Philosophy vs. Improv

Two micro scenes and a mystery number of interruptions reveal our underlying definitions. How will we overcome the lag between our words and become like-minded? How many beats in an heirloom beet if an heirloom hair-looms beets? Many lessons are learned that are not THE lesson, necessitating some difficult multi-tasking. In the post-game, Bill starts something we can’t finish about libertari...

Is death something to be feared? What’s next? What are the DETAILS? Do not adjust your listening device or call an ambulance. That sound you hear is not ground hum nor tinnitus but is the sound of improvisation. Warning: We talk about suicide a bit. If you’re feeling depressed, don’t call the lava demon hotline, as it is a scam. We make a few references in this one that might be...

Bill starts us with a scene: Behold the Doctor’s Office, where anything can happen, and often DOES. Is this whole thing a bad idea? Do you think you’re BETTER than this idea? Do you? If you need to tell yourself that, that’s OK. In the post-game, we talk a little about Stoicism ( listen to PEL about it , ego issues, and ephemeral art. Our recommendations include: Bobby Huff time-...

Mark starts us off this time: What is reality? Bill pushes back, which is rather his point this round. Hilarity ensues, given that the world is just a construct of our minds and we want it to do so. Hilarity doesn’t really do much else besides ensuing, does it? Lazy bastard. Learn more about Kant’s phenomena vs. noumena in this very old episode Partially Examined Life episode . We retu...

The gauntlet has been thrown. In this first episode, Mark Linsenmayer and Bill Arnett channel their respective muses to try to enlighten each other about something having to do with ethics on the one hand and the continuity of improvisation with regular life on the other. Which lesson shall produce the most profound effect? Does this format make any sense at all? As a special treat, this episode i...

What is Philosophy vs. Improv? Hear about the new podcast by Mark Linsenmayer ( The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast ) and Bill Arnett ( Chicago Improv Studio , The Complete Improviser author). Thanks to our announcer, Erica Spyres. PvI logo by Solomon Grundy . Reach out to us with your children’s art, episode ideas, guest suggestions, and other comments. Get more episodes than are...