Alexander Schmid Podcast

In this lecture, we consider (a) the dream of Penelope and the famous gates of horn and ivory; (b) the rising portents suggesting the doom of the suitors, and (c) Odysseus recruits Eurykleia, Eumaios, and Philoitios to his cause!

In this conversation, Ms. Sarah Miller, Mr. Wes Schantz, and I consider: (a) Neville, St. Mungo's and our deepening impressions of the character in the magical world; (b) Occlumency, what goes unseen or hidden, and Snape and Harry's  deepening relationship? (c) Also, bonus talk about how painfully awkward Harry and Cho's romance is. Quickly followed by an exposition of the Weasley Twins' (after Dumbledore's) grand hijinks. Audire!

In this lecture, we (a) review Odysseus' recent troubles with Iros, Melantho, and Eurymachos, (b) we view Penelope and Odysseus sit across from each other for the first time in twenty years (Odysseus in disguise as Aithon, the beggar), and (c) we observe the subtleties of the conversation between long estranged husband and wife!

In this lecture, we discuss (a) Arnaios (Iros) and his fight with Aithon (Odysseus in disguise); (b) the rude mistreatment of Odysseus by Melantho and Eurymachos, and (c) Odysseus' doleful plea to Amphinomos about the sorry state of mankind.

In this lecture, we consider (a) the inhospitable actions of Melanthios, the goat-herd, (b) Argos, Odysseus' ruined, old, and tick-ridden dog as a symbol for Ithaka (and any place gone to seed); and (c) we see the dark foreboding of the inhospitable actions of the leading suitor, Antinoos (throws a foot-stool at Odysseus!).

In this lecture, we review (a) the contemplatives of Saturn, including Peter Damian and St. Benedict; (b) we consider the nature and fate of all human institutions according Dante/St. Benedict (Rome, Florence, the Benedictine Order, the Franciscans, the Dominicans, etc...); and (c) we move forward to the Fixed Stars where we will meet St. Peter, St. James, St. John, and Adam, the first man (in Canto 26).

In this conversation, Ms. Sarah Miller, Mr. Wes Schantz, and I discuss "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" chapters 19-24. Specifically, we consider (a) the relationship of language to domination, subjugation, and liberation ontologically, psychologically, sociologically, and mythologically; (b) we consider the nature of the thestrals, and Hagrid's "giant" problem; (c) and we conclude considering differing ways in which we, as wizards, might observe "Wizard Lent".

In this episode, Mr. Wes Schantz and I continue trudging towards the end. We consider (a) the nostalgia of artificially extending the game-time by exploring and ferreting out new side-quests, (b) the importance of a narrative being a coherent whole rather than a chimerical attempt at "being everything to everyone all at once"; (having character and thus limits); and (c) what is it about a video game laced with narrative that makes it so addictive to us?

In this episode, Mr. Wes Schantz and I talk (1) teacher strikes in West Virginia, Oakland, Los Angeles, and New York; (2) what the teachers unions are demanding (higher pay; fewer or no charter schools (West Virginia)), and (3) what charter school teachers are (successful by the numbers) and are not (cherry-pickers slowly rotting away the core of public education while profiting off failing children).

1) http://thefederalist.com/2019/03/01/west-virginia-teachers-parents-scared-disagree-striking-teachers-unions/?fbclid=IwAR1JQHzHn3RERQ2ryBkzj_gV4MH6fCajCkKUobr3z1mxqqWPnResWI0psao

2) https://www.city-journal.org/los-angeles-teacher-strike?fbclid=IwAR1lEUgaqYy_gDYJ8G8xc1J9kRIPvc_ymSBjbuojIqv-3dWfsYd1dwb6WrQ

3) https://theintercept.com/2019/02/01/oakland-school-district-teachers-strike-charter-schools/?fbclid=IwAR0vTyNvkkWvlKEAHjmAi7r7TUvy8ltvGWUnBsm5DRvrfRos_n9gtHKUrjc

4) https://nypost.com/2019/02/28/charter-schools-deliver-for-new-yorks-neediest-kids/?fbclid=IwAR1qB5rO2TXY-uZLl94N0_DPuGHu1uQM9l4nfZ4XKR0bWUiHIK5L7iIB52g

5) https://www.city-journal.org/charter-schools-teachers-strikes?fbclid=IwAR1lEUgaqYy_gDYJ8G8xc1J9kRIPvc_ymSBjbuojIqv-3dWfsYd1dwb6WrQ

6) https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Oakland-teachers-school-district-deeply-divided-13654007.php?fbclid=IwAR2Zb3BdS38vdOojql3Pd7BpFXkbF-VbSnAb6bPOJ1_dwwyLFdEUv9psmhk

7) https://www.chronicle.com/interactives/Trend19-Remediation-Main

In this lecture, we discuss (a) Odysseus and Telemachos finally reuniting, (b) the new plan for ridding Ithaka of the opprobrious suitors, and (c) we see Odysseus start on his (new) long-journey home.