The Problem with Reading

We dive deep into the first chapter of "Propaganda: The Formation of Men's Attitudes" by Jacques Ellul, and only brush the surface. Total propaganda, technique, the 1619 project, school board meetings, and Arianism all make an appearance. Have a listen! Bripes: youtube.com/watch?v=tltBHjmIUJ0 (Free online text: theanarchistlibrary.org/library/jacques-ellul-propaganda)

In which we begin our next book journey and introduce "Propaganda: The Formation of Men's Attitudes" by the philosopher/sociologist/theologian Jacques Ellul. There's numerous reasons to read this book: the year, our technological stage, our memetic ecology. But also, it sounds fun. Pick up a copy and read along with us! (Free online text: theanarchistlibrary.org/library/jacques-ellul-propaganda)

A relaxed meta week of book shelves, book lists (short, long, and frantic), and big plans for the year. Should we read more? Yes. Will we? Unclear. Have a listen!

Our Resident Consulting Bioethicist Alison returns for Bioethics round two and a host of sticky topics—from surrogacy and embryo rescue to “Pronatalist” Warhammer 40k tax evaders, from Canada’s continued spiral of Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) to the OG transhumanism text. Also, there is a quiz and we crown the new Problem with Reading Bioethics Commissar (the answer will surprise you!). Have...

Would you take a person named Titan Invictus seriously?

To ring in the New Year and close out 2023, The Problem with Reading presents eight quality, or at least amusing, articles for your perusal and consideration as chosen by elite and erudite past podcast guests. From Paganism, to Furry Hackers, to Pro-Natalist Silicon Valley Freaks, to AirBnB Furniture—we have the best of 2023 all in one place. Have a listen! • Critical Grace Theory: firstthings.com...

The day has finally come to give DFW the treatment he deserves, and Stephen couldn’t be happier. We’ve brought on Liv as backup to explore the heavily foot- and endnoted fiction and non-fiction projects of David Foster Wallace. We discuss the importance of paying attention, the danger of entertainment, the struggle to escape postmodern cynicism, if the only way out is through, and finally what met...

We conclude our journey through expressive individualism and the modern self with the final two chapters of Carl Trueman's "The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self." Also, Stephen watches the Exorcist (maybe a few of them) and Brevin and Sam have stressful family admin meetings.

We continue the journey through "The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self" by Carl Trueman in this penultimate episode covering chapters 8 and 9 documenting the twin triumphs of the erotic and the therapeutic. But also, Paganism! Have a listen...

It's summer at the movies as Jensen joins us to review the top three movies of the summer (by our count, at least): Oppenheimer, Barbie and Wes Anderson's Asteroid City. Plus, we pitch our own films to ruthless Hollywood execs. Have a listen!

Freud and the various species of 20th century thinkers downstream of him take center stage in chapters 6 and 7 of "Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self." How many double entendres can you spot? Also, Stephen waxes poetic about the edgy music of his youth, Brevin reveals the Age of Average, and Sam finds the best song on the internet. Article: alexmurrell.co.uk/articles/the-age-of-average

We dive into Chapter 5 "Plastic People" and blaze through everyone's favorite band of misfits: Marx, Darwin, and Nietzsche! Also, Stephen is sure the Boomers have cursed us all, Sam hates buying guitars, and Brevin wants to practice his new tourniquet skills in real life.

Chase joins Brevin and Stephen to discuss the looming AI threat. Robots can chat, paint, seduce lonely (mystic) programmers, and write their own code. So will civilization be ended by Terminators or overly friendly Chatbots? The answer will surprise you. Also--reminiscences about beating kids in card games, how to make a ham sandwich according to Pope Francis, and why you shouldn't buy new things....

Chase Makes a 7 Year Old Cry in a Yu-Gi-Oh! Tournament (TPWR 411 Teaser) by The Problem with Reading

For the first podcast of the new year, we continue reading “The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self” covering the Romantic Poets of Wordsworth, Shelley, and Blake. Also: gravity holes, American religious revival, and a snowless New York.

Part of our series of the Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self, covering Rousseau's thought and the seeds it planted. Also, MacIntyre as anti-political historian, candles for Advent, and more!

A brief intermission featuring of a few of our favorite Walker Percy readings from "Lost in the Cosmos" and "Signposts in a Strange Land."

Join the Problem with Reading crew on this first episode reading through "The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self" by Carl Trueman, covering Part 1. Is sarcasm a Deathwork? Can Stephen avoid bringing up David Foster Wallace? What revenge has Summer wrought? All this and more.

Alison comes aboard to share her expertise in Bioethics. Whither Bioethics? Whomst Bioethics? You might be wondering these things, and we have answers. Well, our expert guest, Alison, does. What good is autonomy? Why is Canada (even more) evil (than we already thought)? Plus, an Ethics Bowl to see who is most ethical, and rants featuring Lord of the Ring, the Death of Summer Part II, and more!

Second of two episodes on the ever-relevant "Amusing Ourselves to Death" by Neil Postman. Hear the problem with televangelists, politics by TV, and Sesame Street--and why we're all agitated amnesiacs. Also, Sam finally experiences the joys of NYC's famously mentally stable population, Stephen reflects on his mortality, and Brevin finds a fellow tribe member via bloodline instincts.

After the first attempt was lost to the computer gods, the boys convene to give a second run at their review of The Batman, the latest iteration of the Caped Crusader. Brevin hates it, Stephen’s indifferent, and Sam’s in love, so get ready to choose the hero you deserve. Also included: a gritty rant, Gotham as the darkness of America’s cities, and an extensive review of reviews (all of them). Have...

In a belated episode back, a reduced crew ponders their escape from graduate school...at least for now.

First of two episodes on the ever-relevant "Amusing Ourselves to Death" by Neil Postman, as well as some meditations on our reemergent nuclear moment. Also--Stephen has new appreciation for water torture, Sam's mind is collapsing attempting to answer the question "Are there more doors or wheels?", and Brevin thinks the Orthodox made lousy DnD classes. Have a listen!

2022 is finally here, and the Problem with Reading has a party to kick off the new year. Stephen presents more Math Poetry, Sam has his best rant of 2021 in 2022, and Brevin already wants Summer to return. Have a listen!

Stephen returns with an addition to his hit poetry series, "Math Homework without the Math."