups In December
The annual holiday frenzy has begun, but our Not School groups will still be soldiering on through December. Most groups have decided to carry November's readings over, so anyone interested in riveting philosophical conversation has another shot at joining up with them. There are also proposals up in the Citizens' Forum to read on some other juicy philosophical topics. Not Continue Reading …
Not School In November
This month both the Fiction and the Theater group will be starting new texts, the Heidegger group will be continuing, and a new group exploring conservative political philosophy is just starting up. If you're interested in any of these subjects or in forming a group to read something else, you can read about how PEL Not School works and join up. The Philosophical Fiction Continue Reading …
The Theater Group Discusses Victor Turner’s “From Ritual to Theatre”
During late October, the Philosophy and Theater Group (Carlos Franke, Philip Cherny and Daniel Cole) wrapped up a month and a half long study of Victor Turner's From Ritual to Theatre: The Human Seriousness of Play. For anyone out there who may have listened to our Schechner or Artaud discussions, this one tops off many of the themes and issues we explored in those. PEL Continue Reading …
Not School Theater Group: Victor Turner’s “From Ritual to Theatre: The Human Seriousness of Play”
Victor Turner was a true inter-disciplinarian, and this book draws from his own work in anthropology, as well as philosophy, drama, and sociology. Turner believed that acting out the rituals of other cultures provides a rich, sympathetic connection to them that can't be accessed from detached observation or the perusal of data. Turner saw drama and ritual all over the place in Continue Reading …
October Not School Happenings
As usual, there's plenty happening with Not School this October, and it's not too late for you to sign up. It looks like two groups are carrying over September's readings, and another two will be starting a new books. At least a couple groups are still deciding whether to continue, so if you want to read something in their vein you probably still have time to jump in and Continue Reading …
Not School Happenings in September
[Editor's Note: Daniel Cole is has been a long-time Not School group leader and is currently helping us out by coordinating other group leaders. Thanks, Daniel!] Nearly everyone I know loves to learn, but no one seems to love school. It's only the second week of classes, and already I'm finding myself tempted to dodge class readings for Not School ones. It doesn't help that Continue Reading …
Not School Discussion on Antonin Artaud Posted
The long running Philosophy and Theater group held not one but two discussions in August on Antonin Artaud's The Theater and Its Double, which have now been posted for Citizens as a single 3-hr file on the Free Stuff page on the "Not School Discussion Group Audio" tab. Go join up if you'd like to listen. Our subjects within the text ranged wide, since Artaud's writings are Continue Reading …
Not School Theater Group: Antonin Artaud’s “The Theater and Its Double”
Two discussions are combined here about theater and consciousness. Artaud's views are deeply metaphysical yet rooted in the carnality and cruelty of material life. Featuring Daniel Cole, Philip Cherny, and Carlos Franke. Recorded August 17 and 31, 2014. Without an element of cruelty at the foundation of every spectacle, the theater is not possible. In the state of degeneracy Continue Reading …