In their first episode of Season 2 of Digital Yawp, Dawson and Joe highlight a couple of documentaries that they watched over the summer and rediscover the abject horror of reality television/storytelling. Who needs fiction to frighten us? The material world is doing that quite nicely on its own.

In the final episode of Season 1, Joe and Dawson discuss the "rules" of language and communication as they relate to propriety, power structures, influence, and perhaps even prejudice. We also had to use the explicit designation for the first time, so that's...um...different.

As Season 1 of Digital Yawp winds down, the guys explore the possibility that everything is a refraction of something previous, and that technological advances have sped up culture to the point where an artist's work is being significantly influenced by his/her audience (and/or consumers). Is this disappointing? Is it detrimental? Or, is it beneficial to have the crowd join the artist in the creative process?

The guys consider and discuss the history and the evolution of a famous archetype known as the Trickster--a literary figure whose origins reach as far back as the earliest creation myths and also appears in movies as current as the new Joker film coming this October.

During this portion of the conversation, Nick answers our questions about responsibility in storytelling--specifically whether an author has any responsibility when it comes to creating his/her art. Among the questions we ponder is does the story have to be "true," and does it have to be redemptive. In response, Nick shares what he recently learned about the essential elements of story while attending a Robert McKee seminar.

The guys revisit the impact of storytelling within the context of marketing (and, er... consumerism?) with special guest, Nick Roth.

In this first of two episodes, Nick, a Clemson alum and a friend of Dawson's, provides keen insight into some of the "pseudo science" behind what makes work fulfilling. He also shares some of his personal experiences with advertising's commodification of story.

The guys perform an "anticipatory set" (educational term from the mid-80's) regarding some television shows. More accurately, they review and discuss the appeal of five TV series that they've been watching over the past couple of months. Yeah, there's some spoilers ahead, but perhaps some tasty appetizers to get you hooked as well.

Shows covered: The Ballad of Buster Skruggs, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Escape at Dannemora, True Detective (season 1), and Counterpart.

Two-time guest, short fiction author, and treasured friend of the podcast, Nathan Goodroe, joins us to discuss the phenomenon of cooperative storytelling and the appeal of role playing games NOT experienced on a video console.

In their latest episode, the lads return from Christmas break to discuss the traditional exercise many people go through of telling ourselves a story about ourselves that eventually leads to making ourselves (and others) promises we typically don't keep.

 

Special thanks for the music in this episode goes out to The Mini Vandals for "The Shepherd" and "35,000 Feet" and to Chris Haugan for "Mirage."

In the final episode of the year, Joe and Dawson invite special guest, Greg Lisson, to try to make some sense of the dichotomous cultural stew that is Christmas in America.   

 

Special recognition for the music in this episode goes to Mark Castle for "Sad Xmas" and to Borrtex for "Happy Holidays."