Björk (with Emily Heller, Sarah Burns and Anthony Carrigan)
In this episode of WikiHole with D'Arcy Carden, the host explores an eclectic range of topics, including Björk's iconic swan dress and legendary music career. The conversation touches on intriguing linguistic phenomena like rhyming slang and the adoption of regional dialects.
The discussion then shifts to the world of television and film, covering outrageous soap opera plots, Tim Burton's gothic filmography, and movies highlighting bike culture in cities. The episode also examines urban infrastructure like New York City's bike sharing system and the origins of the modern bicycle.
This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Sep 2, 2024 episode of the WikiHole with D'Arcy Carden
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1-Page Summary
Music, celebrities, and pop culture
Bjork's iconic fashion and music
D'Arcy Carden highlights Bjork's legendary swan dress worn to the 2001 Oscars, where she was nominated for her role in "Dancer in the Dark." Carden also notes Bjork's 11 solo albums and her music video collaborations with Michel Gondry.
Accents, dialects, and linguistic phenomena
When Bjork moved to London, she developed a Cockney accent characterized by rhyming slang, substituting phrases for words. The participants shared personal experiences adopting new linguistic habits like "y'all" and "yins" in different regions.
Television, film, and media
The discussion covered outlandish soap opera plots like characters becoming demonic jaguars in "Days of Our Lives," and a gorilla kidnapping storyline in "Ryan's Hope." It then shifted to Tim Burton's filmography, including his adaptation of the gothic soap "Dark Shadows" and acclaimed films like "Batman" and "Edward Scissorhands."
Transportation and urban infrastructure
Bicycles and bike culture in cities
Carden and Heller discuss the origins of bicycles, correcting a misconception about the "dandy horse" precursor. They mention films showcasing bike culture like "Pee Wee's Big Adventure" and "Premium Rush," set in New York City. They also reference NYC's "City Bikes" bike sharing system launched in 2013.
1-Page Summary
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- While Bjork's swan dress is iconic, some critics at the time viewed it as a fashion misstep rather than a bold artistic statement.
- Bjork's Cockney accent adoption might be overstated; while she may have picked up certain phrases or intonations, her accent is distinct and not typically described as Cockney.
- The idea that people adopt new linguistic habits in different regions is a generalization and may not apply to everyone; some individuals maintain their original dialect despite long-term exposure to a new environment.
- Describing soap opera plots as outlandish could be seen as dismissive of the genre, which often employs exaggerated storylines to explore complex themes and character development.
- Tim Burton's filmography is diverse, and while "Dark Shadows," "Batman," and "Edward Scissorhands" are notable, some critics argue that his later works lack the originality of his earlier films.
- The history of bicycles is complex, and while the "dandy horse" is a commonly cited precursor, there were various other forms of human-powered vehicles that contributed to the development of the modern bicycle.
- Highlighting "Pee Wee's Big Adventure" and "Premium Rush" as representations of bike culture might not fully encompass the diversity and breadth of bicycle representation in film.
- The success and impact of bike-sharing systems like New York City's "City Bikes" can be debated, with some arguing that they serve tourists and casual users more than daily commuters or that they do not significantly reduce traffic congestion.
Actionables
- Explore your own accent evolution by recording yourself speaking now, then again after spending significant time in a new area or with a group of people with a different accent. Listen to the differences and note any changes in pronunciation or vocabulary, which can help you become more aware of how your language adapts to your environment.
- Create a themed costume for an upcoming event inspired by iconic outfits from public figures, like Bjork's swan dress, to spark conversations and express your creativity. Use materials you have at home or can easily obtain to craft an outfit that pays homage to a memorable fashion moment.
- Use your daily commute or errands as an opportunity to engage with local bike culture by choosing to cycle instead of driving or using public transport. This can help you understand the practicalities of biking in your city, the community around it, and the health benefits it can offer.
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Music, celebrities, and pop culture
In a playful segment discussing music and pop culture, the podcast jumps into a variety of topics, starting with the multi-faceted artist Bjork.
Bjork's iconic fashion and music
D'Arcy Carden brings our attention to Bjork’s legendary swan dress and her notable contributions to music and film.
Bjork wore her famous swan dress to the 2001 Academy Awards, where she was nominated for her work in the film Dancer in the Dark
Bjork’s swan dress is one of the most memorable fashion moments in Oscar history. D’Arcy Carden confirms that Bjork wore this now-iconic outfit to the 73rd Academy Awards in March 2001. The outfit was tied to her nomination for her role in "Dancer in the Dark," which brought her critical acclaim.
Bjork has released 11 solo albums over her long musical career, starting from a young age
D'Arcy Carden recounts Bjork’s impressive musical career, revealing that she has been performing since the tender age of 11 and has released exactly 11 solo albums. This track record shows Bjork's enduring presence in the music industry and her commitment to her craft.
Bjork has collaborat ...
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Music, celebrities, and pop culture
Additional Materials
Actionables
- Channel your unique style by wearing an outfit that stands out at your next formal event, inspired by Bjork's swan dress. Choose an attire that reflects your personality or a cause you're passionate about, and use it as a conversation starter to connect with others and leave a memorable impression.
- Explore the evolution of an artist by creating a playlist that spans the entire discography of a musician you admire, similar to Bjork's 11 solo albums. Listen to how their music changes over time, and reflect on how your own tastes or creative endeavors have evolved alongside.
- Foster creative partnerships by reaching out to a local artist ...
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Accents, dialects, and linguistic phenomena
The conversation centers on how the Icelandic singer Bjork developed a Cockney accent after moving to London and how people often adopt new ways of speaking when immersed in different linguistic environments.
Bjork's development of a Cockney accent
When Bjork moved to London in the early nineties for her solo career, she began adopting a Cockney accent. This accent is characterized by unique pronunciations, particularly vowel sounds, and a form of wordplay known as rhyming slang.
Rhyming slang as a linguistic characteristic
The participants discussed rhyming slang, a distinctive feature of the Cockney dialect, where a phrase that rhymes with a word is substituted in conversation. For instance, "apples and pears" is used to mean stairs. Other playful examples include "give me a ring on my dog and bone," which means to call someone on the phone, and "She's got a lovely set of mince pies," referring to someone's eyes. Additionally, saying "I've stood all day on me plates of meat" translates to "I've stood all day on my feet."
Personal exp ...
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Accents, dialects, and linguistic phenomena
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- The extent to which Bjork adopted a Cockney accent might be exaggerated; public figures often play with different styles of speech for various reasons, including artistic expression or media portrayal.
- While many people do adopt new ways of speaking in different linguistic environments, this is not universal; some individuals maintain their original accent and dialect despite long-term immersion in a new linguistic environment.
- The characterization of the Cockney accent might be oversimplified; accents can vary widely even within a specific region and are subject to individual variations.
- Rhyming slang, while distinctive, is not universally used by all speakers of the Cockney dialect and may be less prevalent in contemporary speech than the text suggests.
- The personal experiences shared may not represent the complexity of language adoption; factors such as age, identity, and social networks play a significant role in whether and how individuals ad ...
Actionables
- You can enhance your linguistic adaptability by creating a "dialect diary" where you note down new phrases or words you encounter daily and practice using them in sentences.
- Keeping a dedicated notebook or digital document allows you to track your progress in adopting new linguistic elements. For example, if you hear someone use the term "bobby dazzler" for something impressive, write it down and try incorporating it into your conversations throughout the week.
- Try hosting a themed dinner party where guests are encouraged to speak using a specific dialect or accent, such as Cockney, for the evening.
- This social setting provides a fun and low-pressure environment to practice new linguistic styles. You could prepare a menu with items labeled in rhyming slang, like "dog and bone" for phone, and challenge guests to order using the slang terms.
- Engage in language exchange meetups with individuals from diffe ...
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Television, film, and media
In a discussion that traverses the peculiar universes of soap operas and Tim Burton’s filmography, participants enjoyed a game that compared outlandish storylines with the creative works of the acclaimed director.
Soap operas and their outlandish storylines
Soap operas are renowned for their wild and often implausible plot twists.
Soap operas are known for featuring wild, unbelievable plot lines, such as a character becoming possessed by the devil and transforming into a jaguar
The participants played a game called "Soap or Nope," which featured bizarre soap opera stories. For instance, a plot from "Days of Our Lives" was discussed where a character becomes possessed by the devil and occasionally turns into a jaguar.
The participants discussed several examples of absurd soap opera storylines, including a gorilla kidnapping a woman and a talking dog named David Vickers
Beyond demonic shape-shifting, another story from the soap opera "Ryan's Hope" involves a woman being kidnapped by a gorilla seeking companionship. Still on the theme of extraordinary narratives, the group mentioned "One Life to Live," famous for featuring a talking dog named David Vickers.
Films under Tim Burton’s direction
The conversation then seamlessly transitioned into the realm of Tim Burton’s filmography, drawing a parallel with the fantastical elements often found in soap operas.
Tim Burton directed the 2012 film adaptation of the classic gothic soap opera Dark Shadows
Tim Burton's prowess as a storyteller who embraces the fantastical aligns with the absurdities discussed earlier. It’s aptly illustrated by Burton’s 2012 film adaptation of "Dark Shadows," which was a classic gothic soap opera before it took to the big screen under his vision.
Not sticking strictly to the game's framework, Anthony Carrigan mentioned Burton’s "Edward Scissorhands," although it was not part of the list under discussion. D'Arcy Carden then talked about Burton’s ...
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Television, film, and media
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- While soap operas often feature wild plot twists, they also tackle real-life issues and can be a platform for social commentary, which was not acknowledged in the main ideas.
- The absurdity in soap operas is sometimes a deliberate narrative choice to explore character development in extreme circumstances, which can be meaningful and not just outlandish.
- Tim Burton's adaptation of "Dark Shadows" may not have been universally acclaimed, and some fans of the original series might argue that it did not capture the essence of the gothic soap opera.
- The comparison between Tim Burton's films and soap opera elements might oversimplify the unique artistic vision and thematic depth of Burton's work.
- The mention of "Edward Scissorhands" outside the game's framework could be seen as a non-sequitur that doesn't contribute to the discussion about soap operas and Tim Burton's relation to them.
- Discussing Tim Burton's Academy Award successes without acknowledging any criticisms or failures presents an incomplete picture of his career.
- The speculation about "Pee Wee's Big Adventure" being related to award-winning films might not be relevant or accurate, as the f ...
Actionables
- Explore your own creativity by writing a short story that includes fantastical elements, like talking animals or supernatural occurrences, to stretch your imagination and storytelling skills.
- Start by jotting down a few outlandish ideas on paper, then pick one and develop a narrative around it. For example, imagine your pet has the ability to communicate with you and leads you on an adventure to solve a neighborhood mystery.
- Host a themed movie night with friends where each person brings a film that features gothic or fantastical elements, to appreciate different interpretations of the genre.
- You could create invitations that hint at the theme and encourage guests to dress up as their favorite characters from the movies they bring. This could be a great way to see how various directors, like Tim Burton, handle similar themes.
- Take a virtual tour of different international soap operas availabl ...
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Transportation and urban infrastructure
D'Arcy Carden and Emily Heller delve into the history and cultural aspects of bicycles and their influence on urban infrastructure.
Bicycles and bike culture in cities
Discussing the historical evolution and cultural impact of bicycles in urban settings, the conversation brings up some interesting tidbits about the bikes and how they've become a central part of city living.
The precursor to the modern bicycle
While discussing the origins of the bicycle, Emily Heller corrects a false statement which incorrectly named "Hot Wheels" as the precursor to the bicycle and attributed it to Thomas Edison. D'Arcy Carden confirms the actual precursor was known as the "dandy horse," an invention by German Baron Karl von Drais in the early 19th century.
Bicycles in film and media
D'Arcy Carden mentions the film "Pee Wee's Big Adventure," focusing on its cross-country bike journey plot. The conversation shifts to the film "Premium Rush," starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, which immerses viewers in the bike messenger culture of New York Ci ...
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Transportation and urban infrastructure
Additional Materials
Actionables
- Explore the history of bicycles by visiting a local museum or historical society to see if they have exhibits on early transportation, including the dandy horse, to gain a deeper appreciation for the evolution of cycling.
- Create a themed bike route in your city inspired by "Pee Wee's Big Adventure" or "Premium Rush," where you and your friends can embark on a journey that includes stops at iconic landmarks or challenges that mimic scenes from the movies, adding a cinematic twist to your cycling experience.
- Participate in a bike-sharing progra ...
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