The Rise and Fall of The Village Voice

In Amusing Ourselves to Death, Neil Postman argued presciently 35 years ago that television was reshaping our culture and trivializing public life—news, politics, religion, education, and business—by turning it into entertainment. He warned that we would become so inundated with irrelevant information that we’d lose sight of what was important—even worse, we wouldn’t care as long as we felt entertained. With the proliferation of digital media today and worries about excessive “screen time,” his analysis still resonates.

Around 1.5 billion people around the world speak English—roughly 20 percent of the human population. How has our language achieved this global status? How did English evolve over time into the language we speak and write today? What are its unique quirks, strengths, and shortcomings that set it apart from the world’s other languages? The Mother Tongue takes us on a journey through the history of the English language, exploring its richness and variety, and pointing the way toward what the future might have in store for it.

Dive into the mysterious life of one of America's most cryptic literary figures with Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant in the "Stuff You Should Know" podcast. They peel back the layers of J.D. Salinger's existence, from his early days in Manhattan's upper echelons to the trenchant influence of his years in World War II. Their examination takes listeners into the heart of Salinger's formative experiences, his transformative education, and the very raw encounters that would shape his unique narrative voice and thus, his illustrious writing career.

As the episode unravels Salinger's ascent to prominence with the overwhelming success of "The Catcher in the Rye," Clark and Bryant also delve into his tumultuous personal life—from his unorthodox marriages to his quest for spiritual peace and the extreme measures he took to preserve his privacy. Their retrospective portrays Salinger's deep connections with local communities and how that informed the authenticity of his work while also touching on the diverse views of his own children, Margaret and Matt. Uncover the depth of Salinger's desire for literary integrity and the profound impact of his tales on culture, as "Stuff You Should Know" contemplates the conceptual richness of "The Catcher in the Rye."

Join the hosts of the 'Last Podcast On The Left'—Marcus Parks, Ben Kissel, and Henry Zebrowski—as they dig deep into the nuts and bolts of historical storytelling with guest Dan Carlin from the acclaimed "Hardcore History" series. This episode peels back the layers on the art and complexity of narrating the past: from the necessity of context for comprehension to the craft of creating enthralling historical narratives with philosophical depth. Carlin shares his intricate process for evaluating the reliability of sources and intertwines this discussion with his personal experiences, including his initial reservations about podcasting and his transformation into a pioneering figure in digital history-telling.

The conversation doesn't shy away from speculative and lighter topics, either. Dan, alongside the show's notable personalities, indulges listeners in 'what-if' scenarios about figures such as Rasputin, interjects humor into the serious business of history, and even ventures into cosmic speculation about extraterrestrial life. In a tribute to Carlin's commitment to his craft, the episode wraps up by guiding listeners on how to delve even deeper into the "Hardcore History" archives, integrating support for sustaining passionate content creation. The pairing of the Last Podcast Network’s irreverent charm and Carlin’s expertise promises a fascinating blend of insight, education, and entertainment.

In this thought-provoking episode of "The Ben Shapiro Show," listeners join Ben Shapiro on his intellectual journey at Oxford University, where he tackles the stark rise of anti-Semitism and confronts the unfounded support for Hamas among students. Shapiro’s experience at this prestigious institution unveils a troubling contradiction within the bastion of education. He challenges the audience to consider the impacts of diminishing Western confidence and the implications of assimilating into ideologies that are openly hostile to Western values.

Shapiro doesn't shy away from criticizing the media's portrayal of the Israel-Hamas conflict, calling out the major outlets for their skewed narratives and lack of accountability for Hamas's actions. Beyond the Middle East, Shapiro turns his critical eye to the prevailing biases within academia and media, including ethical concerns over how stories are portrayed and the perplexing rejection of Western culture. As Shapiro artfully navigates between deep political insights and entertaining interludes, such as playful endorsements and personal anecdotes, the episode offers an engaging blend of serious discussion and light-hearted moments, culminating in a call to action for increased viewer engagement and exclusive promotional offers.

Join Dana Carvey and David Spade as they delve into the fascinating world of Alan Zweibel in the podcast "Fly on the Wall". In this episode, they reminisce about Zweibel's iconic career milestones, strategic collaborations, and the complexities of the comedy and entertainment industry. Listen as Zweibel shares intimate stories about the original SNL cast, working dynamics with actress Gilda Radner, experiences with subversive comedy, and his perspective on the evolving cultural sensitivity of humor.

The episode also offers an in-depth look at Zweibel's writing experiences and life journey. Get useful tips for aspiring writers, reflections on the industry's aesthetic demands, and challenging aspects of the profession. Zweibel’s personal anecdotes and thoughts on industry sterotypes entertain as well as offer profound insights. A conversation peppered with a mix of successes, regret, resilience, and significant sacrifices made by industry players makes this a memorable episode.

A Warning is an inside look at the chaotic Trump administration by a senior Trump administration official writing anonymously. It’s a follow-up to the author’s September 5, 2018, New York Times op-ed piece describing internal efforts to control Trump’s impulses. This is no longer working, “Anonymous” writes. The book depicts an impulsive and corrupt president, who puts his self-interest above the country’s interest, in the process undermining the foundations of democracy and putting national security at grave risk.

“Anonymous” describes the increasingly futile efforts of a handful of principled White House officials to stave off disastrous, often illegal actions. The author warns that the “guard rails” have come off—the principled staffers have mostly been driven away and Trump is uncontrollable. If he wins another four years, he may sink the ship of democracy.

In Manufacturing Consent, authors Noam Chomsky and Edward S. Herman explore how the American media frames events and creates narratives that serve the interests of the nation’s political, economic, and social elite. They argue that control of the media in the United States does not take the form of direct state censorship or a formal conspiracy to manage the news. Rather, there is a powerful set of informal restrictions and controls that limit what journalists cover—and how they cover it.

In this guide, we’ve streamlined and updated the authors’ 1988 analysis of the mainstream media to incorporate themes, topics, and examples that are more relevant for today’s audience, including the internet, social media, and the rise of “fake news.”

In 1976, an Irish schoolboy nicknamed “Bono” answered a call to join a new band. Ten years later, that band—U2—was a global sensation. As U2’s singer, Bono leveraged his fame to become a voice for activist groups fighting poverty, hunger, and the AIDS epidemic. At the same time, he started a family while pushing U2 to explore new styles of music. Bono’s memoir, Surrender, tells the story of his life and U2’s success, while also discussing Bono’s Christian faith and how his childhood affected who he’d become.

In this guide, we’ll cover U2’s rise to stardom, their period of self-reinvention, and Bono's career as a political activist. We’ll also provide historical context for Bono’s early days, the music industry, and U2’s shifting critical reception. We’ll look at the pros and cons of celebrity activism, as well as how Bono’s thoughts on Christian faith compare with those of contemporary religious writers.

On this episode of "Fly on the Wall," hosts Dana Carvey and David Spade welcome legendary comedians Steve Martin and Martin Short for an insightful, witty, and humor-filled conversation. They explore their celebrated entertainment careers, delve into their individual comedic styles, and open up about their personal growth in the ever-changing landscape of comedy. The intimate trip down memory lane takes the listeners through recollections of their collaborations, notably on the film "The Three Amigos," to their friendly banter that showcases the depth, sincerity and humor inherent in their enduring relationship.

In the second half, insightful explorations of self-scrutiny and artistic growth paint a fascinating picture of the inner workings of these comedic heavyweights. The chats about current projects and future endeavors highlight their adaptability and resilience in an evolving industry. The lively back-and-forth exchanges between the hosts and guests combined with a candid look into their shared history with SNL creator Lorne Michaels, make this episode an absolute must for any fan of comedy. Their stories leave listeners with a deeper appreciation for the hard work and creative genius behind the humor we've enjoyed for decades.

In Manufacturing Consent, authors Noam Chomsky and Edward S. Herman explore how the American media frames events and creates narratives that serve the interests of the nation’s political, economic, and social elite. They argue that control of the media in the United States does not take the form of direct state censorship or a formal conspiracy to manage the news. Rather, there is a powerful set of informal restrictions and controls that limit what journalists cover—and how they cover it.

In this guide, we’ve streamlined and updated the authors’ 1988 analysis of the mainstream media to incorporate themes, topics, and examples that are more relevant for today’s audience, including the internet, social media, and the rise of “fake news.”

Traditional journalism faces a cataclysmic crisis due to the rise of tech giants, outdated business models, and consumer behavior shifts. The crisis has led to massive job losses in journalism and increased mistrust of the media. Experts warn it could fuel manipulation in democratic processes.