New Podcast: Spection

Transcript of the first release of the upcoming podcast called Spection:

Welcome to the first issue of the Spection Podcast, straight from us to your earbuds.
How do we make reflection relevant to a me-me-me culture? There are thousands of ways to satisfy our need for entertainment today, but why do we end up choosing A over B? We aren’t frequently asked to question our tastes, but that’s what Spection is here to do. Through articulating preferences, we can sort out more than just the good from the bad. Understanding the essence of attraction to art leads to a dialogue about what we value in our culture. We’re not only interested in why people haven’t been out to see the latest international docu-drama yet, we’re wondering why that synth-heavy rap song is on everyone’s ipod. Music, art, films, and books don’t have to be mindless entertainment, but there’s a lot of inane stuff out there that makes it to the top. We’re not afraid to tackle the bad in the name of understanding the good.
To flip on the television and watch whatever happens to be playing is like playing Russian Roulette with our intellect. It’s a crime to waste an hour on reality tv when something more stimulating is on the next channel. Too often we take the easy route when it comes to culture, favoring what’s popular over what’s enriching. Too often we write off something like opera as too high brow to be understood by anyone without a monocle. And too often do we miss out on the best of what the world has to offer, all because we refused to put forth a little effort. Such intense satisfaction awaits, if only we’re willing to work for it. And you’ve already taken the first step.
We’re starting a dialogue to put high art within everyone’s reach and to make questioning culture second nature. If you’ve already clicked subscribe, you’ll be receiving content weekly from our team of contributors. Essays, interviews, and dialogues are all on the table as we search for something more from our media.
This week, we’re featuring an essay by weekly contributor Marcy Capron called (pola)Roid Rage, Or, What Instant Satisfaction Did to Photography. She’s explored Polaroid photography from its invention up to the boom of the iconic square photos in so-called hipster culture.
Guest contributor John Hodgman interviews author Jefferey Eugenides next week. He’ll be asking about his new collection of essays on love, My Mistress’s Sparrow is Dead. Regular contributor Brian Hoffman also joins us next week to offer a review of Steppenwolf Theater’s production of The Tempest.
We’re here to sound off on cultural phenomena, but we want you to jump in too. Since culture is not a passive phenomenon, we’ll take your phone calls on your opinions, questions, and commentary in a monthly episode we’re calling FeedBack. But you won’t just be listening to our voicemail. Our contributors will offer their own two cents alongside yours for enhanced perspective.
That’s all for this week. Thanks for joining us. Don’t forget to call in, and don’t forget to Stop. Look. Listen.