Episode 120: Why We Hesitate to Discuss Our Beliefs

“I think it’s better to have ideas. You can change an idea, changing a belief is trickier. Life should be malleable and progressive; working from idea to idea permits that. Beliefs anchor to certain points and limit growth; new ideas can’t generate. Life becomes stagnant.”
— Chris Rock as Rufus in the movie "Dogma".
“You never know how much you really believe anything until its truth or falsehood becomes a matter of life and death to you.”
— C.S. Lewis

Especially in recent weeks, many of us have been confronted by the realities which operate in spite of, beneath and because of our beliefs. We have been forced to engage in dialogue with those who do not share our perspectives and the clash of numerous systems of belief has been prominent in our discourse as a society. But even under less confrontational circumstances, many of us do not share our beliefs. This week we welcome Mark Ashin to examine why beliefs represent such vulnerability in us and what we might gain in more honest, respectful discussion of what we believe and why we believe it. How could more open discussion promote more empathy? Are some of our most strongly-held perspectives so deeply woven in our subconscious that we cannot articulate them clearly? Is there a judgment inherent in the crossroads of beliefs that do not align with one another?

Episode 119: Joining a Community

Especially in times of shared confusion, disagreement and public unrest, it is worth considering the communities we all belong to. We may be aware of some of their traits, but do we appreciate how communities function as disparate groups?  This week we welcome Qossay Alsattari to discuss ideas surrounding entry into a community. As we settle into our respective roles, we do not always appreciate the strange times associated with changing or joining a community. How can we be more welcoming to newcomers and what should we observe and respect in the communities we join? Are we able to enact change after joining a new community?

Episode 118: The Lens, The Stranger - Insomnia

Though our modern era is filled with sleeplessness and poorly-rested citizens, not all of us suffer from the condition of insomnia, which heavily impedes one's ability to sleep. Because sleep is so essential to our bodily and mental health, it plays a clear role in our survival and success as people. As a result, insomnia presents a curious case of the unnatural - holding us just out of reach of one layer of human behavior and habit. This week, we welcome C.J. Clinkscales, who has chronically dealt with insomnia, to discuss his thoughts. In what ways does insomnia create an element of artificiality? Why might it make us feel unnatural or monstrous? What do we learn about our thought patterns when we're left alone with them for hours in this vulnerable state? And how can we incorporate it into our unproductive views of "heroic" sleep deprivation?

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Episode 117: On the Eve of the 2016 Election

The exhaustion and disillusionment in our country is palpable. This is not about the political decisions made tomorrow, but about how we reflect on the state of our country and what we might learn. This is not an episode about our individual political leanings, but a personal request regarding a societal, national issue.

Episode 116: For Non-Gamers — Let's Plays

This week, Phoebe Lewis returns for the third entry in our series "For Non-Gamers". She watched through a series of videos on YouTube known as "Let's Plays," in which content creators will complete a video game while providing commentary, often humorous or insightful. In particular, she viewed a number of episodes from "StephenPlays," produced by Stephen Georg and his wife, Mallory. Let's Playing is a relatively young phenomenon, but draws millions of views on platforms like Twitch and YouTube. Is there something particular to video games that encourages ekphrastic work like this? Does commentary substantially change the source material? And how might Let's Plays offer a comfortable point of entry for those like Phoebe who do not consider themselves gamers?