Positive Cynicism EP. 65: Judging the Past Through the Eyes of Today[ 43:24 | 59.6 MB ]Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (594)
Should the past be held to the standards of today? That’s the topic @chadsmart and Travis Yates (@PopCultIQ) tackle in this installment of Positive Cynicism. While attending PolitiCon 2018, Chad heard a panelist talking about immigration and criticizing the evil white men who conquered America. This got Chad to thinking if Christopher Columbus hadn’t “discovered” America or the other explorers and early settlers hadn’t been the first ones to America wouldn’t whoever tried to settle the land have committed the same atrocities? Not that that excuses the behavior, only that can we judge people’s actions in the past if they don’t line up with the standards of today?
With that as a jumping off point, Chad and Travis jump all over history to discuss how attitudes and societal norms have to be taken into consideration when looking at the past. As society advances and things that were once deemed okay are now viewed as wrong, instead of demeaning the past, should use the situation as a teaching moment. For those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
Positive Cynicism EP38: We Need More Neighbors like Mister Rogers[ 53:22 | 0.01 MB ]Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (658)
This episode, @chadsmart is joined by Associate Professor of Communication at Quincy University, Travis Yates (PopCultIQ) to discuss the circular argument of does society shape television or does television shape society? We look at child programming from the ’70-’80s compared to today. Then transition to programs aimed at adults and reliance of violence and negativity on said programs. We need to get back to the roots of Mister Rogers Neighborhood and treat each other as neighbors instead of strangers.
There are some slight audio issues with the episodes. Occasional muffling and repetition of audio. It doesn’t make the show unlistenable. Just tossing out a disclaimer.
We live in a world in which we need to share responsibility. It’s easy to say, ‘It’s not my child, not my community, not my world, not my problem.’ Then there are those who see the need and respond. I consider those people my heroes. – Mister Rogers 1994
Comics are great. It’s why I’m here. It’s why you’re here. I got into comics first as a child before finding them again a few years back.
But comics have been playing a pivotal role in the lives of thousands of children across the world…children who were given an outlet, a voice to show their experiences through their eyes and in their words. The Comic Book Project began in New York City in 2001 and has spread across the nation and around the globe.
Thirteen years ago, Dr. Michael Bitz started an afternoon school program that would grow into The Comic Book Project. It spread from New York City to other metropolitan areas around the country (HELLO CLEVELAND) and has since gone international (HELLO NIGERIA).
So I visit with Michael about his childhood with comics and how he has used the medium to get kids to be creative. It’s an awesome show.
Want to help The Comic Book Project? My friends at Stache Publishing have a new anthology available December 1st. Purchase Out of the Blue and proceeds will go to The Comic Book Project. Or as I like to call it… Win-Win.