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All Episodes from PEL Network Podcasts

Ep. 267: Avicenna on God and Soul w/ Peter Adamson (Part One)

April 12, 2021 by Mark Linsenmayer Leave a Comment

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On selections and commentary about Avicenna’s argument from around 1020 C.E. for the existence of God as a necessary being, plus arguments to prove that God has the person-like properties that Islam imputes to him, and his “flying man” argument for the soul’s essential independence from matter. Featuring Mark, Dylan, and our guest Peter Adamson from the History of Philosophy podcast.

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NEM#145: Jay Gonzalez: Concise but Colorful

April 9, 2021 by Mark Linsenmayer Leave a Comment

Jay is best known as sideman for Drive-By Truckers since 2008 but has written songs for Athens bands like The Possibilities and Nutria since the 90s and has three solo releases.

We discuss the title track (and listen at the end to “I Wanna Hold You”) from Back to the Hive (2021), “&#%&#!” and “Shenorock Lane” from The Bitter Suite (2015), and “Turning Me On” from Mess of Happiness (2012). Intro: “Tough to Let Go” by Drive-By Truckers from The New OK (2020). For more see jaygonzalez.com.

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PMP#88: Indie Animation w/ Benjamin Goldman

April 8, 2021 by Mark Linsenmayer Leave a Comment

Animation is so labor-intensive that it seems designed for corporate domination a la Disney. Mark, Erica, and Brian are joined by animator Benjamin Goldman to discuss doing animation on your own.

What qualifies as “indie?” What are we as adult viewers looking from this medium? How do images relate to narration? How realistic should the animation look? You may want to watch Benjamin’s short film (currently featured by The New Yorker) “Eight Nights.”

For more, visit prettymuchpop.com. Hear bonus content for this episode at patreon.com/prettymuchpop.

Sponsor: Get premium wireless service starting at $15/month from MintMobile.com/PRETTY.

Pretty Much Pop #87: Female Buddy Comedies w/ Erica’s Female Buddy Micah Greene

April 1, 2021 by Mark Linsenmayer Leave a Comment

On Barb & Star Go to Vista Del Mar, and how inserting women into the buddy comedy format might lead to deeper exploration of friendships. Two sets of long-time friends–Erica and Micah, and Mark and Brian–look at tropes and character dynamics, touching on Booksmart, Bridesmaids, Sisters, et al. 

For more, visit prettymuchpop.com. Hear bonus content for this episode at patreon.com/prettymuchpop.

Phi Fic #39 Point Omega by Don DeLillo

March 30, 2021 by Laura Davis Leave a Comment

https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/phifipodcast/Point_Omega_Podcast_mix_master.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:22:53 — 114.1MB) PSYCO AND THE IRAQ WAR! “The less there was to see, the harder he looked, the more he saw.” -Point Omega In this episode, we work through and analyze Point Omega by Don Delillo, a short oblique and arresting novel wrestling with the meaning and effect of human perception, Continue Reading …

Ep. 266: Jonathan Lear’s Plato: Psyche and Society (Part One)

March 29, 2021 by Mark Linsenmayer 4 Comments

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On essays from Lear’s Open Minded: Working Out the Logic of the Soul (1988): “Inside and Outside the Republic,” “Eros and Unknowing: The Psychoanalytic Significance of Plato’s Symposium,” and “An Interpretation of Transference,” which compares Socrates’ questioning with psychotherapy.

Is Plato’s analogy between mind and state in The Republic a good one? What can we learn from it about what makes for a stable, healthy character? How does eros (desire) fit into this picture? Lear gives a creative, helpful reading of Plato informed by psychoanalysis.

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NEM#144: Dennis Davison (The Jigsaw Seen): How Much Is Enough?

March 26, 2021 by Mark Linsenmayer Leave a Comment

Dennis fronted the Baltimore punk band Ebenezer and The Bludgeons in the late 70s, and after some transitional projects moved to L.A. where his ’60s-ish guitar pop band The Jigsaw Seen released nine albums from 1989-2015.

We discuss “Museum Piece” (and listen to “Shadow on a Tall Tree” at the end) from his debut solo album, The Book Of Strongman (2020); “Idiots with Guitars” from Old Man Reverb (2014); and the title track from My Name Is Tom (1991). Intro: “Jim Is the Devil” (a 1989 single). For more, visit dennisdavisonmusic.com.

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Pretty Much Pop #86: What Irish Means w/ Black 47’s Larry Kirwan

March 24, 2021 by Mark Linsenmayer Leave a Comment

St. Patrick’s Day has passed: What sort of representation of Ireland has made it to the U.S. through such celebrations? Who gets to decide what’s authentically Irish?

Mark, Erica, and Brian are joined by writer and musician Larry to talk about his immigrant experience, covering history, music, humor, language, slurs, stereotypes, and his new book Rockaway Blue.

For more, visit prettymuchpop.com. Hear bonus content for this episode at patreon.com/prettymuchpop.

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PEL Nightcap Late March 2021

March 22, 2021 by Mark Linsenmayer 4 Comments

Recorded on March 2 after the Phaedo and before recording on Jonathan Lear’s Open Minded. We talk death, arrogance, and answer letters: one from Cambodia and one asking “IS PEL OVER?” It is not.

Pretty Much Pop #85: What the WandaVision!? w/ Rolando Nieves (and Bonus Aftertalk)

March 21, 2021 by Mark Linsenmayer Leave a Comment

The debut Disney+ Marvel series is… a tribute to classic sit-coms? Mark, Erica, Brian, and guest Rolando try to figure out whether this experiment was successful, whether you have to be a die-hard to get it, and the potential for future oddball superhero outings..

For more, visit prettymuchpop.com. Hear bonus content for this episode at patreon.com/prettymuchpop.

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Pretty Much Pop #84: Musician Memoirs w/ Laura Davis-Chanin

March 15, 2021 by Mark Linsenmayer 1 Comment

Mark, Erica, Brian, and guest memoir author Laura talk about the appeal of this type of book whose production has exploded in recent years. We each read a book, covering Elvis Costello, Carrie Brownstein, Ozzy Osbourne, and Debby Harry respectively. How are these better than a film depiction or documentary biography?

For more, visit prettymuchpop.com. Hear bonus content for this episode at patreon.com/prettymuchpop.

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Ep. 265: Plato’s “Phaedo”: Philosophy as Training for Death (Part One)

March 15, 2021 by Mark Linsenmayer Leave a Comment

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On Plato’s middle dialogue depicting the death of Socrates (390 BCE) depicting the death of Socrates. Should philosophers fear death?

In the course of giving arguments for the immortality of the soul, we get an elaboration of the recollection theory of knowledge (from the Meno) into Plato’s first full account of Forms. But how literally are we supposed to take the words of Socrates as he comforts himself facing mortality?

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NEM#143: In Search of Eric Dover (Imperial Drag, Slash’s Snakepit, etc.)

March 12, 2021 by Mark Linsenmayer Leave a Comment

After joining Jellyfish in 1993 just before its demise, Eric’s big break came when he was asked to sing for Slash’s Snakepit. He then returned to Roger Manning from Jellyfish for an album as Imperial Drag, worked as sideman (e.g. for Alice Cooper) and studio guy and had two releases as Sextus. He’s now back with Roger in The Lickerish Quartet, which released two EPs.

We discuss “The Dream That Took Me Over” by The Lickerish Quartet from Threesome, Vol. 2 (2021), “Wishing You Well” by Sextus from Stranger Than Fiction (2008), and “Boy or a Girl” from Imperial Drag (1996). End song: “What Do You Want from Me?” from The Eyes of Alice Cooper (2003). Intro: “Beggars & Hangers-On” by Slash’s Snakepit from It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere (1995). More at thelickerishquartet.com.

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PEL Nightcap Early March 2021

March 7, 2021 by Mark Linsenmayer 3 Comments

First the weather: Seth’s stories of the blizzard in Austin that made him miss Timaeus. We look back at that, then forward at Phaedo, Avicenna, and some other possible topics.

Pretty Much Pop #83: Disabled and Other-Abled Representation w/ Kayla Dryesse

March 5, 2021 by Mark Linsenmayer Leave a Comment

Media representation of disability needs improvement, as does inclusion of disabled actors and writers. Playwright Kayla joins Mark, Erica, and Brian to talk about hurdles, disability culture, negative stereotypes, and how disability relates to comedy and horror.

For more, visit prettymuchpop.com. Hear bonus content for this episode at patreon.com/prettymuchpop.

Sponsor: Get 50% off your customized vitamin plan at TakeCareOf.com, code pmp50.

(sub)Text: Business Gets Personal in “The Godfather”

March 4, 2021 by Wes Alwan Leave a Comment

Within and without the world of the film, can one consider Don Corleone a great man? Or does his moral code, like his favor, always hide a transaction? Wes & Erin give their analysis of Francis Ford Coppola’s 1972 film, “The Godfather.” 

Ep. 264: Plato’s “Timaeus” on Cosmology (Part One)

March 1, 2021 by Mark Linsenmayer 2 Comments

Plato
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On the later Platonic dialogue from around 360 BCE.

How is nature put together? Plato speaks through the fictional Timaeus (not Socrates) to give a “likely story” about the universe, physics, and biology involving a Craftsman (Demi-Urge) who created everything based on a pre-existing perfect model (the Forms!).

Timaeus derives his whole story from the principle that the world is good, and so the Craftsman must necessarily optimize creation, with any imperfections being introduced only by the necessity involved when a perfect blueprint gets embodied to create ever-shifting, impermanent matter.

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NEM#142: Rebecca Rego: This Is Your Life!

February 26, 2021 by Mark Linsenmayer Leave a Comment

Folky, soul-singing Rebecca has had six releases since 2007. We discuss “Mama” from her solo EP, Songs for Cleaning Women, Pt. 1 (2020), “No One Knows Me” by Rebecca Rego and the Trainmen from Speaking of Witches (2019), “Gave Me” by rego off of From the Royal Arcade (2009), and “Cruel” from Lay These Weapons Down (2016). Intro: “Call My Mother” from Tolono (2014). See rebeccaregoandthetrainmen.com.

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Pretty Much Pop #82: Cobra Kai and the Karate Kids

February 26, 2021 by Mark Linsenmayer 2 Comments

Mark-san, Erica-san, and Brian-san survey the new Karate Kid revival show Cobra Kai and all the original films starting with the 1984 classic for nonsensical plotting, villain motivation, questionable acting, and more.

For more, visit prettymuchpop.com. Hear bonus content for this episode at patreon.com/prettymuchpop.

PEL Nightcap Late February 2021

February 21, 2021 by Mark Linsenmayer 6 Comments

We do some post-gaming on ep. 263: How did you like us covering a secondary source and having two guests sitting in for two hosts? We think about an Badiou episode; should we invite a guest for that? Should we ever cover secondary literature again? Finally, we anticipate Plato’s Timaeus.

(sub)Text: Love and Nostalgia in Woody Allen’s “Annie Hall”

February 18, 2021 by Wes Alwan Leave a Comment

While Annie’s patient, quirky fatalism does not prevent her from outgrowing Alvy and leaving him behind, the nostalgic and wistful frame of Allen’s film does have something to say about what helps keep love alive, and people connected.

Pretty Much Pop #81: Radio vs. Podcasting w/ Jason Bentley

February 17, 2021 by Mark Linsenmayer Leave a Comment

Jason was music director at KRCW, the LA NPR station, is also a DJ with a lot of experienced interviewing musicians, and now hosts a new podcast, The Backstory. He joins Mark and Erica to discuss the creative and business possibilities of podcasting in comparison to radio, what their futures may hold, and his own journey between the two media.

For more, visit prettymuchpop.com. Hear bonus content for this episode at patreon.com/prettymuchpop.

Sponsors: Get 15% off your personal safety alarm at ShesBirdie.com/PRETTY. For the special President’s Day offer, visit Audible.com/pretty or text pretty to 500-500.

Ep. 263: Lise Van Boxel’s “Warspeak” on Strategies for Valuing (Part One)

February 15, 2021 by Mark Linsenmayer 1 Comment

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On Warspeak: Nietzsche’s Victory Over Nihilism (2020) with Dylan, Seth, and guests Michael Grenke and Jeff Black.

What’s a viable counter-ideal to the asceticism that Nietzsche thought is so pervasive? Lise’s book works out strategies for re-valuing that emphasize Nietzsche’s positive comments about the feminine and the power of words.

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NEM#141: Robert Forster (The Go-Betweens) Looks Back Novelistically

February 13, 2021 by Mark Linsenmayer Leave a Comment

Robert co-fronted the Australian-born post-punk band The Go-Betweens through nine albums in the ’80s and ’00s with Grant McLennan before the latter’s death in 2006 and has also released seven solo albums.

We discuss “No Fame” from Inferno (2019), “Here Comes a City” by The Go-Betweens from Oceans Apart (2005), and “On My Block” by The Go-Betweens from Before Hollywood (1983). We conclude by listening to “Let Me Imagine You” from Songs to Play (2015). Intro: “Clouds” by The Go-Betweens from 16 Lovers Lane (1988).

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Pretty Much Pop #80: Reliving Groundhog Day (and Palm Springs, Russian Doll, etc.)

February 9, 2021 by Mark Linsenmayer Leave a Comment

Happy Groundhog Day! The ’93 film has had dozens of imitators spanning various genres in recent years, but the idea goes back more than a century. Mark, Erica, Brian, and guest Ken Gerber touch on popular and obscure examples examples from film and TV to explore the philosophical themes and storytelling techniques. 

For more, visit prettymuchpop.com. Hear bonus content for this episode at patreon.com/prettymuchpop.

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PEL Nightcap Early February 2021

February 8, 2021 by Mark Linsenmayer 3 Comments

The Partially Examined Life (Citizens): (Protected Content)Recorded on Jan. 28, we first consider the question “what are the dumbest ideas in philosophy?” The particular Philosophers’ Zone episode that our questioner pointed us to was this one on “The Worst Argument in the World.” We consider again the Angela Davis episode idea as a way of getting into a discussion of Continue Reading …

(sub)Text: Yielding to Suggestion in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”

February 4, 2021 by Wes Alwan Leave a Comment

To what extent is every ambition an imaginative act—and perhaps a form of prophecy? Wes & Erin discuss the Scottish Play: Shakespeare’s shortest tragedy, “Macbeth.”

Pretty Much Pop #79: The Fargo Formula w/ Tamler Sommers (Very Bad Wizards Crossover)

February 3, 2021 by Mark Linsenmayer Leave a Comment

On the darkly comic ’96 film and the 4-season crime show. Mark, Erica, Brian, and Tamler from VBW consider its style, “tundra western” setting, “Minnesota nice”, gender issues, stunt casting, absurdism, and more. Yes, there are spoilers, but it barely matters.

For more, visit prettymuchpop.com. Hear bonus content for this episode at patreon.com/prettymuchpop.

Sponsor: Visit amazon.com/prettyRX for free two-day prescription deliveries (and save money when not using insurance).

Ep. 262: Nietzsche on Self-Denial (Part One)

February 1, 2021 by Mark Linsenmayer 1 Comment

On Friedrich Nietzsche’s The Genealogy of Morals (1887), “Third essay: what do ascetic ideals mean?”

Self-denial is necessary for disciplined action but can clearly go too far. N uses this concept of asceticism to analyze both geniuses and the masses. It’s a chief tool of the will to power, dangerous to human flourishing but also helping us to evolve. Does N’s picture of motivation and greatness make sense?

Subscribe to get Part 2 of this episode, or listen to a preview. Citizens can get the entire second part here and hear this part ad-free.

Sponsors: Get $35 off meal delivery at SunBasket.com/PEL, code PEL. Get 50% off The New Yorker and a free tote bag at NewYorker.com/PEL. Get $200 off a mattress and two free pillows at HelixSleep.com/PEL. Get audible for $9.95 a month for 6 months at audible.com/EXAMINED or text “EXAMINED” to 500-500. Learn about St. John’s College at SJC.edu.

NEM#140: Larry Keel: Hillbilly Shredder to Singer-Songwriter

January 29, 2021 by Mark Linsenmayer Leave a Comment

Larry has appeared on 20+ albums since co-founding Magraw Gap in 1990 and then becoming bandleader on ’97. He’s known for his lightning flat picking and has more recently added a good dose of social commentary and fundamental questioning to his songwriting.

We discuss “Mars’ Cry” (and listen to “Try”) from American Dream (2020), “Crocodile Man” from One (2019), and “Diamond Break” from Backwoods (2009). Intro: The title track to The Sound (1999). For more, see larrykeel.com.

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Phi Fic #38 Howard’s End by EM Forster

January 27, 2021 by Laura Davis Leave a Comment

In this episode we discuss EM Forster’s novel Howard’s End as well as take a look at the 1992 movie of the novel starring Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson.

“Death destroys a man, but the idea of death saves him—”

–Howard’s End

The story revolves around three families: the Schlegels–– half-German siblings Margaret, Helen, and Tibby whose cultural pursuits have much in common with the Bloomsbury Group (in which Forster was a member); the Wilcoxes—headed by Henry––a group of unsympathetic rich capitalists with a fortune made in the colonies; and the Basts, a sad and struggling young couple from a lower-class background. Each reflects a different and almost conflicting part of society–a tale of striking class warfare.
If you have thoughts, recommendations, or questions that you want to send our way, please do via phificpodcast@gmail.com.

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Thanks to Christopher Nolen for our music.
Thanks to Allan Bowley for Audio and editing help.

Pretty Much Pop #78: Chess Is Having a Moment w/ J.J. Lang

January 27, 2021 by Mark Linsenmayer Leave a Comment

In light of The Queen’s Gambit, chess expert J.J. joins Mark, Erica, and Brian to look at chess media, culture, and personalities.

We consider gender, genius, and other issues in Gambit, plus Pawn Sacrifice, Searching for Bobby Fisher, The Luzhin Defense, and The Coldest Game.

For more, visit prettymuchpop.com. Hear bonus content for this episode at patreon.com/prettymuchpop.

PEL Nightcap Late January 2021

January 24, 2021 by Mark Linsenmayer 1 Comment

Recorded on Jan. 14, we give some off-the-cuff updates to our take on the pandemic and our coping strategies. Plus, updates on PEL book, transcripts, and a potential black history month episode (Angela Davis?).

Pretty Much Pop #77: The Big Screen Experience

January 21, 2021 by Mark Linsenmayer Leave a Comment

What’s the post-COVID future of movie theaters? Mark, Erica, and Brian compare past moviegoing habits and reflect on the big-screen vs. small-screen decision. How would we optimize the theatrical experience? We consider films affected like Tenet, Soul, etc.

For more, visit prettymuchpop.com. Hear bonus content for this episode at patreon.com/prettymuchpop.

Sponsors: Visit ExpressVPN.com/pretty to get three months free.

(sub)Text: Clever Hopes in W. H. Auden’s “September 1, 1939”

January 20, 2021 by Wes Alwan Leave a Comment

What explains the enduring appeal of Auden’s September 1, 1939? Was he right to repudiate it? Wes & Erin discuss.

Ep. 261: Derek Parfit on Personal Identity (Part One)

January 18, 2021 by Mark Linsenmayer 3 Comments

On Reasons and Persons (1984), ch. 10-13. What makes a person persist over time?

After using various sci-fi examples to test the Lockean (personhood=psychological continuity), physicalist (same brain=same person), and Cartesian (same soul=same person) theories, Parfit concludes that the whole notion is incoherent and isn’t actually what we care about when wondering “will I die?”

Subscribe to get Part 2 of this episode, or listen to a preview. Citizens can get the entire second part here.

Sponsors: Visit TheGreatCoursesPlus.com/PEL for a free trial of The Great Courses Plus Video Learning Service. Organize your Inbox: Get a free trial and save $25 at sanebox.com/pel. See headspace.com/PEL for a free month of guided meditations. Start a new monthly donation and have your first matched up to $250 at givewell.org/PEL (choose podcast and partially examined life at checkout). Learn about St. John’s College at SJC.edu.

NEM#139: Don Rauf’s Life In A Blender

January 15, 2021 by Mark Linsenmayer Leave a Comment

Don started the NY-based Life in a Blender in the late 80s and has put out ten albums of tunes with off-kilter lyrics and increasingly elaborate arrangements. We discuss “The Ocean is a Black and Rolling Tongue” (and listen at the end to “Soul Deliverer”) from Satsuma (2020), “Falmouth” from We Already Have Birds That Sing (2014), and “Chicken Dance” from Two Legs Bad (1997). Intro: “Mounds of Flesh” from Welcome to the Jelly Days (1988). For more see lifeinablender.net.

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Pretty Much Pop #76: Wonder Women (84 and Others) w/ Vi Burlew

January 15, 2021 by Mark Linsenmayer Leave a Comment

Returning heroine Vi (now a grad student in comics history) joins Erica, Mark, and Brian to put the new film in context, bringing in the weird ideas of WW’s creator as shown in the 2017 biopic Professor Marston and the Wonder Women. Do the new film’s themes actually make sense? We talk political ideals, truth, love, feminist utopias, ’70s TV, and more.

For more, visit prettymuchpop.com. Hear bonus content for this episode at patreon.com/prettymuchpop.

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PREVIEW-Ep. 260: Locke on Moral Psychology

January 11, 2021 by Mark Linsenmayer 2 Comments

One last take on John Locke’s Essay Concerning Human Understanding (1689), covering Book II, ch. 21 and 28.

What makes a moral claim true? Do we have free will? What makes us choose the good, or not? In this coda to our long treatment of Locke’s opus, we bring together all he has to say about morality, which is strangely modern yet also just strange.

Subscribe to get the full episode.

(sub)Text: The “Human Position” of Suffering in W.H. Auden’s “Musée des Beaux Arts”

January 7, 2021 by Wes Alwan Leave a Comment

Is suffering’s “human position” something that can be redeemed? Wes and Erin discuss Auden’s poem Musée des Beaux Arts.

Pretty Much Pop #75: Our Great British Baking Show w/ Stephen Carlile

January 6, 2021 by Mark Linsenmayer Leave a Comment

What explains the immense quarantine-time popularity of this quaint reality cooking show? What do we get out of watching talented amateurs bake things? Stephen, famous for playing Scar in The Lion King on Broadway, joins Erica, Brian, and Mark to consdier the format, context, and appeal of the show.

For more, visit prettymuchpop.com. Hear bonus content for this episode at patreon.com/prettymuchpop.

Ep. 259: Locke Clarifies Misleading Complex Ideas (Part Two)

January 4, 2021 by Mark Linsenmayer Leave a Comment

More on Book II (ch. 22-33) of John Locke’s Essay Concerning Human Understanding. 

On relations, then personal identity, with more on substances (spiritual and material), the various ways in which ideas can go wrong, and how mental association can entrench irrationality that disrupts clear thinking.

Listen to part one first, or get the unbroken, ad-free Citizen Edition, which will also get you the end-of-year PEL Nightcap that you’ll hear a preview for here. Please support PEL!

Sponsors: Visit HelixSleep.com/PEL for $200 off a mattress and two free pillows. Get $35 off meal delivery at SunBasket.com/PEL, code PEL. Visit TheGreatCoursesPlus.com/PEL for 14 days of free access. Start a new monthly donation and have your first matched up to $250 at givewell.org/PEL (select podcast and Partially Examined Life).

PEL Nightcap Early January 2021

January 4, 2021 by Mark Linsenmayer 4 Comments

An extra-long Nightcap looking forward to PEL coverage in 2021, with some political dialogue on the state of the country and what we might want to do about it. Plus, we respond to listener emails: Will doing philosophy put a crimp in your science career (or other prep for your legit day job)?

NEM-Pretty Much Pop Crossover: Story Songs w/ Rod Picott

January 1, 2021 by Mark Linsenmayer Leave a Comment

Recycling a great music discussion featuring a past NEM guest from Mark’s other entertainment podcast for the New Year!

Plenty of songs try to tell stories, but do the pop song format and narrative really mix? Rod Picott joins Pretty Much Pop to talk about classics by Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash, formative nightmares like “Leader of the Pack” and “The Pina Colada Song, borderline cases like “Bohemian Rhapsody,” and more. How does this form relate to theater, videos, and commercials?

Subscribe directly to Pretty Much Pop at prettymuchpop.com. Get bonus discussion at patreon.com/prettymuchpop.

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Pretty Much Pop #74: Micro Comedy w/ Tiffany Topol

December 29, 2020 by Mark Linsenmayer Leave a Comment

What has the Internet done to comedy? Tiffany, purveyor of social media bits and song parodies, joins Erica, Mark, and Brian to think about new ways of making and consuming comedy over TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and other social media. Maybe given current events we should describe the goal as something other than “going viral”?

For more, visit prettymuchpop.com. Hear bonus content for this episode at patreon.com/prettymuchpop.

Sponsors: Get 10% off a month’s counseling at BetterHelp.com/Pretty

Ep. 259: Locke Clarifies Misleading Complex Ideas (Part One)

December 28, 2020 by Mark Linsenmayer 3 Comments

On Book II (ch. 22-33) of John Locke’s Essay Concerning Human Understanding (1689).

Simple ideas get complex quickly when you put them into words, and can give rise to various philosophical problems that are either easily cleared up when you figure out how the complex idea is built out of simple ideas, or if they can’t be so broken down, then we really don’t know what we’re talking about and should just shut up.

Don’t wait for part two, get the ad-free Citizen Edition now. Please support PEL!

Sponsors: Visit uber.com/pel for a $50 voucher credit. Learn about St. John’s college at sjc.edu/PEL. Have your donations matched up to $250 at givewell.org/PEL (select podcast and Partially Examined Life).

Mark Lint’s PEL Network Holiday Party 2020: Merry Chatting and Songs

December 24, 2020 by Mark Linsenmayer 1 Comment

Join the office party, where Mark holds mini conversations on philosophy, art, and life with all PEL and PMP co-hosts, plus Ken Stringfellow, Jenny Hansen, and the members of Mark Lint’s Dry Folk, whose 12 tunes are presented in succession with nary a partridge in sight. Will these 12 spirits turn you (or Mark) from errant ways? BYOB!

Pretty Much Pop #73: Beloved Bad Films w/ Manos’ Jackey Neyman Jones

December 22, 2020 by Mark Linsenmayer Leave a Comment

What makes a film transcendently bad? A cult classic, as opposed to merely unwatchable? Child Jackey appeared in 1966’s Manos: The Hands of Fate, and she joins Mark, Erica, and Brian to discuss growing up in community theater, being reintroduced to her family movie by MST3K, and the over-confident auteur. 

We also touch on Birdemic, Catwoman, The Happening, and Battleship, as well as films about the making of bad films: The Disaster Artist, Best Worst Movie, Ed Wood, and Dolemite Is My Name. 

For more, visit prettymuchpop.com. Hear bonus content for this episode at patreon.com/prettymuchpop.

Sponsors: Get 10% off a month’s counseling at BetterHelp.com/Pretty. Visit ExpressVPN.com/pretty to get three months free.

REISSUE-PEL Ep 37: Locke on Political Power (w/ New Intro)

December 21, 2020 by Mark Linsenmayer 3 Comments

A 2011 episode on John Locke’s Second Treatise on Government (1690), with a fresh introduction connecting it to the present.

What makes political power legitimate? Like Hobbes, Locke thought that things are less than ideal without a society to keep people from killing us, so we implicitly sign a social contract giving power to the state. But on Locke’s view, nature’s not as bad, so the state is given less power. But how much less? And what does Locke think about tea partying, kids, women, acorns, foreign travelers, and calling dibs? Featuring guest Sabrina Weiss.

Hear the full, new reconsideration of this episode by Mark, Wes, and Dylan on the latest Nightcap available via partiallyexaminedlife.com/support.

End song: “Lock Them Away,” by Mark Lint (2003).

Sponsors: Save $35 off meal delivery at SunBasket.com/PEL, code PEL. Have your donations matched up to $250 at givewell.org/PEL (select podcast and Partially Examined Life). Learn about St. John’s college at sjc.edu/PEL.

Happy Holidays! Have you heard our 2020 Holiday Party yet?

Combat & Classics Episode 50. “Warspeak” by Lise van Boxel

December 18, 2020 by Brian Wilson 1 Comment

Brian and Jeff are joined by Michael Grenke, St. John’s College – Santa Fe, to discuss Lise van Boxel’s posthumously published book “Warspeak” from PoliticalAnimalPress.com.

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